Mayor Donna Deagan has infused new talent into the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Television, Motion Picture & Commercial Production with the induction of seven fresh faces. The commission, bolstering a team of 16 members, provides critical support to Jacksonville’s Film & Television Office – a segment of the Office of Economic Development. Taking a high-profile role in the collective, the Chair of the Tourist Development Council is automatically seated at the table by design. In an announcement made by the city, the newly appointed members represent a diverse range of expertise and accomplishments. Sharon Y. Cobb, an experienced screenwriter and...

Following a violent altercation in Northeast, MPD officers were called to Division Avenue on the afternoon of September 1, where they encountered a scene of violence. A 23-year-old man had made his way to the Sixth District police station seeking help for his stab wounds, unfortunately, he did not survive the assault and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. A woman was also found wounded at the location of the incident; she survived with non-life-threatening injuries. The male victim was identified as Gray Hall, a resident of Northeast. An investigation was launched, and yesterday, Shameka Jackson, a 40-year-old resident...

In a recent turn of events, two hunting guides have faced the consequences of illegal practices that defy the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Chase Michael Courville of Abbeville, Louisiana, and Dalton Harrison of Shelby County, Tennessee were sentenced after being indicted for utilizing bait to illegally attract waterfowl for hunting purposes. The baiting practice—a violation of the natural order of our wildlife conservation—led to the men being prosecuted under Title 16, United States Code, Sections 704(b)(2) and 707. These convictions were the result of a federal grand jury’s decision on March 19, after the two men carried out their questionable...

Aaron Ricks was surprised during a drive in Scottsdale when he found a boa constrictor under his truck after driving from Mesa. On his lunch break, he noticed something hanging near the engine and thought it was debris. “I thought it was a grocery bag or some sort of plastic. Maybe I ran over something,” he said. But when he checked, he was shocked to find a snake. “So I walked back over to the truck to see what it was, and was totally shocked to see this big ol’ snake looking down and looking right back at me,” Ricks...

The Worcester Police Department has issued a call to the public seeking assistance in finding Bertha Alicia Turcios, who has recently been reported missing. Turcios is described as being 5 feet tall and was last seen wearing a blue top, according to details shared on the Worcester Police Department Facebook post, In their continuous efforts to locate the missing individual, law enforcement has also provided information about a vehicle associated with Ms. Turcios—a blue 2002 Dodge truck—bearing license plate number 3KSW34. The community is urged to be on the lookout, and anyone who might have seen Turcios, or has knowledge...

In a recent development concerning the aggravated assault of a Fulton County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) Detention Deputy, two arrests have been made. The Atlanta Police have reported that Xavier Evans, age 29, was apprehended last Thursday with the help of the FCSO’s Fugitive Task Force (FAST) Team. The following day, 24-year-old Xavion Evans surrendered to the authorities at the Fulton County Jail. Both individuals are allegedly connected to the attack that occurred outside an establishment at 775 Joseph E. Boone Boulevard NW on the night of November 1. Atlanta Police Department is providing insights into the ongoing investigation into the...

Amid the growing demand for electricity and extreme weather putting a strain on the U.S. power grid, innovative solutions are being sought by the energy sector to boost capacity without overhauling the entire system. The Powerline Conductor Accelerated Testing Facility (PCAT) at the Dept. of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory has become a pivotal site for these advancements, providing a unique setting where new power line technologies can endure rigorous long-term testing under variable conditions, as reported by Oak Ridge National Laboratory . PCAT manager Brian Rowden explained the lab’s objectives focus on increasing current capacity, extending operating lifetimes, and...

Winter Park commissioners have agreed to acquire a $4 million retail property at 929-957 W. Fairbanks Ave., the decision being a unanimous nod. The goal is to improve local infrastructure and potentially ease traffic congestion, as WFTV reported . The purchase includes a property currently housing local businesses , among which Soseki Omakase and Austin’s Coffee face an uncertain future. The purchase is strategic from the city’s standpoint but casts a shadow of unsettledness upon the entrepreneurs. According to city manager Randy Knight’s statement, some leases span the next decade while others are short-lived . Michael Collantes, proprietor of Soseki,...

New York City’s firefighters are facing a relentless enemy in the form of wildfires, with current blazes tearing through parts of Manhattan and Queens, reported earlier today. According to FOX 5 New York , approximately 140 firefighters were dispatched to a fire in Manhattan’s Inwood Park, where they confronted the difficult landscape of steep, wooded hillside to manage the flames. Residents in the proximity of the blaze have been advised to shut their windows and to stay away from the smoky area. The FDNY is bringing a variety of resources to the fray, including drones, marine units, and specialized brush...