Country singer Slim Whitman dies at age 90

Wednesday, June 19th, 2013, 9:03pm

ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- Florida native and famed country singer Slim Whitman has died at the age of 90.

A family member confirmed Whitman passed away peacefully surrounded by family overnight Wednesday at Orange Park Medical Center. He had heart and kidney failure.

Witman sold more than 120 million records and he's known around the world for songs like Rose Marie, I Remember You, and Indian Love Call. People in Middleburg say he was just a humble, down to earth guy.

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Guilty plea in gun case in detective's death

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013, 5:58pm

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- A Middleburg man pleaded guilty Tuesday in a gun case relating to the death of a Clay County detective.

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Baker, Clay to host National Night Out events

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Monday, June 17th, 2013, 2:03pm

Northeast Florida -- Baker and Clay counties have announced that they have begun planning for "America's Night out Against Crime."

The events are part of the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development and promotion of various crime prevention programs, which culminates annually on the first Tuesday of August.

National Night Out was first introduced in 1984 and began as an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

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Residents still dealing with Debby damage

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Sunday, June 16th, 2013, 8:32pm

MIDDLEBURG, Fla. -- Almost a year after Tropical Storm Debby made landfall in North Florida, about 75 families are still seeking help to fix their homes.

"[Water] is coming through the wall, down underneath the floor, some day my refrigerator will probably end up on the ground," said Middleburg resident Nikki Celso.

The Celso family in Middleburg continues to deal with leftover damage from the storm.

"It worries me that my beams are going to come through the roof and they're going to end up on my floor," said Celso.

Tropical Storm Debby flooded hundreds of homes near Black Creek in Clay County, but even those living in non-flood zones had water enter their homes.

The storm dumped so much rain, Nikki Celso said her ceiling cracked in several rooms. The roof is caving in her son's room and mold is spreading throughout the home.

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Clay County Emergency Management updates on Andrea

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Thursday, June 6th, 2013, 5:18pm

CLAY COUNTY, Fla.-Emergency Management Officials are watching progress of Tropical Storm Andrea as it crosses Florida today and will closely monitor conditions throughout the evening.

Emergency Operations Center is currently at Level 3 activation and will continue communication with state and local agencies.

Clay County is currently under the following cautions:
• Tropical Storm Warning
• Tornado Watch
• Flood Watch

Isolated flooding in low-lying areas may occur from the anticipated rainfall, and residents are urged to remain aware of conditions and take protective actions as needed.

All residents are advised to take this opportunity to prepare for what might become an active storm season. Preparations include:
• 3 days' supply of water, food, personal needs items and medications
• Collection of important documents if evacuations become necessary
• Family emergency plan

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Consumer Alert: Be sure your trailer has a legal VIN

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter

Wednesday, June 5th, 2013, 6:52pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Every trailer on the road, and there are many, must have a vehicle identification number, like your car would have. Otherwise, under Florida, law it's considered contraband and it will be confiscated.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is reporting a rash of trailer thefts like what happened to Willis Sly. His utility trailer was stolen on Memorial Day.

"They cut all the locks on the trailer and away it went," said Sly.

He purchased a new trailer, costing him about $2,000.

"The police say they recover some. I'm buying another one so I don't know," said Sly.

The police effort to cut down on trailer thefts and recover the stolen ones has been an eye-opening experience for Dan Mechelke

"I had no idea, I had no idea in regards to that trailer, none at all, none at all," said Mechelke.

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Clay County boy killed in tragic accident

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 11:30pm

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- A 4-year-old in Clay County died Thursday in a tragic accident.

According to a report from the Clay County Sheriff's Office, Lucas Colley was sitting on an electric reclining chair and using a control system to raise and lower it.

Then his mother and a family friend heard him scream. They ran into the room and found the chair closing on the boy's head.

"Yes they did try to stop it. They tried to use the functions on the remote. According to the mother, she said the buttons didn't respond then physically they tried to pull the chair apart which they were unable to do," said CCSO Detective Jermaine Boone.

We spoke with Clay County detectives, and they told us the boy's mother needs help paying for his funeral services.

If you would like to help, you can contact the Aaron and Burnet Bivens Funeral Home at 264-1233 to donate.

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