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Showing appreciation for our teachers

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff
Monday, May 20th, 2013, 3:25pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- For the fourth year in a row, the St. James A.M.E. Church in Orange Park held its Teacher Appreciation Day during services Sunday morning.

The church honored more than 25 teachers with a plaques, gifts and apples, presented by their students. The children also wrote two paragraphs on why their teachers were so special to them and how they touched their lives in a positive way.

The church also honored three school board members for their long service to the community and educating their children. 

 

 

The teachers honored were all appreciative.

 

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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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Sudden death cancels cruise and possible refund

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter
Monday, May 13th, 2013, 8:25pm

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, Fla. -- Carnival Cruise Lines has seen its share of problems this year, but that did not stop Frances Prince and Mollie McCall from booking a seven day cruise.

"She wouldn't go without me and I wouldn't go without her," said Prince. 

But on May 9 Herb Green, McCall's fiance', was killed in an accident on State Road 16 near Starke. Prince is still trying to cope with the loss. 

Prince, McCall and Herb Green were good friends. 

"Tragedies happen," she said. "You can't schedule them."

On May 10, the day before they were to set sail, they contacted their travel agent with the bad news.

"Their big suggestion was see if you can find somebody else to take your place," Prince said.

Prince said she also called Carnival Cruise to try and reschedule the cruise.

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Marching to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff
Sunday, May 12th, 2013, 10:34am

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Friends and family of Melissa Boyett marched in her honor to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.

Melissa passed away on April 23, but lived a life full of joy and experienced more than most people ever will in her short 23 years.

Team "Marching for Melissa" met Saturday at the Orange Park Kennel Club.  They walked to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis research.

You can donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Melissa's name here.

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Sibling sexual abuse hurts a Jacksonville father

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter
Friday, May 10th, 2013, 8:05pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- It is still one of society's greatest taboo but because no wants to talk about it, doesn't stop sibling sexual abuse. According to the Pandora Project studies have shown that between 2% and 4% of people have been sexually victimized by a sibling.  

"What is a father to do?" asked Reggie Thomas.

Thomas, 36, is a divorced father who is worried about his two children now living with their mother.

"I did all the right things I call JSO I took my child to the hospital," he said. 

Earlier this year Thomas made an ugly discovery. Court records show his children's older half-brother, a 15 year old, was charged with sexually abusing his younger siblings. Thomas' two children are eight and nine years of age.

"My daughter said this was going on for three years straight," he said. 

The State Attorney's office prosecuted the teenager.

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Board Chairman: Superintendent told us not to talk to staff

Submitted by Mike Lyons, First Coast News Reporter/Multi-Media Journalist
Thursday, May 9th, 2013, 7:53pm

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- The combative relationship between the Superintendent of Clay County School and the School Board has reached a new level.

A new directive laid out by Superintendent Charlie Van Zant has many upset.

Clay County school superintendent Charlie Van Zant and the school board have been at odds over several issues since Van Zant's election in the fall. So much so the Chamber of Commerce wrote a letter to both parties asking them to cool it because it was hurting the reputation of the county.

The latest salvo fired by the Superintendent this week: If you are a member of the Clay County School Board and want to ask a question of the school system staff, don't.

That is what school board Chairman Carol Studdard said she was told this week by a staff member. She said she was told if she or any school board member had a question, take it to Van Zant.

Studdard doesn't like it one bit.

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Ridgeview High School students upset over teacher cuts

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff
Monday, May 6th, 2013, 6:16pm

ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- Clay County High School students are speaking up about what they believe are unfair changes at their school.  

"I had asked Ms. Segreto, I wrote her a letter, but I didn't get any reply back besides 'thank you' for your letter," said Taylor Dodd, a student at Ridgeview High School.

Dodd, a sophomore, learned last week that several of her favorite teachers and coaches will not be returning next year.

"All of the people getting cut are like big influences on the school and they're like the younger teachers who understand us," said Dodd.

The Clay County School District says the four positions cut at Ridgeview High School are part of allocation cuts that happen in school districts across the state, they are based on student enrollment projections for the upcoming year. 

The Principal of Ridgeview High School, Deborah Segreto, was told she had to make four cuts.

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