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Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla in Mandarin elects officers for 2012

Submitted by Kevin Koehl, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Jacksonville

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011, 7:06pm

Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla in Mandarin elects officers for 2012

MANDARIN, FL – Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 14-8 held annual elections on Tuesday, November 1 at the Florida Tackle and Gun Club on San Jose Boulevard. Whit Vick was re-elected to the office of Flotilla Commander and Kevin Koehl was elected to the office of Vice Commander. Their terms begin January 1, 2012.

Vick joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary in 1998 in Georgia and transferred to the Mandarin Flotilla in 2008. Vick also serves as the Operations Officer for the Flotilla. He is qualified as an Auxiliary Coxswain and volunteers his boat as an Auxiliary Facility conducting safety patrols for the Coast Guard on the St. Johns River.

Koehl joined the Auxiliary in 2010 and also serves as Public Affairs Officer for the Flotilla.

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Submitted by Linden Wargo, Eyes In The Sky

Tuesday, October 25th, 2011, 10:48pm

2 Hospitalized In Critical Condition Sunday After Motorcycle Wreck

SOUTH PONTE VEDRA BEACH - Two people were sent to the hospital Sunday after their motorcycle collided with a vehicle on AIA near Guana River State Park around 3:45 p.m.

The man driving the motorcycle was taken to Flagler Hospital in an ambulance, and the female passenger was life flighted to Shands as a "Trauma Alert". Both motorcycle passengers were listed in critical condition when they were transported from the scene. The woman was taken to the boat ramp near the Vilano Bridge to be transported by the helicopter.

It is not certain weather either of the injured cyclists were wearing helmets, or if alcohol was involved at this time. The identities and conditions of the victims are unknown.

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Submitted by Erich Spivey, First Coast News Staff

Monday, October 24th, 2011, 7:55pm

City Commissioner Speaks About His Arrest

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- A St. Augustine City Commissioner Errol Jones is puzzled about what happened Saturday night and why police arrested him this past weekend.

Jones spoke with First Coast News Monday about what led to his arrest. He is charged with resisting an officer without violence.

According to the police report, police were investigating an assault at 60 Julia Street. That's where Jones' mother lives. He said he had received a call from a relative at the home on Julia about an argument, so he went to the house just around the corner from his home to see what was going on. Some officers with the St. Augustine Police Department were at the home.

During the officers' investigation, the report said a man came out of the garage, "rushing" at the officers.

However, Jones said he was never in the garage or in the house.

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Submitted by Linden Wargo, Eyes In The Sky

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011, 12:51pm

$53,353.79 Winning Fantasy 5 Tickes Sold in Ponte Vedra Beach

The numbers drawn last night for the Fantasy 5 drawing were 5-21-28-30-36

There were 4 lucky winners each winning a whopping $53,353.79 top prize!

One of the winning tickets was purchased right here in the First Coast area.

Florida Lottery said Wednesday that one of the winning tickets was sold in Ponte Vedra Beach.

The other three were sold in Hialeah, Venice and Coral Springs.

286 lucky players missed the jackpot by one number, but still madeout with $120.00.

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Submitted by Linden Wargo, Eyes In The Sky

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011, 8:54pm

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL- The fuel truck driver intensely burned in the explosion in August at the gas station on S.R. 16 and Masters Drive is filing a lawsuit against the oil company who owns the storage tanks that caught fire. The massive explosion shook the community as it sent flames as high as 75 feet up. It took firefighters more than 3 hours to extinguish the fire from the mass explosion.

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First Coast Man Rides Bike 500 Miles For Fundraiser

Submitted by Erin Hawley on Wednesday, September 28th, 11:41 am

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- A First Coast man is leading the charge to money for a little girl recovering from a heart transplant, using his bike to help ease the parents' financial burden.

Joe Mehm has always been a cycling enthusiast but he's never done a ride like this.

The daunting ride from St. Augustine to Key West was to raise money for the owners of Panama Hatties in St. Augustine, the Kivistos, and their baby Grace.

"Their baby had a heart defect, and was needing a heart transplant," Mehm said.

With the life-saving transplant complete, the medical bills piled in.

"Just decided I wanted to do something myself so I put together this Gears for Grace and put together a little website so we can take in some pledges," Mehm said.

Taking pledges from businesses, family and friends, Mehm left from Panama Hatties heading for Key West.

The 500 mile ride took six days.

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Submitted by Rachel Leitao, First Coast News Staff

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011, 12:09pm

Friends of the St. Augustine Amphitheatre (FOSAA) will sponsor an exciting all-day musical event at the Amphitheatre on Saturday, November 19th from 12:30 PM to 8:30 PM. The event will feature some of the area's hottest bands and soloists and spotlight the talent of Kids Rock the Nation Foundation award recipients. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $10 for students eighteen and under. Children under five will be admitted for free. Tickets are available through TicketMaster and at the Amphitheatre Box Office beginning October 1st. Tickets will also be available at the door. Half of the proceeds will be donated to St. Johns County schools to provide opportunities for students to see and experience live performances. The other half will be used to fund grants to non-profit community agencies and schools who submit FOSAA grant applications.

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