CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — Eight individuals have been federally indicted following an 18-month investigation into a contraband smuggling operation at the Citrus County Jail, authorities announced. The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, working with the U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District ofContinue Reading
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The City of Jacksonville has launched a new initiative aimed at expanding homeownership opportunities for very low-income residents through the SHIP Single-Family Development Program. City officials said the program will initially fund the construction of 10 affordable single-family homes and provide eligible buyers with down payment assistanceContinue Reading
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The City of Jacksonville’s Emergency Preparedness Division, in partnership with JEA, will host the return of JaxReady Fest, a free two-day event focused on emergency preparedness and community safety. The event is scheduled for April 17–18, 2026, at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, located at 1000 WaterContinue Reading
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A towing company owner has been arrested following an investigation into alleged overbilling practices, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Mohamed Bassam, 38, who owns King Towing and Storage LLC and Safe Harbor Towing LLC, was taken into custody on March 19, 2026, after detectives received multipleContinue Reading
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has released body-worn camera footage from an incident involving a large gathering of teens that led to multiple fights at a city park. According to JSO, more than 200 teenagers gathered at Blue Cypress Park on March 18, 2026, for what was describedContinue Reading
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Two suspects have been arrested in connection with a fraud scheme that cost an Orange City woman nearly half a million dollars, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. Jason Hellawell, 56, was taken into custody in California, while co-conspirator Ariel Wang, 33, turned herself in toContinue Reading
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A St. Johns County jury has found a man guilty on multiple charges following a three-day trial stemming from a domestic violence incident involving a firearm, prosecutors said. 52-year-old Yuvrajjit Singh Gill was convicted of two counts of Armed False Imprisonment, Aggravated Assault with a Firearm,Continue Reading
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Two men were arrested after deputies observed a cocaine sale in the parking lot of a local bar, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators with the Narcotics Unit said they had been monitoring Phillip Jerome Barker Jr., 36, and had probable cause for hisContinue Reading
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – A 20-year-old Bradenton man is behind bars after a family in Punta Gorda discovered his communications with a 13-year-old girl and intercepted him as he returned to their home. Kevin Lopez Perez was arrested on Friday, March 27, 2026, by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office MajorContinue Reading
JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — A 33-year-old man has been arrested following a months-long investigation into the possession of child sexual abuse material, according to the Jacksonville Beach Police Department. Spencer Thomas Patton, of Jacksonville Beach, was taken into custody on March 25, 2026, after detectives executed a search warrant atContinue Reading