Mandarin couple survives fire; pet did not

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012, 10:29pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- It was a normal day on Mandarin's Toucan Drive until Harley Mimbs and his wife, Jane, came running from their home.

"I threw a shirt on and saw Harley and my mom said 'call 911,'" said Zack Gibbons.

The Mimbs home was on fire. Before firefighters would snuff out the last ember, there would be a rescue and there would a be a tragedy.

"The last we heard, the dog didn't make it," said Miles Gibbons.

It started around 9 a.m. when the Mimbs' screams for help cracked the silence of the Julington Hills community.

SLIDESHOW: 2 hospitalized after Mandarin house fire

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Columbia 35, Bartram Trail 14

Submitted by Chad Cushnir, First Coast News sports photojournalist

Saturday, November 17th, 2012, 2:17am

LAKE CITY, Fla. -- Columbia defeated Bartram Trail 35-14 on Friday night.

With the win, the Tigers advance to the second round of the playoffs where they will host St. Augustine.

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Name of deputy seriously injured in crash released, suspect apprehended

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Saturday, November 17th, 2012, 12:36am

SWITZERLAND, Fla. -- A St. Johns County Sheriff's Office deputy suffered serious injuries in a crash Friday morning near the intersection of State Road 13 and Scott Road.

Matthew Sara, Public Information Officer with St. Johns County Fire Rescue said the crash happened at approximately 10:30 Friday morning, trapping the deputy. Sara said by 11:04 Fire Rescue personnel had extricated the deputy from his vehicle.

Emergency personnel wanted to fly the deputy to the hospital, Sara said, but due to inclement weather they were not able to but the deputy was rushed to Shands Jacksonville hospital in serious condition in a trauma vehicle by St. Johns County Fire/Rescue.

The deputy's patrol vehicle hit a tree, Sara said, and a second vehicle.

Sara said the other driver was also injured in the crash. That person has been taken to Julington Creek Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

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Jaguars announce partnership with St. Johns County

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Wednesday, November 14th, 2012, 4:59pm

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars announced a partnership between the team and St. Johns County to increase the team's involvement in the county while increasing the fan base.

The first event in honor of the new partnership will be at the next Jaguars home game against the Tennessee Titans on November 25.

The Creekside High School Marching Band will perform both before the game and during halftime. Prior to kickoff, St. Johns County representatives will participate in an honorary coin toss.

Jaguars President Mark Lamping said, "This is an extremely important partnership for the Jaguars. St. Johns County is one of our biggest markets and represents a real growth opportunity for the franchise. We're thrilled to host St. Johns County Day at our upcoming game against the Titans and recognize some of the innovative St. Johns County public schools, sports and educational initiatives."

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Edmodo: An online social network you'll want your child to use

Submitted by Joy Purdy, GMJ News Anchor

Tuesday, November 6th, 2012, 5:39pm

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- "It's pretty easy," 7th grader Emma Kee tells us. "Anyone can use it."

As her fingers fly across the computer keyboard in the Landrum Middle School library, it's obvious how much Emma loves chatting with her classmates online.

She's using a new program created in 2008, called Edmodo.

Edmodo is an online social network that mimics online college classes, allowing students to connect and correspond with classmates, teachers and parents.

The idea behind the computer program, came from a man who was working in an Illinois school district's IT department, and had to keep blocking online and social networking and video sites.

St. Johns County schools are among the first on the First Coast to use the online tool.

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'Food for Fines' program starts at St. Johns County Libraries

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Monday, November 5th, 2012, 4:32pm

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- Library goers who were tardy returning their rented reading materials can bring non-perishable food items as payment for their overdue fines.

The canned goods and non-perishable food items collected during the program will be donated to the St. Johns County Food Closet to be distributed locally to help feed the needy.

St. Johns County patrons can trade food for fines through January 5, 2013.

One dollar in overdue fines will be cleared for each sealed, non-expired, non-perishable food item donated.

The donation waivers may be used for library fines only and cannot be applied to fees for printing, lost items or for credit against future fines.

Even if you do not owe fines, you can still donate non-perishable food at any library branch or bookmobile stop.

Last year, more than 18,000 donations were collected during the Food for Fines program.

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