Wanted: Olympic portraits by kids

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- We're counting down to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.

As we get closer to the games, we want your kids to get involved. Have your child draw and color his or her favorite Olympic Portrait. Portraits can include the rings, the torch, a favorite athlete or even the new Olympic Stadium in London.

Beginning July 23, 102, we will feature a different portrait each day on Good Morning Jacksonville though the closing ceremony on August 12th.

Simply email your child's photo to olympicportraits@firstcoastnews.com and be sure to watch Good Morning Jacksonville at 5:20 a.m. and 6:20 a.m.

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Last day to register to vote for primary election

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Today is the last day to register vote if you want to participate in Florida's August 14 primary election.

Monday is also the last day you can change your party affiliation.  Since Florida is a closed primary state, voters may only vote for candidates from the political party in which they are registered.

All registered voters are eligible to vote in nonpartisan and primary offices.

Although today is the final day to register and be able to participate in the primary election, registered voters can update his or her signature, change the address of his or her legal residence or submit a name change up until and including primary election day on August 14.

To check your voter status, view a sample ballot, check early voting locations or request an absentee ballot click on your supervisor of elections office.

Vehicle flips, crosses median on Bartram Park Blvd.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A vehicle flipped on Bartram Park Boulevard in a Friday morning wreck that shut the road down for nearly an hour.

According to officials at the scene, the crash happened sometime before 5:15 a.m.

Police said the vehicle was traveling in the northbound lanes of Bartram Park Blvd. near Old St. Augustine Road when the driver lost control, crossed the median and flipped over in the southbound lanes.

The driver suffered minor injuries. All lanes of Bartram Park were reopened at 6:30 a.m.

St. Johns elementary, middle school grades for 2012 released

CLICK HERE FOR SEARCHABLE DATABASE OF SCHOOL GRADES

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- Elementary and middle school grades were released by the Florida Department of Education on Wednesday and the St. Johns County School District had 16 "A" schools, 7 "B" schools and 2 "C" schools. High school grades are scheduled to be released later this year.

Local moms to compete in the "Mom Olympics"

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- With less than three weeks to go until the start of the Summer Olympics in London, some First Coast ladies are getting ready to compete in the "Mom Olympics."

"Motherhood is a sport and the stronger we are for it, the better we can be at it," said Emily Carpenter, the director of the local chapter of Stroller Strides, a national organization working to get moms moving.

"We incorporate the babies, like we sing them songs while we're doing squats," Carpenter said.

The moms are preparing to go for the gold with a four week long competition during the Summer Olympics. Throughout August they tally up points, focusing on mind, body and spirit.

Gated community hit by vandals and thieves

ST. JOHNS, Fla. -- A gated community off Racetrack Road was vandalized and hit by car hoppers early Thursday morning.

At least eight cars were burglarized or had side mirrors broken off in the Magnolia Preserve and Plantation Estates Neighborhood, according to a stack of police reports from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.

Three cars parked on Chinaberry Court were burglarized and vandalized, including one incident where a suspect used a garage door opener found in a parked car to gain access to the homeowners' garage while they slept, the reports details.

Two cars on Ribbon Road were also burglarized, according o the report. Items taken included the usual GPS and sunglasses, but also included window buttons and ash trays. In one case, the suspect allegedly bit into a Shell Gas Card and put it back in the owner's vehicle.

The suspect also vandalized a car on Summerdown Way, breaking off both side mirrors, the reports state.

Local Boat Club owner to Compete in Charity Dance Competition.

Local Boat Club owner to Compete in Charity Dance Competition.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- We all know Lisa Almeida, owner of the Freedom Boat Club of Jacksonville and St. Augustine, can smoothly guide a boat into any dock, but is she as smooth and confident on the dance floor?