The event at Jacksonville Beach drew heavy police presence and led to several arrests during the unofficial event, according to Jacksonville Beach Police.

But the couple at the center of the viral video said what they experienced during their ceremony was the opposite: loud support, followed by respectful silence as they exchanged vows.

@_.definitelynothim._ They got married on the beach during our senior skip day, I hope they have a happy life #wedding #beach #skipday #jaxbeach #fyp ♬ original sound - ⓘ Redacted ⓘ

Dawn Moore and Zack Stover planned a beach wedding behind their hotel on Jacksonville Beach. Moore said they knew the beach was a public space — but they weren’t expecting to share it with a massive crowd.

“Well then I’m upstairs getting ready and one of my sisters comes up and she’s like there is a whole bunch of people out on the beach,” Moore said.

Moore said their photographer soon told them it was Senior Skip Day — an unsanctioned gathering that had drawn large crowds of students to the area.

“One of the cops had told our photographer that we might want to go down a mile,” Moore said. “I was like there’s no way that we can do that… we’re all barefoot… and I have on a really tight wedding dress."

Instead, the couple decided to go ahead with the plan.

When Moore and Stover stepped onto the beach, “all the teenagers just started cheering and clapping,” Moore said.

The crowd reaction was captured on video and quickly spread across social media, racking up hundreds of thousands of views and turning the wedding into an unexpected feel-good moment tied to a day that had also generated serious concerns for law enforcement.

Moore said what surprised her most was what happened once the ceremony began.

“They got quiet and they were really respectful… it turned out to be really good,” she said.

The couple said they expected about 140 guests, but they estimate the beach crowd watching from behind was much larger. Stover told News4JAX it looked like about 800 to 900 people.

Moore said some of the teens later told them it was the first wedding they’d ever seen.

“I thought it was wonderful,” Moore said. “I went through a lot of weddings when I was younger and it made me want and know what I wanted when I got older and I’m happy to have given them that.”

News4JAX spoke with Moore and Stover over Zoom while they were on their honeymoon at Disney. Looking back, Moore said the unexpected cheering and support is what she’ll remember most.

“You never expect that at your wedding,” she said. “Thank you to all the seniors that were there on senior skip day. You all made it amazing. Very memorable.”

Patchy fog will develop overnight away from the coast, especially for those locations that see any shower or storm.

This weekend will feature a mix of sun and clouds with temperatures in the 80s. In fact, near-record highs are likely on Sunday. The record high temperature on Sunday at Jacksonville International Airport is 91 degrees set in 2017.

An isolated shower or storm is possible each day, but activity won’t be widespread.

A front will approach our area from the north on Monday. It will turn breezy and much cooler with a northeasterly wind. Highs will be in the 70s on Monday with a few showers and storms.

The front will be slow-moving, which will keep the clouds and rain in the forecast on Tuesday. It will be breezy as well with a strong northeasterly wind. The front should clear most of our area on Wednesday, but it will remain mostly cloudy, breezy and cool.

Highs on Tuesday and Wednesday will only be in the 60s due to the clouds and a strong northeasterly wind.

This front will bring beneficial rainfall to our area, which is good news since we are in a drought. Several areas could potentially see over an inch or more of rain.

Regarding the drought, the latest drought monitor reflects the overall pattern over the past few months. Most of our area remains in an extreme drought. An exceptional drought classification has been expanded to include more of our area.

As mentioned above, slight improvement can be expected with the rain in the forecast early next week.

TONIGHT: Partly Cloudy. Patchy Fog Possible. Low 63.

SATURDAY: Sun & Clouds. Isolated Rain & Storms. High 85, Low 62.

SUNDAY: Partly Cloudy. Mainly Dry. High 88, Low 61.

MONDAY: Mostly Cloudy & Breezy. Scattered Rain. High 72, Low 56.

TUESDAY: Cloudy & Breezy. Scattered Rain. High 69, Low 57.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy & Breezy. Isolated Rain. High 69, Low 60.

Earlier estimates had the fire at 4,000 acres, but that number went down after more accurate mapping. As of 7 p.m., the fire was currently 50% contained.

Residents in Waycross reported seeing large plumes of smoke rising from the ‘Sergeant Fire’, which is burning just north of Columbia and Baker counties in Florida.

Road closures were effect due to heavy smoke. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, all lanes on State Road 2 in Sanderson were closed Friday. The Georgia Department of Transportation reported both lanes of State Road 94 Southbound at Main Pasture Road were also shut down.

As of Friday afternoon, the Florida Forestry Service said no homes were being threatened by the blaze. Several agencies are working together to contain and fight the fire.

This is a developing story.

RELATED: ‘I was freaking out’: Parents shocked after semi slams rear end of school bus carrying kindergartners | ‘Could have been much worse’: Bystanders grateful no one critically hurt when semi smashes back of school bus

A semi-truck slammed into the back of the bus while it was carrying about 30 students across train tracks on Zoo Parkway, Duval County Public Schools said. Four children were injured and taken to the hospital, and one of those families has retained Sam Hartiens, an associate attorney at Campione Law, to investigate the crash and potential claims.

“This is something that you would never expect to happen here in Jacksonville,” Hartiens said. “Once we heard what was going on, this was something that we elected to pursue just because we do specialize in catastrophic cases.”

Hartiens posted a media release on his Facebook account announcing that a family has retained him.

Hartiens said the child he’s representing is out of the hospital.

“...we are monitoring them for the condition,” he said. “They’re likely needing follow-up care.”

Now, the investigation process begins in trying to gather evidence pertaining to the truck driver.

“The main investigation is trying to figure out what caused this truck to go into the back of the bus,” he said. “Were they distracted? Was there something that didn’t work that should have worked? There’s a lot of questions and more than answers right now.”

Hartiens also described extensive damage from the crash and said the physical evidence will be important to resolving the case.

“It’s really significant, with a lot of force going through it,” he said.

Florida law requires drivers of school buses and certain other passenger or cargo vehicles to stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail and to look and listen for approaching trains before crossing. It was not immediately clear whether those rules were followed by the bus or the truck.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and Duval County Public Schools did not immediately respond to requests for comment or the crash report. News4JAX knocked on nearby doors of neighbors who may know of the parents and students impacted by this.

The family’s attorney said he will review all available evidence as the investigation continues.

“It seems very intense, not a small little fender bender or a love tap on the back,” Hartiens said. “It’s really significant with a lot of force going through it.”

ISA Board-Certified Master Arborist Garner Cox, manager of Groundwork Jacksonville’s horticulture team, is leading the effort. The planted species include bald cypress, black gum, dahoon holly, wax myrtle, Little Gem magnolias, live oaks and other native trees aimed at adding shade and resiliency to downtown neighborhoods.

Over 60 volunteers from the Jacksonville Jaguars staff, Ally Bank and students from the Duval 4-H Home School Adventure Club planted the trees along the Emerald Trail S-Line near Emmitt Reed Community between Kings Street and Moncrief Road.

The S-Line, a 4.8-mile rails-to-trails multiuse path that runs through Durkeeville and Springfield, was Jacksonville’s first dedicated urban trail when the city converted an abandoned CSX right-of-way in 2008. It is part of the planned 30-mile Emerald Trail, which will link 14 historic urban neighborhoods to downtown, the St. Johns River and multiple schools, parks and other community destinations.

Groundwork Jacksonville is the nonprofit partner rebuilding portions of the Emerald Trail and restoring McCoys Creek and Hogans Creek. Groundwork was formed in 2014 as a partnership with the city, the National Park Service, the Environmental Protection Agency and Groundwork USA. Greenscape of Jacksonville, established in 1975, is a local tree advocacy nonprofit that has contributed more than 356,750 trees to the region’s canopy.

The report, titled “Top 25 High-Frequency Crash Locations — Citywide 2025,” lists intersections ranked by total crash count. The data was published Jan. 27, 2026.

Downtown

• Main Street N and State Street W topped the list by a wide margin, recording 483 crashes — nearly 150 more than the second-ranked location.
• State Street E and Liberty Street came in at fourth place with 208 crashes.
• Union Street W and N Davis Street took seventh place at 193 crashes.

Westside

• Blanding Boulevard and Argyle Forest Boulevard logged 337 crashes, making the busy westside corridor one of the most hazardous stretches in the city.
• 103rd Street and Firestone Road and Cassat Avenue and Lenox Avenue, both logged 185 crashes putting them at ninth place.

Southside

• University Boulevard W and Phillips Highway ranked third overall with 221 crashes.
• Baymeadows Road and Southside Boulevard recorded 196 crashes to claim the fifth spot.
• tied for eighth, recording 185 crashes each.

Northside

• Dunn Avenue and Regency Drive came in sixth with 194 crashes.
• 103rd Street and Blanding Boulevard tied for eighth with 185 crashes
• I-95 and Max Leggett Parkway tied for ninth place with 185 crashes.

The Sheriff’s Office data does not specify crash severity, meaning the totals include minor fender-benders alongside more serious collisions.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 32-year-old man in Maine in April 2025, accusing him of sending threats to a Palm Coast resident and the resident’s family through Xbox messages. Investigators said the messages included threats to kill the victim, make the victim’s parents “disappear,” and burn the family’s house down.

Alicia, the victim’s mother, said the threats escalated quickly.

“He would tell them that his friends were in the army and they would come after them in their home,” she said.

The Sheriff’s Office investigation lasted over two years, but court documents show the case was recently dismissed.

Because the case is no longer being prosecuted, News4JAX is not naming the man who was arrested.

Online case records from the Flagler County Clerk of Courts show a status hearing was held Jan. 28. However, pretrial and status hearings in February and March were canceled, according to the clerk’s website.

She did not learn the case was being dropped until the state attorney called her.

“I was not aware at all until the state attorney called me on February 3rd,” she said.

Alicia said she was told over the phone that the accused man was deemed incompetent. Court records show an order for a mental examination filed in August 2025, though the results were not immediately available in the documents.

According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office charging affidavit, the communications occurred on both Xbox and Snapchat, and the victim never met the accused man in person.

Dwann Holmes, a social media expert with Brand On-Demand Media, said threats on gaming platforms can be especially troubling.

“When you’re dealing with gaming platforms, they’re not just games. They really are social networks as well,” Holmes said.

Holmes said parents should watch for changes in their children’s behavior immediately after gaming.

She said her son wrote a letter to the judge intended for a March hearing, describing long-term effects from the threats. The letter ends: “I didn’t have a voice when I was younger and I do now. I hope justice one day will be served.”

“The reason why [my son] did this is so that he would not do this to any other boys,” she said.

News4JAX reached out to the State Attorney’s Office for comment and to find out exactly why the case was dismissed. A response had not been received as of publication.

So how can you avoid becoming part of the next crash story on News4JAX?

I rode along with a defensive driving instructor with the Northeast Florida Safety Council to find out.

Ben McCorkel, a former state trooper, demonstrated the basics drivers should follow every time they get behind the wheel.

And it starts even before that.

McCorkel said drivers should begin with a “360” walk-around before getting in the car. He said to look for children, animals, toys or anything near the vehicle, and to check for leaks or other issues with tire pressure.

We know, it takes extra time before you leave, but McCorkel’s lesson was clear: prevention comes first.

And that quick check could be life-saving!

Once inside the vehicle, McCorkel stressed control and keeping both hands engaged.

When I tried to adjust and reached back using one hand, McCorkel stopped me and pointed out that one-handed driving reduces control if something goes wrong.

He said that even taking a hand off the wheel while talking -- another common habit -- can cost a driver reaction time.

On the road, McCorkel told me to keep scanning for pedestrians and for vehicles that might enter the roadway unexpectedly. He said some drivers will pull out without waiting, acting as if they come first.

At a red light, I asked McCorkel how much space drivers should leave behind the car in front of them. He said drivers should stop far enough back to see the front vehicle’s tires touching the pavement.

And when it comes to turn signals, many drivers think that if they’re already in a turn lane, signaling isn’t necessary. But McCorkel said turn signals should be used every time.

So what causes most of the crashes we see in Jacksonville?

In McCorkel’s opinion, it’s speed.

But he noted that driving too fast isn’t the only issue. Drivers going too slowly can also be dangerous and contribute to crashes.

At another intersection, I stopped slightly over the line, while another driver was much farther past it. McCorkel said that technically equates to running the red light.

McCorkel also urges drivers not to text while driving, not to engage with aggressive drivers, and not to play music so loudly that they cannot hear emergency responders approaching.

Watch the full press conference below.

Attorneys Benjamin Crump and Harry Daniels spoke at a news conference held at the Sanctuary of the Mount Calvary Church, where they highlighted several recent arrests involving Black men that they say demonstrate a troubling trend.

Dasaun Williams, 24, of Middleburg was arrested by JSO last November during an undercover drug and gang investigation, but body camera video of the takedown only recently came to light after the family obtained it and posted it to social media.

The video of his arrest, which was sent to News4JAX by Williams’ girlfriend, prompted dozens of requests for News4JAX to look into the takedown and whether officers used excessive force.

Williams, whose mugshot after the November arrest shows him with a swollen face, is facing 27 felony counts related to drug trafficking, selling fentanyl, selling meth and firearms offenses. His attorneys attempted a plea deal, but prosecutors rejected the terms that were offered.

According to the attorneys, the official police report does not mention any use of force. The sheriff’s office has said only that the case remains under administrative review.

The JSO said Williams is linked to the “Out East 1200″ gang.

The video of his arrest, posted on social media and viewed thousands of times, appears to show JSO officers striking Williams in the face, placing multiple knees to his head, and holding a stun gun against his back.

“We don’t need outlaws,” Crump said. “What we need is law enforcement who respect the Constitution.”

Williams’ mother, Deonca Gordon, said video of the arrest shows her son did not resist officers.

“To see the video of my son not saying not one word in resistance … to be met with that brutal force — where’s the justice for him?” Gordon said.

A separate clip shows what appears to be multiple slaps to his face while he is pinned down by officers. Williams also appears to vomit in the video.

Others at the news conference described similar experiences.

William McNeil, whose February 2024 traffic stop went viral, said he was punched and dragged from his car. Authorities have said McNeil repeatedly ignored commands to exit the vehicle, and the officers involved were cleared of criminal wrongdoing.

Another man, Travis Brinkley, alleged he was beaten by an officer who arrived after he was already on the ground during a 2024 drug arrest.

“I didn’t resist, I didn’t curse, I wasn’t combative,” Brinkley said.

The sheriff’s office told News4JAX that the force used in Brinkley’s arrest was reviewed and found to be within department policy.

Daniels criticized those policies, saying they allow “distractionary strikes” and do not always require officers to report use of force unless a suspect claims injury or is taken to a hospital.

The attorneys said the policies themselves are the issue and called on Sheriff T.K. Waters to take stronger action.

Waters has previously defended deputies in high-profile cases, including McNeil’s arrest. He has not publicly commented in detail on the Williams case.

The sheriff’s office did not immediately respond to additional requests for comment.

Erika McGriff also retained Crump and Daniels after videos surfaced alleging excessive force by JSO officers.

JSO announced the operation, called Operation Red Light, saying it led to the arrests of alleged gang members and seizures of drugs.

The agency has not released the full body-worn camera footage that has circulated online; News4JAX has asked JSO for the complete video, but has so far been able to review only what was posted publicly.

Williams’ arrest report describes a months-long undercover investigation and lists 27 charges, saying Williams sold meth and fentanyl to confidential informants on multiple occasions.

The report’s description of the arrest says, “The Gang Investigations Unit conducted a buy/bust on Dasaun Williams, taking him into custody,” but it does not mention the use of force seen in the video.

JSO said the video is under administrative review, and it can not comment at this time.

News4JAX reached out to JSO about Friday’s press conference and did not get a response.

Last year’s top priority, a 195-acre waterfront property along Shores Boulevard adjacent to the Moses Creek Conservation Area, slipped away according to Commissioner Ann Taylor and Jen Lombert, executive director and riverkeeper with Matanzas Riverkeeper.

“The number one from last year wasn’t on there, and they didn’t really discuss that the reason it wasn’t there wasn’t because it was purchased — it was because we lost it,” Lombert said. “And I think that that’s a really important cautionary tale.”

The LAMP account currently sits at $5,482,526. St. Johns County added $500,000 from the general fund and transferred $1.5 million from the Tree Bank Fund in January, bringing total fiscal year 2026 funding to $2 million.

Commissioner Ann Taylor, the county’s liaison to the LAMP Board, spoke at the March 3 commission meeting about the program and its future. She is hopeful to see it grow. Even with additional funding she says it makes it hard to pursue some of the properties.

“Five hundred thousand dollars, when we look at these amazing properties, doesn’t put a dent in it,” Taylor said. “I’ve had a number of meetings with the Florida Land Trust. It is clear we do not have enough funding for this.”

“These are amazing properties we want to protect and preserve,” she added. “Preservation and conservation is number one for so many of our residents. It is a priority and we need to likewise make it a priority.”

The LAMP Board, led by new chair Wayne Flowers, brought five properties before the commission for the 2025 priority list:

1. Bailey Family Property — Bishop Estates Road, northeast St. Johns County — 67 acres
2. Adams Family Property — County Road 13 South — 94.4 acres
3. Christina Drive Shores Parcels — St. Augustine Shores PUD — 2.8 acres (three lots)
4. Arnold House — 10690 County Road 13 North, Picolata
5. McCullough Creek Property — County Road 13 South — 25.45 acres (two phases)

Topping the list is the Bailey Family Property, a working ranch in northeast St. Johns County.

Commissioner Christian Whitehurst signaled where he believes the county can act now.

“I think we have a great chance to get items 2, 3, 4 and 5,” Whitehurst said. “We have spent years building this up. We have a chance to grab some conservation land and we can only do that if we have adequate funding.”

Lombert said the stakes go beyond any single property.

“Once land is developed, that’s it. You cannot turn back the clock,” she said. “One of the best ways to protect water is to protect the land.”

“There is definitely still a lot of opportunities,” Lombert added. “And one of the great things about the LAMP program is that it’s a willing seller program. These are all people who want their land to be conserved. It’s just a matter of whether St. Johns County has enough funding to buy it.”

Detectives were notified at 12:20 p.m. that Francisco Juan Torres Torres had died. Torres Torres was taken to the hospital on March 30 after he appeared to suffer a medical issue and remained under care until his death.

He was arrested on Dec. 30, 2025, on charges that included operating while a driver’s license was revoked for a habitual traffic offense; resisting an officer without violence; improper display of tag; no motor vehicle registration; no proof of insurance; and operating a loud stereo.

Torres Torres was released from police custody on Thursday while still at the hospital, the sheriff’s office said.

The investigation into the circumstances of his death is ongoing. The medical examiner’s final determination on the cause of death is pending, and no foul play is suspected at this time, the agency said.

“Serving as the first Hispanic Outreach Coordinator for the City of Jacksonville has been more than a title — it has been a responsibility I carried with deep pride, purpose, and heart,” Cardona wrote on social media.

RELATED: How this Puerto Rican woman became the driving force behind events celebrating the Hispanic community in Jacksonville

In her resignation letter to Jacksonville Mayor Deegan, Cardona recalled helping organize town halls connecting Deegan with the city’s Hispanic community even before the role officially existed — back when Deegan was still on the campaign trail.

“I remember the promises you made about diversifying boards, creating new opportunities, and building a city that truly represents all of its people,” Cardona wrote in her resignation letter. “To not only witness but be part of that journey as Jacksonville elected its first female Mayor was an experience of a lifetime.”

The Hispanic Outreach Coordinator position was created under Mayor Deegan, who said it was designed to connect Jacksonville’s growing Hispanic population to city services and civic life.

“I am truly grateful for Yaya’s service to our community,” Deegan said following Cardona’s resignation. “Today, the community is more connected to the city than ever before because of Yaya’s dedication to the work of making every voice heard.”

During her two years of service, Cardona helped small businesses through the Jacksonville Small and Emerging Business program, known as JSEB, supported HealthLink Jax, organized town halls and helped build Unidos Jax, a space celebrating Hispanic culture.

Cardona’s tenure was not without controversy. In January 2026, she was briefly placed on administrative leave after posting a video from her office, addressing reports of increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, activity across Northeast Florida.

In the social media video, Cardona can be heard asking families to have a plan in case they get arrested and to “stay home” if there’s no need to go outside.

“If you get pulled over, as much as we want to huff and puff, please comply,” Cardona said in the video.

Deegan defended the content of the video while calling the situation an “unfortunate distraction.”

“There was nothing she said that was illegal,” Deegan said.

“The reason she was put on administrative leave because we have a policy in the city. We have a mayor who is the spokesperson for the city, and we have people who follow policy that if you are going to create any social media content. [...] that can be misconstrued as coming from the mayor, that has to come through me or our communications office,” Deegan said.

In February, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that he sent a “criminal subpoena” to Deegan’s administration, saying one of the city’s employees may have impeded immigration enforcement.

The request specifically sought work-related emails, texts, and documents from Cardona containing words such as “Nazi,” “Gestapo,” “stormtrooper,” or “terrorize.”

News4JAX reviewed the documents submitted by the city in response to the subpoena and found no mention of those words in the documents.

Cardona’s last day as Hispanic Outreach Coordinator is April 17.

Looking ahead, Cardona said she hopes to one day return to her hometown of Guánica, Puerto Rico, and run for mayor. For now, she’s focused on her new chapter — and leaving the community with this message:

“Get involved and don’t ever be afraid to speak up!”

On April 1, 2026, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to South Woodlawn Street after receiving reports of a fight involving multiple people and a stabbing.

When deputies arrived, they located an adult male victim with a stab wound. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment. His condition has not been released.

Through their investigation, detectives with the SJSO Major Crimes Unit identified a 37-year-old man, as the suspect. Investigators say he pulled a knife during the altercation and stabbed the victim.

The suspect was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, affray and violation of probation.

“Morning After Grace” is a play that focuses on retiring and retired Baby Boomers in a meaningful way. It’s about people who never thought they’d age.

Playwright Cary Crim joined us on The Morning Show along with her dad, a Jacksonville resident and former TV news anchor Mort Crim, who says the play hits “close to home.”

Four San Pablo Elementary School kindergartners had to be taken to the hospital after their bus, which was taking them to a field trip at the zoo, was hit by a semi as it was stopped at a railroad crossing.

Florida Statute 316.159 says school buses have to stop within 50 feet, but not less than 15 feet, of train tracks and look and listen for oncoming trains.

The impact crumpled the back of the bus and caused significant damage to the tractor-trailer.

The mother of one of the children who was hospitalized told News4JAX that as of Friday, her son was home and resting.

Several people stopped to help after witnessing the crash, and one of them told News4JAX that she was on another school bus and jumped off to help the students, including some who were injured.

“I am grateful that all of the students, staff and driver on that bus, along with the truck driver, are OK,” said the woman, who asked not to be identified. “The situation could have been much worse, but miraculously it wasn’t.”

The crash happened around 10:30 a.m. Thursday on Zoo Parkway near Imeson Park Boulevard, shutting down the road briefly until the vehicles could be moved to another area off the roadway.

Parents said they never imagined their child’s school bus would be hit by a semi-truck, and the damage left behind shows just how serious the collision was.

When News4JAX arrived on the scene, Durham School Services, their safety team, and paramedics were checking the children as parents arrived to pick them up.

Durham School Services shared a statement about the crash.

Thursday morning, while our bus was transporting students and stopped at a railroad crossing, it was struck from behind by a semi-truck.

Local authorities responded to the scene and evaluated all passengers. We understand that four students were transported for further evaluation and treatment. Our concern remains with the safety of our students, and our thoughts are with the students and passengers that were impacted by the incident. We are fully cooperating with local authorities.

Durham School Services

A parent who was also a chaperone was waiting for her 6-year-old daughter to arrive at the zoo when she learned her daughter was on that bus.

She said a teacher notified her right away, then she saw the images circulating online.

“I was like freaking out,” Axia Booker said. “She was on the bus, and it hit them. She like went forward, hit her head on the window, but she was fine. She said she was crying for me, but other than that, she seems to be doing Ok.”

As families walked past our crews on Thursday after picking up their students, children could be heard saying, “Mom, my head hurts.”

In the aftermath of the traumatic incident, parents are encouraged to watch for signs of physical injury, including any pain or bruising, behavioral changes and possible emotional distress, as adrenaline can mask those symptoms at the time.

San Pablo Elementary’s principal shared the following statement with families:

In moments like this, the strength of our community truly matters. Thank you for keeping our kindergarten students in your thoughts and prayers following today’s bus accident.

While the situation could have been far worse, it was understandably a frightening experience for our young students. I know many of you are holding your children a little closer today. I am in direct contact with the families of students who required medical transport. While I’m unable to share specific medical details, I am encouraged by the updates I’ve received regarding their condition and recovery. Please continue to keep these students and families in your thoughts. I will follow up next week with information about rescheduling the kindergarten field trip. In the meantime, I hope you have a safe and restful long weekend, and we look forward to welcoming our students back next week.

Principal Brown, San Pablo Elementary

News4JAX is working to learn more details about the crash, including details about the semi truck driver.

Developers behind the multi-billion-dollar Pearl Square project have announced 655 Pearl, a six-story, 100,000-square-foot office building that will anchor the $750 million mixed-use neighborhood now under construction.

It’s the first new multi-tenant office tower planned for Jacksonville’s North Core in more than 20 years.

For longtime business owners working just feet from the cranes and construction fencing, the announcement marks another step toward a downtown that feels alive again.

‘Everything is growing’

Marvin Hearman has watched the area stall and start again for years. His family-run restaurant, Starving Like Marvin, sits in the center of the Pearl Square footprint.

He told News4JAX reporter Briana Brownlee and photojournalist Jesse Hanson that business is good, but the neighborhood needs more energy.

However, he said he noticed the momentum in the area shifting.

“Last four years, business has been pretty good, and it’s going to get even better,” Hearman said. “I heard previously that tenants didn’t do too well. So for us to come in and knock it out of the box, and it’s growing — everything is growing.”

Hearman added the construction surrounding his restaurant is already shaping the way he operates.

With more residents, office workers, and visitors expected to move through the area, he plans to extend his hours — possibly from closing at 6pm to as late as 1 or 2 a.m.

“We’re all excited. I wish they could open up tomorrow so I can put my chef hat on,” he said with a laugh.

What 655 Pearl will bring

The newly announced office building is designed by Morris Adjmi Architects and BDG Architects, with a ground-floor retail level spanning roughly 25,000 square feet.

According to JLL — the firm overseeing leasing for the project — 655 Pearl is meant to feel less like a traditional office building and more like part of an active urban neighborhood.

JLL’s Michael Loftin said companies today are looking for energized, amenity-rich environments that help attract talent.

“Workspace is no longer viewed as a static line item, but as a strategic tool to attract talent, support culture, and bring people together,” Loftin said in a statement. Employees will be at the center of a dynamic ecosystem of retail, dining, hospitality, and public spaces — all steps from their desks.”

Construction is anticipated to break ground in 2027, with completion expected in 2028.

Impact could be immediate

At E-Luxe Hair Studio, located next to the development, hairstylist Sabrina Sellers said increased foot traffic is exactly what the area has needed.

“I feel like this side of downtown has been dead for a little while,” she said. “It’s going to bring more business — and more food is great, especially for lunch breaks for us, because we like to eat.”

Larger push to remake downtown

The 655 Pearl addition is the newest to the sprawling Pearl Square plan — a nine-block district expected to bring:

• More than 1,200 new apartments and condos
• A full-service Publix grocery store
• Multiple restaurants, including upcoming Italian and Japanese concepts
• Renovated boutique hotel space
• Public plazas, parks, farmers markets, wellness events, and curbless pedestrian-friendly streets

RELATED: Pearl Square to bring apartments, restaurants, beer gardens & jobs to Downtown Jacksonville

Earlier phases of the project, including residential units and retail space, are slated to open this summer with the arrival of the Vandeveer apartments.

Business owners say the scope of the project is what stands out most — not just one building, but a full neighborhood taking shape around them.

‘About to get better’

For Hearman and Sellers, the hope is simple: more people walking by, more activity, and more reasons for customers to stay downtown.

“Downtown has been kind of shaky for a long time,” Hearman said. “With the new development and everything, it’s about to get better.”

Developers say that transformation is exactly the point — and that 655 Pearl is one of many pieces still to come.

Jason Goodrich started an online petition calling for expanded trade programs in Duval County schools.

District leaders have since invited News4JX to tour their career and technology campuses for a firsthand look at what is already available to students.

District opens doors

Goodrich, who first reached out to News4JAX about the issue weeks earlier, was not able to attend the tour in person. However, district leaders and students walked the News4JAX team through several programs at A. Philip Randolph Career Academies, with a special focus on welding and carpentry — the areas Goodrich is most passionate about.

Charles Lyles, of A. Philip Randolph Career Academies, described how the district is working to ensure Career and Technical Education, or CTE, is accessible at every high school.

“No matter which school you go to, they all have at least a few CTE offerings there. And if the CTE offering that the student is interested in is not necessarily at their neighborhood high school, they can then decide that they want to become a magnet student and come either here to A. Philip Randolph Career Academies,” Lyles said. “We take students from all over the district, or to our sister school, Frank H. Peterson.”

Lyles says there are currently 21,000 students enrolled in CTE programs across Duval County.

Students put skills to work

Inside the carpentry program, students are already doing hands-on construction work. CTE carpentry student Joseph Bernier showed off the progress his class has made.

CTE programs available countywide include cosmetology, aviation and fire rescue, among others. For CTE firefighting student Rashad Brewster, the program has already given him a head start.

CTE cosmetology instructor Toya Alston says the program gives students a direct path to a career — and a license to go with their diploma.

“My favorite part is the fact that we can impart the information that we know as professionals into the students, and then they can go out into society and become a productive citizen,” Alston said. “They don’t have to leave here and just wander. They can leave here with not only their diploma, but they can also apply their licensure.”

Finding common ground

Duval County CTE Director Jill Fierle says the conversation with Goodrich helped illustrate both the progress that has been made and the work still ahead.

Goodrich joined the tour via video call and said he felt encouraged — and ready to help spread the word.

“Well, I’m going to do my part to help get it out there to people that don’t understand,” Goodrich said.

Fierle made clear the partnership is just getting started.

“We will be in touch. This isn’t over,” she said.

District leaders say they will continue to adjust programs based on community feedback and workforce needs.

Dasaun Williams, 24, of Middleburg was arrested by JSO last November during an undercover drug and gang investigation, but body camera video of the takedown only recently came to light after the family obtained it and posted it to social media.

The video of his arrest, which was sent to News4JAX by Williams’ girlfriend, prompted dozens of requests for News4JAX to look into the takedown and whether officers used excessive force.

Williams, whose mugshot after the November arrest shows him with a swollen face, is facing 27 felony counts related to drug trafficking, selling fentanyl, selling meth and firearms offenses. His attorneys attempted a plea deal, but prosecutors rejected the terms that were offered.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says Williams is linked to the “Out East 1200″ gang.

The video of his arrest, posted on social media and viewed thousands of times, appears to show JSO officers striking Williams in the face, placing multiple knees to his head, and holding a stun gun against his back.

A separate clip shows what appears to be multiple slaps to his face while he is pinned down by officers. Williams also appears to vomit in the video.

Before the takedown, the video shows Williams slowly walking away from officers near a car parked at a Middleburg gas station as one officer tells him to get down before firing a stun gun.

Crump and Williams said they will join Williams’ family in calling for a “full, transparent investigation into the conduct of the deputies involved and a broader pattern of brutal and violent misconduct within the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.”

Crump and Williams have previously visited Jacksonville after two other recent cases that raised concerns — the families of Erika McGriff and William McNeil Jr. also retained Crump and Daniels after videos surfaced alleging excessive force by JSO officers.

JSO announced the operation, called Operation Red Light, saying it led to the arrests of alleged gang members and seizures of drugs.

The agency has not released the full body-worn camera footage that has circulated online; News4JAX has asked JSO for the complete video, but has so far been able to review only what was posted publicly.

Williams’ arrest report describes a months-long undercover investigation and lists 27 charges, saying Williams sold meth and fentanyl to confidential informants on multiple occasions.

The report’s description of the arrest says, “The Gang Investigations Unit conducted a buy/bust on Dasaun Williams, taking him into custody,” but it does not mention the use of force seen in the video.

JSO said the video is under administrative review, and it can not comment at this time.

The crash happened around 10:30 a.m. Thursday on Zoo Parkway near Imeson Park Boulevard.

According to a message from Duval County Public Schools to district families, the bus was from San Pablo Elementary School, and the parents of the four injured students have been contacted.

“Hello San Pablo kindergarten families. This is Duval County Public Schools with important information. One of the buses transporting kindergarten students to the zoo from San Pablo this morning was involved in an accident, and at least three students sustained injuries. We are in direct contact with the families of those students. Again, we are in direct contact with the families of the students who sustained injuries. All other students are safe, and school staff are on site with them. We are continuing to gather more information and will provide updates as soon as possible. Please stand by for additional details regarding a student pick-up plan.”

JFRD later updated the school district and said that four students were injured and required transport.

Parents said they never imagined their child’s school bus would be hit by a semi-truck, and the damage left behind shows just how serious this was.

When News4JAX arrived on the scene, Durham School Services, their safety team, and paramedics checked the children as parents arrived to pick them up.

As families walked past, children could be heard saying, “Mom, my head hurts.”

A parent who was also a chaperone was waiting for her 6-year-old daughter to arrive at the zoo when she learned her daughter was on that bus.

She said a teacher notified her right away, then she saw the images circulating online.

“I was like freaking out,” Axia Booker said. “Luckily, one of the CSOs knows me because we used to work together. So he called me and told me to get here because my daughter told him my mom works at where I work at. The bus, she was on the bus and it hit them. She like went for it, hit her head on the window, but she was fine. Um, she said she was crying for me, but like other than that, she seems to be doing okay.

Another parent said an extra adult should be on board in an emergency situation.

“It can become confusing in an emergency, especially for younger children,” Kristen Goult said.

News4JAX will give updates on the other students who were transported to the hospital as soon as they become available, but Principal Brown sent a new communication to San Pablo Elementary families.

In moments like this, the strength of our community truly matters. Thank you for keeping our kindergarten students in your thoughts and prayers following today’s bus accident.

While the situation could have been far worse, it was understandably a frightening experience for our young students. I know many of you are holding your children a little closer today. I am in direct contact with the families of students who required medical transport. While I’m unable to share specific medical details, I am encouraged by the updates I’ve received regarding their condition and recovery. Please continue to keep these students and families in your thoughts. I will follow up next week with information about rescheduling the kindergarten field trip. In the meantime, I hope you have a safe and restful long weekend, and we look forward to welcoming our students back next week.

Principal Brown, San Pablo Elementary

Durham School Services also shared a statement about the crash.

Thursday morning, while our bus was transporting students and stopped at a railroad crossing, it was struck from behind by a semi-truck.

Local authorities responded to the scene and evaluated all passengers. We understand that four students were transported for further evaluation and treatment. Our concern remains with the safety of our students, and our thoughts are with the students and passengers that were impacted by the incident. We are fully cooperating with local authorities.

Durham School Services

Florida Statute 316.159 says school buses and trucks carrying explosive substances and inflammable liquids have to stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet of train tracks and look and listen for oncoming trains.

News4JAX is working to learn more details about the crash, including details about the semi truck driver.

Troopers said that around 7 p.m., two cars and a pick-up truck were stopped in traffic in the left lane of I-95 south at 9B, when another pick-up truck, driven by a 38-year-old man from Lehigh Acres, “failed to slow or stop” and hit the back of the 20-year-old’s car.

The crash report said the impact pushed that car forward into the second car, which had two women, ages 54 and 30, from St. Augustine inside. They both suffered minor injuries.

After hitting the 20-year-old’s car, the 38-year-old’s pick-up truck kept going and also hit the back of the other pick-up that had been stopped in traffic, troopers said. That pick-up was being driven by a 21-year-old man from Elkton, who was not hurt, according to the report.

After those collisions, a fifth vehicle, being driven by a 25-year-old woman from Sanford, was unable to stop and hit the back of the 38-year-old’s pick-up truck, troopers said. She suffered minor injuries, and her male passenger was not hurt, the report said.

According to FHP, the 38-year-old pick-up truck driver suffered minor injuries, and his 21-year-old male passenger, also from Lehigh Acres, was not hurt.

Everyone involved was wearing a seat belt, the report showed.