FOURTH OF JULY

New York and the nation’s capital once again wowed the country with scintillating shows.

For the past 15 years, Ken Clements with the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office has been with the marine unit. On the Fourth of July holiday, he went out on the St. Marys River with News4JAX photographer Ciara Earrey.

Volunteers will be picking up trash Wednesday starting at 7 a.m. after Tuesday's Fourth of July celebration at Jacksonville Beach.

As people continue to celebrate Independence Day, officials are warning people to drink responsibly. The National Safety Council predicts 600 people will die in a crash during the July 4th holiday period.

Eating superstar Joey “Jaws” Chestnut shook off a rain delay and gobbled his way to another win at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest.

Eating superstar Joey “Jaws” Chestnut shook off a rain delay and gobbled his way to another win at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest.

The Fourth of July can be a miserable time for your pet, so plan in advance to make sure they're going to be OK during the fireworks shows sure to be lighting up around your neighborhood.

As people prepare for Fourth of July celebrations, dozens got a head start Tuesday morning by taking part in the Celebration 5K at First Place Sports in Mandarin.

The American flag will be flown throughout the country on July 4, but it wasn't always a revered and debated symbol.

The consumption of alcohol and exposure to excessive heat can be a dangerous mix as locals gear up to celebrate the Fourth of July.

The laser show is scheduled to take place over Lake Superior at the town’s Lower Harbor.

Your drink of choice on the Fourth of July might be an ice-cold beer or the always-faithful White Claw, but in case you want to celebrate with a colorful cocktail, we’ve got a few recipes for you to add in some fun.

Happy Independence Day! Arguably the best day for fireworks is here.

With Fourth of July sales here and Amazon Prime Day right around the corner, Consumer Reports says July is a month full of ways to save big this summer.

Residents across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia are ready to celebrate Independence Day with food, fun, fanfare -- and, of course, fireworks.

Celebrating the 4th of July is one of the highlights of summer, and if you’re going to be lighting off fireworks, you’ll need some patriotic songs to go along.

With a flood of visitors and tourists expected, officials in the nation’s capital are mobilizing additional police officers and dozens of teams of civilian peacekeepers in an attempt to keep rising violent crime rates from marring the holiday weekend.

Drivers using an electric vehicle will have a new tool to help them get around during what AAA is predicting will be a record travel weekend.

Friday is expected to be the busiest travel day ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. AAA predicts over 4,000,000 people will catch a flight this weekend, which is an 11% increase from last year.

It’s been a hot work week, and unfortunately, the heat will likely continue into the holiday weekend.

The Fourth of July, along with other summer holidays, typically account for more than one-third of all boating-related accidents and deaths, according to the American Boating Association.

The City of Jacksonville and the Keep Jacksonville Beautiful organization have partnered with Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol to help clean up the beaches after Independence Day celebrations.

Floridians will travel in record numbers this year for the Fourth of July holiday.

Jacksonville’s Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration will return this year at multiple locations around the city to celebrate our nation’s independence.

Friends, neighbors and dignitaries have paid their respects to the family of Eduardo Uvaldo, one of the seven people who were killed in the attack on a July Fourth parade near Chicago.

In the midst of the chaos of a Chicago-area parade massacre, a woman walked up to Greg Ring and handed him a 2-year-old boy, covered in blood.

Volunteers hit the beaches Tuesday morning to clean up after Monday night’s Fourth of July festivities.

Jacksonville beaches were filled with tens of thousands of people hitting the sand and the surf to celebrate Independence Day on Monday. People came from all over to soak up the sun, which means extra lifeguards, police and firefighters working to ensure everyone stayed safe.

Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council (SPAR) on Monday held the Fourth of July Throwback Baseball Game.

The number of U.S. flights being canceled is slowing down, but plenty of travelers are facing long delays as they try to get home from trips over the July Fourth holiday weekend.

Frankfurter-munching phenom Joey “Jaws” Chestnut has gobbled his way to a 15th win at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest.

Thousands of people are expected to hit local beaches to celebrate the Fourth of July.

To celebrate Independence Day, fireworks will be lighting up the sky throughout the Jacksonville area on Monday night.

People across Northeast Florida are getting ready to shoot off fireworks in celebration of the Fourth of July. For military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, they can be triggering.

With Fourth of July sales and the addition of Amazon’s Prime Day coming later this month, Consumer Reports says July is the perfect month to score big savings on some of its top-tested products.

If you shopped for groceries for your fourth of July holiday parties then you probably noticed that you were spending more money compared to last year.

On top of the rainy weather Jacksonville experienced for fourth of July weekend, supply chain issues played a major part in fireworks vendors receiving less inventory this year.

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office was out on the water patrolling for the holiday weekend as a part of Operation Dry Water.

According to the FAA, airlines are carrying the highest number of passengers since early 2020. Florida air traffic is 150%-170% higher at some airports.

Jennifer Fosky, a trauma nurse, was chosen after she entered a “Military Mom Makeover” contest on the Avenues Mall Instagram page.

The federal observance of the holiday falls on a Monday this year. While most businesses will be open for Independence day, others will be closed.

The Fourth of July holiday means tens of thousands of people will hit Jacksonville-area beaches, and fireworks are scheduled to go off from the Jacksonville Beach Pier at 9 p.m. Monday.

The roadways in Northeast Florida won’t be the only place people will see a beefed-up police presence for the Fourth of July weekend. Law enforcement will also pay extra attention to the waterways as part of Operation Dry Water.

The Fourth of July holiday means tens of thousands of people will hit Jacksonville-area beaches.

AAA will be activating its “Tow to Go” program over the Fourth of July weekend in an effort to keep impaired drivers off the roads.

How many of you at home dread fireworks or thunderstorms because of what it does to your pets?

The main union for Atlantic City casino workers has reached agreements on new contracts with four casinos, avoiding a threatened strike.

Business owners say higher prices for fireworks ahead of the Fourth of July are the result of inflation and supply chain issues.

With the Fourth of July quickly approaching, many dog owners are bracing for a holiday celebration that only amounts to stress for their beloved pets.

With summer getting into full swing, that means activities such as barbecues, celebrations with fireworks, and of course, vacations.

News4Jax will televise and stream the city’s fireworks spectacular as well as others around Northeast Florida.

If you’ve been scrolling around on social media this month, then you may have noticed that over the Fourth of July weekend, Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg was riding on some sort of wakeboard on a lake with an American flag in tow.

A caller told a 911 dispatcher that Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks was about to go into convulsions after he was struck in the chest with an errant Fourth of July fireworks mortar blast at a Michigan home.

As the sun rose Monday, more than 250 volunteers scoured Jacksonville Beach to clean up trash and debris left behind after Fourth of July celebrations.

The activities scheduled as part of the city of Jacksonville’s Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration at Riverfront Plaza have been postponed until further notice, the city said about 5:40 p.m. Sunday.

The FWC is cracking down on boaters under the influence as part of a statewide initiative called Operation Dry Water.

Deep tropical moisture continues to hang over the area. The result has been for days and days of off and on downpours. Rainfall amounts have been heavy for some (greater than 3″) whereas most places have seen just the constant anytime threat, along with an actual downpour. Like Friday, we will see a shift in these conditions. Subtle but important.

St. Johns County officials are expecting the county’s beaches to be busy over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Setting off fireworks is a popular way of celebrating the Fourth of July. But whether you’re lighting them or watching someone else do it, it’s important to keep safety in mind over the holiday weekend.

There is no better way to celebrate the red, white and blue than with red, white and blueberries, right?

Police are investigating whether alcohol may have been a factor in a crash that killed a 31-year-old man.

The July 4th holiday weekend is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors to Duval County’s beaches over the three-day weekend and city officials are preparing for the post-pandemic tourism surge.

The Transportation Security Administration is expecting plenty of people to travel this coming Fourth of July weekend.

AAA predicts nearly 44 million Americans, including 2.4 million Floridians, will hit the roads this Fourth of July weekend.

With Independence Day on the horizon, there will be plenty of celebrations and fireworks. While it might be a party for you, it’s not so much for your pets.

The Fourth of July is right around the corner, and there is nothing better to do (or more American) than grilling up some meat and veggies while sipping on a cool beer or cocktail.

Many people are starting to stock up on fireworks for the Fourth of July. While it can be a fun way to celebrate, it’s important to keep safety in mind so no one gets hurt.

Many people are starting to stock up on fireworks for the Fourth of July. While it can be a fun way to celebrate, it’s important to keep safety in mind so no one gets hurt.

The July 4 holiday can be thrilling for humans, but it's actually a dangerous time for pets -- and one of the busiest days of the year in animal emergency hospitals.

If you’re looking for a fun and informative way to spend Independence Day, then look no further.

Locally, people within the community are celebrating the 12th federal holiday.

Following a year of skyrocketing demand for fireworks amid the COVID-19 pandemic, retailers nationwide are facing a shortage as the Fourth of July holiday nears.

Jacksonville’s Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration will return this year at multiple locations throughout the city to celebrate the nation’s independence.

ST. JOHNS, Fla. This labor day weekend will look much different than Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. St. Johns County is getting ready for all the people expected to visit the beaches. Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest times at county beaches. St Johns County is gearing up for the influx of people expected to hit the beach. St. Johns County is offering a free shuttle service from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday through Monday, weather permitting.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It was a violent Fourth of July weekend for the River City. We now have details about two deadly Jacksonville shootings that happened within 90 minutes of each other on Sunday, and a third that happened Sunday evening. The second happened on Broadway Avenue, where police found a man shot to death in a yard. Sunday’s shootings follow multiple shootings that happened on Friday and Saturday. In total, 10 people in Jacksonville were injured or killed in shootings this weekend.

St. Johns County fireworks store sees boom in salesPublished: June 29, 2020, 6:06 pmPhantom Fireworks is working to keep shelves stocked as many families are putting on their own shows this year due to COVID-19

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – With the Fourth of July right around the corner and social distancing still a major concern, many counties have canceled or postponed their firework shows. Candice Bryant, general manager of Phantom Fireworks off County Road 210, told News4Jax the store has seen a climb in sales over the last week. RELATED: St. Johns County COVID-19 cases nearly double in a weekAaron Lundy and his family walked the aisles of Phantom Fireworks Monday afternoon, looking for the perfect fireworks display. Tony Fiano, who lives in St. Johns County, wants to make sure the holiday still spreads joy despite these trying times. And with the increase in sales, the store is doing its best to keep the shelves full.

By launching 4th of July fireworks from 6 spots, city hopes to spread out crowdsPublished: June 28, 2020, 6:43 pmMayor’s chief of staff says it’s more important than ever to have something for people to look forward to

Jump in coronavirus cases comes ahead of Fourth of July weekendIf you need help with WJXT’s or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801.

NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – Nassau County has issued an executive order prohibiting professional fireworks in the county, including for the Fourth of July. According to the executive order, which was signed Saturday by County Manager Michael Mullin, the ban does not include fireworks on a private residential property. READ: Nassau County Executive Order No. 15The order shows the county is prohibiting professional fireworks this year because the increase of COVID-19 cases in Nassau County and the state “causes concerns for activities that increase public gatherings.”A violation of the order is considered to be a second-degree misdemeanor, and anyone who violates it could face a $500 fine and/or up to 60 days in jail.

Four talented singers competed Thursday night in the “Oh Say Can You Sing” finale at 1904 Music Hall, for a chance to sing the national anthem just before the fireworks display over the St. Johns River on the Fourth of July. At the end of the night, Karim Zabaneh was crowned the winner! In addition to singing the national anthem during Channel 4′s “Red, White and Boom” special, Zabaneh receives a $500 prize. Like most annual events and milestones that should have happened for the past few months, the 2020 “Oh Say Can You Sing” contest was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike previous years, open audition calls that usually created long lines at local malls and gathering places had to be moved online.

JACKSOVILLE, Fla. – Mayor Lenny Curry announced Thursday that not only will the city put on its normal Fourth of July fireworks display over the St. Johns River, but Jacksonville will also provide fireworks in other parts of town to ensure people can celebrate the nation’s birthday without congregating downtown. “This year we’re looking to make it bigger, better and safer,” Curry said. As we do every year, News4Jax will televise and stream the city’s fireworks spectacular as well as others around Northeast Florida, although those will be in short supply this year. Jacksonville Beach postponed its Independence Day fireworks show to New Years Eve. St. Augustine canceled its display, but more recently decided to reconsider that decision as the event gets closer.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Jacksonville Beach leaders decided Monday to postpone the annual Fourth of July fireworks show. Staffopolous said other communities in Florida are also choosing to cancel or postpone the Fourth of July events. Evanoff said even though she’ll miss the fireworks this year she understands the reason for postponing. “It’s definitely another impact, another thing we have to lose out on but we have to do it for the community to be safe,” Evanoff said. Jacksonville and St. Augustine are still debating their fireworks decisions.

There are few things in life better than a big juicy burger straight off the grill, right?

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The city of St. Augustine addressed concerns over whether or not the annual Fourth of July Fireworks display will be held this year amid the coronavirus pandemic. A Special City Commission meeting was held Monday night where they decided to cancel the fireworks celebration based on a presentation from City Manager John Regan about similar firework cancellations in neighboring communities. Regan then issued an apology Tuesday for presenting inaccurate information about decisions from Jacksonville Beach and Daytona Beach. “I presented information regarding the City of Jacksonville Beach and the City of Daytona Beach fireworks’ celebration that was not fully vetted for accuracy. Flagler Beach has cancelled their fireworks and parade,” Regan said.

He headed for the amusement park’s first aid center after his wife noticed blood soaking his shirt. It seems like every year a new round of reports trickle in about people injured or killed by celebratory gunfire. The same CDC report found the majority of celebratory gunfire injuries are to the chest, head or shoulders. “It could come down on an object, a person or it could come down on you and injure you or even kill you. Since it’s illegal, you could also face criminal charges even if you don’t hit anyone.

Flagler deputy running radar dressed as Uncle Sam during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. - Flagler County deputies made 370 traffic stops during the long Fourth of July weekend, 43 people were arrested, seven of them for driving while intoxicated, according to authorities. One deputy dressed up as Uncle Sam holding a sign that read; We want you to keep your money! The Flagler County Sheriff's Office Marine unit stopped 4 boats but no arrests were made in its boating under the influence crackdown. There were no traffic deaths in Flagler County during the holiday weekend.

CNN image(KPTV) - PORTLAND, Oregon -- Its a busy couple days for animal shelters and hospitals, as they care for more sick and stray pets from the Fourth of July. This Fourth of July they cared for 87 animals Thursday alone, compared to their 61 patients on an average day. We checked in with shelters in the area who also had quite a few lost pets. And Multnomah County Animal Services took in 21. As for this weekend, Multnomah County Animal Services will be waiving impound and board fees through Sunday as long as the pet is picked up by Tuesday.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. - A Hillsborough County, Florida deputy sheriff arrested a 35-year-old man on Fourth of July after being accused of pretending to be a law enforcement officer. Hastings told him "he was a law enforcement officer and his credentials were at the office." He told the deputy he could follow him back to the "station" so he could obtain and show him his credentials. Shortly after exiting on Branch Forbes, Hastings was stopped by a Hillsborough County deputy, where he was detained while they interviewed the off-duty deputy. No handcuffs or firearms were located in the vehicle," the Sheriff's Office said.

Dozens of volunteers scoured the beaches to clean up trash and debris left behind from Fourth of July celebrations. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. - A two-and-a-half-year-old girl sang "God Bless America" for the Fourth of July, and now everyone wants to know her story. Little Amelia Day Bubenik learned to sing the national anthem at just 29 months old -- and mastered this tune in just a few days. Her mom started teaching her the lyrics right after memorial day. Amelia's mom says the tot loves watching the videos of herself singing. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

Over the course of two years and 10 months, over 2,631 miles, he crossed the country on foot, running from California to Georgia. At age 95, the World War II veteran has decided to do it again. He's clocked 175 miles into his second coast-to-coast trek, which he began in March when he left from Georgia's St. Simons Island. He hopes to run 13 miles a week through grueling heat or freezing cold for as long as he can. As he runs, the Navy veteran is raising funds to sail a restored World War II tanker to Normandy for a D-Day anniversary, a feat that he says will cost millions.

If you end up ditching the grill and decide to eat out, here are the places you'll want to check out or avoid. Hungry bargain-hunters headed up to the Pecan Park Flea market may need to look elsewhere for food. Once again, inspectors found rodent droppings- 45 of them throughout the floors and under a drink machine. Krispy Kreme Reward members can get a free dozen of Glazed donuts with the purchase of a dozen others. 4 Rivers Smokehouse is offering a free classic sandwich to all military members, veterans and first responders.

Miss the fireworks show? Maybe you just want an encore? Here's the fireworks show from downtown on the Fourth of July.

The earthquake that hit Southern California on the Fourth of July knocked products off of many shelves in a local Walmart store. Distributed by LAKANA. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

During the national "Operation Dry Water" campaign officers will focus on removing impaired operators from the water and educating boaters about safety. The Fourth of July holiday is one of the busiest boating holidays all over the U.S., including here in Florida. MORE: FWC 2018 Boating Accident Statistics LinkHaskins said the FWC is just making sure everyone stays safe and makes it home. The accidents and tragedies that happen because individuals choose to drive impaired, on land or on the water, are preventable. The national Operation Dry Water weekend will take place July 5 through 7.

America's wasn't the only birthday celebrated on the Fourth of July, as first daughter Malia Obama turned 21 on Thursday. Former President Barack Obama took to social media to wish his and first lady Michelle Obama's oldest daughter happy birthday. "Happy Fourth of July, everybody! This is always a great day in the Obama family: a chance to celebrate America and Malia's birthday, too," Obama wrote on Twitter. That same year, her father spoke of the bittersweet moment of dropping her off to begin her college career.

We're here to answer the most important Fourth of July questions: What's open, and what's closed? OPENStores and restaurant chains are likely to be open on July 4, but it's always good to call aheadTarget -- Open regular hoursWalmart -- Open regular hoursKroger-- Open regular hoursTrader Joe's -- All stores will be closing at 5, so don't procrastinateMovie theaters -- We can't think of a better way to ring in America's birthdayLiquor stores -- So, this depends. Your bank is probably closed, but if you need cash the ATM is always an option. Your favorite local spot -- Varies by location! In general, local restaurants will probably be closed, but some morning-only spots (things like your favorite bagel or doughnut spot) might still be open during the day.

Regardless, if fishing might be or already is on your to-do list this weekend and you don't have your fishing license for this year, we've got some good news: You can EASILY get it on your phone within minutes -- like, even if you're already on the waters with fishing pole in hand. The digital age makes life so convenient, doesn't it? Having said that, click or tap here to get started on your license. It will only take minutes and youll have your digital copy in hand. [Download from the Apple app store | Download from Google Play]Its worth noting that out-of-state fishing and hunting licenses are not valid in Florida.

Instead of watching fireworks, some Florida inmates will be cuddling dogs this Fourth of July. (CNN) - Instead of watching fireworks, some Florida inmates will be cuddling dogs this Fourth of July. Dogs often get frightened and anxious because of fireworks and other loud noises from July Fourth celebrations. So Brevard County designed a program to comfort the dogs as well as "help add purpose to the lives of inmates incarcerated at the Brevard County Jail." A 2007 study found that prisoners who participated in an animal program learned important values including patience and helping others.