Honoring Americaโs pastime in the present: Historic Springfield hosts โThrowback Baseball Gameโ on Fourth of July
Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Council hosts 16th old timers baseball game at Klutho Park. Springfield residents compete in the family friendly event, which residents say is one of the most popular community events of the year.
First responders amp up security to ensure safe fourth of July beach day
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.
Some cities nix July 4 fireworks for shortages, fire dangers
The skies over a scattering of Western U.S. cities will stay dark for the third consecutive Fourth of July as some big fireworks displays are canceled again, this time for pandemic-related supply chain or staffing problems, or fire concerns amid dry weather.
Edward Waters College becomes Edward Waters University; Florida TaxWatch; Connecting veterans with mental health care
On this edition of โThis Week in Jacksonville,โ Edward Waters College is now officially Edward Waters University. President Zachary Faison joins us on the show to talk about what the historic change means for students, staff and the community. Also, Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic Calabro discusses the nonpartisan groupโs view of the state budget that just went into effect this week. And the coordinated effort to protect American heroes from the horrors of war on this Independence Day: Elizabeth Sherr, the clinic director at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone, joins us.
Red, White, and Blues | River City Live
Les DeMerle and Bonnie Eisele continue to showcase the jazz music genre with another event on Amelia Island.ย They have partnered with Story and Song Bookstore Bistro to put on 2 performances Sunday, July 4th at 2 pm and 5pm.ย The musical stylings will focus on jazz, but also span to R&B, Brazillian influences and more.ย There will also be a barbecue to open the day starting at noon.ย Tickets are available for Red, White & Blues: A Jazz Tribute to Independence Day featuring the Dynamic Les DeMerle Quartet with Bonnie Eisele at storyandsongbookstore.com/specialevents.
Greek Independence Day events culminate in military parade
Military helicopters fly over Acropolis Hill during a military parade in Athens, Thursday, March 25, 2021. Greece celebrates the bicentenary of the start of the country's war of independence against the Ottoman Empire. Unable to watch the parade in person, many Athenians came out onto balconies in the center of the city to watch the flyby, snapping pictures with cameras and mobile phones. AdThis crucial blow enabled the Greeks to fight on and eventually gain independence in 1830. โTwo centuries ago, a handful of determined fighters within and outside Greece, raised the banner of independence.
Mexico publishes heavily edited probe of exonerated general
FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2016 file photo, Secretary of Defense Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda arrives for a review of the troops that will participate in the Independence Day parade, in Mexico City. Mexican prosecutors on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, declared completely unfounded the U.S. case against Cienfuegos who was arrested on drug charges in the United States and then returned under pressure from the Mexican government. The report released Sunday by the Mexican Attorney General's Office included a 226-page stretch with every page blacked out, followed shortly thereafter by a 275-page stretch of blacked-out pages. In the few readable passages, he says the descriptions of him in the intercepted messages don't match his physical appearance. Cienfuegos was arrested in Los Angeles in October, but the U.S. government dropped its charges against him in November after Mexican officials threatened to restrict U.S. agents.
Poland blames violence at far-right march on hooligans
Protesters burn down bengal fire as they attend in the annual Independence Day march organized by far-right groups for participants to be inside cars or motorbikes because of the coronavirus social distancing, ready for the start of the event in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. The march that marks Poland's sovereignty regained after World War I has often led to clashes with opponents. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)WARSAW โ Polandโs ruling right-wing party has blamed violence, injuries and damage during recent national holiday event that it backs on hooligans and provocateurs. โUnfortunately, during the march there took place condemnable events that were the result of hooligans joining in," it said in a statement. The Nov. 11 national holiday marks Polandโs regaining of sovereignty after World War I, following over a century of partition and foreign rule.
Glynn County commissioners ban booze on 'Frat Beachโ for Florida-Georgia weekend
BRUNSWICK, Ga. โ Commissioners in Glynn County voted unanimously Thursday night to ban alcohol from East Beach for the weekend of the Florida-Georgia football game. Glynn County commissioners ban booze on 'frat beachโ around #FloridaGeorgia game weekend to prevent furthering the spread of #COVID19 infections. https://t.co/c2MACtQc3C pic.twitter.com/dMIWTTUJTj โ Brittany Muller (@BrittMullerNews) October 2, 2020The Nov. 7 game typically draws crowds to whatโs been dubbed โFrat Beachโ on St. Simons Island. The county is not shutting down the beach because that would be up to Governor Brian Kemp. He added they have contacted local universities and colleges to discourage coming to party at Frat Beach.
LIVE: President Trump speaking from Mt. Rushmore
(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) President Donald Trump is speaking from Mount Rushmore. Click the photo below to watch live. Heโs the first president since George H. W. Bush in 1991 to attend Mount Rushmoreโs Independence Day celebration, according to the White House.
4th of July Fireworks over Jacksonville, Florida
Red, White and Boom: Choose Your ViewWhile watching Channel 4's Independence Day broadcast from 8-10 p.m. Saturday, enjoy this second-screen experience from News4Jax. If you are away from your TV, listen to the program on our iHeart radio partner, 97.9 KISS FM, while choosing your view from some of our live cameras.
4th of July fireworks are on in Jacksonville
JACKSOVILLE, Fla. โ 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 nationโs birthday without congregating downtown. โThis year weโre looking to make it bigger, better and safer,โ Curry said. As we do every year, News4Jax will televise and stream the cityโs 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.
House, Senate panels to take up fireworks measures
Senate Community Affairs on Monday and the House Business and Professions Subcommittee on Wednesday are slated to take up nearly identical measures (SB 140, HB 65) by Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, and Rep. Ana Maria Rodriguez, R-Doral. The proposals for the 2020 legislative session, which begins Jan. 14, would allow individuals to pledge to use the fireworks "solely and exclusively" during one of three designated holidays. RELATED: Proposals take aim at state's ban on fireworksBoth measures would allow the use of fireworks on Memorial Day and Independence Day. The Senate proposal also designates a third holiday on New Year's Eve, while the House version allows for the fireworks on New Year's Day. But fireworks companies -- including TNT Fireworks, Phantom Fireworks and Sky King Fireworks -- have strenuously opposed any changes to the law, warning of more injuries to consumers if the market is less restricted.
Proposals take aim at state's ban on fireworks
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Floridians could add more sparkle to the Fourth of July and two other holidays, under the latest attempt to water down the states prohibition against fireworks. The push to make the sale of fireworks legal on Independence Day, Memorial Day and New Years Eve is being spearheaded by Sen. Travis Hutson, a St. Augustine Republican, and Rep. Ana Maria Rodriguez, R-Doral. State lawmakers over the years have tried and failed to amend the statute regulating the use and sale of fireworks, from repealing the ban altogether to proposing changes to the legal waiver. In the past, fireworks companies -- including TNT Fireworks, Phantom Fireworks and Sky King Fireworks -- have strenuously opposed any changes to the law, warning of more injuries to consumers if the market is less restricted. Despite numerous failed attempts to repeal the prohibition, some lawmakers continue to poke fun at Floridas fireworks ban.
Volunteers clean beach of Independence Day debris
JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. - Dozens of volunteers scoured the beaches Friday to clean-up trash and debris left behind from Fourth of July celebrations. The annual July 5th cleanup took place in Jacksonville Beach from 8 until 10 a.m. Volunteers like Sydney Stelly spent the morning removing litter and debris along the shoreline to enhance the beauty and safety of Jacksonville's beaches. Its just disgraceful, said Mary Mills, a volunteer with the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol. Before 10 a.m., crews and volunteers filled a truck with roughly three and a half tons of trash.
NYPD Cops Buy Groceries for Woman Accused of Shoplifting at Whole Foods
Three New York City Police Department officers were feeling the love on Independence Day when they paid for a woman's groceries after she was accused of shoplifting. The person wrote that the woman was being held by security in a Whole Foods, accused of having food in her bag that she didn't pay for. Then three officers showed up to the scene, and they went above and beyond the call of duty. They paid for the woman's groceries. The photo showed her with her hands over her face, clearly emotional at the officers' kindness.
Sparkler safety reminder on the 4th of July
A recent report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found thousands of people were treated in emergency rooms across the country for fireworks-related injuries in 2018. St. Johns County Fire Rescue said on the 4th of July, people need to take proper precautions to have a safe and fun holiday. Anytime you have a sparkler, it is legal but it is also active flames, explained Jeremy Robshaw, Deputy Chief St. Johns County Fire Rescue. As Floridians enjoy this Independence Day, its critical to always use simple safety tips when handling fireworks. Each July 4th, thousands of people-often times children and teens-are injured while using consumer fireworks.
Fourth of July is no holiday for Jacksonville Beach police
JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. - The Jax Beach Police Department has all hands on deck to handle the more than 200,000 people expected to hit the beaches to celebrate this Fourth of July. It's no day off for Jacksonville Beach police officers; in fact, it's one of their busiest days of the year. "On a holiday like this, youll see that they do truly overtake the roadway completely. A big part of the day for some officers is being proactive -- just walking around and talking with people. "More than 80 Jacksonville Beach officers are working on Independence Day, and just want people to have a safe and fun time.
Volunteers wanted for July 5th beaches cleanup
JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. - You can help keep Jacksonville's beaches pristine by volunteering to help with the annual July 5th cleanup following Independence Day celebrations. Volunteers must be 18 years old or be accompanies by an adult, wear sturdy footwear and sun protection and bring their own drinking water. Volunteers will remove litter and debris along the shoreline, enhancing the beauty and safety of Jacksonville's beaches. The cleanup will take place from 8 until 10 a.m. Friday. The City of Jacksonville and Keep Jacksonville Beautiful are partnering with the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol for the annual cleanup.
Celebs Celebrate 4th of July: See Katy Perry, Scooter Braun & More Stars' Holiday Posts
In honor of Independence Day, the stars have been taking to social media to share pics, videos and tweets about how they're celebrating the special holiday. "Happy 4th." Amazing day surrounded by friends and family Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) July 4, 2019Prepping the grill Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) July 4, 2019Happy 4th Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) July 4, 2019Kristin Cavallari was up bright and early, sharing a cute photo of herself in American flag overalls in front of a giant grill. Lovebirds Pink and Carey Hart also took to Instagram to wish their fans a "Happy Independence Day," with photos featuring their two kids, daughter Willow and son Jameson. ""Happy 4th of July," added Pink.
Miss May swimming near New Jersey - all 10 feet, 800 lbs. of her
An 800-pound, 10-foot white shark named Miss May has been spotted electronically off the New Jersey shore just in time for Independence Day. Oceanographers tagged it in February in Mayport, Florida, so Miss May has come a long way to be here. (CNN) - Miss May is swimming on July Fourth. The 800-pound, 10-foot white shark has been spotted electronically off the New Jersey shore just in time for Independence Day. Oceanographers tagged it in February in Mayport, Florida, so Miss May has come a long way to be here.
7 ways to ensure you'll get ahh-worthy photos of fireworks with your phone
This feature tells your camera to combine a series of shots at different exposures to combine them into a single shot. Switch views on your phone camera, try different positions and absolutely play with editing later. Look into different smartphone apps that might supercharge your phones ability to make your photos even more beautiful. Plain and simple, you don't have to be a professional photographer to get some amazing photos. Follow the aforementioned steps and you'll be well on your way to getting some photos worth bragging about on Instagram.
AAA: Record-breaking 2.6M Floridians traveling this Independence Day
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - If you are planning to get away for the holiday weekend, get ready for lots of company. In Florida, more than 2.5 million people are expected to get away with a majority of those hitting the roads. AAA said 2.3 million Floridians will travel by car, up more than 5% from last year. Low gas prices are added motivation for Floridians to travel for Independence Day, said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA-The Auto Club Group. This year, more travelers in Florida are also expected to fly despite more expensive airfares, according to AAA.
There's a code for displaying American flag -- are you following it?
If displayed with other flags, the American flag should be at the center and highest point. When storing the flag, it should be completely dry and folded properly into a triangle with the Union visible. If you choose to display the flag on the porch, the Union (blue section) should be placed at the peak of the staff. If it's being displayed with another flag, it should be placed on your left when crossed. Click here to read the full code on the American flag.
Go big for July 4! Top fireworks and events across US
Check out these big July 4 events sure to please the fireworks fan, parade seeker and eating-contest enthusiast. Macy's 4th of July Fireworks, New York, New YorkWashington, D.C., Fourth of July CelebrationBig and Loud: This is how Washington's National Mall Fireworks are described on the National Park Service's website. Wawa Welcome America July 4th Fireworks, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaBoston Pops Fireworks SpectacularEach year on July 4, the famed Boston Pops Orchestra puts on a patriotic music and fireworks show that sets the standard for the United States. -- St. Augustine, Florida: They're celebrating at the historic Castillo de San Marcos with a live concert of big band and patriotic music followed by fireworks. Before the fireworks are shot off from the 21st Street Bridge, people can enjoy live music, pony rides and even an ax throwing contest!
Behind-the-scenes look at setup for 4th of July fireworks show
will conclude with a 15-minute fireworks display over the St. Johns River downtown on the Fourth of July. On Tuesday, News4Jax went behind the scenes with Pyro Shows, the fireworks company based in Tennessee, to see what it takes to put together a fireworks spectacular. The setup process has to be precise and crews need to be incredibly careful with how they handle the fireworks. WATCH: Best spots to catch the fireworks show this yearRELATED: WJXT Presents: Red White and Boom! Wristbands will be passed out at 7 p.m. to get access to the outside deck stage at River City Brewing Company.
Jacksonville to host a variety of family and learning events this week
From Independence Day celebrations to martial arts lessons, there's plenty to do when it comes to opportunities for learning and fun. When: Wednesday, July 3, 7 p.m.Where: Baseball Grounds Of Jacksonville, 301 A Philip Randolph Blvd. Where: JAMA Julington Academy of Martial Arts, 12489 San Jose Blvd. Price: One Month of Unlimited Youth Martial Arts Classes for One Child, $49 (67% discount off regular price). Where: Aikido Center of Jacksonville, 3627 Dupont Ave.Price: Three Aikido Classes for One Child, $35 (53% discount off regular price).