EverythingJax

Evidence not clear for George Zimmerman’s self-defense claim

Associated Press — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:56:21 +0000

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — When George Zimmerman tries to convince a judge or jury that he shot Trayvon Martin in self-defense, the evidence he'll be able to call on appears to be a mixed bag.

More than 200 pages of photos and eyewitness accounts released by prosecutors Thursday show Zimmerman and Martin were in a loud and bloody fight in the moments leading up to the shooting and that Zimmerman appeared to be getting the worst of it, with wounds both to his face and the back of his head.

While you were sleeping: Driver smashes into parked car, street signs, drives to jail

CLIFFORD DAVIS — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:44:22 +0000

A man who police say had been drinking at the Florida Theatre and a nearby bar ended up driving himself to jail Thursday morning.

Peter Thomas Makela, 35, of Gainesville was heading west on East Bay Street about 3 a.m. when he lost control of his Toyota truck and smashed into a parked car, a light pole and a "left lane must turn left" street sign, according to the report from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Florida Morning: Consumer confidence down; Dept. of Revenue exec director leaving

Matt Dixon — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:40:32 +0000

By: Matt Dixon (matt.dixon@jacksonville.com, @Mdixon55)

Times-Union, First Coast News fighting for records that remain secret in Cristian Fernandez case

Jim Schoettler — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:17:36 +0000

Two critical defense motions in a sexual battery case against Cristian Fernandez remain secret this morning despite a judge's ruling earlier this week granting the media quicker access to key motions she'd delayed from being made public.

The Times-Union and its news partner, First Coast News, are challenging the delay in releasing the documents being kept secret. A court hearing on the matter is set for 9 a.m.

Student to plead guilty to Obama threat

Jacksonville News — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:08:17 +0000

Court records show a Miami college student intends to plead guilty to making threatening posts against President Barack Obama on Facebook.

Regulators OK Jimmy Buffet’s casino involvement

Jacksonville News — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:04:52 +0000

Jimmy Buffett tells gambling regulators that opening his new Margaritaville Casino and Resort will be exciting, but creating jobs along his native Mississippi Gulf Coast has been a rewarding experience, too.

Jacksonville, Florida Weather :: 68F FOG

Jacksonville, Florida Weather — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:53:00 +0000

FOG 68°F

Humidity:: 87%
Wind Speed:: 7 MPH
Wind Direction:: N (360°)
Gusts:: 0.0 MPH
Barometer:: 29.94 in.
Dewpoint:: 64°F
Heat Index:: 68°F
Wind Chill:: 68°F
Visibility:: 0.5 mi

The best mowers for your Florida lawn

Jacksonville News — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:52:44 +0000

If you want a sensational lawn without the sweat, Consumer Reports found you can have it without spending a bundle. They spent weeks in South Florida testing over one hundred different kinds of mowers.

Evidence mixed for Zimmerman’s self-defense claim

Jacksonville News — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:50:43 +0000

The much-anticipated evidence in the case against George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watchman who shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, is shedding new light on what happened that night in February. Inside: Evidence photos, documents |

1 dead, 1 missing in Jacksonville crash with strange circumstances

CLIFFORD DAVIS — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:12:08 +0000

A passenger is dead and the driver is missing after a vehicle crashed into a utility pole about midnight Thursday.

After police responded to the crash on Olevia Street, the passenger was taken to Shands Jacksonville where the person was pronounced dead, according to Times-Union news partner First Coast News.

But hospital staff told police that the passenger's injuries did not seem to be caused by the crash.

Police believe the driver fled on foot.

Check back at jacksonville.com for updates on this story.