A lack of rain in the county has made conditions ripe for wildfires, and St. Johns County Fire Rescue officials are urging residents to delay outdoor burning until conditions improve.

Dry conditions are expected to continue through the weekend, according to a fire rescue report, and embers from control burns could ignite large brush fires.

St. Johns County is not under a burn ban, but residents are encouraged to delay burning as a precaution, according to the report.

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Memorial Lutheran pastor retiring after 32 years

When Kerry Hinkley sits down to dinner Saturday be assured that the 68-year-old pastor of Memorial Lutheran Church can expect more than surf and turf. The event will be a tribute to Hinkley who is retiring after leading and growing his flock for 32 years.

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TALLAHASSEE — A Florida Highway Patrol sergeant opposed reopening a fog- and smoke-shrouded interstate highway, but he was overruled by a higher-ranking officer shortly before a series of crashes killed 11 people, state investigators said in a report released Thursday.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement concluded state troopers made errors but found no criminal violations.

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Move portents politicized battle over high court

TALLAHASSEE — The controversy about how Supreme Court justices filed papers necessary to run for re-election grew Thursday, as a Republican lawmaker called for an investigation into whether the justices broke the law.

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MIAMI (AP) — An internal review has found financial mismanagement and a climate of fear among employees at the school that will soon become Florida’s 12th state university.

The investigation of University of South Florida Polytechnic found several employees knowingly violated USF policies and statutes. It also found a pattern of job losses and reassignments when employees refused to follow the directives of former Regional Chancellor Marshall Goodman.

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Click here to see a Slideshow of the ship's arrival

Click here to buy a photo of the Bounty passing through the bridge

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Waves are still in the barely existent range. Over 200 students and parents from the Beaches Chapel & School had a baptism going on at Florida Blvd. So here is some pix of that and the shin high surf. Check back for the AM update! Share on Facebook

The 5th Annual Matt Rasta Gray Memorial is this Friday night at the AB skate park from 7pm till 10pm. Come out and enjoy some insane skating from our local talented kids. Free Food, Free Giveaways, and a huge raffle. Also come to the skate park to sign up for the surf contest on Saturday [...]

Waves are still flat this morning at the Pier. Might be about shin high at best. Should be a awesome day just no surf again. Share on Facebook

Waves are still flat at the Pier. So instead of more shots of nothing here’s some random stuff. Enjoy. Share on Facebook

FLAT Share on Facebook

Still pretty much flat out there this afternoon. It has warmed up since this morning but just no surf.I do have some good news the Void team is putting the finishing touches on the Annual Swimsuit Issue right now. It will hit the streets May 1st so get ready! Share on Facebook

Flat and chilly conditions this morning at the Pier. Not much else to say except we’ll give it a check again around midday. Watch the new cam! Share on Facebook

Still small barely existent surf coming in at the Pier. Every once in awhile their is a knee high set but with the wind blowing against it so hard good luck. Definitely a stay at work kinda day. Share on Facebook

Waves are looking pretty minimal this morning at the Pier. You could see the swell offshore heading down south but nothing here. Check back for the afternoon update. Share on Facebook

The College of Central Florida Theatre program was recently awarded a Superior ranking by the Florida College System Activities Association for its production of “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare. CF Theatre also received a special FCSAA Innovation Award which recognizes unique and innovative concepts and interpretations of classic works. Several students were also named FCSAA Pin Recipients, which acknowledge performances deemed exceptional by the FCSAA adjudicator. These students were Federico Bauzo as Caliban, Dan Dicola as Gonzalo, Kim Dupree as… Read More »

The Florida Library Association awarded the Outstanding Program Award to the Friends of the Ocala Library at its annual conference in Orlando recently. According a a recent release, the award recognized the Friends’ April 16, 2011, program that featured noted Miami Herald columnist/author Carl Hiaasen. The event drew 700 students to a packed Livestock Pavilion where, free of charge, they heard Hiaasen speak,  and the same evening 400 people attended a Hiaasen gathering at the College of Central Florida. The… Read More »

Twelve local public relations professionals representing seven local organizations captured 15 awards recently from the Florida Public Relations Association’s Ocala chapter. Chapter past presidents handed out the awards at a luncheon in Ocala last Friday.  The Mid-Florida Local Image Awards honor outstanding public relations programs and publications.  Entries in multiple divisions and categories must meet strict criteria and undergo tough scrutiny by out-of-state judges. This year’s winners and their respective awards include: Allison Campbell, APR, and Tina Banner, APR, and… Read More »

Munroe Regional Medical Center President and CEO, Steve Purves, was recently named by the American Hospital Association as Florida’s 2012 Grassroots Champion. According to a recent press release, The American Hospital Association (AHA), in partnership with the state hospital associations, awarded 52 individuals, one person from each state, with the American Hospital Association Grassroots Champion Award. As a 2012 Grassroots Champion these individuals are recognized for their leadership in generating grassroots and community activity in support of a hospital’s mission. “I am truly honored… Read More »

The Common Chef cooking show which airs on Fox 51 television recently filmed an episode at Ocala Fire Rescue. The weekly cooking show features a segment filmed in the  Ocala area in support of local businesses and charities. The chefs Mr. P.C, Chris Brack and Alex Wilburn along with the production crew visited the members of fire station #1 to create a culinary delight on Saturday April 21st. The dinner consisted of a five alarm wing sauce, a tasty beef… Read More »

BELLEVIEW – Belleview American Legion Post 284 recently hosted their 13th Law Officer and Firefighter Awards Banquet. Those honored included: * Officer Jody Backlund, Belleview Police Department * Dectective William Gary Jarvis, Ocala Police Department * FEO/EMT Michael Driggers, Ocala Fire Rescue * Cpl.Joseph R. Tussey, Marion County Sheriff’s Office * Officer Joseph Simpson, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission * Trooper Anthony N. Dobosiewicz, Florida Highway Patrol Presenting the honors was Larry Deal, Commander of American Legion Post 284.… Read More »

Jim Duncan, CEO of Sumter Electric Cooperative, today announced that 13 graduating seniors from SECO’s service territory have each won $2,500 scholarships from the Cooperative. This year 199 qualified applicants from throughout SECO’s service territory were evaluated based on their scholastic achievements, school and community service activities, and financial need. The Marion County SECO Scholars for 2012 are: Allison-Kay P. Ruddock, Vanguard High School Nyron M Sammy, Meadowbrook Academy Matthew Robert Deming, Dunnellon High School Shannon Bri’Anne Hill, West Port… Read More »

BRUNSWICK, GA. | Liberty Ship Park lies adjacent to the Liberty Harbor development in the shadow of the Sidney Lanier Bridge, and Mayor Bryan Thompson said continued improvements are making it a valuable asset.

“We’re completing the first phase, which includes a boat ramp, dock, sidewalks and round-about in front of the fishing and observation pier,” Thompson said, “and we’re going to add six picnic areas in the next phase.”

Four of the picnic areas will feature covered tables, with the other two located under the bridge and somewhat protected from the elements.

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HOLLYWOOD, FLA. | When Bowl Championship Series officials leave the beachside hotel in which they’ve gathered to hammer out the future of college football’s postseason, they want to have the choices whittled down to two or three.

The guys in charge met Wednesday for about eight hours to discuss overhauling how a champion is determined and possibly implementing a four-team playoff. It is the fourth such get-together this year, and they agreed it’s time to start narrowing the field.

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Pro football writers from across the country predict how the first round of the NFL draft will go down:

1. COLTS: QB Andrew Luck, Stanford (pick by Mike Chappell, Indianapolis Star): “With Peyton Manning gone, Jim Irsay sees Luck as Manning II.”

2. REDSKINS: QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor (David Elfin, 106.7 The Fan): “The Redskins traded first-rounders in 2012-14 and their second-rounder this year to move up because they haven’t had a franchise QB in 70 years.”

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