Friday, Dec. 5: Officer Cleared + New Ownership + STEM Grant
Friday, Dec. 5
Your local news briefing
5 Headlines You Should Know Today
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Officer Cleared: Prosecutors dismiss case against cop who shot unarmed Jacksonville teen during chase.
A Jacksonville police officer who shot an unarmed 14-year-old during a foot chase on Nov. 1 will not face criminal charges. State Attorney Melissa Nelson said Officer Jacob Cahill acted lawfully, believing the teen was armed. The teen survived and has been released from the hospital.
Deputy Shooting: Armed suspect killed after workplace ambush and highway confrontation.
St. Johns County deputies fatally shot 43-year-old Christopher Lee Johnson after he fired at a former co-worker and then threatened officers with a gun. This marks the county’s second deputy-involved fatal shooting this year.
New Ownership: Laura Street Trio gets new owner promising rapid revival.
Becovic Management Group is acquiring Jacksonville’s Laura Street Trio and Barnett Bank building, aiming to revitalize the historic structures with housing, a hotel, and a restaurant. Initial cleanup starts immediately, with phased restoration over 18 months.
Historic Push: Jacksonville considers Main Street Bridge for historic status amid overhaul.
Jacksonville’s Main Street Bridge will undergo a $124 million renovation in 2028. Council member Matt Carlucci is seeking its nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, highlighting the bridge as a city landmark and symbol of Jacksonville’s history.
STEM Grant: UNF secures $1.3M to develop educational role-playing game.
The University of North Florida received a $1.3 million NSF grant to create Adventures with Emmy, a tabletop role-playing game teaching STEM concepts to players 15 and older. Public playtesting begins next spring, with a full launch in 2028.
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