FCN Investigates: What exactly are you paying for at the pump?

Tuesday, November 5th, 2013, 8:35pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- We are just weeks from the busy Thanksgiving travel season.

But, before you fill up for your trip the On Your Side team has three things you'll want to know before you hit the road. It's part of a First Coast News investigation.

At the gas station, every cent counts.

"I get pretty much what my car gives me," said Michael Bryce, as he filled up the car. "I get around $20 half a tank, $40 for a full tank, $5 for an eighth of a tank."

If you feel like something just isn't right, you might be on to something.

It is Anthony Davis' job to find out

He's one of the petroleum inspectors with the Florida Department of Agriculture.

"We want to make sure that consumers are getting what they're paying for," Davis said.

FCN's David Williams joined him at the Chevron station on New Kings Road for an inspection. Inspections are done at least every 12-14 months, says Davis.

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Top 5 hottest jobs and how you can land one

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Monday, November 4th, 2013, 7:39pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Are you looking for work? If you are, keep the following story handy.

Like many people, 37-year-old Ty Harris of Jacksonville, has been looking for work.

"Off an on for about a year," Harris explained.

He's been doing freelance work in client and project management, but is looking for something more permanent, which is why he came to a job fair Monday.

He said the job market is tough, which makes it harder to help his family of two children.

"I've gotten a lot of 'You're over qualified,'" Harris said of his year-long job search.

FCN's David Williams asked Harris "What if we told you, we know what the top 5 most in-demand jobs are in Jacksonville?"

To that, Harris responded "I would be impressed and I would inquire what would that be?"

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Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Friday, October 25th, 2013, 6:55pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A First Coast News investigation shows the City of Jacksonville has spent nearly $20,000 on a week-long trip to Europe.

The investigation has also revealed that the cost will go up even higher once receipts from the trip are processed.

Right now, Mayor Alvin Brown, City Council President Bill Gulliford and Economic Development Chief Ted Carter are in London, England.

They are spending the week attending business meetings set up in part by Jaguars owner Shad Khan.

The game plan is to try and bring new, international business to the River City.

First Coast News has confirmed there are more than 20 different companies the city is meeting with. One of them is Deutsche Bank.

Leaders will also be attending the Jaguars game in London against the San Francisco 49ers at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

First Coast News obtained multiple pages of travel documents from the city to conduct its investigation.

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Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Tuesday, October 22nd, 2013, 9:21pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A phishing scam targeting JEA customers on the First Coast is on the rise this week.

According to JEA, scammers are calling people to say their service will be disconnected unless they purchase a Moneypak card.

The phone caller then asks for the number for the card.

There has been an increase in the last week in the scam calls, according to JEA.

In an email to First Coast News a JEA spokesperson wrote:

JEA will notify customers should their service be at risk for disconnect for non pay via their bill, letter and automated call. JEA will take payments via website, phone, at the main office, tax collector office, Winn-Dixie or any of the JEA-approved stores found on jea.com.

Anyone who receives a call is asked to report the incident to JEA.

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City admits error in demolishing historic homes

Submitted by Anne Schindler on Tuesday, October 22nd, 12:06 am

Jacksonville, Fla. -- You see the hearts throughout Springfield - painted on historic homes in foreclosure, or structures threatened with demolition. But the group behind the hearts - Preservation Save Our Springfield -- has found the biggest threat to homes isn't time or decay - it may be the city's failure to follow the rules.

On May 23, the house at 129 East 2nd Street came crashing down. Built in 1905, the two story home had been targeted by Springfield advocates for preservation.

Just 24 hours before it was demolished, the city's Historic Planning Commission had approved a request from Preservation SOS to seek to shore up the home, rather than see it destroyed.
The city chose to proceed with the tear-down.

Then, less than 30 days later, another demolition 253 E. 2nd Street - just one block away.

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Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff

Thursday, September 19th, 2013, 8:01pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Shawntray from the Westside asked the On Your Side team a question.

He said he recently lost his job as a security guard because he was sick and can't find work. Shawntray said he lost his home and he's afraid he'll lose his car. He wants help.

Shawntray, here is what you do:

1) Get your hands on a phone in the area of Northeast Florida and dial the United Way's 211. It is a referral source that will refer you to places for emergency financial assistance, food, shelter and clothing and a lot of other service.

2) Call the company that you make car payments and explain your situation. Ask if some payments can be deferred.

3) Go to a place like WorkSource Florida. They have offices across the region They will help you or anyone looking for work Find a job. Call 904-356-JOBS for more information.

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Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter

Tuesday, September 10th, 2013, 6:32pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Ronald Clark, 31, is a barber and the proud father of four children. But Clark is concerned about his relationship with one of the children from a previous relationship.

"I feel there's a void because I have three in the house with me," said Clark, "and one not in the house with me and therefore, there's a lot of time lost."

Clark grew up in a single parent household and knows what it means to have a father MIA, missing in action.

"I only had my Mom and she was terrific," he said, "There were times I wish I had my father."

Clark is now lending his voice to the Save Our Sons' newest initiative: absentee fathers.

"I feel a father is needed in the household, a father is needed in his son's life," her said.

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