Putnam teacher from St. Johns was decapitated, sheriff reveals
ST. AUGUSTINE — The details of how an elementary school teacher’s body was decapitated and dismembered have rattled even St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar, a 30-year law enforcement veteran.
“This is probably one of the most heinous crimes that I have been involved in,” he said Friday.
Shoar announced new details about the death of 48-year-old Jan Dunn Keller, whose funeral will be today
Flyover opens on Northside to connect Interstate 95 southbound to Florida 9A
There was a time when Interstate 95 on the Northside was out in the middle of nowhere.
That time is over.
On Tuesday night, the Florida Department of Transportation will acknowledge that reality when it opens a 2,256-foot flyover ramp that will take traffic from Interstate 95 south to Florida 9A south. The $48 million ramp, 50 feet above the ground at its highest point, will offer a two-lane exit from I-95 that is expected to be more convenient to motorists looking to go east to Heckscher Drive, the Jacksonville Port Authority or the beach.
A bridge on Florida 9A over Main Street has also been widened to three lanes as part of the project.
The existing exit at mile marker 362A – a circular, one-lane exit dating to about 1960 – will be permanently closed on Tuesday night.
“It was an exit that was installed before the Dames Point Bridge or Blount Island existed,” said FDOT spokesman Mike Goldman. “It really wasn’t meant to handle a lot of traffic.
State traffic counts have 86,000 people a day traveling on I-95 between Airport Road and Florida 9A. About 54,000 people a day take Florida 9A between I-95 and Main Street.
Traffic counts are expected to increase with planned expansion at the Jacksonville Port Authority, including the arrival of a new cargo terminal for Hanjin in 2014.
Port Authority spokeswoman Nancy Rubin said the new flyover would be welcomed.
“Any improvement that moves traffic more efficiently and offers more options for drivers helps attract new business to the port,” Rubin said.
Dick Berry, executive director of the Economic Development and Enhancement of North Jacksonville, said Tuesday’s opening would be gratifying.
“We’ve lagged behind the Southside when it comes to infrastructure improvements,” he said. “And this helps us catch up.”
The project also includes additional highway lighting, a sore subject with Berry.
“This was one of the only sections of I-95 that was not well lit,” he said.
Berry said the flyover is only the first step, and he expects more improvements to be made at the intersection.
Kathy Thomas, FDOT consulting design engineer, said the state is looking into the feasibility of a second flyover from Interstate 295 northbound to I-95 northbound.
It is also looking into improvements on I-95 northbound to Florida 9A southbound, and from Florida 9A northbound to I-95 northbound.
But the state is only in the design phase, and no money has been allocated for construction. There is also no timetable for getting this done, Thomas said.
Florida 9A and Interstate 295 are north-south roads. The roads will merge together soon into one loop called Interstate 295, and the road will have east-west designations after the merger.
The project started in late 2007 and construction will officially conclude in early September.
larry.hannan@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4470
1 CommentA day after bankruptcy, Sea Island Co. says employees will keep jobs
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Uncertainty has given way to guarded optimism the day after Sea Island Co. declared bankruptcy.
In its filing for Chapter 11 protection from its creditors in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Sea Island has agreed to sell its golf courses, hotels, spa, beach club and other resort properties for $197.5 million because it cannot repay the $482 million it owes.
Bill Jones III, the third generation head of the family-owned company, met with employees and club members Wednesday to explain what was done and how he expects things to play out.
Employees declined to reveal what was said, but spokesman Michael Geczi said prospective buyer Sea Island Acquisition LP will keep all employees in their current positions. Jones will continue as chairman and chief executive officer and David Bansmer will remain as president and chief operating officer. Sea Island Acquisition will also continue club memberships that are necessary to keep the golf clubs and resort properties viable, Geczi said.
If no other buyer outbids Sea Island Acquisition in an auction, the new company should emerge from bankruptcy in November, he said.
Geczi said there will likely be some news in coming days that will sound bad to the uninformed.
“Employees in a few days will receive a warn notice,’’ he said.
The federally required notices will inform the 1,400 employees that their jobs will be terminated in about 60 days, but they will be quickly rehired by the new owners, he said.
The new owners, who are principals in Oaktree Capital Management of Los Angeles and Avenue Capital Group of New York, are familiar with Sea Island’s traditions and reputation for service and want that to continue, Geczi said.
Some in the close-knit business community are hoping a bright future is on the horizon for the company.
“All the speculation about the bankruptcy added a lot of anxiety and uncertainty,” said Vicki Palonen, president of a firm that does the monogramming work for the company. “But now, that’s all behind us and I think everything will calm down.”
In a release announcing the bankruptcy, the company said all club members will be allowed to enjoy the same benefits and services at the respective golf and other clubs and receive full credit for membership deposits.
That could be good news for real estate agents. Houses on the market that had Sea Island memberships have been sitting unsold for more than a year because of doubts the memberships would be honored.
“The memberships will become valuable again and enhance the value of the property,’’ said Gene Hoaster, a St. Simons real estate agent.
It was an upgrade of the elegance that got the company in trouble as it built the Lodge at Sea Island on St. Simons and tore down and rebuilt the Cloister, its Beach Club and spa. It reduced the number of rooms and more than doubled rates.
For a time, the company was relying on its real estate sales to prop up its resort business, which was losing $80 million a year. When the real estate markets crashed, Sea Island couldn’t come anywhere near meeting its obligations and defaulted on loans approaching $300 million on Jan. 10, 2009.
Letters from readers: Test for political newcomers
NEW CANDIDATES
Some tests
Political newcomers should be given a chance when they earn it. They must be on the same wavelength on key critical issues.
The following are my criteria:
- Have a genuine concern for the welfare of all Americans, not just the rich and famous.
- Have shown a willingness to consider policies not popular with his or her own party.
- Have indicated a desire to do what the people want even if not popular with the party.
- Have demonstrated a sense of honesty and fairness in prior employment endeavors.
- Have shown success in the businesses or other jobs held prior to running for office.
- Be willing to stand up against divisive and caustic policies.
DURIE BURNS
Orange Park
RANGEL’S ETHICS
Lesson in term limits
The sad thing about U.S. Rep, Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., is that he was still in office after 40 years!
Term limits! We need term limits so the people can have a hand in controlling out-of-control politicians. There is no logical reason to keep a person in office that long, put them in a position to be that powerful, to have the ability to do things that are underhanded and lean toward the illegal side.
Term limits, folks! Let’s make them leave office after a reasonable length of time. If eight years is good enough for the president, why not all the other politicians?
DONALD G. DISHMAN
Jacksonville
REPLY: A CHRISTIAN NATION
“We” refers to everyone
I would like to respond to a letter writer’s statement that we are “a nation founded on faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.”
The first paragraph of the Declaration of Independence contains the phrase “… separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them.”
The Constitution has no reference to God, Jesus or Christianity. We are a nation founded on equality and tolerance.
But, of greater concern is the phrase in the letter, “We allow those of other faiths to sit on our City Council.”
The first three words of the Constitution are “We, the People.” It does not say, “We, the Christians” or “We, the atheists.”
The City Council is all-inclusive of the people of Jacksonville.
Do we “allow” Christians on the City Council? Of course not; we “include” them on the City Council, as all members should be included, no matter their beliefs.
STEVE MANIS
Atlantic Beach
STADIUM DEAL
Out of sync
City budget “crisis”? You betcha!
A 9 percent increase in your property taxes? Coming soon!
The usual childish (but apparently effective) threats of library closings, policing cutbacks and unmown park lands? Sure thing!
So why not just give Wayne Weaver $4 million of municipal revenue to which he is not entitled? Let the little people cough it up in more taxes and unjustifiable “fees.”
DAVID DEFORREST
Jacksonville
AIRPORT SCREENING
Oh, the absurdity
I just returned from an airline trip to Canada, which exposed me to the comic opera called airline passenger screening.
It was amazing how adept the screeners were at locking the door after the horse got away.
All of the items in the screener’s repertoire were aimed at catching the stupid terrorist who did not read newspapers or watch TV.
As I was being screened here in Jacksonville, I informed the screener that I had a total knee replacement on the left knee and four stainless screws in my right leg due to a fracture of my tibia and fibula some seven years ago.
The diligent screener had me stand with my arms extended and scanned me numerous times with the handheld wand. Finding nothing suspicious, the screener then had me roll down the tops of my trousers so he could test for explosive residue in my underwear.
The real guffaw in this scenario is that I am a 73-year-old white male and a Marine Corps veteran.
My fear is that the screeners ignore the innovator who has dreamed up a new and better mouse trap.
NewsWatch: CEO Hayward may go as BP board meets: reports
By MarketWatch
MARKETWATCH FRONT PAGE
BP PLC Chief Executive Tony Hayward appears to be on his way out of the troubled oil company even as efforts resume to permanently kill the blown-out well that has been pouring crude into the Gulf of Mexico since late April.
See full story.
European markets may welcome stress test results
Test results likely to inspire opening gains on Monday, even if the credibility and rigor of the tests continue to generate controversy.
See full story.
Second quarter gets no respect
The second quarter is getting no respect. Only a few weeks ago, the quarter was strutting along the beach. Now even economists are kicking sand in its face.
See full story.
Private sector must drive economy now: Geithner
Treasury secretary says investment expanding, job growth returning.
See full story.
U.S. stocks upbeat on earnings, cautious on data
The stock market is in a better, yet still risky place as Wall Street readies for an even larger flood of corporate results in the days ahead.
See full story.
MARKETWATCH COMMENTARY
Motorola’s stock has been on a tear lately, but the good times may not last for the smart phone maker, writes Therese Poletti.
See full story.
MARKETWATCH PERSONAL FINANCE
More help is on the way for unemployed homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments, thanks to funding tucked into the financial reform legislation signed by President Obama on Wednesday.
See full story.
Outdoors calendar
Each Tuesday, the Times-Union will publish some of the better catches made in the area. Call (904) 359-4449 before noon on Mondays, and please leave a contact number. For other outdoors-related questions or to add your listing to the calendar, call Jim Sutton at (904) 359-4215 or e-mail him at
War wagons ready for battle: NASCAR’s ‘toolboxes’ have become command centers
DAYTONA BEACH — It’s hard to find tools in the massive toolboxes on pit road.
What used to hold wrenches, hammers and screwdrivers has evolved into a command center on race day, complete with seating, electronic scoring, satellite television, computers and video equipment, but very few tools.
Much like a pop-up travel trailer, the war wagon, as it’s called, folds out from its travel size to a towering post capable of seating eight people, monitoring weather and computing gas mileage and tire wear.
Once Greg Biffle’s war wagon is unfolded, there is room on top for his crew chief, engineer, car owner and wife in one row and up to four guests in the second row.
The team usually huddles behind the 3M box to keep track of computers that calculate Biffle’s mileage and tire wear to half-lap increments. Others can watch races, such as Saturday’s Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway, on a 42-inch high definition television screen.
Once considered a luxury in the sport, war wagons have become a necessary expense.
Some cost more than $200,000, but it’s a way to consolidate the important electronic information, including official scoring and weather maps, while playing host to current and potential sponsors.
Drawers in the back are filled with helmets, solvents, lug nuts, drills, saws, hoses, lights, fans, compressed air bottles and air guns. Drawers in the front are for quick repairs after a crash. Patches, tie-down cords and rivets are prominent. There is a single drawer at both ends with tools to make minor repairs.
When the race is done, the box is easily packed for travel. The boxes are transported by an outside vendor, Champion, because they are too big to fit on the team transporter.
0 CommentsArea Golf Notebook: Joel Dahlenburg wins Bob Meeker Invitational at Selva Marina
The 50th Bob Meeker Invitational at Selva Marina was won by a player who hasn’t been on the earth for half that long.
Joel Dahlenburg, a Bartram Trail graduate who will be a junior at Flagler this fall, shot 68 in the final round last Sunday to rally past David Anthony and win the Meeker at 5-under-par 139. Anthony, a three-time Gate Senior champion, had led after an opening 70, and shot 71 in the second round to finish at 3-under 141.
Dahlenburg went on to shoot 6-under 138 to finish second in a U.S. Amateur Public Links qualifier Monday and Tuesday, and advance to the U.S. Public Links Championship next month in Greensboro, N.C. For those 72 holes, Dahlenburg shot an 11-under 277.
John Lobb finished third in the Meeker at 1 under and Duke Butler IV was next at even-par.
Clark Willey shot 72 in the first round and held on to win the Senior gross championship division at 5-over 147. He defeated Danny Eckles by two shots.
Area juniors qualify
Jeffrey Pearce of Jacksonville shot 8-under-par 136 at the Gainesville Country Club to win a U.S. Junior Amateur qualifier and advance to the championship July 19-24 at the Egypt Valley Golf Club in Grand Rapids, Mich.
J.D. Tomlinson of Gainesville finished six shots behind but earned the second qualifying spot. Thomas Stewart of St. Augustine is the first alternate.
Scott Wolfes of St. Simons Island, Ga., qualified for the Junior Amateur by shooting 5-under 139 at the Lake Wales Country Club; and Irene Jung of Jacksonville shot 75 at the Ford’s Colony Country Club in Williamsburg, Va., to qualify for the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur, which will be July 18-25 at the Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst.
Murphy cruises
Kiernan Murphy of St. Augustine had the only under-par score for the tournament and easily won the boys 14-15 division in the North Florida Junior Open last week at Amelia National.
Murphy shot 72-71-143 to finish at 1 under and defeated Andrew Scalf of St. Johns by five shots. Dillon Board (152) of Jacksonville won the boys 16-18 division by three shots over Brady Hollenbacher of Fleming Island and Anthony Scolapio of Ponte Vedra Beach; and Jake Kline of St. Augustine (151) won the boys 12-13 division by four shots over Samuel Uhland of Jacksonville.
Emily Tillo of Jacksonville (155) won the girls division by five shots over Lizzy McCarthy of Atlantic Beach.
Golf camps up and running
The first session of the Scott Schroeder Golf Camps at the University of North Florida will begin Monday and last through July 1, with additional sessions July 12-15, July 26-29 and Aug. 9-12. For information, e-mail sschroed@unf.edu or call (904) 620-4653. … The Tom Burnett Golf Academy is offering summer junior and adult programs at the St. Johns Golf and Country Club. Call (904) 285-6767 or visit www.Tomburnettgolfacademy.com for information.
Kellermann sets record
Pete Kellermann of Jacksonville set the 18-hole course and tournament record on his way to finishing in a tie for third at the Rice Planters Amateur, at the Snee Farm Country Club in Charleston, S.C.
Kellermann shot 62 in Thursday’s second round for his two records, then closed 74-71 and shot 11-under-par 277 and ended one shot behind.
Dale is fifth entering final round of Florida Amateur
Sean Dale of Jacksonville shot his second 73 in a row Saturday and is alone in fifth place at even-par 216 entering today’s final round of the Florida State Amateur at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando.
However, Dale is only two shots off the lead. There is a three-way tie for first among Doug Snoap (69) of Apopka, Brad Brunner (72) of Tampa and Ben Vertz (71) of Coral Springs, who are all at 2-under 214, while Zachary Primavera (71) of Lynn Haven is in fourth at 1 under.
Major Forbess (72) is seven shots off the lead at 5-over 221. There are 13 players within seven shots or fewer of the leaders.
(904) 359-4362
0 CommentsOutdoors Notebook: BASS Elite to fish Palatka
BASS has announced its Elite Series schedule this week, which includes a stop in Palatka from March 17-20.
Palatka has hosted 16 events over the years, including 2008 when local angler Peter Thliveros won the Southern Open with 55 pounds, 3 ounces. But it has never hosted an Elite event. Another Florida venue will kick off the 2011 Elite Series. On March 10-13, the Harris Chain near Tavares will host the event. The Palatka event will be called the Citrus Slam. Other events will be fished in Alabama on April 6-9, in Louisiana on April 14-17, in Georgia on May 5-8, in South Carolina on May 12-15, in Arkansas on June 9-12, and back to Alabama for the final on June 16-19.
ISA waives dues
The Inshore Saltwater Anglers club wants new members and is waiving membership dues to get them. The ISA extends an open invitation to area anglers to fish any or all of its five remaining tournaments without paying membership fees. The requirements are that you come to their monthly meetings, held at 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month. Meetings are held at Mudville Grille, 3105 Beach Blvd. For more info, go to www.inshoresaltwateranglers.org.
Oil spill: Good news, bad news
There’s good news and bad news for Florida coming from the Gulf oil spill. NOAA has expanded the closed fishing area in the Gulf. The area is now 87,000 square miles — or about 36 percent of Gulf waters. NOAA has suspended its oil spill trajectory forecasts for the Florida Keys, because a change in ocean currents has minimized the risk to the islands.
The northern end of the Loop Current has been pinched off into a large clockwise eddy called the Eddy Franklin. There is no clear path for the spilled oil to enter the Loop Current that leads directly to the Keys, according to the NOAA.
FWC offers dove
Outdoors Notebook: BASS Elite to fish Palatka
BASS has announced its Elite Series schedule this week, which includes a stop in Palatka from March 17-20.
Palatka has hosted 16 events over the years, including 2008 when local angler Peter Thliveros won the Southern Open with 55 pounds, 3 ounces. But it has never hosted an Elite event. Another Florida venue will kick off the 2011 Elite Series. On March 10-13, the Harris Chain near Tavares will host the event. The Palatka event will be called the Citrus Slam. Other events will be fished in Alabama on April 6-9, in Louisiana on April 14-17, in Georgia on May 5-8, in South Carolina on May 12-15, in Arkansas on June 9-12, and back to Alabama for the final on June 16-19.
ISA waives dues
The Inshore Saltwater Anglers club wants new members and is waiving membership dues to get them. The ISA extends an open invitation to area anglers to fish any or all of its five remaining tournaments without paying membership fees. The requirements are that you come to their monthly meetings, held at 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month. Meetings are held at Mudville Grille, 3105 Beach Blvd. For more info, go to www.inshoresaltwateranglers.org.
Oil spill: Good news, bad news
There’s good news and bad news for Florida coming from the Gulf oil spill. NOAA has expanded the closed fishing area in the Gulf. The area is now 87,000 square miles — or about 36 percent of Gulf waters. NOAA has suspended its oil spill trajectory forecasts for the Florida Keys, because a change in ocean currents has minimized the risk to the islands.
The northern end of the Loop Current has been pinched off into a large clockwise eddy called the Eddy Franklin. There is no clear path for the spilled oil to enter the Loop Current that leads directly to the Keys, according to the NOAA.
FWC offers dove
Twitter
- davehp49: A Roundup of 30 Explosive Freelance Portfolios | CreativeFan: This post showcases 30 freelance portfolios that wil... http://bit.ly/axsGVk
- davehp49: Display Your Popular Posts In Wordpress Without A Plugin | nenuno creative: Show your most commented posts in your... http://bit.ly/cSbm3Y
- davehp49: HD Spex Performance Optics: http://bit.ly/aj1tZG
- davehp49: Phantasma, Beauty and Art by Ray Caesar: You fall under the spell of these wonderful images the first time you see... http://bit.ly/cn7K23
- davehp49: 15 Fresh Websites Created with Papervision 3D | Papervision Tutorials: The popularity of Papervision 3D grows amon... http://bit.ly/apd02x
© 2010 Fort Myers & Naples Insurance | Site For Lease. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by magento hosting. Designed by 