Subscribe
Home Blog Page 238

Newberry Man Arrested for Alleged Assault and Attempted Car Break-In on UF Campus

NewsFinale Journal
-
0

Staff Report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the early hours of this morning, Andrew Jonathan Heise, a 19-year-old resident of Newberry, was taken into custody following an incident on the University of Florida campus. A mother and her daughter reported that an intoxicated individual assaulted them and attempted to forcefully enter their car.

The University of Florida Police Department received a call around 12:15 a.m. on April 19, directing them to 125 Buckman Drive near Fletcher Hall. The callers, a mother and daughter, were fending off a man who was aggressively trying to get inside their vehicle.

Upon arrival, the officers swiftly detained Heise and proceeded to gather statements from the two victims.

According to the mother, she was in the process of dropping off her daughter when an unknown man, later identified as Heise, began shouting profanities and charged at their car, attempting to open the doors. An onlooker intervened, pulling the man away temporarily. However, Heise managed to break free and resumed his aggressive approach towards the vehicle, leaving the mother and daughter in fear for their safety.

The first victim said she hit the man once in self-defense, but he tried again to get into their vehicle, trying to open doors on both sides of the vehicle. The first victim said she believed the man was trying to steal the vehicle.

The second victim reportedly corroborated the first victim’s story and said she was in fear for her safety when the man charged her and her mother.

An officer reported that surveillance video corroborated the victims’ accounts of the incident, and the video reportedly shows Heise being restrained multiple times but making his way back to the victims every time.

Post Miranda, Heise reportedly said he didn’t remember anything about the incident. An officer reported that he appeared to be very intoxicated and smelled strongly of alcohol. Heise reportedly admitted that he had been drinking.

Heise has been charged with two counts of assault, attempted burglary of a vehicle, and disorderly intoxication. He has no adult criminal history, and Judge Denise Ferrero ordered him released on his own recognizance.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 


Evans Resident Charged with Assaulting Grandmother and Her Partner

NewsFinale Journal
-
0
Evans Resident Charged with Assaulting Grandmother and Her Partner


EVANS, Ga. () – A young man, aged 22, has been arrested on charges of allegedly abusing his elderly relatives.

According to the police report, Austin Blake Pidgeon became involved in a heated dispute with his grandmother concerning her plans for her upcoming 78th birthday. The argument reportedly stemmed from her decision to evict him.

Authorities claim that during the altercation, Pidgeon forcibly took a stuffed toy from his grandmother and struck her with it. He is also accused of punching her in the back of the head, forcibly cornering her, and spitting in her face.

Despite attempts from Pidgeon’s mother, who was present in the house, to de-escalate the situation, her efforts were reportedly unsuccessful.

The grandmother’s 83-year-old boyfriend, upon hearing the disturbance, attempted to intervene from another room.

It’s at that time Pidgeon let go of his grandmother, grabbed her boyfriend and threw him to the floor, and left the home.

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Deputies saw the suspect walking near the home and detained him for questioning; he was later arrested.

Austin Pidgeon remains in the Columbia County Jail charged with:

  • Simple Battery
  • Family Violence
  • 2 Counts of Exploitation and Intimidation of Elderly Persons

Coles County Sheriff Expands Mental Health Services in Jail Following Multiple Suicide Attempts

NewsFinale Journal
-
0
Coles County Sheriff Expands Mental Health Services in Jail Following Multiple Suicide Attempts


COLES COUNTY, Ill. — In response to a concerning wave of suicide attempts at the county jail, the Coles County Sheriff’s Office has implemented crucial improvements. Last month, four inmates attempted to take their own lives, prompting swift action from the sheriff and his team.

Sheriff Kent Martin, speaking with WCIA, emphasized that the diligent efforts of his staff prevented any fatalities during these distressing incidents. This, he noted, underscores the urgent need to address mental health issues within the jail environment more effectively.

The sheriff’s office has now shed more light on the mental health challenges faced within the facility, aiming to foster a better understanding of the complexities involved in managing such cases.

Massive Beach Party Leads to 26 Arrests and Discovery of Homemade Machine Gun

NewsFinale Journal
-
0
Massive Beach Party Leads to 26 Arrests and Discovery of Homemade Machine Gun

Police clash with Orange Crush Reloaded attendees

During the weekend of April 17 to April 19, authorities on Tybee Island were kept busy with 26 arrests made in connection with the annual Orange Crush event. This information was provided by the Tybee Island Police Department and Georgia State Patrol to Fox News Digital.

The Orange Crush weekend, often a subject of debate due to its large gatherings, concluded with not only these arrests but also the seizure of five firearms. Alarmingly, one of the confiscated weapons had been modified into a makeshift machine gun, capable of fully automatic firing, according to police reports.

Breaking down the numbers, Tybee Island police were responsible for 19 of the arrests, while the Georgia State Patrol accounted for the remaining seven. This year’s total of 26 arrests shows an increase from last year’s count of 22. In comparison, there were significantly more arrests in 2024, totaling 54, while the number in 2023 was the same as this year.

At this time, further specifics regarding the nature of the arrests have not been disclosed.

No other details on the arrests were immediately available.

Beach scene at Orange Crush Reloaded

Known as Crush Reloaded this year, the main event is scheduled for Saturday with a music festival at the Tybee Island beach pier and pavilion. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)

Police also handed out 100 traffic citations over the three-day span, with 49 issued by Tybee Island officers and 51 by state troopers.

During the same period, the island’s 911 center handled 297 calls for service, Randolph said.

The annual event branded this year as “Crush Reloaded,” returned to Tybee Island over the weekend with organizers promoting it online as “THE BIGGEST HBCU BEACH BASH IS BACK” and saying more than 50,000 people were expected.

WATCH: Tybee Island mayor says Orange Crush Reloaded is no longer ‘destructive’

Tybee Island Mayor Brian West told Fox News Digital the city’s security approach closely mirrored what authorities have used in recent years.

“It’s pretty similar to what we did last year. It looks like we might have more people this year, but we put in a safety protocol three years ago that seems to be pretty effective. And it’s pretty much what we’ve seen for the past three years now,” West told Fox News Digital.

West said authorities brought in help from agencies across the region and the state, including the Georgia State Patrol, Department of Natural Resources, Motor Carrier Division, Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, Chatham County Police Department and Tybee Island’s own police force.

Police watch during the Orange Crush festival in Tybee Island, Georgia

Law enforcement officers watch from the pavilion as DNR rides through the crowd on ATVs during Crush Reloaded, formerly known as Orange Crush at Tybee Island, Ga on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

West said the stepped-up safety measures followed problems in 2023, when he said people who were not college students came to the event and brought “drugs and guns.”

“We had a really bad situation in 2023. And what happened was we had a lot of people that came to this event that weren’t college students. They were older people that were trying to take advantage of the group, and they were bringing drugs and guns,” West said. “And with the security that we put in place, we’ve been able to filter those people out. And so now we have college students that are here, and it’s more of a spring break type group than it is a destructive type group.”

Spring breakers pose for a photo during Orange Crush

Spring breakers pose for a photo during Crush Reloaded, formerly known as Orange Crush at Tybee Island, Ga on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

He also said city leaders have found the event runs more smoothly when students have organized entertainment.

“It really works much better when we work together and have some type of activity for the students to do. In the past, when they just showed up, they kinda had to make their own fun. And sometimes that fun really wasn’t the best thing to be doing,” West said. “So when there’s an activity, when there is a band, when there are things to keep their attention, it works much better.”

WATCH: CEO of Orange Crush says event is ‘rebranded’ with collaboration with police, city

Orange Crush Reloaded CEO Steven Smalls similarly told Fox News Digital the event is intended to give college students a place to celebrate safely.

“It’s about the college students more than anything to come out and have a good time and focus on the graduation that’s coming up in May. It’s a college-based thing and hopefully in the future I’m able to give back to some student debt relief and hopefully one day help one of SSU (Savannah State University) students. Give one of these kids a scholarship if I do good out here, you know, just put back towards the college community,” Smalls said.

Smalls said the rebranded event and cooperation with city officials helped create a better environment for attendees.

Law enforcement officers keep a watchful eye during Orange Crush

Law enforcement officers keep a watchful eye as partyers gather during Crush Reloaded, formerly known as Orange Crush at Tybee Island, Ga on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (© Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

“This is the rebrand. I think that’s probably the best thing that happened. I love the way the relationship is built, and I understand what they got going on, and they understand what I have going on. And working together, it became just right here what you see today,” Smalls said.

He also argued that the organized festival helps channel the crowds.

“If I wasn’t doing this, then they would just be popping out here. There wouldn’t be no sound, no entertainment. It wouldn’t nothing for them to do, it’d just be them being so pushed out. So me bringing the entertainment and me being here, they come out here to have fun. The police presence, that helps you be safe,” Smalls said.

Performers interact with dancers

Performers interact with dancers during Crush Reloaded, formerly known as Orange Crush at Tybee Island, Ga on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Known for drawing massive crowds to the small Georgia beach town, Orange Crush has long stirred controversy among residents and law enforcement because of past violence, arrests and trash left behind in its wake.

Ahead of this year’s festivities, Tybee Island officials said they were heightening enforcement and preparing for an influx of visitors, as local concerns grew over public safety and so-called “teen takeovers” that have been reported around the country and in the region.

“Rest assured that we have heard you and that public safety will always be our top priority,” Randolph previously told Fox News Digital when asked about residents’ concerns over the event.

Beginning Thursday before the festival weekend, residents and visitors saw an increased law enforcement presence from various local and state agencies across the island. Authorities also launched a road safety checkpoint on Highway 80, carved out emergency lanes on main roads and closed the 14th and 16th Street parking lots in an effort to maintain order.

WATCH: Teen takeover in Georgia caught on camera

On April 4, police said an unpermitted pop-up event near the Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion was interrupted by gunfire after hundreds of teens gathered in the area.

Officers said they heard a single gunshot around 6:30 p.m., sending the crowd running.

Orange Crush dates back decades and earned a reputation in the early 1990s as a rowdy, crime-filled weekend.

The festival later moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in 2021, citing issues including limited parking, lack of resources and alleged civil rights concerns, before returning to Tybee Island in 2023 for the first time since 2020.

<!–>

–>

Tragic Assault: Two Charged in Fatal Beating Leaving Victim with Spine Lacerations

NewsFinale Journal
-
0
Tragic Assault: Two Charged in Fatal Beating Leaving Victim with Spine Lacerations

Main, left to right: Nicholas Caban and Jacob Firestone (Lake County Sheriff’s Office). Inset: Matthew Ascaridis (GoFundMe).

Two men from Illinois are now facing lengthy prison sentences after being convicted in the brutal killing of a 45-year-old father, whom they attacked outside his home and left to die.

A Lake County jury reached a verdict on Saturday, finding Nicholas Caban, 23, and Jacob Firestone, 22, guilty on all charges related to the 2022 murder of Matthew Ascaridis, including second-degree murder.

The decision followed a six-day trial where prosecutors presented testimony from over a dozen witnesses, comprising law enforcement personnel, medical experts, and other specialists.

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart commented on the case, stating that the evidence clearly indicated Ascaridis “was killed due to excessive violence from these two offenders.” He expressed gratitude that the jury meticulously considered both forensic and circumstantial evidence, leading to the conviction of both individuals on all charges.

As detailed in a press release from the prosecutor’s office, the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force was called to Fort Sheridan Beach in Highland Park in response to several noise complaints. There, authorities discovered Ascaridis’s body at approximately 5:12 a.m. on September 17, 2022, with indications that he had endured severe trauma.

An autopsy conducted by the Lake County Coroner’s Office determined the victim suffered “catastrophic injuries” to his spinal cord — the kind more commonly seen in car crashes.

The coroner told jurors that Ascaridis was struck multiple times in the head with so much force that he was left with a lacerated spinal cord, according to testimony cited by the Lake & McHenry County Scanner.

The violence stemmed from a confrontation hours earlier, after Ascaridis left his nearby home to investigate loud noises late the night before. The victim’s wife testified that the couple had been packing for a trip around 11 p.m. when they began hearing “loud noises” near the house. Ascaridis called police twice but was told a response could be delayed. He ultimately went to the beach around 1 a.m. to check things out himself.

Evidence presented at trial showed Ascaridis encountered Caban and Firestone on the beach, leading to what authorities described as a “violent confrontation,” The Record North Shore reported.

Despite the severity of the attack, prosecutors said the defendants did not immediately seek help. Instead, they waited hours before calling 911, leaving Ascaridis “alone on the beach, unable to move, gasping for air” before he died, according to the release.

When police responded to a 911 call at Caban’s home around 5:23 a.m., they found Firestone lying injured in the yard and Caban nearby. Both appeared injured but conscious, authorities said. The men initially claimed that Ascaridis had attacked them and was injured in a fall, but prosecutors argued those accounts were contradicted by medical evidence and DNA recovered from the scene.

Testimony also showed the confrontation began after Ascaridis approached the men about the noise, which included music and activity on the beach, according to Lake & McHenry Scanner.

Caban and Firestone, who were 20 and 18 at the time of the killing, each face between four and 20 years in prison, to be served at 50%. They are currently scheduled to appear in court for their sentencing hearing June 18.

A GoFundMe page for Ascaridis described him as an “incredible husband” to his wife and a “devoted father” to his two children who “always greeted friends and family with his warmth and a smile.”

Shockwaves in the Music World: Rising Star D4vd Accused in Grisly Teen Murder Case

NewsFinale Journal
-
0
Shockwaves in the Music World: Rising Star D4vd Accused in Grisly Teen Murder Case
Singer D4vd has been charged with murder over the death of a 14-year-old girl whose dismembered and decomposed body was found in September in his apparently abandoned Tesla, prosecutors say.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has formally charged David Burke, also known by his stage name D4vd, with several grave offenses, including first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14, and mutilation of a body. These charges stem from the tragic death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

She was reported missing by her family in 2024, when she was 13. Authorities say she was 14 when she died.
D4vd performs at Gobi Tent during the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 20, 2025. (Getty Images for Coachella)

The accusations carry additional weight due to special circumstances, such as lying in wait, financial motives, and murdering a witness involved in an investigation. These factors elevate the severity of the charges, potentially leading to a death penalty sentence, although prosecutors have yet to decide if they will pursue this option.

Following his arrest in Hollywood last Thursday, Burke, a Houston-born alternative pop musician, has maintained his innocence. In a statement, his legal team emphasized, “The actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death.”

The body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered in a Tesla that had been towed from the Hollywood Hills on September 8, marking a grim conclusion just a day after what would have been her 15th birthday. Her family, residing in Lake Elsinore, approximately 110 kilometers southeast of Los Angeles, had previously reported her missing.

The long-dead body of Rivas Hernandez was found inside a Tesla that was towed from the Hollywood Hills on September 8, one day after she would have turned 15. Her family had reported her missing from her hometown of Lake Elsinore, about 110 kilometres south-east of Los Angeles.

Authorities did not publicly name Burke as a suspect until his arrest. His lawyers’ statement last week, in which said they “will vigorously defend David’s innocence”, was the first time they weighed in publicly.

The singer had been under investigation by an LA County grand jury looking into the death. The probe was officially secret, but its existence — and his designation as its target — was revealed in February when his mother, father and brother objected in a Texas court to subpoenas demanding they testify.

American singer-songwriter, David Anthony Burke, aka D4vd, performs on the Casino stage during the 58th Montreux Jazz Festival in 2024.. (Cyril Zingaro/Keystone via AP, File)

The 2023 Tesla Model Y was registered in the singer’s name at the Texas address of his subpoenaed family members, according to court filings from prosecutors. It had been towed from an upscale Hollywood Hills neighbourhood where it had been sitting as though it was abandoned.

Police investigators searching the Tesla in a tow yard found a cadaver bag “covered with insects and a strong odour of decay”, court documents said. Detectives partially unzipped a bag and found a head and torso.

Investigators from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office removed the bag and “discovered the arms and legs had been severed from the body”, according to court documents.

A second black bag was found under the first, and dismembered body parts were inside it. No cause of death has been publicly revealed, and police got a judge to block the release details of the autopsy.

Singer-songwriter David Burke aka D4vd sits in artist space at Coachella music festival on April 18, 2025. (AP)

On Friday, the medical examiner told The Associated Press the court order remained in place after Burke’s arrest, and suggested to ask the police whether they would ask to lift it.

The family of Rivas Hernandez has remained private and has not made any public statements on her death or the case.

D4vd, pronounced “David”, gained popularity among Gen Z for his blend of indie rock, R&B and lo-fi pop. He went viral on TikTok in 2022 with the hit Romantic Homicide, which peaked at No.4 four on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.

He then signed with Darkroom and Interscope Records and released his debut EP Petals to Thorns and a follow-up, The Lost Petals, in 2023.

When the body was discovered, the singer continued his North American tour, but when reports of his possible involvement spread widely, he cancelled the final two shows and a European tour that was to follow.

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

Unexpected Surge in Polls Elevates Newsom’s ‘Dark Horse’ Candidate to Frontrunner Status

NewsFinale Journal
-
0
Unexpected Surge in Polls Elevates Newsom’s ‘Dark Horse’ Candidate to Frontrunner Status

Xavier Becerra, previously the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden, has unexpectedly gained significant traction in the gubernatorial race, according to sources close to Gavin Newsom’s team.

Becerra’s newfound popularity comes in the wake of the sudden downfall of Eric Swalwell’s campaign. Swalwell had been considered a strong Democratic contender until he withdrew from the race, facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has denied, alongside an ongoing Department of Justice probe.

With Swalwell’s exit, Becerra seems to be capitalizing on the opportunity, positioning himself as a key player in the race.

A recent poll conducted from April 14 to April 18, sampling 800 likely primary voters, reveals Becerra’s support has surged to 15%. This marks a significant increase from the mere 4% he held earlier this month.

A new survey conducted between April 14 and April 18 among 800 likely primary voters shows Becerra jumping to 15% support — an 11-point surge from just 4% earlier this month.

The sudden rise places him in a tight cluster of candidates battling for second place, signaling a rapidly shifting political landscape.

The poll shows Trump-backed Republican Steve Hilton still leading the field with 20%, while Becerra is now tied with billionaire Tom Steyer at 15%.

Close behind are Chad Bianco at 14% and Katie Porter at 13%, all within striking distance of a runoff spot, according to a poll by Gudelunas Strategies.

The surge comes amid growing chatter that allies of Gavin Newsom are increasingly viewing Becerra as a viable dark horse candidate to succeed the term-limited governor.

While Newsom himself has not issued a formal endorsement, reports suggest individuals within his political network have begun shifting their attention toward Becerra following Swalwell’s exit.

The governor has publicly maintained a neutral stance. The California Post has reached out to Newsom’s office for comment.

Behind the scenes, political observers note increasing signs of movement. Firms and strategists with ties to Newsom have reportedly begun engaging with Becerra’s campaign, fueling speculation that institutional support could further boost his standing in the coming weeks.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters

California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn
California Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X
California Post Opinion
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!
California Post App: Download here!
Home delivery: Sign up here!
Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!

With California’s primary system advancing the top two candidates regardless of party, even small shifts in voter sentiment could determine who makes it onto the November ballot.

Among Democratic-leaning voters specifically, Becerra appears to have carved out an early advantage. He leads that group with 21%, ahead of both Steyer and Porter, who each register 19%.

Favorability ratings also paint a favorable picture for Becerra. The poll found he holds a +33 net favorability — significantly higher than Porter (+8) and Steyer (+5) — indicating relatively strong perceptions among voters who know him.

Despite the momentum, the race remains wide open.

Hilton maintains a narrow lead, and four candidates — Becerra, Steyer, Bianco, and Porter — remain clustered within the margin of error for second place.

With 10% of voters still undecided and months to go before the primary, the contest is far from settled.

If current trends hold, California voters could be witnessing the emergence of a true late-stage contender and a November ballot between Becerra and Hilton.

D4vd Faces Murder Charges in Connection with 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Death, District Attorney Reports

NewsFinale Journal
-
0
D4vd Faces Murder Charges in Connection with 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s Death, District Attorney Reports

LOS ANGELES — The musician known as D4vd has been formally accused of first-degree murder in the “brutal and horrific” killing of a 14-year-old girl. Her dismembered remains were discovered in his impounded Tesla last year in Los Angeles, according to an announcement by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman on Monday.

David Burke, the 21-year-old artist residing in Los Angeles and legally known as D4vd, was apprehended last week. His arrest follows a comprehensive investigation into the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, as reported by police authorities. Burke is currently detained without the possibility of bail.

The charges were filed after the Los Angeles Police Department submitted the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Monday for review and consideration.

If convicted, Burke faces a life sentence with no chance of parole, as stated by District Attorney Hochman.

The gruesome discovery of the teenager’s dismembered body was made last fall in the trunk of a Tesla car registered to the musician.

Rivas Hernandez’s family is expected to attend the presser and court hearing, their attorney said.

“The Rivas Hernandez family is committed to ensuring that Celeste’s voice is heard and her memory is honored throughout this process,” the attorney, Patrick Steinfeld, said in a statement.

D4vd’s attorneys maintained his innocence following his arrest on Thursday.

“Let us be clear — the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death,” his attorneys said in a statement. “We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.” 

READ MORE: Who is D4vd? Singer arrested in 14-year-old’s death started as video game streamer

Rivas Hernandez, from Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, had been missing for over a year when her badly decomposed, dismembered body was found in the trunk of D4vd’s abandoned, impounded Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard in September 2025, officials said.

Her head and torso were found in one bag, and her arms and legs in another, according to the court documents from Hochman filed in connection with a Los Angeles County grand jury investigation in connection with the teen’s death.

The Tesla had been at the impound lot for two days after being found abandoned on a Hollywood street, investigators said. The towed vehicle was registered to Burke.

Officers had responded to the impound lot “for a foul odor coming from a vehicle,” Los Angeles police said.

The teen may have been dead for several weeks before her body was discovered, police said. Her remains were found a day after her 15th birthday, according to her death certificate.

The “Romantic Homicide” singer’s arrest comes after months of compiling evidence, senior officials told ABC News. The grand jury that was empaneled didn’t play much of a role in getting to this point, they said.

Copyright © 2026 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.

Clay County Launches Help Center for Residents Impacted by Massive 2,000-Acre Wildfire

NewsFinale Journal
-
0
Clay County Launches Help Center for Residents Impacted by Massive 2,000-Acre Wildfire

Voluntary evacuations were initiated Sunday evening after a train reportedly emitted sparks, igniting a fire near the railroad tracks just south of Green Cove Springs.

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — UPDATE: Clay County authorities have established a dedicated hotline for residents seeking information about the significant fire raging in the southern part of the county. The hotline number is 877-252-9362. Officials remind residents to dial 911 in case of emergencies.

The Florida Forest Service is now treating the Crews Road fire in Clay County and the Railroad Complex fire in Putnam County as one extensive wildfire, which covers an area of 3,000 acres.

In Clay County, the northern section of the blaze is referred to as the Crews Road Fire. It has currently consumed 2,000 acres and is 5% contained.

The Florida Forest Service has deployed 15 firefighting tractor-plow units to establish firebreaks. Additional air support has been requested and is on its way. At present, two airtankers and two helicopters are actively dropping fire retardant and water over the affected area. Air reconnaissance teams are also actively monitoring the situation.

Voluntary evacuations are underway for some homes as Clay County crews respond to a massive fire believed to have been caused by a train Sunday, according to Clay County Fire Rescue.

The Crews Road fire is located along the train tracks south of Green Cove Springs and Clarkes Creek, near County Road 209 S and Highway 17 S. The Florida Forest Service lists it as one single fire spanning 1700 acres, although there may be multiple ignited spots.

“Sparks from a train appear to have caused the fires,” CCFR wrote in a social media post Sunday afternoon. “If possible, please avoid the area and drive with caution as there is heavy smoke.” 

Clay County spokesperson Laura Christmas said a long-term fire response is expected, and the railroad has been closed in the area. County Road 209 S and Decoy Road remained completely shut down along Highway 17 Sunday night.

People living near Varney Road and Woodward Lane are advised to evacuate voluntarily to Shiloh Baptist Church on County Road 226.

“We’ve advised over 20 residents to be able to leave. Some of have chosen to do so, some of not. In a worst-case scenario, we’ll advise a general evacuation,” Clay County Fire Chief Lorin Mock said.

“15 firefighting tractor-plow units continue to create and improve firebreak contingency lines around the fire, while engine crews patrol the perimeter. Firefighters will be actively engaged throughout the evening. All air operations have been completed for the day. Smoke will be a concern through the night and into tomorrow. Please avoid the area if possible,” the Florida Forest Service – Jacksonville District said in an update Sunday night.

South of the Crews Road fire, in Putnam County, crews are battling another large fire north of Bostwick. Both fires are impacting conditions along the county line, but have not merged into one.

Unincorporated Clay County is under a burn ban due to severe fire risks linked to ongoing drought conditions. No outdoor burning is permitted, including yard debris and campfires. Violations are a second-degree misdemeanor.

CCFR is asking residents to help prevent additional fires by taking certain precautions, like keeping yards clean of dry leaves, properly disposing of cigarettes and avoiding parking or driving over dry grass.

This is a developing story.

DC Grand Jury Summons Key Witnesses in John Brennan Probe: Exclusive Insights

NewsFinale Journal
-
0
DC Grand Jury Summons Key Witnesses in John Brennan Probe: Exclusive Insights


WASHINGTON – In a significant development, the Justice Department has ramped up its investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan by issuing subpoenas to multiple witnesses. This move comes as part of an ongoing federal grand jury inquiry in Washington, according to three individuals familiar with the proceedings.

These subpoenas, dispatched in recent days, highlight the Justice Department’s determination to advance the investigation. This determination persists despite the recent departure of a Florida-based career prosecutor who had been pivotal in leading the inquiry but expressed reservations about the legal grounds for a criminal prosecution.

Adding a new dimension to the investigation, a former Justice Department lawyer, who held a prominent prosecutorial role in the 1980s and later supported President Donald Trump’s legal maneuvers to contest his 2020 election defeat, has been appointed as a special counselor to the attorney general. This appointment is expected to significantly impact the ongoing inquiry.

The investigation into Brennan, which has been underway for several months, is part of a broader series of criminal probes initiated by the Justice Department over the past year. These investigations predominantly target individuals perceived as adversaries of Trump and focus on contentious issues, such as the U.S. intelligence community’s assertion that Russia intervened in the 2016 presidential election to benefit Trump.

Details of the subpoenas were shared by anonymous sources familiar with the case, who spoke to The Associated Press under the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation. According to two of these sources, at least three subpoenas have been issued, a fact initially reported by CBS News.

Brennan served as CIA director under President Barack Obama and was in that role when the intelligence community in January 2017 published an assessment detailing Russian interference aimed at helping Trump defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in 2016. An investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller concluded that Russia meddled on Trump’s behalf and that his campaign welcomed the assistance, but it did not find sufficient evidence to prove a criminal conspiracy.

The Justice Department last year received a criminal referral from Rep Jim Jordan, the Republican chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, alleging that Brennan made false statements before the panel in 2023 about the preparation of the intelligence community assessment. Brennan and his lawyers have vigorously denied any wrongdoing.

The investigation has been unfolding for months in Florida, with investigators having lined up interviews and issued subpoenas for records. The latest subpoenas seek grand jury testimony in Washington, an indication that prosecutors expect they would have to bring any criminal case in Washington since that is where Brennan’s testimony took place.

On Friday, it was revealed that a key national security prosecutor in Florida who’d been handling the investigation, Maria Medetis Long, left the case. She expressed doubts about the case and was removed, another person familiar with the matter said.

The Justice Department since then has tapped Joseph diGenova, 81, a Trump loyalist who served as the U.S. Attorney in Washington for part of the 1980s, to serve as a special counselor to the attorney general. He was sworn in Monday in Florida and is expected to work on the Brennan investigation.

DiGenova supported Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him. He made headlines that year when he said Chris Krebs, a top Trump administration cybersecurity official who said the election was not tainted by fraud, should be killed. DiGenova later apologized and a lawsuit filed against him by Krebs was withdrawn.

___

Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer in Washington contributed to this report.

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
1...237238239...2,979Page 238 of 2,979

Subscribe for exclusive content

We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.

Subscribe

Copyright Newsfinal Publications.