Wildfire Near Lake Okeechobee

The First Point Fire burning near Lake Okeechobee has scorched about 8,600 acres and was 100% contained as of Saturday, according to the Florida Forest Service.

“It looked like a scene out of an apocalypse now or something. There was so much fire, so much smoke,” said a nearby camper.

The wildfire ignited just after 1 p.m. Thursday along the lake’s edge, then quickly pushed inland.

Fire crews responded with a strategic burnout along the levee, deliberately setting controlled fires when winds cooperated to clear vegetation and starve the blaze of fuel, seeking to drive the fire back to the lake.

Duval School Headquarters Deal Collapses

Local developer Chase Properties has backed out of a deal to buy the current Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) headquarters in the Southbank area of Jacksonville for $17.2 million, citing “undisclosed financial obligations.”

As a result, DCPS terminated their contract to purchase a new headquarters at 8928 Prominence Parkway in Baymeadows to “avoid holding two properties at the same time,” Superintendent Christopher Bernier said.

DCPS will continue operating from its current Prudential Drive location while it evaluates the future of its headquarters.

Ocklawaha River Bill Advances

A bill to unblock the Kirkpatrick Dam and drain the Rodman Reservoir on the Ocklawaha River has passed through the Senate Appropriations Committee and is ready for a full vote on the Senate floor.

“The Kirkpatrick Dam was built in 1968 and today serves no water supply, flood control, or hydroelectric power purpose. However, it continues to block the river,” said Sen. Jason Brodeur (R-Lake Mary), the bill’s sponsor.

If passed, the bill would restore the Ocklawaha River to its natural flow in Putman and Marion counties at an estimated cost of $70.03 million over four years.

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➤ Lake County: A massive hole found on Empire Church Road near Groveland has been confirmed to be a sinkhole. (See Video)

➤ Leesburg: The city is raising utility rates for natural gas and electricity after the recent historic freeze resulted in combined losses exceeding $3.3 million. (More)

➤ Daytona Beach: After Mayor Derrick Henry raised concerns about “frivolous” stops following his wife being pulled over last week, the police chief took to social media to defend his department. (Details)

➤ Pensacola: The demolition of the former Baptist Hospital is underway with asbestos management happening inside the building. (See Video)

➤ Miami: Commissioner Ralph Rosado asked the city manager to remove Police Chief Manuel Morales from his post at a meeting Thursday, claiming that he’s begun campaigning for the District 4 seat “on the job.” (Details)

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➤ The NASCAR season officially starts at 1:30 p.m. today with the legendary Daytona 500 at Florida’s Daytona International Speedway. (More)

➤ Florida natives Brittany Bowe and Mia Manganello led the U.S. women’s speed skating team to 4th place in the speed skating qualifying rounds, helping the team advance to the semifinals of the event. (More)

➤ No. 14 Florida men’s basketball toppled No. 25 Kentucky 92-83 yesterday to maintain first place in the SEC. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: Olympics | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf

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➤ Two former University of Florida mascots who got married shared their love story with reporters from WCJB recently. (See Video)

➤ Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland celebrated the opening of its new Esports Arena on Friday, which features 20 fully loaded gaming stations to help students take competitive gaming a step further. (See Video)

➤ A memorial service for K-9 officers was held at Curlew Hills Memory Gardens in Palm Harbor on Thursday, attended by current K-9s and law enforcement from across the Tampa Bay area. Over 100 K-9s are buried there. (See Photos)

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Have you ever put together IKEA furniture?

1. Yes
2. No

Saturday’s Results:

Do you follow NASCAR?

1. No: 48%
2. Somewhat: 28%
3. Yes: 24%

What driver won the first Daytona 500 in 1959 after someone else was named champion?

Show me the answer