Forget the Beaches, downtown Jacksonville or historic St. Augustine — Middleburg is the place to be in Northeast Florida this weekend.
The spotlight of Hollywood has come to the small Clay County town, thanks to the arrival of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”
via Clay County in television spotlight for ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ | jacksonville.com.
RIP Captain Scott Speicher. The Jacksonville area Navy pilot was the first casualty of the first Gulf War when his F-18 was shot down by enemy fire in a remote area of the desert on January 17, 1991, the first day of the war.
Little was known about what happened to Speicher after the crash, and many speculated that he was taken hostage and held captive. Speicher’s widow, Joanne, kept pressure on U.S. military brass to find him, and said they were grateful investigators never gave up their search.
“The family’s proud of the way the Defense Department continued on with our request,” said family spokeswoman Cindy Laquidara. “We will be bringing him home.”
Joanne, who has since remarried to Speicher’s best friend Buddy Harris, released a statement to the press on Sunday.
“The Speicher Harris family has received, with appreciation and sorrow, the news that the remains of Capt. Speicher have been located by the United States Military,” it said. “Capt. Speicher was a brave and wonderful father, husband, and naval officer who responded without hesitation when his country needed him. In doing so, he followed many, many, others who have sacrificed for our freedom. We thank the active duty men and women whose diligence has made this happen and hope that this process has prevented another of our service men and women from being left behind. We will miss him and will never forget. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers,” the statement said.
RIP Captain Scott Speicher
Henry Hayes, Jermell Pender and Thomas McBride did the right thing, and are being called heroic for their deeds in stopping a burglary. Awesome. I love reading stories like this.
Evidently, the three city workers were on their regular route, when they spotted several burglars trying to kick down the door of a house, according to a neighbor.
Here is the story quoted from the Florida Times-Union:
If you’re looking for a profile in courage, look no further than three employees of the city’s Solid Waste Division – Henry Hayes, Jermell Pender and Thomas McBride.
The three were on their regular trash pickup route when they spotted burglars kicking down the door of a private residence, according to insurance agent Jimmy Tullis, son of the former City Council member.
The three started running toward the house and shouting, Tullis says he was told by police, and four burglars fled. Nothing was taken.
After being notified, Tullis secured the house – which was owned by a friend and client, who was out of town.
Tullis said he plans to meet with the three, maybe over coffee and doughnuts, and thank them.
The city workers were outnumbered. For all they knew, the burglars might have been armed. But, to them, that didn’t matter.
They have earned the homeowner’s gratitude – and also the admiration of everyone in this city.
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