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The Internet Crimes Against Children unit in the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office teamed up with Homeland Security, the FBI, NCIS and other law enforcement agencies in an operation called “Operation Spring Fling” to bust 14 people believed to have targeted children for sex. These arrests were part of a larger proactive operation by the ICAC to fight child exploitation. The individuals face numerous criminal charges related to online child exploitation. Sheriff Rob Hardwick praised the hard work of the officers involved and reminded parents and guardians to monitor their children’s online activities, set boundaries, and speak to their children…

The Sing Out Loud Festival in St. Augustine is adding a new ticket option for attendees. Starting Wednesday, limited one-day general tickets will be available for purchase. The headline of the festival, which will take place on September 22 and 23 at Francis Field Showcase, will feature artists such as The Black Keys, Mumford & Sons, Lord Huron, and Maggie Rogers. Ticket prices vary from $125 to $155 depending on the chosen day. Additionally, layaway payment plans will be offered to make the event more accessible. For more information, interested individuals can visit the festival’s website. CLICK TO READ SOURCE…

Locklan Hewlett, a rising junior and quarterback for St. Augustine High School, has declared his commitment to Wake Forest University for college football. He completed 131 throws for over 2 thousand yards in the 2022 season, with a 58 percent success rate, and gained 23 touchdowns. Hewlett is categorized as a three-star athlete and one of the top 40 prospective quarterbacks for the 2025 class. Following suit, fellow quarterback Riley Trujillo, currently a senior at Bartram Trail High School, also committed to UCF. The region has produced a long list of talented high school quarterbacks, such as those committed to…

Florida Senator Rick Scott will be discussing hurricane preparedness with state and local leaders on Friday at 3:30 p.m. at the Market 8 Hotel & Marina in St. Augustine. Scott will be emphasizing the importance of creating a disaster supply kit, investing in flood insurance, and recording a video walkthrough of belongings in the home. Last year, the area experienced frequent hurricanes and tropical storms that resulted in flooding and damage to homes. Emergency personnel and law enforcement will also be present at the event to discuss hurricane preparedness. CLICK TO READ SOURCE Images/Source: Action News Jax