Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us Careers at WJXT / WCWJ Closed Captioning / Audio Description WJXT Public File WJXT EEO Report WCWJ Public File WCWJ EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications Copyright © 2025 News4JAX.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group Joanna Cuenta walked toward the shoreline of Atlantic Beach Saturday afternoon her eyes raised to the lapping waves and shifting currents of the ocean Cuenta, of East Rockaway, was one of about 100 volunteers and emergency officials who fanned out over a nine-mile stretch of coastline Saturday to search for Petros Krommidas, a Democratic candidate for the Nassau County Legislature who has been missing for more than a week "What’s important is to find him," Cuenta said as she combed the edge of the water alongside a group of other volunteers are "just keeping our eyes open." Krommidas, 29, was last seen April 23 around 9 p.m. at the home he shares with his parents in Baldwin, Newsday has reported Police have said that Krommidas' vehicle was found parked near the Long Beach boardwalk and his clothing was found on the beach politics and crime stories in Nassau County By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy Krommidas is described by officials as 6-foot-2 and weighing 230 pounds Searchers gather at the Atlantic Beach Village Hall on Saturday to look for Petros Krommidas On Saturday, members of several Nassau County agencies, including the Office of Emergency Management, the Community Emergency Response Team and the Nassau County Police Department were joined by a range of local first responders to conduct the search helicopters and drones were deployed to scan the shoreline Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said searchers were operating on "two parallel tracks." "One track is that Petey’s still alive," Blakeman said "In the event that there was a tragedy the family would like to recover the body and have a proper funeral." Members of the Mineola Fire Department joined in the search Saturday said the drone team battled the elements and had to be wary of other aircraft as they swept the shoreline for clues Detectives handed out flyers and broke volunteers into different groups with some assigned to the beach and others to the boardwalks and surrounding community in an effort to make connections with people who frequent the area Nassau police and fire marshals during the search Saturday said she is friends with the Krommidas family and has been part of other recent search efforts Speaking of the week since Krommidas went missing "It’s been nine days of heartbreak." Russo said the Columbia University graduate is a "very bright" and "family-oriented" man who loves to run "It really is tragic," Russo said who met Krommidas when she was running for the State Assembly said she considers him like "a little brother" who is "the nicest person you’re ever going to meet." "We should all be out looking," she said Police said investigators are asking anyone with information regarding Krommidas' whereabouts to call 911 or 516-573-7347 Trump's influence on NY's future .. Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories The Newsday app makes it easier to access content without having to log in Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months JACKSONVILLE – The Florida Department of Health confirmed to News4JAX on Friday that the coyote linked to a series of recent Atlantic Beach attacks was rabid The DOH issued a rabies alert for 60 days for the following boundaries in Duval County: The DOH advised residents to avoid physical contact with wild animals (e.g., raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, coyotes), which carry a higher risk of human exposure and a need for rabies post-exposure treatment. Here are tips for precautions to prevent rabies exposure: Dr. Shalika Katugaha is the medical director of infectious diseases for Baptist Health. She said the first thing to do after a bite is to thoroughly wash the wound. “Wash it with soap and water for 15 minutes to decrease the risk of rabies transmission,” Katugaha said. “After that, if you have something that kills viruses like Povidone Iodine, you should apply that. Then you should head to the emergency room for what we call post-exposure prophylaxis.” Following the antibody treatment, you should immediately undergo a series of rabies vaccine shots. “And those vaccines are on day 0. Then the 3rd day, the 7th day, and the 14th day,” Katugah said. But while you’re in the ER undergoing your first round of rabies shots, you could also find yourself receiving a tetanus shot. Tetanus is also a potentially life-threatening disease that attacks the nervous system. Doctors advise patients to receive a tetanus shot every 10 years to prevent a cut or wound from becoming severely infected. But if you get bitten by a wild animal and it’s been at least five years since your last tetanus shot, you’ll likely get another shot just to be safe. The final step is to receive additional antibiotics. “Animals carry a lot of different bacteria, especially in their mouth, and so doctors will see if you need common antibiotics like Augmentin to cover that,” she said. Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved. Award-winning broadcast and multimedia journalist with 20 years experience. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines TV Listings A rabies alert has been issued for Atlantic Beach after tests confirmed that a coyote suspected in attacks last week had the disease warning residents and visitors that rabies is present in the wild animal population People and pets should avoid physical contact with wild animals Atlantic Beach police shot the coyote to death Wednesday It is believed to have bitten four people Tuesday and Wednesday All of the victims are being treated for rabies A dog that fended off an attack also was injured The Department of Health Rabies issued the rabies alert over the weekend Rabies is a potentially fatal viral disease that affects the brain and spinal cord It is spread to humans and pets primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal Rabies is preventable with vaccination and can be treated with prompt medical attention after potential exposure Police Chief Victor Gualillo said the coyote’s behavior was definitely odd To engage people four different times indicates it may have been sick or conditioned to treat humans as a food source The health department issued a number of guidelines for residents who might see another coyote or any wild animal: If a person or pet is bitten or scratched by any wild or stray animal seek immediate medical attention and dial 911 People also should report any animal that appears to be acting strangely or aggressively or throw small objects at them to scare the animals off Rabies information is published at FloridaHealth.gov/Rabies By Noah Hertz More than $1 million in grant funding will help repair St Augustine’s first high school for Black students Scott Johnson Erik Avanier John Asebes ATLANTIC BEACH – A coyote believed to be behind several recent attacks on residents and pets in Atlantic Beach was found dead in a junkyard Thursday after it was shot by police on Wednesday night Atlantic Beach Mayor Curtis Ford said during a news conference that he hopes the coyote’s death brings closure to the series of attacks that were reported this week “I hope everybody will agree this one needed to go,” Curtis said this coyote was either diseased or it had very Ford also confirmed the coyote behind the attacks was a female An officer fired a shot at the coyote Wednesday night near Jasmine and 6th streets It was unclear at the time if the animal had been hit because it ran off “The officer did feel like he had a safe lane to shoot so he fired one round at the coyote,” Atlantic Beach Police Chief Victor Gualillo said He said they looked for the animal last night but didn’t find it Officers returned Thursday morning to check for a blood trail and found it following it to Raymond’s Auto Salvage & Junk Officials said while everything indicates that there was only one coyote behind the attacks and we certainly won’t know for sure until we go some period of time with no further incidents,” Ford said Gualillo described the coyote’s behavior as “unusual.” “I think FWC will agree that it’s rare that we get one animal that has that many attacks in such a short period of time,” Gualillo said adding that the animal wasn’t afraid of people Gualillo explained that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will do a necropsy to check the coyote for rabies or other diseases and will communicate any necessary updates to the people who were bitten He asked residents to keep reporting any sightings and any interactions that aren’t normal to wildlife@coab.us He said the department tracks the sightings and will come out to investigate if there are more frequent sightings in an area or more interactions that are inappropriate “Please let us know if you see unusual activity by coyotes and we want to make sure we know what’s going on,” Gualillo said owner of the junkyard where the coyote was found “He sniffed down my leg and grabbed my pant leg and started jerking it back and forth,” Dagley said “I’m saying this thing is going to hurt me get out of here!’ and then he let go for a second and I jumped up and grabbed my chair that I was sitting in and threw it on him,” Dagley said “I grabbed it by the handle and hit him right on the head,” Dagley said She said the coyote backed off but then grabbed Raymond’s foot Raymond hit the coyote on the head with a Coke can and then the animal latched onto his ankle and he picked up the great big chair he was sitting in and hit him on the head with it,” Sherrie said Raymond Dagley said he is relieved not to have the animal prowling about anymore although he was sad that it had to be killed Raymond Dagley’s was one of four attacks reported in the area including one witnessed Wednesday night by a News4JAX crew the city of Atlantic Beach urged everyone to be cautious in the area of Begonia Begonia Street is surrounded by trees and is not too far from Dutton Island Preserve the city had set up traps and said it was investigating the multiple reports “We do actually have a coyote management plan in Atlantic Beach so we have protocols that we observe when something like this happens and we’re asking our citizens to use good common sense but also follow the plan,” Ford said Wednesday “We’re not suggesting that the coyote has rabies Gualillo said people can use whatever measures are necessary to protect themselves “Remember that if you do fire a weapon and that bullet exits your property and goes across to someone else’s property that could be a great liability to you,” he said “So you need to make sure you’re doing it safely and it’s really necessary that you decide to use that kind of force these animals are going to run away as soon as they see or hear something that’s scary to them.” If you spot a coyote approaching people closely or acting in an aggressive manner you’re urged to call the FWC‘s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-8922 Thomas Cathey told News4JAX on Wednesday that he’s still recovering from his shocking attack on Tuesday He said a coyote attacked him near Donald Dagley’s Workshop A fellow worker was able to take a photograph of the coyote MORE | Multiple reports of coyote attacking people in Atlantic Beach; residents asked to keep pets inside got me a couple places here...still trickling blood a little here,” he said and they took care of me at the emergency room.” I don’t know if the animal’s sick or something.. According to the city a coyote approached another person Wednesday morning The city said the dog was injured during the incident There was also another report of a second person being bitten Wednesday morning but the city said it considers the report to be credible Atlantic Beach resident Ashton Kennedy was walking his German Shepherd when our crew first spotted a coyote Wednesday night along with Kennedy running from the animal Kennedy said the coyote jumped out of a wooded area near Jasmine and 6th streets and it even followed them back to his house And then the coyote started following us back to the house.” The Atlantic Beach Police Department and Jacksonville Fire Rescue quickly responded to the incident Medics said Kennedy would need a rabies shot A neighbor’s ring camera (watch below) captured the coyote walking out from behind a car officer firing shot (WARNING: Video includes mild expletives) The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Atlantic Beach Police shared this information for residents about coyote interactions: coyotes are medium-sized mammals in the same family as dogs Their fur is generally salt-and-pepper gray Adults in Florida weigh between 20 and 35 pounds on average and males are generally larger and heavier than females Coyotes are found in several habitat types and are common in rural, suburban, and even some urban landscapes. According to a 2007 FWC report the presence of coyotes has been documented in all 67 Florida counties FWC said encounters between people and coyotes in Florida are occurring more often so sightings of coyotes during the day may increase FWC said unprovoked coyote attacks on humans are very rare According to FWC, coyotes may be taken as a furbearer year-round on private property with landowner permission by rifle, shotgun, pistol, muzzleloader, air gun, crossbow, or bow. Briana Brownlee is excited to call Jacksonville home and join the News4JAX team. She joins us from Southwest Florida, where she reported at Fox 4 News in Fort Myers. Before making it to the Sunshine state, she got her start in Rapid City South Dakota as the morning reporter and later transitioned into the weekend Sports Anchor. Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials. Atlantic Beach is reporting two more coyote attacks although the police chief thinks it's just one coyote that they've now killed Wildlife officials say it's rare for a coyote to bite someone but it can happen if the animal feels threatened or is protecting its den or pups The first report was April 29 followed by four the next day One of the attacks didn't involve a person being bit but the city considers the reports to be credible according to the Police Department's April 30 Facebook post before a fifth incident Police Chief Victor Gualillo told Action News Jax the most recent attack of a man walking his dog occurred late on April 30 near Jasmine and Sixth streets “He picked the coyote up by the scruff of its neck and when he dropped it the coyote bit him on the foot or leg,” the chief told the station an officer spotted the coyote “and shot at it after it came toward him,” he said Gualillo said that's also were Raymond Dagley was attacked at the business on the first day “We believe it’s one coyote,” Gualillo initially told Action News of the two-day attacks Nothing about the behavior of the coyote suggests anything unusual.” Following the coyote's discovery, the chief told News4Jax residents are still urged to be cautious and keep reporting any sightings and any interactions that aren’t normal to wildlife@coab.us Gualillo said the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will do a necropsy to examine the coyote for rabies or other diseases and will communicate any necessary updates to the people who were bitten Atlantic Beach Mayor Curtis Ford later said during an afternoon news briefing that the coyote was believed to have been a female and "this one needed to go." He said it "was either diseased or had very very bad manners." "I didn't pay any attention to it at first Cathey has bites along his leg and near his elbow "He got me on the ground there for a minute Cathey says he's relieved to be out of the hospital but he has to go back for several rabies treatments as a precaution He fought harder than a man has ever fought me before." the conservation commission released the following statement "Coyotes may be taken as a furbearer year-round on private property with landowner permission by rifle cross bow or bow," the conservation commission states it is important to check with the local police department or sheriff’s office about the legality of discharging a firearm in certain areas that coyotes — like other animals — can be defensive and potentially aggressive if injured or ill and approached too closely." (This story has been updated with the discovery of the dead coyote.) The coyote that unleashed five attacks on people and dogs over two days in Atlantic Beach and was killed by police had rabies the Florida Department of Health confirmed The department issued a rabies alert for Duval County and said it is monitoring the disease among animals in the area "All residents and visitors should be aware that rabies is currently present in the wild animal population," health officials said "People and domestic animals should always avoid physical contact with wild animals (e.g. which carry a higher risk of humanexposure and a need for rabies post-exposure treatment." The alert is for 60 days and includes the following areas in Duval County: Both Atlantic Beach Police Chief Victor Gualillo and Mayor Curtis Ford had indicated it was highly possible the coyote which Ford said is believed to have been female was diseased due to its unusual aggression They also believe it's just the one coyote that's responsible The attacks were all in the area of Begonia Street on April 29 and 30 Two involved people walking their dogs and two were by a junkyard where the animal may have found shelter and prey an officer spotted the coyote and fired a shot after it came toward him it wasn't until the next day that officers discovered it had been wounded and died under a car at the junkyard Wildlife officials said it is very rare that coyotes would attack humans but they can be protective of their pups and territory Gualillo said they've known for several years that coyotes exist in Atlantic Beach considering they are backed up to the marsh "We've been tracking coyotes in Atlantic Beach since 2013," the chief said we worked with FWC [Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission] and some partners .. and looked at the coyote population at that time There's nothing unusual about the coyote population as far as numbers .. We saw at that time we didn't have a large population we had an average-sized population the Beaches area What precautions should be taken to prevent being exposed to rabies?The Health Department provided the following advice during rabies alerts: Immunize your pets and livestock based on your veterinarian’s recommended schedule Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash and keep livestock secured on yourproperty seek veterinary assistance for the animalimmediately and contact Animal Care and Protective Services at (904) 630-CITY feed or unintentionally attractthem with outdoor pet food open garbage cans or other sources of food If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal seek medical attention and reportthe injury to the county Health Department by calling (904) 253-1295 Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home; instead Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood Contact Animal Care and Protective Services from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes schools and other similar areas where they might come in contact with people and pets For more information on rabies, visit FloridaHealth.gov/Rabies – Following reports of multiple coyote attacks on residents and pets the City of Atlantic Beach is urging everyone to be cautious in the area of Begonia Most of the attacks have been reported in the area of Begonia Street which is surrounded by trees and is not too far from Dutton Island Preserve The city has set up traps and said it is investigating the multiple reports but also follow the plan,” Atlantic Beach Mayor Curtis Ford said Wednesday The city said it considers the reports to be credible Atlantic Beach Police Chief Victor Gualillo said people can use whatever measures are necessary to protect themselves If you spot a coyote approaching people closely or acting in a n aggressive manner you’re urged to call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-8922 Investigators believe multiple coyotes might be on the loose in the area so residents are still urged to be cautious Thomas Cathey said a coyote attacked him near Donald Dagley’s Workshop a junkyard not far from Begonia Street where he works “We’ve been around here for years and it doesn’t happen Ed Vanvoorhis witnessed part of the attack “It came out of nowhere and started sniffing and going after the dog and looked like his leg too and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and police are patrolling the area – The City of Atlantic Beach is investigating multiple reports of coyote attacks in Atlantic Beach on Wednesday there were confirmed reports of a coyote biting a person on Tuesday and a coyote attacking but not biting another person Wednesday morning Press play below to watch the full update from city officials Jacksonville Fire and Rescue said one person was transported from the area on Tuesday Officials said the man who was bitten was not seriously hurt But the City of Atlantic Beach said it considers the reports to be credible All of the incidents occurred on or near Begonia Street an area of the city that backs up to the Intracoastal The city had a similar issue in 2018 when one resident said their cat was killed by a coyote MORE | FWC guide to living with urban coyotes The incidents have been reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission It’s important for everyone in Atlantic Beach to follow these guidelines carefully,” the city said in an emailed alert to residents Stay informed by checking the city’s website at www.coab.us/coyotes for updates Atlantic Beach Police Chief Victor Gualillo said coyote sightings started to increase in the area in 2013 The last documented sighting was in November 2024 “We are living in many cities these days with coyotes as wildlife that are kind of in our neighborhoods now as long as we do it safely and understand how to interact with them that’s the best knowledge to arm yourself with,” he said According to FWC, coyotes may be taken as a furbearer year-round on private property with landowner permission by rifle, shotgun, pistol, muzzleloader, air gun, crossbow, or bow. Gualillo said people can use whatever measures are necessary to protect themselves, their property, and their family, but he also said to be careful. “Remember that if you do fire a weapon and that bullet exits your property and goes across to someone else’s property, that could be a great liability to you,” he said. “So you need to make sure you’re doing it safely, and it’s really necessary that you decide to use that kind of force. Generally, these animals are going to run away as soon as they see or hear something that’s scary to them.” Digital Executive Producer who has lived in Jacksonville for over 30 years and helps lead the News4JAX.com digital team. Erik Avanier – Thomas Cathey told News4JAX on Wednesday that he’s still recovering after a shocking coyote attack in Atlantic Beach Cathey said a coyote attacked him near Donald Dagley’s Workshop The City of Atlantic Beach said it is investigating multiple reports of coyote attacks in the area that happened over the past couple of days Beth Perry is an Atlantic Beach resident who lives near where the attacks have taken place She said she usually felt comfortable walking down the Turtle Alley trail but that was before she learned about the attacks I don’t think I’ll be walking down here again until they find them,” Perry said Atlantic Beach Police Chief Victor Gualillo said people can use whatever measures are necessary to protect themselves, their property, and their family, but he also said to be careful. If you spot a coyote approaching people closely or acting in a n aggressive manner, you’re urged to call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-8922. ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – A 32-year-old motorcyclist died Tuesday night after a crash at the intersection of Mayport and Levy roads in Atlantic Beach, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said that around 8:35 p.m., a pick-up truck turned left onto Levy Road across the path of the motorcycle, which was headed south on Mayport Road. The motorcycle hit the front right corner of the pick-up, and the impact sent the pick-up truck into the front of an SUV that was in the turn lane on Levy Road, the report said. The motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet, died at the hospital, FHP said. The 69-year-old driver of the pick-up that crossed in front of the motorcycle suffered minor injuries. He was wearing a seat belt, according to the report. The 30-year-old man driving the SUV and his 25-year-old female passenger were not hurt, troopers said. They were also wearing seat belts. A Jacksonville native and proud University of North Florida alum, Francine Frazier has been with News4Jax since 2014 after spending nine years at The Florida Times-Union. Karen Cagdill’s husband was bitten on the leg by the coyote. Ashton Kennedy was also bitten. Dr. Shalika Katugaha is the medical director of infectious diseases for Baptist Health. She said the first thing to do after a bite is thoroughly wash the wound. It’s still unclear if the coyote responsible for the attacks was rabid. If your dog loves to feel the sand in their paws, Duval County offers several pet-friendly beaches, but each has rules about when our fur friends can visit their shores. Pet owners should also know before they head to any of the area’s beaches that wherever you take your dog in Jacksonville, it must have a current rabies license and a city pet tag if you and your pet are residents of the city. And you must scoop the poop! No burying it in the sand or letting the tide wash it away. When it comes to beach territory, Jacksonville Beach starts at the St. Johns County Line and heads about 4 miles north, ending at Seagate Avenue. It’s one of the larger beaches in the area, and has many dog-friendly restaurants, so it’s a popular destination for dog owners, according to Visit Jacksonville. In Jacksonville Beach, dogs must be leashed and are not allowed on the beach from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April 1 through Sept. 30. Pets are allowed on the beach at any hour from Oct. 1 through March 31. And remember, the city requires you to pick up the poop! (Matching outfits are optional, but always adorable!) Cats are also welcome on the beach, but they must have city tags. If you want to let your dog loose, Visit Jacksonville recommends Paws Park, a members-only playground with separate large-dog and small-dog areas with much more flexible visiting hours. Heading north, the next beach on the Duval County coast is Neptune Beach, which picks up at Seagate Avenue and continues north to Atlantic Boulevard. Visit Jacksonville says Neptune is one of the more pristine beaches in the area, and the pedestrian-friendly community makes walking your dog a breeze. In 2023, Neptune Beach updated its rules because dog owners had so much confusion over the different rules between Neptune and Atlantic beaches. Now, dogs are allowed on both beaches year-round with no time restrictions. The Neptune Beach ordinance requires owners to keep their dog on a “leash physically connected to the dog” (no electronic collars), and it needs to be 12 feet or less. The ordinance also allows for dogs to swim in the ocean with their owners without a leash as long as the leash is put back on as soon as they’re out of the water. Walking your dog in the surf doesn’t count, so keep them leashed unless they’re swimming. Neptune Beach also added a provision to protect dogs’ health, saying that if you’re on the beach with your pup for more than half an hour, you have to make sure they have drinkable water and shade. Atlantic Beach starts at Atlantic Boulevard and continues north to the Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park borderline. With the updates to Neptune Beach’s rules for dogs on the beach, the two beaches now follow the same policy. Dogs are allowed year-round with no time restrictions but must be on a leash no longer than 12 feet. Dogs can swim in the ocean with their owners off leash. The 1.5-mile stretch of public beach in Hanna Park runs from Atlantic Beach to historic Mayport Village. The 450-acre park is also dog friendly and includes over 20 miles of trails and a 60-acre freshwater lake. Because of the natural wildlife in the park, including birds, alligators, foxes and sea turtles, dogs must be kept on a leash (up to 8 feet) at all times, and owners are limited to bringing two pups at a time. The entry fee for the park is $3 for pedestrians and $5 per vehicle. North of Hanna Park, the white sand beach of Mayport Naval Station also allows pups. Leashed dogs are permitted daily until dusk, just so long as they—and their handlers—don’t stray south of the area around the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society building, according to Visit Jacksonville. A coyote that may have bitten several people in Atlantic Beach was found dead Thursday morning but city officials warned residents to remain careful News4Jax, a Jacksonville Today news partner, reported that the coyote was found dead in a junkyard apparently after a police officer shot it the night before Police could not find the animal Wednesday but returned Thursday and found a blood trail that led to the junkyard on Begonia Street where many of the attacks had been reported The city has been investigating four reports of attacks Tuesday and Wednesday Atlantic Beach resident Ashton Kennedy told News4Jax that a coyote jumped out of a wooded area Wednesday night and his dog started fighting with it. Kennedy was bitten on the leg and will need a rabies shot the city cautioned people to remain vigilant because more coyotes could be present The city issued a coyote warning earlier this week and set up traps Atlantic Beach Mayor Curtis Ford has this advice for anyone who encounters a coyote: “If you have a coyote on approach or growling just stand your ground and try to loom large but don’t run because sometimes that will actually cause a coyote to chase so we’re on it but at this time we still have limited information.”  The attacks happened on or near Begonia, Jasmine and 6th streets. City Officials ask that you report any unusual animal behavior to 911. Report any sightings to wildlife@COAB.us Police Chief Victor Gualillo says coyotes in the area have been tracked since sightings in 2013 with a spike in 2019. The last sighting was in November living against the marsh,” Gualillo said. “It’s not usual to have the animals living in our backyard. It is unusual to have them attack It is unusual to have negative interactions with human beings The city of Atlantic Beach E-News sent out an email newsletter that included a coyote advisory at 10 a.m The County Commission rejected the development in November The city and Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission are investigating reports of a coyote biting two people April 29 and 30 and a third person nearly bitten before a dog fended off the attack The city said the dog was injured while protecting its owner The incidents occurred on or near Begonia Street Residents or visitors can stay informed about the situation by checking the city's website at coab.us/coyotes for updates The city said it's important for everyone in Atlantic Beach What should residents do about the coyote sightings in Atlantic Beach?Immediately report all coyote sightings and incidents to 911 Provide as much detail as possible about the location time and what you observed.Be extra vigilant and pay close attention to your surroundings particularly during dawn and dusk.Keep pets inside.Secure all potential food sources: Don't leave pet food or water outside Pick up any fallen fruit from trees in your yard Never feed wildlife.Discourage any coyotes you encounter to make them feel unwelcome: Make loud noises like shouting Try to look bigger by waving your arms above your head Throw small objects in the coyote's direction Use noisemakers such as whistles or air horns.Closely supervise children.Check your property for potential coyote hiding spots and consider trimming low-lying vegetation.What should residents NOT do about coyotes?Do not approach or feed coyotes This can make them lose their fear of people and become bolder.Do not run from a coyote stand your ground and try to discourage it.Do not leave small children or pets unattended outdoors.Do not assume coyotes are harmless they are still wild animals and can be unpredictable.Do not try to capture or handle a coyote yourself Leave this to trained animal control professionals.Atlantic Beach Coyote Management and Education PlanCity officials put together a 14-page Coyote Management and Education Plan in 2019 largely based on recommendations from the Humane Society of the United States to assist in humanely and effectively preventing and solving incidents with coyotes Anyone interested in learning more about preventing encounters or having a yard audit email wildlife@coab.us or call (904) 247-5859 and provide your name and a telephone number. Monitoring and data collection are critical components of an effective coyote management plan This is bestaccomplished with input from residents The purpose of monitoring human-coyote interactions is todocument where coyotes are frequently seen to count how many coyotes are within an area and to identifyhuman-coyote conflict hotspots Gathering specific data on incidents will allow for targeting of educational campaigns and the ability to measure success in reducing conflicts over time Due to their intelligence and adaptability in addition to extensive urbanization and the subsequent decline oflarger predators coyotes have successfully expanded their range across North America People can live amongcoyotes yet never see them It is important to keep in mind that coyotes have been interacting with and adapting to people for at least the last 100 years and urban areas provide the perfect balance of food,shelter and water for them Coyotes in urban areas not only provide free rodent control by feeding on mice and rats but also help to regulate the population size of raccoons and other species that may cause conflicts with humans although their long legs and thick fur make them appear larger Coyote fur varies in color from gray-brown to yellow-gray They have a black-tipped tail that helps to distinguish them from other animals such as foxes Coyotes also have yellow/amber eyes (which help to distinguish them from domestic dogs) pointed muzzles (which help to distinguish them from wolves) Since coyotes are naturally very skittish and afraid of humans feces and vocalizations) may be a better indicator of their presence Coyote prints are similar to those of a domestic dog’s but are usually observed in a straight line (as opposed to the meandering path of domestic dog tracks) Coyotes produce a variety of sounds (including howls whines and yips) to communicate with one another and defend their territory Coyote scat is similar to dogs in size and appearance it is rope-like and typically filled with hairs Coyotes are opportunistic omnivores with great flexibility in their diet They generally hunt small mammals such as mice but will also eat fruit and berries and will even scavenge road kill They may also prey on unattended domestic pets such as cats and small dogs This behavior can be prevented by reducing human-associated food attractants in urban areas and not letting pets outside unattended unless protected by an enclosure or fence Coyotes are naturally diurnal (most active at dawn and dusk) but often shift to more nocturnal activity in urban and suburban areas in an effort to avoid people Coyotes prefer open space and natural preserve areas over human-dominated landscapes but are extremely adept at living in proximity to people Coyotes thrive in these areas because food Why are coyotes drawn to urban and suburban areas like Atlantic Beach?Urban areas provide a bounty of natural food choices for coyotes ― they primarily eat rodents unsecured compost or trash and fallen fruit in yards Urban areas also provide a year-round supply of water in the form of stormwater irrigation and pet water dishes that support both coyotes and their prey decks and crawl spaces also can provide shelter and cover for the animals Pets are a normal part of neighborhoods that coyotes may consider as potential prey or competitors Free-roaming outdoor cats and feral cat clans that people feed may also be seen as eligible prey Dogs also can be vulnerable to coyote confrontations These incidents generally involve coyotes that areaccustomed to people (usually due to wildlife feeding) or are protecting their territory and pups What can I do to discourage coyotes from coming near me my family or my pets?Decrease food attractants take precautions with pets and allow for some tolerance of normal coyote behavior Do not feed them and also avoid feeding pets outside and providing outdoor water sources remove the bowl and any leftover food promptly such as regularly raking areas around bird feeders to help discourage coyote activity near residences Keep trash in high-quality containers with tight-fitting lids Only place the cans curbside the morning of collection trash cans are more likely to be tipped over and broken into Bag especially attractive food wastes such as meat scraps or leftover pet food face it directly and be “big and loud” by waving your arms over your head making loud noises or squirting the coyote with water until it chooses to leave – With neighbors on edge in Atlantic Beach another coyote attack took place Wednesday night and our News4JAX crew witnessed it while on assignment Ashton Kennedy was walking his dog when our crew first spotted the coyote Police said they believe that multiple coyotes might be on the loose in the area Thomas Cathey said he was still recovering from his shocking attack near Donald Dagley’s Workshop got me a couple places here...still trickling blood a little here The City of Atlantic Beach said it has received multiple reports of coyote attacks in the area that happened over the past couple of days According to the city, after Cathey was attacked Tuesday, a coyote approached another person Wednesday morning, before a dog fended off the attack. The city said the dog was injured during the incident. “It’s abnormal,” Cathey said. “We’ve been around here for years, and it doesn’t happen. I don’t know if the animal’s sick or something... He’s in a state of shock or something. He’s not acting normal. Just a bad occurrence and hopefully, they’ll catch it before he hurts a kid.” The city is asking the public to be cautious while out in the area; they are asking people to leave their pets inside and to make sure they don’t have any potential food sources in their yards. – News4JAX is highlighting Duval County’s beaches for this month’s 4 Your Neighborhood special there are some hidden gems at the beaches that you don’t want to miss For almost 24 years, hidden along the Intracoastal Waterway of Jacksonville Beach, Cradle Creek Preserve has been home to birds and humans who want to explore the serene beauty of both swamp and forest life the more than 43 acres of nature trails and elevated boardwalks overlooking the Pablo Creek Estuary offer an adventurer’s paradise The preserve includes a landing pier for launching canoes and kayaks as well as plenty of spots for birdwatching and possible sightings of raccoons and manatees Visitors can access the Preserve via the Fairway Lane entrance They can also enter by canoe or kayak from the Intracoastal Waterway via Cradle Creek a natural creek that runs along the Preserve’s southern boundary and connects with the Intracoastal Waterway at several points near Marker 37 Biking, hiking, fishing, and floating are what draw locals and visitors to Dutton Island Preserve in Atlantic Beach. With 9,000 feet of nature trails, a fishing and viewing pier, a canoe and kayak launch, picnic areas, pavilions, camping spaces, and parking, this preserve is a paradise for all outdoor lovers right here in our backyard. They even offer wheelchairs that you can reserve at no cost. According to locals, the Island is a great hidden gem in Mayport, from fishing off the pier to walking the trails along the southern part of the Island. From the fresh breeze that blows off the Intracoastal to the abundance of wildlife, the preserve is a great place to go and get away from the world for a few hours. Dutton Island Preserve can be accessed from Mayport Road and is open from sunrise to sunset daily. Michelle McCormick joined News4Jax in December 2023 and in February 2024, she happily accepted the opportunity to officially join the News4Jax Weather Authority team as the weekend morning meteorologist. She is a member of both the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association. Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here BT's in Atlantic Beach also known as Beach Tavern earlier this year caught on fire This resulted in the restaurant being closed down due to the significant damage caused by the fire Lawton Thompson Perry, of Creedmoor was arrested the next day and has been charged with multiple felonies related to the fire. BT's has been operating through a space at King Mackerel's in Morehead City Luke Otto is a Content Producer for the Epson Tour He is a Professional Golf Management grad from Ferris State University and has spent three years in professional golf This website is unavailable in your location It appears you are attempting to access this website from a country outside of the United States therefore access cannot be granted at this time Ally Lutter is a Marketing Manager for the Epson Tour She majored in Broadcast Journalism at Penn State University and has a sports journalism certificate (WPDE) — A report from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) states that the investigation into the former Atlantic Beach Town Manager relates to a "public corruption case involving threatening letters." In January, community members informed ABC15 of a heavy police presence at the home of Orton Bellamy, former Horry County Councilman and Atlantic Beach Town Manager. the search involved "court-authorized law enforcement activity." RELATED: SLED, FBI search home of former Atlantic Beach town manager ABC15 was able to stop Bellamy before leaving his home where the Federal Bureau of Investigation and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division were parked for most of the morning in January "We cannot discuss this at the present time and that's all I can say at this time Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application James (Jim) Brandon Baldwin passed away on January 10 He was born the fourth child of five to his loving parents Myron and Billie Baldwin. Jim was an avid lover of sports You could strike up a conversation with him about all Boston sports especially his beloved Patriots and Red Sox Jim attended Eastern Connecticut State University where he played college soccer and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. While teaching skiing in Colorado Jim and Mary moved to Connecticut to start and raise a family Jim had a successful career as a manager for White Plains Linen.Jim spent the final portion of his life in eastern North Carolina he could be found at the beach in the late afternoon with a chair Tucker - who you may have met after he stole your food Jim was also a voracious swimmer who enjoyed swimming year-round including storm swells and cold plunges before they were the “new thing to do.” James is survived by his two sons and Elizabeth.A celebration of James' life will be held at 5:00 p.m. at the Tackle Box Tavern in Atlantic Beach Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noebrooks.net Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Thanks for visiting Thanks for visiting