Johns County (FL) has hired an engineering firm to complete the permitting and design work for the South Ponte Vedra beach nourishment project The proposed project sand placement volume is 1,000,000 cubic yards of sand the northern end of this project area is 2539 S Ponte Vedra Blvd. while the southern end is 3175 S Ponte Vedra Blvd This project will tie in with the northern end of a U.S Army Corps of Engineers Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) project which completed its second nourishment in December 2023 Sources of project funding include the State of Florida post-Ian/Nicole emergency grant and FEMA Category G The County is pursuing FEMA Cat G funding and has already secured State funding to reconstruct the project Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin Winter 2025/2026 Daily news and in-depth stories in your inbox PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – A licensed real estate agent was recently indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple charges that include conspiracy to traffic firearms, conspiracy to sell firearms illegally, providing false statements to a firearm dealer, conspiracy to traffic illegal drugs, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to federal investigators, between March of 2022 and June of last year, Braden Hobbs, 27, of Jacksonville, purchased more than 120 firearms from three different federally licensed gun dealers in Jacksonville, then illegally sold those guns on the street to drug dealers, drug traffickers, and convicted felons. Federal authorities said there were multiple occasions in which Hobbs advertised firearms for sale to potential customers before he completed the purchase of the firearms from federally licensed gun dealers. Federal investigators also said customers had paid Hobbs cash for the guns or traded drugs for the guns. According to investigators, Hobbs was aware that some of his customers intended to resell the weapons and were either drug users or drug dealers. Hobbs did not act alone, investigators found. According to the feds, Hobbs asked unnamed co-conspirators to assist him in finding buyers for the guns, and those co-conspirators advertised the firearms for sale. Cell phone records later showed that one of the unnamed co-conspirators regularly purchased guns from Hobbs. Hobbs is accused of making straw purchases at licensed gun stores. A straw purchase is when someone who is legally allowed to own a gun purchases the weapon for someone who is not legally allowed to own a firearm. According to federal investigators, law enforcement started investigating Hobbs when several guns he had purchased were recovered during unrelated drug raids on homes suspected of being drug houses. Retired JSO Director of Investigations and Homeland Security, turned News4JAX Crime and Safety Analyst, Tom Hackney, said this case highlights how straw purchases get guns on the street into the wrong hands. “This really highlights that burglaries are not the only way guns find their way into the criminal element. It’s a criminal element that is supplying them, and this highlights the nexus between drugs, guns, and violence,” Hackney said. In addition to being a suspected firearm trafficker, federal investigators said Hobbs was also trafficking illegal drugs. Court records show that in June of last year, Hobbs was arrested by Jacksonville police for suspicion of driving under the influence. It was during that traffic stop that officers discovered Hobbs had 330 grams of cocaine, 17 grams of Adderall, and paraphernalia associated with drug trafficking. According to court documents, the evidence found in his car led to multiple drug charges, including trafficking cocaine, which was the most serious felony charge. While in the Duval County jail, Hobbs received an additional criminal charge after investigators said he assaulted a corrections officer. Hobbs posted a $120,000 bond to get out of jail and was awaiting his day in court when he was recently indicted on illegal gun charges. If convicted, Hobbs could face up to 95 years in prison. Hobbs is a licensed real estate agent who worked out of a Ponte Vedra Beach office. An employee at the corporate office confirmed to News4JAX that Hobbs was still employed with the company and that his real estate license was still valid. 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 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 A nationwide pizza chain will celebrate the grand opening of its newest restaurant ― boasting a modernized design ― in Ponte Vedra Beach with a pizza giveaway Pizza Hut at the Shoppes of Valley Ridge shopping center It's the newest Pizza Hut location from owner and operator Flynn Group based in San Franciso which is the largest franchisee in the system with more than 975 Pizza Hut locations in 27 states Flynn Group also owns and operates Pizza Hut locations in Jacksonville the company's other brands include Applebees Ponte Vedra Beach is part of the company's ongoing Pizza Hut expansion “More than just serving the iconic Pizza Hut favorites our guests love Flynn Group views each of our locations as an investment in the local economy through job creation and philanthropic initiatives We look forward to providing the reliable and value-driven dining experience Pizza Hut fans love while being an active business partner to the Ponte Vedra community,” Jerrod Mitchell vice president of marketing for Flynn Group said in a news release announcing the grand opening Ponte Vedra restaurant showcases 'fresh look'The 1,393-square-foot Ponte Vedra restaurant boasts a "fresh new look and more modern compact design," Flynn Group noted in the news release energetic graphics are displayed on the interior and exterior of the new smaller design concept curbside and carryout orders," according to the news release The restaurant buildout was estimated at $140,000 Arrive early for grand opening free pizza offerThe first 25 guests in line at the grand opening will receive redeemable punch cards for free pizza for one year Thin N' Crispy and Original Pan crusts only ― has several restrictions Winners will receive two complimentary specialty or up to three-topping The pizzas may be redeemed separately or together But the grand opening deal can't be combined with any other coupons Konnichiwa! : Unique Italian-Japanese fusion restaurant planning to open in Ponte Vedra French fine dining bistro: Acclaimed St. Augustine chef opens French bistro as his third fine-dining restaurant The Ponte Vedra restaurant which has been in the soft opening stage since Jan is among about 29 in the Jacksonville area including five in St Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com If you're a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest dining coverage PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – The former Serenata Beach Club has a new name The private club is now the South Ponte Vedra Ocean Club The new version of the beach club held a VIP Night on Tuesday which included a ceremonial ribbon cutting ‘Serenata is no more," Club director Kimberly Patterson said New owners Kevin Merritt and Lynda-Culhane Merritt purchased the beach club along A1A last year. The club officially opened to members on Monday and a new restaurant concept Culhane-Merritt remains involved with the daily operation of the Culhane’s Irish Pubs in Atlantic Beach and South Jacksonville and the Culhane’s vodka and wine brands The previous owners owed two mortgage lenders a combined $14 million The Merritts paid just over $1.5 million for the property bidding alongside an embattled Rhode Island businessman and Serenata Beach Club Members who planned to open a member-owned club RELATED | Embattled Rhode Island businessman, local corp. and Serenata Beach Club members plan to bid on property at auction Merritt jokes that if he only paid $1.5 million for the club he would be in the Guinness Book of World Records He clarified that they also paid what was owed to the previous mortgage lenders along with investing in much-needed renovations and upgraded fixtures for the beach club “We were going to sell the club to a member equity group They tried their best and they tried to get 550 to join so we had to do what we did,” Merritt said There are currently 275 members of the South Ponte Vedra Ocean Club all of which are previous members of the Serenata Beach Club Merritt said the beach club had about 1,200 members The club has been in the spotlight for a host of financial problems since 2023 leading to temporary shutdowns the club announced its reopening under new management employees said they were still waiting on their paychecks and W-2s Merritt said they are working on rebuilding trust with previous Serenata Beach Club members. “Two hundred and seventy-five believed and I thank them for trusting us. So kudos to them,” Merritt said. Memberships are still available for purchase. The initial cost through March 1 is $15,000 plus tax; after March 1 the cost will be $17,500 with tax. “Imagine oceanfront dining at the Ritz Carlton,” Managing Director Mark Rojas said. “From the time you walk into my restaurant, you will get a class.” Existing members were offered a discount on the initial membership fees. If they joined in November they paid $11,500 and in December that price went up to $12,500. Merritt anticipates that the initial cost will increase by $5,000 every six months until the private beach club is leveled up. Because Lynda’s at the Ocean Club is open to the public, membership will be capped at 850. Tiffany comes home to Jacksonville, FL from WBND in South Bend, Indiana. She went to Mandarin High School and UNF. Tiffany is a former WJXT intern, and joined the team in 2023 as Consumer Investigative Reporter and member of the I-TEAM. Two more million-dollar prize winners from the same $50 scratch-off game claimed on the same day and both from Ponte Vedra Beach have been named Each chose to receive their 500X The Cash winnings as a one-time On Tuesday the Lottery announced that Walter Sheard Sheard bought his winning ticket from Publix at 670 Marsh Landing Parkway in Jacksonville Beach, while Patel got his at the Murphy USA #7406 gas station at 1570 Branan Field Road in Middleburg. Each claimed their prize on Sept. 10, according to the Lottery. A state law allows for a 90-day grace period to release winners' names unless waived 500X The Cash lottery: Jacksonville man claims $1 million scratch-off prize same day he gets an eviction notice This came just a week after 51-year-old Dale Rosato also cashed in another $1 million 500X The Cash prize He bought his winning ticket at the Gate gas station at 4121 San Pablo Parkway in Jacksonville One more from Jacksonville yet to be identified came forward on Oct 1 after purchasing the ticket at the 8020 Collins Road Gate station in Jacksonville The $50 game features the Lottery's top scratch-off prize of $25 million — one of two has been claimed — and 160 secondary prizes of $1 million. For the latter 97 of 160 remain unclaimed, according to the Lottery website (This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)  a Beaches surfing legend who at 17 became the East Coast Surfing Association's first men's champion and then traveled to compete in two world championships died Thursday after he was found washed up on the shore with his surfboard still attached to his ankle Ponte Vedra beachgoers found him and began CPR, as did rescue personnel when they arrived, but he did not survive Johns County Fire Rescue said as far as officials there know he was alone and was found in the surf zone behind the 400 block of Ponte Vedra Boulevard The department received the call about 8 a.m Mitch Kaufmann, a Beaches surfer who has chronicled the local surfing scene for decades said Thursday afternoon that he had spoken with Roland's family He said Roland lived in Ponte Vedra and surfed that same spot anytime there were waves surfing "like a teenager," on a board shorter than himself and this is what everybody says about Joseph — he walked the walk Roland was retired from the city of Jacksonville founded a seafood company in Mayport bearing his name He was elected to the East Coast Surf Legends Hall of Fame in 1998 and later was worthy of an entry in Matt Warshaw’s 700-plus-page “Encylopedia of Surfing,” placed between "rogue wave" and "roller coaster." The entry noted the achievements of “the slender and easygoing Roland": that upset win at the 1968 East Coast championship over much better-known competitors; a repeat East Coast win the next year; and trips to compete in World Surfing Championships in 1968 (in Puerto Rico) and 1970 (in Australia) Kaufmann said Roland was a modest man who rarely competed past the 1970s but would surf in an occasional EPIC Surf Ministries contest as he got older could play numerous musical instruments and had a recording studio in his house For many years he played in worship bands during church services he told me that after he swam or surfed he tried to eat a healthy lunch and then he’d walk on the beach for an hour every day and pray," Fogg said He remembers Roland coming home from winning an East Coast championship bearing with him a large mahogany trophy about 3 feet long He quickly removed the surfer figure on top of it and fixed it up to work as a skateboard that he could ride “That’s how much he cared about recognition,” Fogg said Roland's friend Mickey Ross said they tried to surf together every Tuesday and Joe still surfed as well as he did as a teenager He could probably out-paddle someone half his age," he said but the ocean was far too jumbled up to surf so they stayed on the beach and talked and prayed which Roland had been attending the past couple of months said his friend's faith was his top priority he never met anybody he didn’t show love to He would show his love for them through his action "We'll have a paddle-out when the family is ready," he said PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – While PGA Tour player Billy Horschel was practicing Tuesday at TPC Sawgrass for The Players Championship the real star on the course was a golden retriever named Nola Wonderful how she kind of worked through a lot of different sessions Director of Procurement and Placement for K9s for Warriors a non-profit organization based in Ponte Vedra Beach which trains dogs to become service animals for veterans And walking inside the ropes was actually a training exercise “The dog’s able to make the right decisions and actually provide that service to a warrior when they’re stressed out So they’re helping that warrior get through those situations they’re not thinking about themselves,” Clavel said This is the second K9s For Warriors dog that Horschel and his foundation have sponsored And part of sponsoring a dog is getting to name it “My wife said NOLA for New Orleans obviously became the only player to claim both individual and team titles at the Zurich Classic Horschel is an eight-time PGA Tour champion and a Floridian at heart attended the University of Florida and lives in Ponte Vedra Beach RELATED | A dog on a golf course? Billy Horschel welcomes K9s for Warriors friend for practice round While everyone involved enjoyed the day, the partnership means much more. “There are 20 veterans a day committing suicide. We’re doing everything we can to combat that. Until there’s no veterans committing suicide, we’re never going to be done. For him to do this every year and continue to do it, it’s huge,” Clavel said. K9s for Warriors have paired more than 1,000 veterans with service dogs to date. And now Nola will be the next furry friend to help save a veteran’s life. Alessandra Pontbriand joined WJXT4 as a sports anchor and reporter in May 2023. She is excited to join the extremely talented sports team and have the opportunity to tell stories across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia from local high schools, universities, and pro teams! Former Florida Georgia Line singer and Volusia County native Brian Kelley will make a stop on his “Sunshine State of Mind” tour later this summer at the intimate Ponte Vedra Concert Hall in Ponte Vedra Beach a converted church that has become a hub for a diverse array of touring acts  Tickets for the 8 p.m. show, which range from $42.90-$81.40, will be available online through the venue’s official ticketing partner, AXS (axs.com) and in-person at The St The tour’s title is a reference to Kelley’s debut solo album, “Sunshine State of Mind,” a 2021 collection of Florida-centric songs that included “Florida Boy Forever,” an ode to his formative years in Ormond Beach The video for that song featured an assortment of Daytona Beach-area backdrops, including the historic Daytona Bandshell, as well as a cameo by Kelley’s father, former Volusia County Council Chair Ed Kelley Brian Kelley was a baseball star on the school team which also received a shout-out in the video “Palm Tree Country,” that’s also built in that same Sunshine State mindset Expect to hear that one, along with additional solo material from his 2024 album release, “Tennessee Truth.” Could there be a reunion?With its lyrics about a broken relationship “Kiss My Boots,” generated speculation that it was about the dissolution of Florida Georgia Line but Kelley told The News-Journal in 2024 that the inspiration is more universal than that “It’s a bigger meaning than one thing or one person,” he said “Everybody in the music industry has a couple of people on the kiss my boots list I love that song and I’m so glad it's out in the world for people to make it what they want when its resonating and when people find their truth in it.” Florida Georgia Line generated 19 career chart-topping singles becoming the first and only act to achieve two RIAA Diamond singles in Country music history (14X Platinum #1s: “Cruise” and “Meant to Be” with Bebe Rexha) The duo has surpassed 17 billion global streams selling more than 40 million tracks and 4.8 million albums worldwide Speculation continues among fans about a possible Florida Georgia Line reunion something that Kelley didn’t rule out in a 2024 News-Journal interview The duo of Kelley and partner Tyler Hubbard officially split in 2022 after taking an indefinite hiatus in 2021 “I’m really proud of what we built,” he said “Time will be the great teller with that,” Kelley said at the time Two popular cuisines ― Italian and Japanese ― will come together in an inspired fusion menu offered at an upcoming Black Pearl hopes to open at 880 Florida A1A N. in Ponte Vedra Pointe Shopping Center by early March just before The Players Championship co-founder and managing partner Kelvin Ole told the Times-Union Ole said Black Pearl will specialize in Itameshi cuisine with a rotating menu focusing on local and global seasonal ingredients Itameshi, which means "Italian food" in Japanese, combines traditional Italian dishes with Japanese ingredients, according to Club + Resort Chef a publication designed for professional chefs "I want to bring the experience to the city," Ole said "I want people to experience what real sushi is I want to explain to people … and get people more excited about food." He said food should be an experience that goes beyond what is on the plate It's not just about grilling fish or frying fish That is what I want to bring to the people here," said Ole noting the culture and history of a dish add to the dish and its creativity Ole said the restaurant will reflect the spirit and elegance of its namesake As described on the restaurant's Instagram page black pearls are significant in Japanese folklore and art Black pearls (kuro shinju) can "symbolize rarity "We are coming to bring black pearl essence with our imagination and creativity to create rare and unique moments for your dining experience!" the restaurant promises Black Pearl will be the first restaurant of its kind in the Jacksonville area Ole said he had been searching for a location for about a year He chose Ponte Vedra Beach for Black Pearl because he "fell in love with the area." think miso carbonara pastaEating at Black Pearl Ole said will be an opportunity for guests to explore the elevated and diverse cuisine that he has experienced during his career "It's not going to be a sushi pizza restaurant … Black Pearl is going to be something different I'm going to do something like a miso carbonara pasta Then probably short rib ramen with garlic parmesan Espuma," said Ole citing a culinary technique that creates a light airy foam His mother had a small bakery in their home of Bali he developed a background in Italian and French cuisine took him to the Philippines for a couple of years and then Singapore and Europe Ole emigrated to the United States four years ago He spent the first two years in Los Angeles where he "fell in love" with sushi and other Japanese cuisine "It changed my life and my point of view about restaurants bring something rare from my experience to here," he said Two years ago, Ole relocated to Jacksonville, where he became the manager of Sushi Bear Sushi & Grill in the Lakeshore neighborhood Ole said Black Pearl will have about 100 seats in the main dining area and patio There also will be a speakeasy-style lounge that will accommodate about 18 to 24 people "It's going to be more cocktail experience with Japanese ingredients and Italian wines There will be Asian-inspired drinks with alcohol or nonalcoholic beverages." Ole said French fine dining bistro: Acclaimed St. Augustine chef opens French bistro as his third fine-dining restaurant What's old is new again: Southern Grounds restores, revitalizes century-old St. Augustine house for new restaurant There also will be eight seats for private Omakase and Italian capo-style dining "My big goal is to bring the first Michelin [star] restaurant to North Florida and I want to start from here with this project," he said Black Pearl is building out in a 4,256-square-foot storefront at an estimated cost of $400,000 Ole said he wants it to become a trendsetter for the hospitality industry in the Jacksonville area The new restaurant replaces Mezcal Cantina Authentic Mexican Grill, which relocated and transitioned into Anejo Cocina Mexicana Black Pearl will join other restaurants at Ponte Vedra Pointe Shopping Center including McFlamingo, Beach Diner, Bronx House Pizza, I Noodle Ramen & Dumpling, and Flo's Premium Ice Cream, a Strategic Sites-Clifford Commercial real estate flyer shows Officials said Hua Yao Ke, 38, who owns the Kamiya 86 Sushi and Thai restaurant employed workers unlawfully present in the U.S. Ke didn’t require the workers to provide documents stating that they could legally work in the U.S., contrary to federal law. Investigators said Ke provided free food, housing, and transportation between the houses and the restaurants. Federal agents raided the restaurant on Aug. 14, 2024. Ke is facing up to five years in prison and a hearing has not been scheduled. Hailing from Detroit, Jonathan is excited to start his media career at News4JAX in November 2023. He is passionate about telling stories that matter to the community and he is honored to serve Jacksonville. PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – A Ponte Vedra Beach man pleaded guilty to posing as a tutor to try to entice a “child” for sex, according to the United States Attorney’s Office. Kevin Wilson, 39, was arrested in July 2024 and charged by criminal complaint with attempted enticement and coercion of a minor. According to court documents, on July 20, a social media user posted a public message in a Facebook group seeking a tutor for a child. On the day of the post, an individual, posing as a woman, but later identified as Wilson, reached out and directed the poster to contact her “husband,” Wilson, by text message, according to investigators. The poster contacted Wilson and had a short text conversation. The poster said she was seeking tutoring assistance for an 11-year-old child. Wilson sent a photo of himself and asked for a photo of the child. The poster later contacted the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office about the interaction. On July 24, an undercover detective posing as the guardian of a 12-year-old female “child” reached out to Wilson about tutoring services. After the undercover detective initiated the conversation, investigators said Wilson began discussing sexual topics involving the “child” and meeting the “child” to perform sexual acts with the “child.” Wilson also spoke to undercover detectives portraying the 12-year-old female child via phone and text message. Wilson and the undercover detective portraying the guardian of the “child” ultimately agreed to meet at a predetermined location for Wilson to engage in sexual acts with the “child,” investigators said. Wilson traveled to the predetermined meeting location that evening and was arrested. Wilson faces 10 years to life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. The case was investigated by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jacksonville. Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved. Digital Executive Producer who has lived in Jacksonville for over 30 years and helps lead the News4JAX.com digital team. PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – In less than one week, you can be sitting right outside the ropes along the iconic island green at TPC Sawgrass and watch the best golfers in the world compete at one of the biggest tournaments on tour. The Players Championship is back for another year and the field was officially announced Friday. March 11 through 16, 144 of the best golfers in the world will compete in Ponte Vedra Beach. Unfortunately, Tiger Woods is not one of them. Though, 48 of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Rankings are featured including representation from 24 countries. The Players champions will be competing, including two-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler who is looking to become the first player to win The Players three times since Jack Nicklaus (1974, 1976, 1978). Scheffler is also looking to become the first player to win a PGA Tour event three consecutive years since Steve Stricker won the John Deere Classic in 2009-2011. It will be bittersweet for 24 players who are making their tournament debut. Even if you’re not an avid golf fan, you can still enjoy The Players Championship. There’s so much to do and see. This year there are upgrades for spectators. The Players Championship executive director Lee Smith said his team listened to what you wanted and they delivered. THE PLAYERS Championship field list is as follows: PONTE VEDRA BEACH – AT&T was experiencing an outage in Ponte Vedra Beach Friday morning due to a fiber equipment issue AT&T’s website listed the outage’s impact as “severe.” It also said the repair was expected to happen in nine hours. The outage comes as The Players Championship is underway at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach. The ZIP codes affected by the outage include 32081, 32082, 32223, and 32250. The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach reopens its Beach House after the completion of a comprehensive renovation project 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach ("The Plantation") is delighted to announce the grand reopening of its Beach House after the completion of a comprehensive renovation project This extensive transformation is the final phase of a three-part enhancement initiative designed to elevate the community's amenities and provide an unparalleled experience for its members The centerpiece of the Beach House renovation is the expanded kitchen facilities which now house a complete Floribbean style restaurant This new culinary destination offers a fusion of flavors inspired by Florida and Caribbean cuisine promising a unique and vibrant dining experience for members The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach announces grand reopening of Beach House after comprehensive renovation project the renovation includes the construction of the new Surfside building This facility features a casual food shack that includes bar offerings providing members with enhanced convenience and comfort The Junior Olympic size pool has undergone a full renovation and the pool area has also been significantly upgraded with new pool and deck furniture offering a refreshed and inviting atmosphere for relaxation while taking in the views of the Atlantic Ocean These improvements mark the culmination of a broader renovation strategy at The Plantation which also included a complete remodel of the clubhouse and an expansion of the pickleball courts The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach continues to set the standard for luxury living and recreational excellence in the region "We are thrilled to unveil the newly renovated Beach House to our members," said Roger Amidon "This project reflects our commitment to continually enhancing the amenities and experiences we offer ensuring that The Plantation remains a premier club for our members." The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach is an exclusive member-owned community offering a unique combination of elegance With world-class amenities including a clubhouse and various other recreational and social activities The Plantation provides its members with an exceptional living experience Barbara Williams, The Plantatoin at Ponte Vedra Beach, 1 904-543-7534, [email protected], www.theplantationpvb.com  LinkedIn SOURCE The Plantatoin at Ponte Vedra Beach Do not sell or share my personal information: Jonathan Lundy – A 17-year-old male was arrested Monday in California in connection to a shooting that took place at Ponte Vedra Beach during a sale of marijuana on July 17 RELATED: Jacksonville man arrested in connection to Ponte Vedra Beach shooting The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office identified Giovanni Nashon White as the shooter during an incident at the Walden Chase Amenity Center. The shooting happened after an argument broke out when a victim met with multiple people in a black Honda Civic. The victim was shot multiple times and airlifted to a hospital. Police said the initial investigation revealed that White may have fled the area and the U.S. Marshals Service joined the investigation. On Monday, White was taken into custody by the USMS Fugitive Task Force in California and was charged with aggravated battery and attempted robbery with a firearm. Proud alumnus of Bethune-Cookman University. RELATED: Surveillance video shows moments leading to brutal Ponte Vedra Beach stabbing that left teen paralyzed The Carnegie Hero Fund recognizes people who risk serious injury or death to save others by rewarding them with the Carnegie Medal North America’s highest honor for civilian heroism Each recipient will receive a financial grant too Jaclyn Rogé and Kennedy Armstrong were recognized for their roles in saving Rogé‘s daughter Chubby’s Wings with Rogé when Spencer Pearson approached and attacked Schemitz with a knife Pearson stabbed her over 10 times in her back RELATED: Teen survivor left partially paralyzed in Ponte Vedra stabbing attack walks across stage at graduation Rogé was about 50 feet from them and she ran over to pull Pearson off Schemitz Armstrong and a friend pulled into the parking lot and Armstrong tackled Pearson and pinned him to the ground but bystanders got the knife away from him Armstrong suffered a cut to his right hand that severed an artery Pearson was prosecuted and pleaded guilty to attempted murder and aggravated battery. Schemitz was left partially paralyzed, Rogé spent four days in the hospital, and Armstrong suffered nerve damage to his hand that required surgery and physical therapy. Kendra Mazeke – The teen who was stabbed by her ex-boyfriend expressed overwhelming gratitude and relief that a 538-day case was finally closed on Friday night after he was sentenced to life in prison it was a long day in court filled with hours of victim impact statements and reliving the life-changing moments of a June 2023 attack often described as vicious and horrific Madison Schmetiz was left partially paralyzed when she was stabbed 17 times by Spencer Pearson but her remarkable recovery had her walking across the stage at her graduation just under a year later the State Attorney’s Office and family and friends for their unwavering support to see justice be served “Knowing that we have such a strong and caring community behind us has kept our spirits high Schmetiz recognized that the journey was far from over for her recovery many lessons to learn but with the support of those who have stood by me I’m confident that I will continue to grow stronger each day,” she assured Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick said he usually doesn’t attend court hearings but decided to watch this one live Schmetiz expressed extreme gratitude for her mother, who was also injured in the attack. “Mom, you’ve been my rock and my best friend throughout this entire journey. Your love, your strength and your unshakable belief in me have carried me through the hardest times, the fact that you sacrificed so much always and put my well-being first and beyond,” she said. She also shared a message of thankfulness to Armstrong. “Kennedy, I will never be able to thank you enough for saving my life in a moment of absolute need. You were there, acting without hesitation, and you’ve been by my side helping me rebuild and stay strong,” Schmetiz said. “Your courage, kindness and constant support have meant the world to me, and I’m forever grateful for the way you’ve stood by me through thick and thin. The two of you are my heart, and I couldn’t have made it this far without you.”