Air Force contract brings 50 jobs to Jacksonville

Wednesday, February 27th, 2013, 10:16pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- An Air Force contract will bring 50 jobs to Jacksonville.

The Sierra Nevada Corporation was awarded a $427 million contract on Wednesday to build A-29 Super Tuscano light attack support aircraft in Jacksonville.

The contract has the potential to grow to $950 million, according to a release from the City of Jacksonville.

"Amid all the concern over federal budget cuts, this is some good news for Jacksonville," said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in a statement.

Final assembly of those aircraft will take place at the Jacksonville International Airport and two per month will be delivered starting in the summer of 2014.

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Stormy weather is time for an insurance checkup

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter

Monday, February 25th, 2013, 8:15pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- It only takes a few seconds for your home to become the target of a fallen tree. If you've never experienced it, the destruction can be devastating.

"I've only seen hail twice in my life," said Charmin Williams.

If it is not wind damage it could be hail damage. Williams' Baldwin home was pelted by hail.

"It was pretty solid," she said. "Marble size, but no damage."

Storm damage can also result from rising water; so much rain it floods your home.

Having insurance will give you protection and help restore your loss, but make sure it is the right coverage or you will hear those famous words, "that's not covered."

Here's what you need to know:

-Damage from rising water is covered by a flood insurance policy, not a standard insurance plan.

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JEA customers overbilled in wake of cyber attack

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter

Friday, February 22nd, 2013, 8:58pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- During JEA's 'Denial of Service' attack earlier this week, the utility said customers' information was never compromised. But in the wake of the cyber attack, some JEA customer discovered a problem with billing.

Ellen Willett is one of them. She usually pays her JEA bill by phone.

"I've never had a problem," she said.

During the cyber attack on the utility's network, she couldn't use the JEA's phone pay system. Willett said she followed JEA's directions and paid her bill at a Winn-Dixie Store.

"I went to Winn Dixie on Tuesday to make a payment," said Willett. "They were directing everybody to go there."

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Missing Adult Day: A reminder of the unaccounted

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter

Thursday, February 21st, 2013, 7:31pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- According to the Justice Coalition, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office receives thousands of missing reports each year. While most of them are resolved, some become an open case.

"You just don't think it can happen to you," said Carol Payne.

January 3, 2013 was the last time anyone saw Payne's brother.

"Sometimes you think you're gonna wake up," she said, "and realize it is not real."

Her brother James Tracy Wilson, 56, might be driving a blue/gray four door Buick Lacrosse.

"The police are saying probably we'll find his car because it will run out of gas and he didn't have any money," said Payne. "That didn't happen."

Payne said her brother had a routine and never drifted from it.

"His bed wasn't made and the windows weren't open that's when I called my brother and they called the police," said Payne.

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Cyber security expert says JEA not alone for 'Denial of Service' attack

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter

Tuesday, February 19th, 2013, 8:19pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- At the JEA downtown payment center, customers were surprised to learn the utility's website was the target of a cyber attack.

"I wasn't aware of that," said Lacrecia Anderson. "It is scary."

The JEA computer network was hit with a "denial of service" attack; the FBI has been notified.

"We are making sure that none of our customers' information is jeopardized or compromised," said JEA spokeswoman Gerri Boyce.

Dr. Walter Eaton of Florida State College at Jacksonville is a cyber security expert.

"A denial of service on JEA could be nothing more than a test," said Eaton, "a test to see if we could have a 'denial of service' to all utilities in the United States."

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JEA.com crippled by cyber attack

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter

Tuesday, February 19th, 2013, 8:18pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Unable to pay their bills online Tuesday morning, JEA customers were standing in line at its payment centers.

"I tried two days ago and was not successful in getting anything done online," said Lacrecia Anderson.

Anderson normally pays her bill online and was in the dark as to why the website was not working.

"My payment was due I was kind of scared that my lights were going to cut off," she said.

To avoid an interruption in her service, she made it to the payment center as quickly as possible, and she was not alone.

"Coming into the branch and standing in line is an inconvenience," said Anderson, "when I am used to doing it online or paying it over the phone."

On Sunday, JEA's cyber network was hit by a 'denial of service' attack.

"Soon as it started we were notified and we've been working on it since," said JEA's Gerri Boyce.

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Woman sues JEA over easement issue

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter

Friday, February 15th, 2013, 7:55pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Eva Bowen is suing the JEA again, this time in federal court. Bowen said she wants to enjoy her property and live in peace.

On January 26, 2010 Bowen purchased an acre and a half on Black Hammock Island. She said when she realized JEA's utility pole was on her property, she wanted to know why. There was no recorded easement.

"JEA did not have a valid easement," said Bowen.

She also claims that the JEA was billing her for the service to another pole, which is also on her property. It has a security light and she said the pole is not hers.

"When the bill was $8.45, I said please stop charging me for the electricity, it is not my pole it is not my electricity," said Bowen.

Bowen said she's been fighting the JEA since she discovered there's no recorded easement.

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