Pipe bombs found in car in St. Johns County, person arrested

By Annette Gutierrez, Action News Jax

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office shutdown a rest area off Interstate 95 southbound Tuesday evening near mile marker 303 for an active investigation. The rest stop reopened after 1 a.m. Wednesday.

A sheriff’s office spokesperson said their investigators responded to the area around 5:45 p.m., Tuesday.

A law enforcement source tells Action News Jax investigators found at least five pipe bombs in a suspect’s car. They said that suspect has been arrested.

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said they can’t confirm because it’s an active investigation.

But the spokesperson said several units responded, including fire rescue, hazardous materials, K-9 and bomb squad.

The sheriff’s office said there is no threat to the community.

See story here

READ: Wildfires ravage Southern California, trigger evacuations and claim 2 lives

 

READ: Wildfires ravage Southern California, trigger evacuations and claim 2 lives
The flames have torn through neighborhoods and forced thousands to flee. With evacuation orders in place, the full extent of the damage remains unclear, but the fires have already left a path of devastation in their wake.

The flames have torn through neighborhoods and forced thousands to flee. With evacuation orders in place, the full extent of the damage remains unclear, but the fires have already left a path of devastation in their wake.

 

Jacksonville defense attorney accused of giving drug-soaked paperwork to inmates

A Jacksonville defense attorney was arrested Sunday and accused of smuggling drugs into the Duval County Jail, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. JSO said Nathan Williams, 37, is accused of exchanging drug-laced paperwork for money. How the scheme worked

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville defense attorney was arrested Sunday and accused of smuggling drugs into the Duval County Jail, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

JSO on Tuesday announced the arrest of Nathan Williams, 37, and 20 others in a months-long investigation into how drugs were getting into the jail.

JSO said Williams is accused of exchanging drug-laced paperwork for money.

“He dishonored an honorable profession,” JSO Undersheriff Shawn Coarsey said.

See full story here

 

Nvidia's mini 'desktop supercomputer' is 1,000 times more powerful than a laptop — and it can fit in your bag

By Keumars Afifi-Sabet

New Project Digits mini PC offers a petaFLOP of power for local AI processing and data science.

Scientists have created a new mini PC that is almost as powerful as a supercomputer but can fit in your bag.

The new device, dubbed "Project Digits," is designed for developers, researchers, students and data scientists who work with artificial intelligence (AI). Its uses include running AI models that would have previously required tapping into massive data centers via the cloud, Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang announced at CES 2025 in Las Vegas.

Although the product design has not yet been finalized, it will be small enough to fit on your desk or even in your bag.

See more info here

 

Bankrupt Pizza Hut franchisee plans to sell all 127 stores

EYM Pizza has engaged National Franchise Sales to help with the transaction as part of a financial restructuring process

Alicia Kelso | Sep 25, 2024

EYM Pizza L.P., a Pizza Hut franchisee that filed for bankruptcy in July, is selling all 127 of its stores in Illinois, Indiana, Georgia, South Carolina, and Wisconsin, as part of a financial restructuring process.

EYM engaged M&A advisory and brokerage firm National Franchise Sales to facilitate the sale, including assistance in the asset recovery process to maximize recovery for creditors. EYM’s bankruptcy filing listed two creditors: Manufacturers Bank, which it owes more than $21 million, and Pizza Hut itself, which is owed just under $2.25 million.

Related: Pizza Hut franchisee EYM files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

“National Franchise Sales is dedicated to navigating this challenging period with EYM Pizza L.P. and its affiliates. Our goal is to ensure a smooth transition and maximize value for all parties impacted by this process,” NFS Asset Recovery Team lead advisor Alan Gallup said in a statement.

EYM’s bankruptcy came after Pizza Hut sued the franchisee for not paying royalties on time even after a forbearance period was granted. EYM had previously sued Pizza Hut for breach of fiduciary duty, among other claims, but the case was dismissed, opening the way for Pizza Hut’s own lawsuit.

In August, EYM Pizza’s sibling company EYM Chicken abruptly closed about 25 KFC restaurants in various markets in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Both are owned by EYM Group, which also franchises Denny’s and Panera locations. Those KFC stores will remain closed until the locations have new owners.

Contact Alicia Kelso at Alicia.Kelso@informa.com

Jekyll Island Bluegrass Festival returns

 

Jekyll Island Bluegrass Festival returns

Bluegrass musicians from the coast of Florida to the mountains of Tennessee gathered at the 2025 Jekyll Island Bluegrass Festival this week… Read more

 

Major change to supermarket checkouts as 50-year shopping feature is being axed

Story by Courtney Pochin

For the last 50 years, whenever you’ve bought something in a store, a barcode will likely have been scanned at the checkout – whether it was at a supermarket or clothing store.

However, all this could be set to change in the next few years, as retailers are going to be ditching ‘old-fashioned’ barcodes with lines and replacing them with modern square, pixel-based QR codes.

See the full story here