Health

Buying Colored Contacts Outside a Doctor's Office Could be Dangerous

Submitted by Kaitlyn Ross, Reporter
Sunday, September 4th, 2011, 11:40pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Color contacts are used to give you a different look. Say - Blue eyes when your eyes are brown. But if you don't get them from a doctor and use them correctly, you could do serious damage to your eye. And one local store had the lenses on the shevles.

A local Optician contacted First Coast News after one of his patients saw the lenses at a gas station.

"She had noticed a teenager purchasing contacts at a gas station. And she said hey, is this legal? It doesn't seem legal," said Vice Cottone, an Optician.

In Florida it's a felony to sell contact lenses without a prescription.

Cottone thought it was so serious, he went out to the gas station himself.

"Went out there and checked it out, and sure enough they were selling contact lenses at a gas station," he said.  

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Jacksonville Groups are Fighting Childhood Obesity

Submitted by Joy Purdy, GMJ News Anchor
Saturday, August 13th, 2011, 1:15pm
Jacksonville Groups are Fighting Childhood Obesity

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- With nearly a third of Jacksonville school children overweight or obese, the battle for a healthy lifestyle among youngsters seems overwhelming.

However, 18 local organizations said that a new study shows that with a little creative thinking, they're helping Duval County kids keep healthy.

During a ceremony and health fair Friday morning, groups like the Bridge of Northeast Florida, Girls Inc. of Jacksonville, and Community Connections of Jacksonville were rewarded for their efforts with  the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation's "Embrace a Healthy Florida" grant.

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Health Department & Mosquito Control District Urge Precautionary Measures

Submitted by Rachel Leitao, First Coast News Staff
Friday, August 12th, 2011, 4:41pm
Health Department & Mosquito Control District Urge Precautionary Measures

The St. Johns County Health Department and the Anastasia Mosquito Control District remind residents and visitors to take proper precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.  “Each of us can do some very simple things to help protect ourselves, our families and our community against mosquito-borne illness,” said Dawn C. Allicock, M.D., M.P.H., Director of the St. Johns County Health Department.

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St. Johns County School District Free and Reduced Lunch Policy

Submitted by Rachel Leitao, First Coast News Staff
Wednesday, August 10th, 2011, 10:46am

The St. Johns County School District announced its policy today for free and reduced price meals for children unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs and Child Care Food Program.  Interested persons may review a copy of the policy by contacting Elizabeth Binninger, Director of Food and Nutrition Services, 10 Hildreth Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32084 or (904) 547-3961 or toll free 1-(866) 984-7084.

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Winn-Dixie Recalls Mislabeled Baked Goods

Submitted by Jessika Lewis, Assignment Editor
Saturday, August 6th, 2011, 12:01am
Winn-Dixie Recalls Mislabeled Baked Goods

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie stores announced a voluntary recall of some baked goods, saying they weren't labeled for eggs or wheat.

According to a release from the store, the "Winn-Dixie Lemon Bar" cakes, "Winn-Dixie Chocolate Cherry Bar" cakes and "Winn-Dixie Bakery Iced Cinnamon Rolls - 6 Pack"  weren't labeled properly, creating a problem for customers with egg and wheat allergies and those who are gluten intolerant.

A customer complaint led to an internal investigation of the matter, Winn-Dixie explained, and prompted the recall.

Products affected by the recall were sold in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, and now Winn-Dixie said it's working with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Food and Drug Administration and the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network to fix the problem.

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Register Now: American Lung Association Second Annual Fight For Air Run/Walk

Submitted by Rachel Leitao, First Coast News Staff
Wednesday, July 27th, 2011, 12:06pm
Register Now: American Lung Association Second Annual Fight For Air Run/Walk

The American Lung Association welcomes runners and walkers of all ages to join in the Second Annual Fight For Air Run/Walk Saturday, August, 27, 2011 at the Nocatee Greenway Trails. This event will give participants an opportunity to enjoy the scenic, wooded trails of the Nocatee community. 

Walkers can choose from either a three-mile or one-mile course, which will start at 5:00 p.m. The certified 5K run will kick off at 5:30 p.m. Awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers in various age categories.

Immediately following the event, participants are invited to a party sponsored by Baptist Health at Nocatee Splash Water Park. Registered runners and walkers will enjoy use of the exclusive park, including two water slides and a lazy river. The celebration will also include food, donated by Jacksonville Ale House and Miller’s Ale House.

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Mosquitoes: More this Year than Last Year?

Submitted by Len Kiese, First Coast News Anchor and Reporter
Tuesday, July 19th, 2011, 10:30pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --  Peggy Munsey and her dog Gunner head out for their morning run each day, and every time, there's a pesky disruption.

"Yeah, they're very bad in this area," said Munsey.

The mosquitoes around her Clifton Road neighborhood in Jacksonville are unbearable and her neighbors agree it's the worst they've seen.

Jacksonville's Mosquito Control is tracking increasing calls for service on maps. In May, there were about 300 calls for service.  In June, that number doubled, and already in July, calls for service have exceeded 600.

"It's very irritating.  I was just talking to a neighbor yesterday and said, can you call the mosquito people because I've already called them twice," said Munsey.

Richard Smith, mosquito control superintendent, said he thinks the number of service requests will top 5,000. "That's a lot of service requests," he said.

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