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5/7/19: St. Johns River Fuel Threat; Lyme Disease In Florida; Riding Into History 2019

News4Jax
The Miami Air jetliner is pictured in the St. Johns River after skidding off the runway at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.

The health of the St. Johns River is facing increased threats, according to the St. Johns Riverkeeper.

The wildlife that inhabits the St. Johns River is facing challenges ranging from leaking fuel from Friday night's Miami Air International jetliner accident to harmful algae found in the river.

St. Johns Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman is urging anyone boating along the river that may see wildlife in contact with the fuel or a potential slick on the river to call the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 

She also warned of a large algae bloom from Lake George to Racy Point north of Palatka with toxins that can cause skin irritation and respiratory issues.

Lyme Disease Spreads To Florida

Credit Scott Bauer / USDA
/
USDA

New data collected gives never before seen insight into a dramatic rise of confirmed cases of Lyme disease across the United States, including Florida.

The data from Quest Labs shows that the two states with the largest absolute increases of infected patients were California and Florida, both of which have not historically been associated with high rates of Lyme disease. 

UNF Researcher Kerry Clark and Dr. Shirley Hartman from the Mandarin Wellness Center joined us with more.

20th Annual Riding Into History Motorcycle Concours

Credit RidingIntoHistory.org
Glorida Struck is the 2019 Grand Marshal at Riding Into History, which is being held this weekend at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine.

Your never too old too ride. That pretty much sums up Gloria Struck, who has been riding motorcycles for 75 years. She started riding age 16 and by 1946, at the age of 21, she became one of the early members of the Motor Maids women's motorcycle club. 

She'll be the Grand Marshall at this weekend's Riding Into History Motorcycle Concours d'Elegance at the World Golf Village. Struck joined us to talk about the Concours and her lifelong experience as a motorcyclist.

More than 300 antique and vintage motorcycles will be on display. The full schedule is available at the Riding Into History website.

Avery Latta-Raines can be reached at newsteam@wjct.org, 904-358-6317.