INSIDER
State budget allocates $75M for new UF satellite campus in Jacksonville; Jaguars want it near stadium
Read full article: State budget allocates $75M for new UF satellite campus in Jacksonville; Jaguars want it near stadiumGov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday set aside $75 million for a new satellite campus in Jacksonville when he signed the state’s record $117 billion budget.
Councilman proposes bill for city to buy land where controversial liquor store plans to open
Read full article: Councilman proposes bill for city to buy land where controversial liquor store plans to openThe Jacksonville City Council will consider a plan on Tuesday night to buy the land where a controversial liquor store is expected to open in Brentwood.
Golfair community shares concerns regarding new liquor store opening next to elementary school
Read full article: Golfair community shares concerns regarding new liquor store opening next to elementary schoolPeople who live in the Golfair area of Jacksonville on Monday met with city officials to share their concerns about a new liquor store opening up next to an elementary school.
What’s next for candidates knocked out of 2023 Jacksonville mayoral election?
Read full article: What’s next for candidates knocked out of 2023 Jacksonville mayoral election?The race for Jacksonville’s mayor is not over yet as two candidates will move on to the general election in May. It remains to be seen how things will play out for voters who supported candidates outside of those top two.
Jacksonville City Council approves $20M in funds for University of Florida satellite campus
Read full article: Jacksonville City Council approves $20M in funds for University of Florida satellite campusThe Jacksonville City Council on Tuesday evening voted to approve millions of dollars toward a project that would bring a University of Florida satellite campus to the city.
People living near Pumpkin Hill Preserve file lawsuit against city of Jacksonville
Read full article: People living near Pumpkin Hill Preserve file lawsuit against city of JacksonvilleResidents who live near the Pumpkin Hill preserve have filed a lawsuit against the city of Jacksonville. They're upset with the City Council's decision to move forward with a new development in Northeast Jacksonville.
Jacksonville City Council votes 10-9 in favor of rezoning area near Pumpkin Hill Preserve
Read full article: Jacksonville City Council votes 10-9 in favor of rezoning area near Pumpkin Hill PreserveApproximately 30 people who attended a City Council meeting Tuesday spoke out about a new development in Northeast Jacksonville near the Pumpkin Hill Preserve.
3 controversial construction projects go before Jacksonville City Council, including one near Pumpkin Hill Preserve
Read full article: 3 controversial construction projects go before Jacksonville City Council, including one near Pumpkin Hill PreserveSeveral controversial construction projects are coming up before the Jacksonville City Council on Tuesday night.
While vote-by-mail ballots are being delivered, negative TV ads continue
Read full article: While vote-by-mail ballots are being delivered, negative TV ads continueAs Jacksonville gets ready to elect a new mayor, vote by mail ballots are now being delivered and early voting begins in 24 days. But what’s been happening for some time now is the negative ads in the mayor's race, raising concern among the public and the candidates.
LeAnna Cumber’s lawyer says Mayor Lenny Curry behind ‘manufactured controversy’ over JEA dealings
Read full article: LeAnna Cumber’s lawyer says Mayor Lenny Curry behind ‘manufactured controversy’ over JEA dealingsIn 47 days, Jacksonville voters will go to the polls to elect a new mayor, and while there are seven candidates running for the spot, most of the attention lately has been on two Republicans — LeAnna Cumber and Daniel Davis.
Councilman hopes to find compromise in push to rezone Pumpkin Hill neighborhood
Read full article: Councilman hopes to find compromise in push to rezone Pumpkin Hill neighborhoodA continuing land fight in the Pumpkin Hill neighborhood, which is in the northeastern portion of Duval County, has both sides looking for a compromise.
Your Voice Matters: What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the next Jacksonville mayor?
Read full article: Your Voice Matters: What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the next Jacksonville mayor?The midterm election is over and the race for Jacksonville mayor is already heating up. There are 9 people vying for the top job in Jacksonville.
New street signs honor Jacksonville first responders who died in line of duty
Read full article: New street signs honor Jacksonville first responders who died in line of dutyHonoring our fallen first responders and their families. New street signs are starting to appear in areas of town named in memory of a first responder who died in the line of duty in that location. It’s part of a wider initiative and there’s a push to expand it.
Council withdraws bill to reimburse city employees traveling for ‘treatment related to reproductive rights’
Read full article: Council withdraws bill to reimburse city employees traveling for ‘treatment related to reproductive rights’The Jacksonville City Council on Tuesday evening voting unanimously to withdraw legislation that was aimed at creating a reimbursement option for city employees who travel for “medical treatments related to reproductive rights.”
JSO: 11 arrests made, over 200 traffic citations written as part of effort to curb ‘destructive activities’ of some car clubs
Read full article: JSO: 11 arrests made, over 200 traffic citations written as part of effort to curb ‘destructive activities’ of some car clubsThe Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is working to curb what it describes as “the dangerous and destructive activities of some car clubs” in the city.
Historic monument legislation gets public hearing at Jacksonville City Council
Read full article: Historic monument legislation gets public hearing at Jacksonville City CouncilIt’s already been a hot topic of conversation, but legislation first introduced by Jacksonville City Councilman Al Ferraro in regard to historic monuments in the city was placed in the spotlight of discussion during public comment at Tuesday evening’s council meeting.
Millions of dollars in play for campaigns for Jacksonville mayor, sheriff
Read full article: Millions of dollars in play for campaigns for Jacksonville mayor, sheriffWith less than twelve months to go before Jacksonville voters go to the polls to choose their next mayor, sheriff and other city leaders, candidates for the top offices continue building their campaign war chests, with March fundraising numbers being reported this week.
Proposal to give decision on historic monuments to voters gets 1st reading in City Council
Read full article: Proposal to give decision on historic monuments to voters gets 1st reading in City CouncilA proposal that would let Jacksonville voters have the final say on whether to take down historical monuments, including one in particular that’s tied to the Confederacy, was introduced to the City Council during its Tuesday evening meeting.
Should voters have final say on Confederate monuments? Council to consider proposal
Read full article: Should voters have final say on Confederate monuments? Council to consider proposalFor the first time, city leaders will hear a proposal that would let Jacksonville voters have the final say on whether to take down historical monuments, including one connected to the Confederacy.
Councilman wants Jacksonville voters to decide fate of Confederate monument
Read full article: Councilman wants Jacksonville voters to decide fate of Confederate monumentIt’s been a source of controversy for at least the past three years, and a member of the Jacksonville City Council wants to change the process for coming up with a solution.
Here’s how much $ candidates for Jacksonville mayor, sheriff have gathered so far
Read full article: Here’s how much $ candidates for Jacksonville mayor, sheriff have gathered so farThe candidates for Jacksonville mayor and sheriff continue raising thousands of dollars in their campaigns. The first local election is still more than 15 months away.
Jacksonville City Council members reflect on memories of Tommy Hazouri
Read full article: Jacksonville City Council members reflect on memories of Tommy HazouriDemocrat Tommy Hazouri, who served Jacksonville in one capacity or another for five decades, died Saturday following complications from a lung transplant he had last year. He was 76.
Bill to end automatic pay raises for city council members hits hurdle
Read full article: Bill to end automatic pay raises for city council members hits hurdleJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A bill that would get rid of built-in pay raises for Jacksonville City Council members hit a hurdle in committee Tuesday with an amendment that Councilman Rory Diamond called an attempt to “gut” the legislation. Diamond, who introduced the bill earlier this year, wants to require council members to pass standalone legislation to increase their salaries each year. “But we can still pass the original bill, stop automatic pay increases and have a public vote. Finance Committee voted to PROTECT automatic pay raises for Jax Council. Thank you, Council Members Cumber and Salem for voting for TRANSPARENCY and an up or down public vote on a raise.
‘My car flipped over the bridge’: 911 calls released in Dames Point Bridge crash
Read full article: ‘My car flipped over the bridge’: 911 calls released in Dames Point Bridge crashJacksonville Fire-Rescue photo of driver being hoisted out of the St. Johns River after his car went off the Dames Point Bridge. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 27-year-old man called 911 moments after a crash on the Dames Point Bridge sent his car plunging into the St. Johns River. News4Jax on Thursday obtained audio of seven calls from people who called 911 to report the Feb. 6 crash. Driver: “I got into a wreck on the Dames Point going to Arlington. AdA crash report shows the 27-year-old man was cited with driving too fast for conditions and driving on an invalid license.
City Councilman: ‘Ball of sparks’ as car careens off Dames Point Bridge
Read full article: City Councilman: ‘Ball of sparks’ as car careens off Dames Point BridgeJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – He described it as a “ball of sparks.”A Jacksonville City Council member is among the witnesses to a crash over the weekend on the Dames Point Bridge that sent a car careening off the bridge. It ended in a dramatic rescue with firefighters pulling the car’s driver to safety from the St. Johns River. For District 2 City Councilman Al Ferraro and his wife, Saturday night was not another trip. “Before we got to the bridge, she was saying, how many people have fallen off the bridge?” he recalled. Ad“We just saw what looks like a ball of sparks going off to the side,” Ferraro said.
Hypothermia, rising tide among dangers as firefighters rescue man from St. Johns River
Read full article: Hypothermia, rising tide among dangers as firefighters rescue man from St. Johns RiverJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville firefighters saved a 27-year-old man in a dramatic rescue Saturday evening in the St. Johns River, hoisting him out of the water after his car fell over the Dames Point Bridge. Photos from the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department show a captain harnessing the man and as crews on the bridge pulled him to safety. He was taken to the hospital, but amazingly only had minor injuries after the 35-foot fall in his vehicle. Jacksonville firefighters hoisted a driver whose car went... Posted by WJXT4 Vic Micolucci on Monday, February 8, 2021The man, whose name wasn’t released, was kneeling on the roof. (WJXT)State troopers said this happened because another driver, a 37-year-old man, was speeding and hit the 27-year-old man’s sedan from behind.
Jacksonville City Council members say ‘NOPE,’ call for salary freeze
Read full article: Jacksonville City Council members say ‘NOPE,’ call for salary freezeJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Several Jacksonville City Council members are calling for a freeze on council salaries. Councilman Rory Diamond introduced a bill Wednesday that would get rid of built-in pay raises for council members and instead require them to pass standalone legislation to increase their salaries. This is not the time for an automatic pay increase.”DOCUMENT: View a copy of the proposed legislationThe City Council OK’d a $2,302 raise programmed into the 2020-21 city budget, bringing salaries for most council members to over $52,000. According to figures provided by Diamond, the city spends more than $1 million a year on council salaries and $595,000 more in benefits. Under his legislation, the City Council would fix annual salaries for council members at a rate equivalent to half the salary for a county commissioner in a county roughly the same size as Duval.
Controversial Lot J deal defeated in City Council vote
Read full article: Controversial Lot J deal defeated in City Council voteJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After months of debate, City Council voted 12-7 against a deal to bring a major entertainment complex to Downtown Jacksonville. “We pulled the plug on Lot J. It’s dead,” Lamping said. When asked if the Jaguars might consider another proposal for Lot J, Lamping said he thinks “it’s time to turn the page.”“We’ll leave that behind,” Lamping said. The legislative body spoke and unfortunately Lot J will not move forward. Under the deal, the entertainment district, which was planned for Lot J outside TIAA Bank Field, would have been one of the biggest investments in the city’s history.
Mayor & some elected Jacksonville leaders take raise in 2020, others won’t accept
Read full article: Mayor & some elected Jacksonville leaders take raise in 2020, others won’t acceptRecently, the salary for most City Council members was $49,974. All but two of the 19 council members took the raise. “It’s been a tough year -- 2020 has been a really tough year and to take a pay raise at this moment in time, I just couldn’t do it. It’s the first time since Curry was elected mayor that he took the raise. Either you’ve had a pay cut, you’ve had a furlough or you’ve been laid off.
After Hemming Park name change, Council considers revising renaming process
Read full article: After Hemming Park name change, Council considers revising renaming processJACKSONVILLE, Fla. The uproar over renaming Hemming Park to James Weldon Johnson Park is prompting the Jacksonville City Council to consider making some changes in its procedure on renaming buildings and parks. When Councilman Garrett Dennis first proposed the name change for the park, he followed council rules. While the majority of council members voted for the name change, many believe the process of renaming parks and public buildings needs to be improved. Salems main concern is the lack of input from the public with only one public hearing required. With one public hearing we negotiate multi-million dollar deals with the same six week process, Dennis said.
Calls for community to break code of silence after deadly shooting of teen girl
Read full article: Calls for community to break code of silence after deadly shooting of teen girlDozens of Wyches loved ones and community members then broke up into groups to canvass the neighborhood, looking for the community to break its silence. According to the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office, a grey car pulled up in front of Wyches vehicle, then two men got out of the vehicle and opened fire. Shes still the light of our family, said Sandra Odol, Wyches Aunt. Odol said her niece was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Weve got to get people to talk.Anyone with information should contact the Sheriffs Office at (904) 630-0500 or First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
'We hear you’: City leaders call for peace, change after protests rock Jacksonville
Read full article: 'We hear you’: City leaders call for peace, change after protests rock Jacksonville“Jacksonville, we hear you,” Councilman Sam Newby said. “We hear your concerns, and we hear your voices. We are all going to work together to make Jacksonville a better place, a place that you deserve. Our city streets cannot become places of anarchy.”Councilman Garrett Dennis laid at least some of the blame at the feet of City Council. We have to work together on this thing.”As city leaders were meeting, protests continued across Northeast Florida.
Plan to revitalize Arlington moves forward in City Council
Read full article: Plan to revitalize Arlington moves forward in City CouncilJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A controversial plan to revitalize Arlington moved foward in the Jacksonville City Council during a meeting Tuesday night. Councilwoman Joyce Morgan introduced the bill for the Renew Arlington CRA Zoning Overlay a few weeks ago. PREVIOUS STORY: Plan to revitalize Arlington passes zoning committeeDOCUMENTS: Renew Arlington explainer | Ordinance 2019-239City Council decided to move ahead with an amendment, voting unanimously for the plan. "This is how you can transform Arlington," Morgan said during the meeting. Morgan gas pointed to the success that other neighborhoods in Jacksonville have had in setting standards and renewing their appearance.