A local children’s author had the opportunity to read and share insight on her book “Mike The Friendly Firefighter” during a literacy event at the Jacksonville Public Library on Saturday.

Saturday was a day of celebration for author Brittany Jones after she officially launched her first book of a children’s book series.

The family of a local firefighter, who died in the line of duty one year ago this month, plans to celebrate his life this weekend with a memorial and by launching a foundation in his honor.

Honoring 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.

This weekend, three Jacksonville firefighters who died in the line of duty last year were honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Fallen Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Engineer Michael Freeland would have turned 37 on Saturday.

During the emotional ceremony, the names of Engineer Michael Freeland, Lt. Mario Moya and Capt. Thomas Barber were added to the wall.

Family and friends are remembering JFRD engineer Michael Freeland, as they said their final goodbyes Saturday.

Community members are invited to pay their respects to a fallen Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department engineer.

Michael Freeland, 36, collapsed Thursday while trying to rescue a U-Haul driver who was involved in a crash. The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department engineer later died in a hospital.