Unsung Heroes: A tribute to the volunteers who transform our community
By Michele Leivas Planting roots through volunteering Volunteer: Kendra McCraryOrganization: The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s HospitalInvolved Since: 2003 As president of The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Kendra McCrary is fully immersed in the Jacksonville community. Yet the River City was never meant to be a permanent move for McCrary and her family […]
Local Folks: Natalie Wells
By Jennifer Jensen While Jacksonville native Natalie Wells might be part of the team that makes up Oak Wells Aquatics, she didn’t always play such an integral part of the business. Prior to joining her husband, Ryan, in 2023 as a project consultant, she was an elementary teacher for 16 years. “I always wanted to […]
Lofts at Southbank receives final approval from DDRB
By Michele Leivas The Lofts at Southbank has cleared the final hurdle with the Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB), receiving final approval on the design of its mixed-use development. The final approval was passed in a 6-2 vote at the Sept. 12 DDRB meeting, with Board Chair Linzee Ott and Board Member Ennis Davis opposing. […]
School Board votes on Master Facility Plan
By Michele Leivas Fishweir, Stockton, West Riverside escape closure list; public hearing to be held Oct. 29, final board vote Nov. 4 UPDATE: The Duval County School Board approved the proposed 5-year Capital Plan that includes the Master Facility Plan at its Oct. 1 board meeting. The board voted 6-1 to approve the plan, […]
Proposed Stockton Street row house project rocks the boat
Project’s lack of off-street parking, ownership raise concerns By Michele Leivas Some Riverside residents and business owners are voicing concerns over a proposed rezoning application that would allow row houses to be built on a narrow strip of land along Stockton Street that is owned by Delores and Wayne Weaver. Introduced in July, Bill 2024-0539 […]
Jacksonville prepares for state law banning sleeping on public property
By Michele Leivas The Jacksonville City Council passed a pair of bills Sept. 24 to ensure the city is prepared for a new state law prohibiting sleeping on public property that went into effect Oct. 1. Bill #0687 codifies the state law at the local level, prohibiting public camping, urination and defecation. It passed on […]
Ortega Scout Troop 26 celebrates centennial
The year was 1924. Calvin Coolidge was president, the Charleston was the popular dance craze and a new museum of contemporary art was opening in Jacksonville. That same year, Boy Scout Troop 26 was chartered in Jacksonville, beginning at a local church before moving soon after to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Ortega. The troop […]
Florida Humanities marks 60th anniversary of Beatles’ landmark Jacksonville concert
By Jennifer Logue First integrated concert in the Southeast hailed as milestone in civil rights movement Florida Humanities marked the 60th anniversary of The Beatles’ concert in Jacksonville last month with a special lecture and musical performance. Held Sept. 12 at the Ritz Theatre, “1964: When The Beatles Rocked Florida” was equal parts education and […]
