5 Star Veterans’ Loving receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Colonel honored as one of ‘12 Who Care’ For Five Star Veterans Center CEO Col. Len Loving USMC Ret., it was a night out with friends and family, enjoying an award show production and observing outstanding fellow citizens as they took home awards for their selfless acts. Unbeknownst to him, he was about to take […]
The Way We Were: Dr. Joseph Stokes
By Jennifer Jensen Bringing light to people’s lives Dr. Joseph Stokes’ first word wasn’t the traditional “mama” or “dada.” Instead it was “light.” When he was born in 1932, his family didn’t have electricity, but in his small town of Bronson, Florida, they had streetlights. His parents would walk the streets with him in his […]
Military families participate in outdoor exploration program
More than 200 military youth and their family members were treated to activities in local wilderness parks and preserves through the Blue Star Outdoor Exploration program, a partnership between the National Park Service’s Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, Timucuan Parks Foundation (TPF) and Blue Star Families Jacksonville. “This year’s program introduced these military families to […]
Animal House: Hawk rescue reveals critical rescuer shortage
By Julie Kerns Garmendia The bird, later identified as a red-shouldered hawk, lay motionless on its side, loosely cushioned by a soft cloth lining the bottom of a cardboard box. The terrified bird held its head up just enough to stare straight at the two adults and little girl watching over it, speaking in whispered […]
Business closures cause concern
By Michele Leivas Local officials say new ones are taking their place Local residents are expressing concern following a spate of recent business closures in the Five Points and San Marco neighborhoods. In recent weeks, Five Points has seen the closure of the iconic Sun-Ray Cinema, Mixed Fillings Pie Shop, Alewife Bottle Shop and other […]
Hope rekindled for Laura Street Trio
By Michele Leivas A Philadelphia law firm will be brought in as outside counsel to assist the Jacksonville City Council in crafting legislation for a redevelopment agreement for the Laura Street Trio. The Personnel Committee voted Sept. 17 to retain Ballard Spahr at $625 an hour to help bring the redevelopment agreement across the finish […]
Attorney James Cummings launches Cummings Mediation
Longtime Jacksonville attorney James Cummings has founded Cummings Mediation, a full-service mediation firm handling all types of disputes, including both state and federal civil cases in all jurisdictions. Drawing on his nearly 20 years of experience as an attorney, Cummings helps parties work together to resolve their differences quickly and amicably. “I always wanted to […]
Local Folks: Cliff Leonard
By Jennifer Jensen Avondale sculptor honors the fallen More than 20 years ago, something caught Cliff Leonard’s eye, and he decided to try a new hobby. The object was a life-size sculpture of a carousel horse created by an Orange Park woman. “I thought, I’d love to do that,” Leonard said. He visited the artist […]
