Families pack convention center for Pack the Sack II
Students receive new backpacks, school supplies Thousands of families flocked to the Prime Osborn Convention Center Aug. 3 to receive free backpacks and school supplies at the Pack the Sack II event. Marla Montgomery brought four of her nine great-grandchildren to the event, their new backpacks filled with boxes of pencils, crayons and other supplies […]
Black Republicans host ‘Faith, Family and Freedom’ event
Former Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll and Jacksonville City Councilmember Terrance Freeman were among the political leaders who welcomed Lt. Col. (Ret.) Allen West to a July 25 gathering of local Black Republicans at Epping Forest Yacht and Country Club. Organized by the Coalition of Black Republican Americans (COBRA), the “Faith, Family and Freedom” event aimed […]
A constitutional issue? Proposed anti-hate crime bill sparks debate
As Jacksonville prepares to celebrate Independence Day, community discussion continues on proposed changes to the city’s ordinance codes that some say could potentially have constitutional implications by limiting free speech. At a June 11 public meeting, representatives of 904ward, the League of Women Voters Jacksonville and Jax Queer Coalition expressed their support for Ordinance 2024-334, […]
Charity Tastes Good for The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary hosted its 37th Annual Celebrity Chefs Tasting Luncheon and Silent Auction on March 23 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Local celebrities, media personalities, government officials and business leaders dished up bites of their favorite recipes, while participants bid in an eclectic, silent auction filled with artwork, collectibles, services and […]
Darkness and Light: A beacon of hate unites a community and reveals the darkness of politics
A beam of light momentarily turned downtown into a beacon of darkness, as antisemitic actors projected a cross and swastika across the face of the CSX building on Jan. 14. But the actors’ intended goal of hate appeared to have had the opposite effect, as the city of Jacksonville immediately rallied behind its Jewish brothers […]
Public dollars for nonprofits scrutinized, funding announced
Increased scrutiny and accountability have forced the hand of the Jacksonville City Council to change the way in which it funds local nonprofits. In the process of implementing change, however, the Public Service Grants (PSG) process that provides funds to help Jacksonville’s most vulnerable adults and families has been upended. On Sept. 28, 2021, when […]
