Jacksonville | featured news

Melissa Nelson, an unknown corporate lawyer and former prosecutor three months ago, cleared her path to become one of the most powerful and influential figures in Northeast Florida on Tuesday night when she easily defeated incumbent 4th Judicial State Attorney Angela Corey.
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Former Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford topped a field of six other Republican candidates Tuesday night to fill the seat vacated by longtime Congressman Ander Crenshaw.
With 39 percent of the vote, Rutherford breezed past State Rep. Lake Ray and Hans Tanzler III and four other candidates with small poll numbers.
Late Tuesday night, Rutherford had 38,390 votes compared to 20,000 for Ray and 18,874 for Tanzler.
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OneBlood is urging people to donate blood as soon as possible with the potential for a tropical storm system to impact Florida in the next few days.
While all blood types are needed, there is an urgent need for platelets as well as O negative and O positive blood types, according to the nonprofit blood donation and provider operation.
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The Jacksonville Humane Society is seeking families to bring home dogs for sleepovers during the expected heavy rain and wind later this week.
Each “Storm Trooper” family would host an adoptable dog for a three-night sleepover Wednesday through Saturday. The program allows dogs to be in warm homes rather than outdoor kennels during the storm, according to the society.
To participate, go to the society at 8464 Beach Blvd. from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, select a dog then return it Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As storm nears, blood donations sought
OneBlood is urging people to donate blood as soon as possible with the potential for a tropical storm system to impact Florida in the next few days.
While all blood types are needed, there is an urgent need for platelets as well as O negative and O positive blood types, according to the nonprofit blood donation and provider operation.
read more

Troy Smith was appointed as the newest “Blue Coat” for THE PLAYERS Championship.
Smith joins the four existing vice chairs who lead the 2,100-plus volunteer force for the tournament.
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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty welcomed Julie Bratcher and Jennifer Hull to the Beaches/Intracoastal West and Southside office.
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Jacksonville city officials are closely monitoring the progress of a tropical depression that is forecast to sweep through the First Coast this week.
A hurricane watch was issued for parts of the Gulf Coast as the depression was predicted to become a tropical storm later Tuesday. Several models have the system swinging through Jacksonville after making landfall Thursday.
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The predicted heavy rain later this week means the state has postponed its Interstate 295 traffic shift near Commonwealth Avenue until early September. But no date has been set yet.
The Florida Department of Transportation shift is part of a $10.5 million safety and resurfacing project on I-295 from I-10 to Commonwealth Avenue, and is needed so the contractor can continue roadway widening activities.
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Florida State College at Jacksonville is offering a new Safe mobile app for students, faculty, staff and visitors, designed to keep them safe throughout the college’s campuses and centers in Northeast Florida.
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Forecasters warn that Jacksonville drivers could feel the ripples of a storm circulating in the Gulf of Mexico.
The tropical depression, which is expected to become a tropical storm Tuesday, is predicted to produce heavy rainfall Thursday in Northeast Florida that could cause water to pool on some roadways.
The storm was about 195 miles west of Key West on Monday afternoon, with maximum winds of 35 mph. It was moving west, but forecasters expect it could curve back to the northeast in the coming days.