Jacksonville, Florida | featured news

Jacksonville’s Main Street bridge will be closed from 6:30 p.m. Friday through 8 a.m. Sunday, and again from 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16 to 8 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, due to planned work to improve its mechanical, electrical and structural systems.
The Florida Department of Transportation said vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be detoured to the Acosta Bridge during the two weekend Main Street bridge closures. Signs will direct traffic through the detour, but boaters and Sunday Jaguar’s football fans will not be impacted by the closures.

A 27-year Port Orange man was arrested Thursday evening on charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and aggravated child neglect in connection to the Feb. 4 death of a 9-month-old girl in his care while living in a hotel at 442 Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park, according to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
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Nitrogen levels that feed algae in the St. Johns River are falling, but salinity that has already killed some trees is increasing along with chemical discharges reaching Jacksonville waterways, says a report scientists released Friday.
The mixed findings are part of the ninth yearly State of the River Report on the St. Johns lower basin compiled by researchers at the University of North Florida, Jacksonville University, Valdosta State University and Florida Southern College in Lakeland.

Jacksonville’s Main Street bridge will be closed from 6:30 p.m. Friday through 8 a.m. Sunday, and again from 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16 to 8 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, due to planned work to improve its mechanical, electrical and structural systems.
The Florida Department of Transportation said vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be detoured to the Acosta Bridge during the two weekend Main Street bridge closures. Signs will direct traffic through the detour, but boaters and Sunday Jaguar’s football fans will not be impacted by the closures.

A 27-year Port Orange man was arrested Thursday evening on charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and aggravated child neglect in connection to the Feb. 4 death of a 9-month-old girl in his care while living in a hotel at 442 Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park, according to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
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Hundreds of St. Johns County students, some walking close to their parents, others in large groups of friends, flooded the gymnasium of Pedro Menendez High School for College and Career Night on Wednesday with one very serious goal: finding “the one.”
The one college, career, trade or military opportunity that would open doors for the moment high school transitions into adulthood. For juniors and seniors, that one choice is nearing an imperative deadline.

Owners of a local craft brewery cleared a crucial step necessary to open shop in Springfield on Thursday despite efforts to delay the project by City Councilman Reginald Gaffney, who says his constituents are concerned about the business’ plans to move close to several churches and a school.
The city’s Planning Commission unanimously approved a request by the owners of Main and Six Brewing to brew and sell craft beer in a vacant building on North Main Street.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is investigating an undetermined death at the intersection of Kings Road and North Canal Street on the city's Northwest side.
The police activity had closed the off ramp from northbound Interstate 95 to Kings Road, according to police.
The Times-Union and Jacksonville.com will update the investigation as more information becomes available.
 
Dan Scanlan: (904) 359-4549

Fans going to the Jaguars season opener Sunday probably already know the drill: Plan to show up at least two hours early.
With at least 65,000 fans expected for the sold-out game against the Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville officials are urging drivers to beat traffic by getting to EverBank Field no later than 11 a.m. when the gates open.
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The growing number of Hispanic workers and residents filing into the First Coast can get some help finding work Saturday with a job fair specifically designed for them.
The Puerto Rican-Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Duval and Clay Counties is hosting a Latino Job Fair at the Jacksonville Landing from noon to 4 p.m. Ten companies will have representatives at the event seeking potential hires from the Hispanic community.