Jacksonville, Florida | featured news

The Duval School Board gave Superintendent Nikolai Vitti an “effective” rating during his annual performance evaluation Thursday, but some members also leveled tough criticism about his slow progress at closing academic gaps among minority students and those with disabilities.
During the sometimes tense meeting, Board Chairman Ashley Smith Juarez asked Vitti to look at her while she spoke with him.
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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 Duval School Board gave Superintendent Nikolai Vitti an “effective” rating during his annual performance evaluation Thursday, but some members also leveled tough criticism about his slow progress at closing academic gaps among minority students and those with disabilities.
During the sometimes tense meeting, Board Chairman Ashley Smith Juarez asked Vitti to look at her while she spoke with him.
read more

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.

Duval Superintendent Nikolai Vitti did not grade himself on the written self-evaluation he sent School Board members last week, but Tuesday he said he probably deserves a B for improving most of Jacksonville’s schools over the past year.
It’s unclear if the School Board agrees with him.
Board members Thursday will hold a special meeting to give Vitti his formal annual review and vote on an annual budget.
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The bad news had just been delivered Wednesday afternoon to the 30-plus children of local homicide victims — Compassionate Families’ annual Camp Maddie was canceled because there was no money to pay for it.
Then came the good news that Glen Mitchell said left him “literally speechless” when the phone rang at the agency he co-founded 18 years ago to help families of victims. It was an offer that put the camp and much more back on track.

Duval Superintendent Nikolai Vitti did not grade himself on the written self-evaluation he sent School Board members last week, but Tuesday he said he probably deserves a B for improving most of Jacksonville’s schools over the past year.
It’s unclear if the School Board agrees with him.
Board members Thursday will hold a special meeting to give Vitti his formal annual review and vote on an annual budget.
read more

The head of a major Jacksonville-based company became the savior for an 18-year-old organization that has supported thousands of families of local homicide victims, but was going to close its doors due to a funding shortfall.
Compassionate Families Inc. received a $25,000 donation late Wednesday from CSX CEO Michael Ward, covering the $15,000 it needed immediately to cover September operations and the $10,000 it hoped to raise to set up a reserve for the next fiscal year.

The Stetson Kennedy Foundation celebrates the 100th birthday of its historic namesake in October with a special concert and weekly open house events at the late Florida historian, folklorist and journalist’s home at 1523 Florida 13 in Fruit Cove.
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The crew of a Navy ship with a bow forged with recycled steel from the wreckage of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center will hold a remembrance ceremony Sunday at Mayport Naval Station for the 15th anniversary of the attack.
The USS New York (LPD-21) is one of three ships in the Iwo Jima amphibious ready group based at Mayport since 2013.
The ship’s bow is forged with 7.5 tons of steel from the wreckage of the twin towers.