Jacksonville, Florida | featured news

On the first day of school, Ciara Smith reluctantly followed her kindergartner into Smart Pope Livingston, one of three Early Learning Centers Duval officials created for preschool through second grade students this year.
Smith’s son, Tashawn Gallon, was excited and walked ahead, but Smith was overwhelmed and had trouble finding his class, especially after being directed down the wrong hall.
“I feel like there are too many kids going here,” she said. “There are too many cars. There is going to be chaos.”

A special prosecutor has cleared state attorney candidate Melissa Nelson of any wrongdoing in a complaint filed against her by one of her election opponents.
Wesley White, who is running for state attorney against Nelson and incumbent Angela Corey, said Nelson and her campaign team threatened him if he didn’t get out of the race. White complained to Corey and asked her to investigate the matter, but Corey recused herself and asked Gov. Rick Scott to appoint a special prosecutor to look into the issue.

A national restoration company plans to donate 50 hours of free work to community organizations in areas it serves, including Jacksonville and St. Augustine, and is seeking public nominations of worthy candidates.
Paul Davis Restoration will provide moderate repairs, restoration or "fixer-upper" work for organizations that help others, such as domestic abuse shelters or after-school programs, said company marketing director A.L. Whitaker. The outreach is part of the company's 50th anniversary.

A national restoration company plans to donate 50 hours of free work to community organizations in areas it serves, including Jacksonville and St. Augustine, and is seeking public nominations of worthy candidates.
Paul Davis Restoration will provide moderate repairs, restoration or "fixer-upper" work for organizations that help others, such as domestic abuse shelters or after-school programs, said company marketing director A.L. Whitaker. The outreach is part of the company's 50th anniversary.

The race for U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown’s seat in Congress is taking candidates into unfamiliar territory, where road maps only answer part of the questions they’re facing.
With days dwindling before the Aug. 30 Democratic primary, contenders for the 5th Congressional District are promoting themselves to voters they’ve never represented, and facing challenges they’ve never overcome.
They’re trying to sound confident doing it.

Their faith in God as strong as their voices raised in singing His praise Sunday afternoon, the members of historic Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church downtown celebrated the 150th anniversary of the church with a music extravaganza featuring hymns, gospel music and the joyful sound of worship.
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The umbrella organization tasked with trying to end homelessness in St. Johns County has set some pretty lofty goals for itself, not the least of which is to end veteran homelessness in the county by the end of the year. The goals, leaders are saying, are part of bringing the county up to speed with federal goals in order to keep funding sources available.
read more

The race for U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown’s seat in Congress is taking candidates into unfamiliar territory, where road maps only answer part of the questions they’re facing.
With days dwindling before the Aug. 30 Democratic primary, contenders for the 5th Congressional District are promoting themselves to voters they’ve never represented, and facing challenges they’ve never overcome.
They’re trying to sound confident doing it.

Their faith in God as strong as their voices raised in singing His praise Sunday afternoon, the members of historic Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church downtown celebrated the 150th anniversary of the church with a music extravaganza featuring hymns, gospel music and the joyful sound of worship.
read more

The umbrella organization tasked with trying to end homelessness in St. Johns County has set some pretty lofty goals for itself, not the least of which is to end veteran homelessness in the county by the end of the year. The goals, leaders are saying, are part of bringing the county up to speed with federal goals in order to keep funding sources available.
read more