Local

Associated PressDecember 21, 2015

More than 38 million passengers passed through Orlando International Airport in the past year, making it the busiest year ever for the airport. Airport officials said Thursday that 33 million domestic passengers and 5 million international passengers passed through the airport from October 2014 to October 2015. Domestic traffic was up 6 percent and international […]

Associated PressDecember 21, 2015

Homeless people in the Pensacola area are receiving free haircuts for the holidays. Pensacola News-Journal reports that local hairstylists volunteered and provided haircuts to dozens of homeless people at a special holiday event. The downtown Pensacola gathering also included gifts of warm clothing and holiday meal. Hairstylist Amber Graham said a haircut is a small luxury […]

Associated PressDecember 21, 2015

The military is having a tough time retaining civilian employees at Naval Air Station Key West because of a lack of affordable housing. Leaders at the Navy base say they lose well-qualified employees who simply cannot afford to live in the area known for high-end resorts and vacation homes, The Key West Citizen reported on […]

Phil AmmannDecember 21, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday the appointment of Betty Viamontes to the Hillsborough Community College District Board of Trustees. Viamontes, 50, of Odessa, is corporate controller of Tampa General Hospital and vice chair of the Florida Institute of CPAs. She is also the author of “Waiting on Zapote Street: Love and Loss in Castro’s Cuba,” […]

Peter SchorschDecember 21, 2015

More than a decade after losing a judicial campaign to an opponent who would later be removed from office, Declan Mansfield has been appointed to the 6th Judicial Circuit Court bench. Gov. Rick Scott announced the appointment Friday afternoon. In 2003, Mansfield lost a contentious race to John Renke III, the politically connected son of a former […]

Associated PressDecember 20, 2015

A nonprofit environmental organization in The Florida Keys is expanding its efforts to save the region’s fragile coral reefs. The Key West Citizen reported on Saturday that Mote Marine Laboratory has begun a $5 million project to upgrade its research center and coral lab on Summerland Key. The work is being funded through private donations and […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 18, 2015

Could the Jacksonville Big Ticket concert festival be imperiled by the EverBank Field amphitheater deal? The promoter worries, according to city emails. Saying he was “very nervous about our future in Jacksonville,” in light of the $90 million stadium improvement package that includes an amphitheater, promoter Danny Hayes emailed the Lenny Curry administration officials this month. […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 18, 2015

On Friday, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry‘s office released details on the next round of Community Conversations, first mentioned during the HRO Community Conversation this week. They will be related to the Jax Journey, and the first will address “youth violence” in Jacksonville. “During my campaign, I talked with hundreds of people throughout every corner of this […]

Drew WilsonDecember 18, 2015

Destin Mayor Mel Ponder says he will give up his local office to become a full-time candidate for the Florida House District 4 seat. Ponder originally planned to step down in June, which would have put the election for his successor on the August ballot. However, he will leave his job Jan. 15 instead. The […]

A.G. GancarskiDecember 18, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott announced on Friday the appointment of Jacksonville Assistant State Attorney John Guy and Orange Park attorney Steven Whittington to the 4th Judicial Circuit Court. Guy, a University of Florida alum, has served as Assistant State Attorney for the 4th Judicial Circuit since 1993; he fills a vacancy created by the resignation of […]

Local
Military spouses have one less thing to worry about when moving to the Sunshine State. Stock image via Adobe.

Orlando International Airport has busiest year ever

Panhandle charity provides haircuts for the homeless

Housing costs in Florida Keys prohibitive for base employees

Local author Betty Viamontes named to Hillsborough Community College District Board of Trustees

13 years after losing contentious race, Declan Mansfield appointed to the bench

Lab in Florida Keys lobbies to protect corals

Big Ticket in trouble? Promoter “very nervous” about Jacksonville future

City Hall details Jax Journey-related Community Conversation plans

Destin Mayor Mel Ponder to give up seat for HD 4 run

Rick Scott taps 2 Jacksonville area lawyers for 4th Circuit judgeships