Local

Frank TorresAugust 13, 2015

Orange County said Thursday that its newly formed Heroin Task Force will hold its inaugural meeting on Monday. The task force is being formed to address the 84 percent increase in deaths from the drug since 2013. County officials point to abused prescription use, higher purity levels, easier access to the drug as a key […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 13, 2015

Two budget reviews from the Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee to go on Thursday. The firs, and the most important: the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. 2:39 p.m.: John Crescimbeni mentions that more than 15 COPS Grant employees not being part of the General Fund as not being “transparent” in terms of budgeting. Bill Gulliford predicts that after three years, […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 13, 2015

The Thursday afternoon Jacksonville City Council Budget Review began, as the council auditor presentation continued with a lively discussion of public service grants. The morning session is here. 1:20: Councilman Tommy Hazouri is annoyed by a lack of clarity on these from Rashanda Jackson, chairwoman of the Public Service Grant Council. John Crescimbeni goes on to outline a […]

Frank TorresAugust 13, 2015

The Orange County League of Women Voters held a “Gun Safety Summit” Thursday morning that focused on defeating legislation that would allow concealed weapons on school campuses. The event featured speakers who, from their perspectives of life on university campuses, listed the negatives of such legislation. Students brought up possible scenarios such as roommates stumbling […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 13, 2015

The Jacksonville City Council Finance Committee Budget Hearing Day One commenced with the administration overview, then a bracing 165-minute romp through capital improvement projects with Council Auditor Kirk Sherman. As the old song goes, “Let’s get this party started right; let’s get this party started quickly.” Overall, it was a very smooth session, with minor […]

Frank TorresAugust 12, 2015

Susannah Randolph, former district director for U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, officially started her campaign for Florida’s 9th Congressional District Wednesday evening in downtown Orlando. In front of a crowd of family, friends, and supporters, Randolph told her history of “fighting in the trenches” for progressive policies. She promoted a platform that revolved around equality, saying, “When […]

Phil AmmannAugust 12, 2015

Citing leadership skills and conservative credentials, former State Rep. Don Brown announced his endorsement of Wayne Harris for House District 4. Brown, a DeFuniak Springs property insurance expert, is well-known in Panhandle Republican politics. He has held a variety GOP leadership roles, including state representative and Walton County commissioner. Harris is the Okaloosa County commissioner running […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 12, 2015

What a difference two weeks makes for the St. Johns River Ferry Commission. Their last meeting, late in July, was fractious. Chairman John Crescimbeni was, at various points, extremely critical of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. Regarding JTA, the cantankerous Crescimbeni said at one point, “I feel like we’re completely out of the loop. We keep trying […]

Melissa RossAugust 12, 2015

51EVPMfLP9L._SX350_BO1204203200_-1024x1024.jpg

Many Americans are familiar with the famed pioneers of racial integration in sports: Jackie Robinson with the Dodgers, or Althea Gibson at Wimbledon. But after the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, many lesser-known African-American athletes also became firsts in their sport, and faced a lonely and sometimes terrifying road. One of them was […]

Frank TorresAugust 12, 2015

Orlando Sen. Darren Soto launched an online petition this morning to ban the natural gas exploration practice of hydraulic fracturing – or “fracking” – in the state of Florida. Fracking is the process of drilling down into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside. Water, sand […]

Local

Orange County launches Heroin Task Force on Monday

Jax City Council Budget Review: Sheriff’s Office

Jacksonville Council budget review: Public Service Grants

League of Women Voters oppose guns-on-campus bills at Orlando summit

Jax Council budget review morning session addresses UF Health, other issues

Susannah Randolph begins campaign for Congress in downtown Orlando

Former state Rep. Don Brown endorses Wayne Harris in House District 4 race

JTA and COJ back on track for ferry transfer

“Strong Inside” takes compelling look at race, college sports in 1960s South

Darren Soto starts on-line petition to ban fracking