Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Where you’ll soon find free mental health support benches in Jacksonville.

And check out We are Hiring! Registered Nurses and LPNs on the Jacksonville Patch calendar

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Wednesday August 19th Patch AM
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Good morning Jacksonville! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Where you'll soon find free mental health support benches in Jacksonville.
  • How JSO's latest crackdown is targeting dangerous racing on Jacksonville roads
  • How JEA's new Northside gas plant could change your power costs

Also on today's calendar: We are Hiring! Registered Nurses and LPNs and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 99 and low of 75 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 96, low: 76.
  • Friday: An afternoon thunderstorm, with a high of 95 and low of 76 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Haskell Supports Jacksonville Community Mental Health Initiative (constructionowners.com) — New mental health "SPOT" benches are coming to Jacksonville community centers, starting at Emmett Reed this fall and Robert F. Kennedy next spring. Trained listeners will offer low-barrier support in everyday public spaces, developed with local partners like United Way, NAMI Jacksonville, and the city's 988 Steering Committee.
   

2. VIDEO: Officer catches street racers hitting 120 mph on Buckman Bridge: JSO (news4jax.com) — A Jacksonville Sheriff's Office traffic officer clocked street racers at 120 mph on the Buckman Bridge, arresting one driver and helping make eight arrests during a weekend crackdown. The operation, dubbed Double Down, targets dangerous speeding and racing across Jacksonville as more than 100 people have already died on city roads this year, many due to speed and impairment.
   

3. Florida PSC greenlights JEA plan for new natural gas plant (jacksonville.com) — State regulators have approved JEA's $1.57 billion plan for a new natural gas-fired plant on Jacksonville's Northside, intended to boost reliability and fuel efficiency for local customers. The 675-megawatt facility, planned for the former St. Johns River Power Park site, would largely replace the aging Northside Generating Station Unit 3 and is expected to begin producing electricity in 2031.
   

4. Man shot, killed after pulling gun on officer, Jacksonville police say (actionnewsjax.com) — Jacksonville police say an officer shot and killed a man who allegedly fired at him at a West Beaver Street stop station on the Westside. Investigators report the officer was in his vehicle when the man approached, exchanged words, then pulled a gun; JSO's Cold Case Unit is now handling the case, and the officer is on administrative leave.
   

5. Democrat Mone' Holder wins Jacksonville City Council special election (miramarflnews.com) — Jacksonville voters have elected Democrat Mone' Holder to an at-large City Council seat, flipping it from Republican control and giving her a say on next year's city budget. She campaigned on affordability, neighborhood investment, and housing, while her opponents emphasized public safety and nonpartisan representation. Her win also signals early momentum ahead of the city's 2027 elections.
   

📸 Around Jacksonville

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Marriott International posted a job opening for Night Auditor & Hotel Operations in Jacksonville. Apply here.
  • Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company posted a job opening for Housekeeper Room Care in Jacksonville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Jacksonville here.

Ok Jacksonville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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