St. Johns County earns top rank in health study

For the eighth year in a row, the national 2019 County Health Rankings Report has ranked St. Johns County number one in Florida in Health Outcomes (measures of today’s health) and number one in Health Factors (measures of tomorrow’s health) in the national 2019 County Health Rankings Report.

Catty Shack Ranch expanding facilities

The Catty Shack Ranch is expanding. The expansion will add new veterinary facilities and an education center with an observation deck that looks over the park. The Catty Shack Ranch is a nonprofit organization and wildlife sanctuary in Jacksonville.

Beaches resident named Advocate of the Year

A Beaches resident and director of the School of Nursing Flagship Program at the University of North Florida, Dr. Lillia Loriz was selected as “Advocate of the Year” by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

Ocean County remembered

Bill Gulliford, outgoing Jacksonville City Councilman, long-time Rotarian and speaker at the Rotary Club of Jacksonville Oceanside's meeting, presented a vintage "Ocean County" T-shirt to Chris Hoffman, Rotarian and executive director of the Beaches Museum.

Atlantic Beach passes Penman Road resolution

The city of Atlantic Beach followed Jacksonville Beach’s lead and unanimously passed a resolution requesting that improvements be made to Penman Road, including those related to pedestrian and bicycle safety, drainage and aesthetics. The resolution was passed March 25.

Paid parking in Jacksonville Beach is back

Jacksonville Beach has begun its annual paid parking program and, this year, there are changes in how the payment operates and the costs. Payment must be made via automated kiosks in the city parking lots, and credit or debit cards are the only form of payment now accepted.

Neptune Beach Police Department salutes active duty officers

In honor of Women's History Month, the Neptune Beach Police Department (NBPD) salutes the three active-duty officers currently working for the agency. Officer Camacho, currently assigned to the DUI Traffic Enforcement Unit, has been recognized by MADD for her efforts in combating impaired drivers.

Dial-A-Ride expanding into Mayport, Ponte Vedra Beach

Dial-A-Ride will be adding a third vehicle and expanding service to both Mayport and Ponte Vedra Beach. The Beaches Council on Aging announced the extended service recently.

Plans call for $178 for Beaches schools

Duval County School Board plans for a $1.95 billion project to replace and repair public schools will mean $178 million in work to be done at Beaches area schools. In District 2, the Beaches area, the plans call for replacing aging Seabreeze Elementary at a cost of $20 million.

FWC, Office of Statewide Prosecutor charge 3 with multiple felonies exploiting South Florida commercial fishing industry

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) investigators charged three individuals after a two-year investigation, dubbed “Operation Thimblerig,” breaking up a criminal conspiracy involving the exploitation of the spiny lobster commercial fishery.