Atlantic Beach City Commission considering paid parking on 18th Street

Paid parking could be heading to the 18th Street beach access in Atlantic Beach. On Monday, the City Commission discussed a seasonal pilot program similar to the system used in Beaches Town Center. While no action was taken, the controversial proposal is gaining momentum.

Possible name change for Jacksonville Beach to be explored

A new identity could be on the table for Jacksonville Beach. While city staff work toward developing a strategic plan to define what the city wants to look like down the road, officials will also explore the possibility of changing the city’s name.

Longtime FHS faculty members retiring

It’s the end of an era for four longtime faculty members at Fletcher High School. Coach Kevin Brown, Doris Susan White McNeill, Joanne Singleton and Assistant Principal Angela Stcherbine announced their retirement at the end of the 2020-21 school year.

Back to School with BEAM set for July 31

The annual Back to School with BEAM event will look a little different this year. Families will be required to preregister for a dedicated time slot to attend the 27th annual school supply giveaway starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 31, at Beach Church, located at 325 7th Ave. N.

K9s For Warriors receives donation

A check for $650 was presented to K9s For Warriors representative Elizabeth Reeger at the K9s For Warriors camp in Ponte Vedra by Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty’s CBV Cares representative Cindey Nordman.

Jacksonville Beach prepares for Orange Crush festival

Jacksonville Beach police are bracing for large crowds with the approach of the unofficial Orange Crush Festival. The three-day event is scheduled for June 18 through June 20, and is expected to draw thousands of college students to the oceanfront.

Couple celebrates 60th anniversary

Charles (Chuck) and Mardell Martinek celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary June 10. The couple wed on June 10, 1961 in Chester, Calif., a small logging town. They have three children: Mark (Monica) Martinek of Northern California,  Lisa (Kevin) Peterson of Ferndale, Wash.

Exchange Club selects students for A.C.E. award

The Exchange Club of Jacksonville Beaches has selected senior Teresa Aguiar of Ponte Vedra High School and Jonathan Adams of Fletcher High School as their recipients of the 2021 Accepting the Challenge of Excellence (A.C.E.) award.

BookMark hosting authors

The BookMark will host a book-signing with local poet/author Palmer Smith on Saturday, June 19, at 5 p.m., for her new book of poetry, "Butterfly Bruises." On Tuesday, June, 22, The BookMark will host journalist and author Lisa Napoli for a virtual author event at 7 p.m..

Beaches locals release song in the '60s, get people moving today

The time is now for a song recorded in Jacksonville Beach over five decades ago. John Laughter & the Third Generation were barely out of high school when they scraped together the money together to press 1,000 copies of their original song “It’s Our Time.