News

Sgt. Richard Pike is sworn in as the new Chief of Police for Neptune Beach. (photo submitted)

Sgt. Richard Pike is sworn in as the new Chief of Police for Neptune Beach. (photo submitted)

Neptune Beach names new police chief

The Neptune Beach City Council named Sgt. Richard Pike as the new Chief of Police during a recent special meeting. Pike was selected by City Manager Andy Hyatt to hold the position, which was approved unanimously by the council and met with a standing ovation from those present for the vote.

Early voting for primary starts Monday at library

Early voting for the 2016 Presidential Preference Primary Election is being offered through March 13 at the Beaches Branch Library in Neptune Beach from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Thuja Blue Cone in a patio container. (photo submitted)

Thuja Blue Cone in a patio container. (photo submitted)

Transition accent patio trees back into landscape

A few seasons ago, I purchased a Weeping Yaupon Holly, which is native to our region, to place in a moderately large patio container in which I enjoy keeping vertical evergreens to accent the entrance to a bridge over our koi pond.

St. Augustine Seafood Festival coming up

The 35th St. Augustine Lions Seafood Festival will be held March 4 through March 6 at Francis Field, 25 W. Castillo Dr., St. Augustine. Hours are 3-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

JTA hosts meeting on road work

A public meeting for the JTAMobilityWorks Girvin Road project will be held on Thursday, March 3, at Abess Park Elementary School to review plans for the widening of Girvin Road between Atlantic Boulevard and Wonderwood Drive. The meeting will be an open house format.
Mildred O’Neal’s siblings (from left) Laura Hyde of Ponte Vedra Beach, Nanci Faulkner, of Neptune Beach and Larry Caldwell (seated) of Ponte Vedra Beach with Baptist Beaches RN April Starling, her husband, Eric, and hospital president Joe Mitrick. (photo submitted)

Mildred O’Neal’s siblings (from left) Laura Hyde of Ponte Vedra Beach, Nanci Faulkner, of Neptune Beach and Larry Caldwell (seated) of Ponte Vedra Beach with Baptist Beaches RN April Starling, her husband, Eric, and hospital president Joe Mitrick. (photo submitted)

Baptist Beaches RN receives memorial nursing scholarship

April Starling, a registered nurse and house supervisor at Baptist Medical Center Beaches, was selected to receive the second Mildred Caldwell O’Neal Baptist Beaches Nursing Scholarship.
Artist Jami Childres specializes in portraits in acrylics, oils, pencil and collage. (photo submitted)

Artist Jami Childres specializes in portraits in acrylics, oils, pencil and collage. (photo submitted)

Childres featured at Grune Family Gallery

Jami Childres, a Jacksonville artist who focuses most of her work on portraits using collage to tell her subject’s story, is the featured artist at the Grune Family Gallery at Players by the Sea in Jacksonville Beach. Her work is on display during the run of “Mothers And Sons” at 106 6th St. N.
Lin Jones

Lin Jones

Lin Jones to head Ponte Vedra chamber

The St. Johns County Chamber Team has named Lin Jones as the new Ponte Vedra Beach Division Director. Jones, who has formerly held positions as the director of marketing and media at Warm Glow Candle Company and as the executive director of Tour Indiana, will oversee the Chamber's PVB Division.
NMSS staff and beach area volunteers prepare for the 5th annual National MS Awareness Week silent auction at Bogey Grille at Ponte Vedra Beach. The March 7 event is free to the public. (photo submitted)

NMSS staff and beach area volunteers prepare for the 5th annual National MS Awareness Week silent auction at Bogey Grille at Ponte Vedra Beach. The March 7 event is free to the public. (photo submitted)

Beaches folks help jump start national MS week

More than 150 Beaches merchants and restaurants are helping to jump start National Multiple Sclerosis Week, March 7 through March 13, by supporting the 5th annual MS Silent Auction at Bogey Grille. The event will be held Monday, March 7, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will be free to the public.
Dr. Cara Tasher and 28 UNF Chamber Singers are going to Portugal this summer to perform throughout the country. They just recorded a new CD, “Come by Here,” and are taking pre-orders to raise money for the trip. (photo submitted)

Dr. Cara Tasher and 28 UNF Chamber Singers are going to Portugal this summer to perform throughout the country. They just recorded a new CD, “Come by Here,” and are taking pre-orders to raise money for the trip. (photo submitted)

UNF Chamber Singers record CD at St. Pauls by-the-Sea

A CD entitled “Come by Here” by the UNF Chamber Singers, which was recorded last May at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Jacksonville Beach, will be available in April. This mostly a cappella CD represents diverse time periods, languages and styles.