Heather Henderson Newsletter Writer email
Heather Henderson is a writer, editor and artist. Originally hailing from South Florida, she has lived in Jax for close to 20 years. Previously a staff writer at Void Magazine, she also worked as a global trade researcher and wrote about trade policy for American Shipper. Most recently, she served as assistant editor for the National Culinary Review and We Are Chefs. In her free time she loves to paint, watch bad reality shows and read. She has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of North Florida.
Featured image for “Duval Schools retains its A grade; St. Johns County still tops in the state”
The St. Johns County School District is the highest-performing district in Florida. | Megan Mallicoat, Jacksonville Today
July 2, 2026

Duval Schools retains its A grade; St. Johns County still tops in the state

Florida gave A grades to Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns County schools. Nassau finished second in the state.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Bold Kitty Cafe”
The new Bold Kitty Cafe at the city shelter is designed for maximum cat fun. | City of Jacksonville
June 30, 2026

BIT OF JOY | Bold Kitty Cafe

Jacksonville’s city animal shelter unveiled a new dog park and cat cafe.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Double rainbow”
A pair of rainbows (the left one is faint, but it's there) appeared in the sky over VyStar Ballpark Saturday night after a thunderstorm. | Heather Henderson
June 29, 2026

BIT OF JOY | Double rainbow

A rainbow appeared over a Jumbo Shrimp game on Saturday.…

Featured image for “Duval changes some voting sites for August and November elections”
The Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office l Steven Ponson, Jacksonville Today
June 26, 2026

Duval changes some voting sites for August and November elections

Ten Duval County voting sites are changing. Two of them are temporary and the rest permanent.…

Featured image for “DeSantis signs bills linked to Duval school district and Cecil Airport”
The air traffic control tower at Cecil Airport on Jacksonville's Westside | Jacksonville Daily Record
June 11, 2026

DeSantis signs bills linked to Duval school district and Cecil Airport

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two Jacksonville-centric bills this week: one that will affect how the Duval School Board handles legal…

Featured image for “More people are homeless in Northeast Florida since last year”
A homeless camp in LaVilla. | Sydney Boles, Jacksonville Today
June 9, 2026

More people are homeless in Northeast Florida since last year

The annual Point in Time Count found 1,146 people experiencing homelessness, 14% more than last year.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine Beach pier will be closed for repairs until November”
The pillars on the St. Augustine Beach pier have seen better days. | St. Johns County
May 13, 2026

St. Augustine Beach pier will be closed for repairs until November

Swimmers and surfers are asked to stay 500 feet from the pier as decay on the pillars is repaired.…

Featured image for “Burn bans continue in Northeast Florida despite this week’s rain”
A Clay County Fire Rescue unit battles the Railroad Fire at the Clay/Putnam County line on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Clay County
May 12, 2026

Burn bans continue in Northeast Florida despite this week’s rain

St. Johns County has extended its burn ban for another week as wildfires remain a risk during the drought.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Celebrate Earth Day”
April 21, 2026

BIT OF JOY | Celebrate Earth Day

Here are a few ways to celebrate Earth Day in Northeast Florida.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Winning haikus”
April 16, 2026

BIT OF JOY | Winning haikus

The St. Johns Cultural Council picked the winners of its haiku contest.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Jax filmmaker goes to Hollywood”
April 15, 2026

BIT OF JOY | Jax filmmaker goes to Hollywood

A new film by Fletcher High School student Tatum Matthews is screening at the Beverly Hills Film Festival this weekend.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Big Shrimpin’”
Aardwolf Brewing created a special beer for baseball fans. | Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
April 13, 2026

BIT OF JOY | Big Shrimpin’

Aardwolf Brewing created a special beer that will be served at Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp games.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Voter registration competition”
These Bolles students were among thousands who registered to vote during a recent Duval County competition. | Duval County Supervisor of Elections
March 30, 2026

BIT OF JOY | Voter registration competition

Thousands of Duval students registered to vote during a voter registration competition hosted by the Supervisor of Elections.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Book donations needed”
Help a local child hit their reading goals by donating books to Tennika's Books for Kids. | Jessica Palombo
March 12, 2026

BIT OF JOY | Book donations needed

Tenikka’s Books for Kids is holding its annual book drive this month.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Child rescued”
Nassau County Deputies Kyle Kane (far left), Tyler Hohman and Kristina Jackson (far right) meet with Caityln Sheffield and her daughter Bonnie (middle) and other family members. | Nassau County Sheriff's Office
March 11, 2026

BIT OF JOY | Child rescued

An off-duty Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Deputy rescued a child from drowning.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | St. Johns County seed library”
An old card catalog cabinet has been put to use as a free seed library at St. Johns County's Main Library. | St. Johns County
March 10, 2026

BIT OF JOY | St. Johns County seed library

St. Johns County’s Main Library now has a free seed library to make gardening more accessible.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Birthday shoutout”
Jessica and her sister way back in the 1900s. | Palombo family archives
March 4, 2026

BIT OF JOY | Birthday shoutout

Please join us in wishing the happiest of birthdays to one of our readers: Jessica’s sister, Danielle! Fun facts about…

Featured image for “State takes aim at Jacksonville over ‘gun registry’”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier holds a news conference on Feb. 9. 2026, in Green Cove Springs. | Attorney General's Office via Facebook
March 3, 2026

State takes aim at Jacksonville over ‘gun registry’

Attorney General James Uthmeier plans civil action after the city kept track of people with guns in city buildings.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Local NFL player honored”
New England Patriots player DeMario Douglas, his mother, Angie Oxendine, grandmother, Yolanda Mack, great-grandmother, Glennie Haile James, and the St. Augustine City Commissioners | Submitted
February 25, 2026

BIT OF JOY | Local NFL player honored

The St. Augustine City Commission honored NFL player and St. Augustine native DeMario Douglas, who recently played in the Super…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Relive a great Jags comeback”
Relive the stress and excitement of the Jaguars' 2022 showdown against the Chargers. | Vice
February 24, 2026

BIT OF JOY | Relive a great Jags comeback

The Vice TV series Don’t Call It a Comeback will highlight the 2022 Wild Card game between the Jacksonville Jaguars…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Field of Dreams expansion”
St. Johns County leaders and baseball players celebrated the expansion of the Field of Dreams baseball field last week. | St. Johns County
February 18, 2026

BIT OF JOY | Field of Dreams expansion

St. Johns County leaders cut the ribbon on the newly expanded Field of Dreams baseball field.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Support for Girl Scouts”
HCA Healthcare leaders presented a $25,000 check to the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council last Thursday. | Submitted
February 17, 2026

BIT OF JOY | Support for Girl Scouts

HCA Healthcare donated $25,000 to the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Book-inspired ice cream”
Celebrate books and ice cream with a special book-inspired flavor at Mayday. | Submitted
February 9, 2026

BIT OF JOY | Book-inspired ice cream

Mayday Ice Cream and the St. Johns County Public Library created a special ice cream flavor for Library Lovers’ Month.…

Featured image for “BIT OF JOY | Warm coats for students”
Students at S.P. Livingston Elementary try on their new coats. | Submitted
February 4, 2026

BIT OF JOY | Warm coats for students

THE PLAYERS Championship donated hundreds of warm coats to Duval County students in need.…