public services

Our public services coverage provides practical information you can use. Learn about transportation updates, public safety resources, city utilities, parks, and other essential services that affect daily life in Jacksonville. We aim to make these systems more transparent so you know what is available and how to access it.

Featured image for “Registration opening for St. Johns County summer camps”

If you want your child to participate in one of St. Johns County's summer camps this year, you'll have to enter the drawing. | Photo courtesy St. Johns County

Registration opening for St. Johns County summer camps

The county’s lottery system for its popular summer camps will open Monday and continue to March 6.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “Q&A | How Blue Zones Jacksonville fosters community amid financial pessimism”

Blue Zones Jacksonville Executive Director Nicole Hamm smells green onion that was grown at its headquarters. Blue Zones Jacksonville has harvested more than 150 pounds of vegetables since its first yield in in fall 2025. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today

Q&A | How Blue Zones Jacksonville fosters community amid financial pessimism

Blue Zones Jacksonville released it 2026 Well-Being Index after studying five Jacksonville ZIP codes.…

By Will Brown

Featured image for “Star witness says he won’t testify in Bridegan murder case”

February 13, 2026

Star witness says he won’t testify in Bridegan murder case

Henry Tenon filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea and won’t testify against Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez Saldana.…

By Anne Schindler

Featured image for “Rookie Jacksonville police officers shoot and kill suspect”

Sheriff T.K. Waters, left, and Undersheriff Undersheriff Shawn Coarsey speak about three police officers who shot and killed a suspect. | News4Jax

February 13, 2026

Rookie Jacksonville police officers shoot and kill suspect

The police officers say Jose Cabrera threatened them with a knife on their first night patrolling alone.…

By Marcela Camargo - News4Jax and Briana Brownleee - News4Jax

Featured image for “Sheriff’s Office works to curtail motorcycle deaths”

A motorcyclist weaves around cones during a motorcycle safety class conducted by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026..

February 10, 2026

Sheriff’s Office works to curtail motorcycle deaths

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is promoting its motorcycle safety program after five deaths already this year.…

By Michelle Corum

Featured image for “Meet Jon Marston, St. Augustine’s new police chief”

St. Augustine's new police chief, Jon Marston, is sworn in by his predecessor, Jennifer Michaux. | St. Augustine Police Department

January 16, 2026

Meet Jon Marston, St. Augustine’s new police chief

Marston joined the St. Augustine Police Department in 2008 after moving a few years earlier from Maine.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “JTA proposes continuing Connexion Plus disability ride service with higher fare, ride caps”

JTA COO Jeffrey Smith(center) discusses changes being made to their Connexion Plus program during an authority town meeting at The Legends Center. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today

January 13, 2026

JTA proposes continuing Connexion Plus disability ride service with higher fare, ride caps

JTA reverses a decision to cancel the Connexion Plus paratransit program, opting for a 6-month trial with higher fares.…

By Dan Scanlan

Featured image for “St. Augustine police chief announces retirement”

St. Augustine Police Chief Jennifer Michaux will retire next month. | St. Augustine Police Department

December 5, 2025

St. Augustine police chief announces retirement

Police Chief Jennifer Michaux reflects on her 30-year career in law enforcement and her five years as chief.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “St. Johns County bans smoking at parks and beaches”

Smoking cigarettes and vape pens is now against the rules in St. Johns County. | Brian Yurasits, Unsplash

December 2, 2025

St. Johns County bans smoking at parks and beaches

Students from Washington Classical Christian School had asked county officials to change smoking rules.…

By Noah Hertz

Featured image for “NUMBER OF THE WEEK | House fires in Jacksonville”

November 14, 2025

NUMBER OF THE WEEK | House fires in Jacksonville

So far in 2025, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department has responded to 421 house fires.…

By Megan Mallicoat

Featured image for “OPINION | Smaller than Jax, but I have rail: Lessons from Tucson’s Sun Link system”

Opened in July 2014, Tucson’s Sun Link is a 3.9-mile line, built for $196 million. | Ennis Davis

November 5, 2025

OPINION | Smaller than Jax, but I have rail: Lessons from Tucson’s Sun Link system

As JTA’s Ultimate Urban Circulator faces growing scrutiny, it’s worth considering Tucson’s Sun Link, a thriving modern streetcar system in…

By Ennis Davis

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