PerspectivesCole Pepper Jacksonville Today Contributor
Featured image for “SPORTS | More complexity emerging in Jaguars’ temporary stadium question”
July 9, 2023

SPORTS | More complexity emerging in Jaguars’ temporary stadium question

Where will the Jaguars play while their stadium is renovated? Here are some pros and cons of the various options.…

Featured image for “Yes, it’s hotter than usual for early July”
July 7, 2023

Yes, it’s hotter than usual for early July

Jacksonville has recorded five straight days over 95 degrees, and we’ve already tied the number of heat advisories issued last…

Featured image for “Farah & Farah buys Masonic lodge Downtown for $3 million”
July 7, 2023

Farah & Farah buys Masonic lodge Downtown for $3 million

The Jacksonville-based law firm purchased the property to gain additional employee parking.…

Featured image for “The Community Foundation commits $250,000 for small-business loans”
July 7, 2023

The Community Foundation commits $250,000 for small-business loans

A partnership with the JAX Microfinance Fund will support entrepreneurs, particularly women and people of color.…

Featured image for “More Jacksonville city pools will open soon”
July 7, 2023

More Jacksonville city pools will open soon

About half of Jacksonville’s 34 municipal pools have been closed due to maintenance issues and lifeguard shortages.…

Featured image for “Don Eduardo Cocina Mexicana to open in Riverside”
July 7, 2023

Don Eduardo Cocina Mexicana to open in Riverside

The restaurant will be the fifth to occupy space at King and Park streets since Carter’s Pharmacy closed in 2009.…

Featured image for “Southeastern Grocers introduces new store brand”
July 7, 2023

Southeastern Grocers introduces new store brand

The Know & Love line will include products that are free of nearly 100 undesirable ingredients, the company says.…

Featured image for “Deegan appointee made improper election donations, but he says he’s fixing it”
July 6, 2023

Deegan appointee made improper election donations, but he says he’s fixing it

Former City Council member Garrett Dennis used his own campaign funds to help two local candidates, which is not allowed…

Featured image for “Hurricane season update: Above-average activity now expected”
July 6, 2023

Hurricane season update: Above-average activity now expected

Very warm sea surface temperatures are expected to override the effects of a developing El Niño.…

Featured image for “Plant-based pizza joint planned at Hodges Pointe Plaza”
July 6, 2023

Plant-based pizza joint planned at Hodges Pointe Plaza

Wild Pie is building in the space vacated by Brucci’s Pizza West Beaches. It will be Wild Pie’s first restaurant…

Featured image for “Homes and town homes under construction near San Jose”
July 6, 2023

Homes and town homes under construction near San Jose

When completed, the Lennar development in Hardwick Farms will include 457 town homes and 130 single-family homes.…

Featured image for “HCA Florida buys Arlington land for stand-alone ER”
July 6, 2023

HCA Florida buys Arlington land for stand-alone ER

The city and St. Johns River Water Management District are reviewing applications for the project along Merrill Road, west of…

Featured image for “ARTS PICKS | July 7-9”
Summer at the Cummer returns to Riverside's revered cultural institution this week with the first of 10 free Friday evenings of programming taking place across the museum's grounds | Photo by Toni Smailagic, courtesy of Cre8Jax
July 6, 2023

ARTS PICKS | July 7-9

Jacksonville Today Arts and Culture Editor Matt Shaw shares his arts and culture picks for the weekend. Friday Summer at the…

Featured image for “Riverfront Plaza construction set to begin — again”
July 6, 2023

Riverfront Plaza construction set to begin — again

Construction is scheduled to start next week after a month’s delay to allow events like the July Fourth fireworks show.…

Featured image for “Duval considers cutting magnet school bus routes, other cost-saving options”
Some of the district’s school transportation contracts are up for negotiation this year, pushing the district to look at ways to cut costs.
July 5, 2023

Duval considers cutting magnet school bus routes, other cost-saving options

To cut costs, Duval is combining a two magnet school bus routes and might end routes with low ridership. Bigger…

Featured image for “Detour ahead: East Bay Street will be closed next week”
July 5, 2023

Detour ahead: East Bay Street will be closed next week

East Bay Street will be closed for three days between North Liberty Street and A. Philip Randolph Boulevard so the…

Featured image for “Leaders picked for powerful Jacksonville city committees”
July 5, 2023

Leaders picked for powerful Jacksonville city committees

City Council member Nick Howland will lead the council’s Finance Committee, and Terrance Freeman will lead the Rules Committee.…

Featured image for “Pro golfer Fred Funk buys $2.5 million home in South Jax”
July 5, 2023

Pro golfer Fred Funk buys $2.5 million home in South Jax

The former winner of The Players Championship bought the home in the gated community of Glen Kernan Golf & Country…

Featured image for “OPINION | Better late than never for Duval Schools + City budget bewilderment ”
Duval Schools HQ
July 5, 2023

OPINION | Better late than never for Duval Schools + City budget bewilderment 

Mike Clark reacts to progress in school administration and also what doesn’t make sense to him about this time of…

Featured image for “How to keep your power bill down during this searing heat”
The heat index in Northeast Florida could hit 112 on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
July 5, 2023

How to keep your power bill down during this searing heat

JEA says air conditioning is the biggest energy hog. The utility advises keeping your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher.…

Featured image for “Community activist Ben Frazier will be laid to rest Saturday”
July 5, 2023

Community activist Ben Frazier will be laid to rest Saturday

Frazier’s visitations and funeral are scheduled for The Bethel Church, the city’s oldest Baptist church.…

Featured image for “JEA agrees to 20-year solar power deal”
July 5, 2023

JEA agrees to 20-year solar power deal

The $400.8 million agreement with the Florida Municipal Power Agency is the utility’s second new solar energy purchase in 2023.…

Featured image for “A Jacksonville mother helped change the law for families of murdered children”
Patricia Ward's son, Curtis Williamson was killed in 1997 at 16 years old. In the quarter century since, she has championed for law enforcement to share more information about crime victims with the families of the deceased. That became reality when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Curtis' Law in May. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
July 4, 2023

A Jacksonville mother helped change the law for families of murdered children

A new Florida law is named after Curtis Williamson, whose 1997 death was ruled a homicide. Curtis’ mother fought to…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 10 historic First Coast railroad depots”
July 4, 2023

THE JAXSON | 10 historic First Coast railroad depots

Here are 10 historic train stations that stand today in the Jacksonville area. Two of them are still functioning.…