Jacksonville, Florida
Sales tax breaks on school clothes, diapers, hurricane supplies and more are on the way after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed them into law yesterday along with a one-month break on the state gas tax, coming this fall. Here’s a schedule of the sales tax holidays, Read More …
In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Ocala National Forest into existence as the third national forest east of the Mississippi (only the Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota and El Yunque National Forest in Roosevelt’s beloved Puerto Rico are older). The Ocala was created to protect the world’s largest contiguous sand pine scrub. Read More …
The Florida Ballet’s final performances for the 2021/22 Company season will be presented May 13-15 within the Picinich-Byrd Theatre located at 10131 Atlantic Boulevard. “The Choreographer’s Choice” will feature innovative and new works choreographed by Florida Ballet Company dancers and emerging artists. Don’t miss this intimate Read More …
The Florida Department of Education has rejected more than 50 math textbooks from next year’s curriculum, saying the books included references to critical race theory and other prohibited topics, including social emotional learning and Common Core. The state threw out 54 of the 132 books submitted Read More …
Explore Florida’s Wildlife Management Areas through a unique scavenger hunt experience! On the weekends of April 22-24 and April 29-May 1, 2022, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will host a series of scavenger hunts on select Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) throughout the state. Read More …
The community is invited to the Inaugural 7 Creeks Fest, a celebration and exploration of the 7 Creeks Recreation Area. The free family-friendly event is Saturday, April 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with activities planned throughout the day. Guests can enjoy a variety Read More …
Tomorrow is the first day of Florida and Georgia Severe Weather Awareness Week! Florida is the Lightning Capital of the U.S., with an average of 223 lightning events per square mile occurring in 2021. When Thunder Roars, GO INDOORS! Learn more – FloridaDisaster.org/Hazards/Lightning
State Sen. Joe Gruters, from Sarasota, is sponsoring a bill that would ban smoking at public beaches and areas within the boundaries of state parks. This has been attempted before, thus far without success. Gruters said Wednesday that he is confident that Senate Bill 224, Read More …
A criminal record can make it hard to find a job or rent a home. If you need help in trying to seal or expunge an arrest record, the Mayor’s CBCR in collaboration with the State Attorney’s Office, 4th Judicial Circuit of Florida will host a Read More …
The first report from the State Board of Health was released on this date in 1891. The establishment of the State Board of Health was in response to the public and political will to create a statewide agency to coordinate quarantine and disinfection efforts after Read More …
12,000 years ago (10,000 B.C.E.) – Native Americans occupy Florida 16th Century – Africans arrive with Spaniards 1513 – Juan Ponce de León lands on East Coast 1521 – Juan Ponce de León returns and is mortally wounded on Florida’s SW Coast 1528 – Pánfilo Read More …
Florida is admitted into the Union as the twenty-seventh state on this date in 1845! After over three centuries of Spanish rule, twenty years of British control, and almost twenty-five years as a U.S. territory, Florida became a U.S. state. Floridians had voted in a Read More …
In addition to the various national flags that have flown over Florida, there were numerous state flags which were in use during Florida’s earlier years FLORIDA STATE FLAGS 1845-PRESENT State Flag – 1845 This flag was unfurled at the inauguration of William D. Moseley as Read More …
William Augustus Bowles and a small army comprised of runaway slaves, Seminole Indians, and ex-patriot English and Spanish citizens attacked and seized the St. Marks Store on the Wakulla River, owned by the trading firm Panton, Leslie & Company, on this date in 1792. Bowles Read More …
The DeSantis administration moved Florida into Phase One on May 18, 2020. Phase One allowed Florida restaurants to operate at 50% capacity, but bars remained closed. The DeSantis administration moved Florida into Phase Two on June 5, 2020. Bars, and other vendors licensed to sell Read More …
Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran has ordered all public schools to reopen to students in-person when the new year begins, even as cases of Covid-19 continue to surge in Florida. That has teachers around the state nervous, they have many reasons to be; underlying health Read More …
July 4, 1776 – Thirteen British colonies located on the Atlantic coast of North America signed a Declaration of Independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain on this date. Florida was acquired by the British from the Spanish in 1763, and was subsequently divided into Read More …
July 2, 1961 – Author, journalist, and longtime Florida resident Ernest Hemingway died at his home in Idaho on this date. He is best known for his short stories and novels including, “A Farewell to Arms,” “The Old Man and the Sea,” and “To Have Read More …