Morning Jacksonville! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Live Music from Dennis Miller at Top Dawg Tavern! and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the tree say when Spring arrived? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. St. Johns Riverkeeper sues business over the unloading and storage of coal ash (firstcoastnews.com) — A Jacksonville environmental group is suing Keystone Terminal, alleging its coal ash unloading and storage along the St. Johns River in Tallyrand is polluting nearby neighborhoods and the waterway. City and state regulators have already cited the company for violations, but Riverkeeper leaders say enforcement hasn't gone far enough and are now pursuing a federal case under the Clean Water Act.
2. Jacksonville man pleads guilty to $1.4 million restaurant investor fraud (actionnewsjax.com) — A Jacksonville man has admitted in federal court to running a restaurant investment fraud that siphoned nearly $1.4 million from backers of a local eatery and a planned Clay County concept. Prosecutors say he diverted investor money into personal spending, crypto trades, and loan costs, and now faces up to 20 years in prison plus restitution.
3. Attack Squadron 12 - The Four Decade Combat Legacy Of The Flying Ubangis (vintageaviationnews.com subscription) — Jacksonville-area readers may be surprised to learn that the Navy's storied Attack Squadron 12 was based at Cecil Field Naval Air Station near the city during the 1970s. The piece traces the squadron's four-decade journey from World War II origins through Cold War crises and Vietnam combat tours, highlighting how many of those missions launched from its Florida home base.
4. A Jacksonville artist's snapshot with Dolly Parton and the night he picked her from the crowd (news4jax.com) — A longtime Jacksonville jazz vocalist and artist is sharing memories of an unforgettable week performing with Dolly Parton at Disneyland, after news of her death at 80. Laurence "Blinky" Walden recalls how Parton's kindness, mentorship and performance advice shaped his approach to music and still resonates in his Jacksonville life today.
5. Attorney Ben Crump, family of Asia Bennett comment on released body camera footage (firstcoastnews.com) — Family members of 22-year-old Asia Bennett are challenging Jacksonville police over body camera footage showing the moments before she was fatally shot outside her Arlington home. Joined by civil rights attorney Ben Crump, they argue the video contradicts the initial narrative and raises questions about the officer's use of deadly force, while state and internal investigations remain ongoing.
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Ok Jacksonville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: What a re-leaf! (Thank you Flo G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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