Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a $20 million fund could reshape Jacksonville’s affordable housing pipeline

Coming up: Carlos Mencia on the Jacksonville Patch calendar

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Friday August 21st Patch AM
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Hey there, Jacksonville! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a $20 million fund could reshape Jacksonville's affordable housing pipeline
  • How Jacksonville will honor Dollar General shooting victims this Wednesday night
  • How Jacksonville police say AI cameras are changing local crime-fighting

Also on today's calendar: Ezre X Happy Brew Launch Party! and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is full of holes but still holds water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: An afternoon thunderstorm, with a high of 94 and low of 76 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: An afternoon thunderstorm, temps: high: 93, low: 75.
  • Sunday: An afternoon thunderstorm, with a high of 94 and low of 76 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Local groups announce $20 million investment in affordable housing loans (jaxdailyrecord.com) — Jacksonville philanthropic and financial organizations are pooling $20 million into the new Jax GAP Fund to offer low-cost loans for local affordable housing projects. By filling financing gaps for developments already receiving state support, the fund aims to unlock more rental units for residents earning around 80% of area median income or less.
   

2. City of Jacksonville to host memorial ceremony honoring victims, survivors of 2023 Dollar General shooting (news4jax.com) — Jacksonville is hosting a public memorial on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at Kings Road Memorial Park to honor the three people killed in the 2023 Dollar General shooting. The evening ceremony will feature a candlelight observance and remarks from Councilwoman Ju'Coby Pittman, inviting residents to stand together against hate, racism, and violence while supporting survivors and families.
   

3. Police tout Flock's crime-fighting results in Florida (bigcountrynewsconnection.com) — Jacksonville's Sheriff's Office says AI-powered Flock license plate readers have helped solve dozens of serious crimes locally, including murders, kidnappings and missing-persons cases since 2024. Officials tout 150 cameras across Duval County while acknowledging privacy concerns and emphasizing audits to prevent misuse. The story also notes other Florida cities reporting crime reductions with the system.
   

4. DONNA Foundation to kick off 20th annual marathon weekend on Aug. 26 at Pete's Bar (actionnewsjax.com) — The DONNA Foundation will kick off its 20th DONNA Marathon Weekend with a free public run and afterparty at Pete's Bar in Neptune Beach on Wednesday, Aug. 26. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan and other race leaders will join the two-mile run, which supports breast cancer patients locally and nationwide through financial assistance and research funding.
   

5. 'Should have never happened': Family left with questions after Jacksonville man fatally stabbed by brother (news4jax.com) — Jacksonville relatives are mourning 30-year-old Ryan Daniels, who police say died after being stabbed on a Davis Road porch in Oceanway, with his brother now charged with murder. Family members describe Daniels as quiet but deeply loved and are raising funds to return his body to New Jersey for burial. He leaves behind a young daughter.
   

📸 Around Jacksonville

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Jacksonville

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Friday August 21
  • Carlos Mencia →
    The Comedy Zone, 3130 Hartley Rd, Jacksonville
    7:15 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Jacksonville Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Update: Khali has been found
    Has anybody seen her? Last seen at 5:30AM on Lone Star Rd., near Arlingwood Avenue, heading toward Quante Rd. Her name is Khali. She is a white, long… (Nextdoor Sunrise Ridge & Arlington Park)
  • One of my neighbors has a large rooster trapped in a very tight tiny cage.
    The cage is sitting on her backyard steps. The cage is out there in the heat, rain, thunder etc.. The rooster is too weak to crow. Animal control… (Nextdoor Lake Lucina)
  • Environment Control Jacksonville East posted a job opening for General Cleaner-Evening , McClenney in Jacksonville. Apply here.
  • Whole Foods posted a job opening for Produce Team Member (Clerk, Floor Service) - Part Time in Jacksonville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Jacksonville here.

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: A sponge (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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