Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How 475 Jacksonville students just got brand-new sneakers for free

Make time for Planet 13 Jacksonville-Roosevelt "Meet Your Neighbors" on the Jacksonville Patch calendar

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Good morning Jacksonville! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How 475 Jacksonville students just got brand-new sneakers for free
  • What Jacksonville's new $2 billion budget means for city services
  • Why Amendment 3 could reshape Jacksonville's budget after November

Also on today's calendar: Planet 13 Jacksonville-Roosevelt "Meet Your Neighbors" and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Is there anybody completely useless? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 84 and low of 72 degrees.
  • Thursday: Breezy; a stray p.m. t-storm, temps: high: 83, low: 69.
  • Friday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 80 and low of 63 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. New sneakers for elementary students shows 'someone believes in them' (bradenton.com) — Every student at Pinedale Elementary School in Jacksonville just received a brand-new pair of sneakers, thanks to Soles4Souls, The Giving Closet Project, and volunteers from CSX. The program, part of a larger Duval County effort, aims to remove "footwear-related barriers" so local children can feel more confident and ready to learn. Thousands more kids in Jacksonville and other cities are also benefiting this year.
   

2. Jacksonville City Council approves $2B budget ordinance in 18-1 vote (actionnewsjax.com) — Jacksonville's City Council has approved Mayor Donna Deegan's $2 billion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year in an 18-1 vote, setting funding for city operations and capital projects. The plan covers staffing, technology, debt management, and major agencies like the Jacksonville Aviation Authority and Jacksonville Port Authority, shaping how services reach residents across the city.
   

3. Amendment 3 looms heavy over Jacksonville budget vote (actionnewsjax.com) — Jacksonville leaders are finalizing a $2 billion city budget while debating how to brace for Amendment 3, a proposed property tax phaseout that could cut $180 million from future revenues. Council members and the chief administrative officer disagree on how much to stash in contingency funds now, but say there will still be time to adjust if voters approve the measure in November.
   

4. Jacksonville City Council unanimously approves new e-bike ordinance (actionnewsjax.com) — Jacksonville residents will soon see new rules for riding e-bikes on city sidewalks after the City Council unanimously approved an ordinance updating how they're defined, operated, and enforced. The change follows a surge in local e-bike use and aims to cut crashes and injuries involving drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians on Jacksonville's streets and sidewalks.
   

5. Clay County School Board member, off-duty firefighter sues JFRD over reprimand after controversial remarks about race (news4jax.com) — A Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department firefighter who also serves on the Clay County School Board has filed a federal lawsuit against the city, claiming he was unfairly disciplined for off-duty social media remarks about race. He argues the reprimand, mandatory training, and record notation violated his First Amendment rights, while city officials say his comments harmed workplace cohesion and public trust. The case could influence how Jacksonville handles employee speech online.
   

📸 Around Jacksonville

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Today is me & my wife's 20th Anniversary.
    It's been an Amazing journey with my Queen my Everything, Every step we take Every move make, we make it Together. I Will Always Love and Cherish… (Nextdoor Longleaf 50)
  • When you go to a shelter, do this before you look at a single dog.
    Write down the energy you can actually live with. High, medium or low. Then write what you need the dog to do with you. Walk. Hike. Sit quietly while… (Nextdoor Murray Hill South)
  • Goodwin Recruiting posted a job opening for Bakery Production Manager in Jacksonville. Apply here.
  • UF Health posted a job opening for Referral Coordinator| Referral Coordinators| Full Time| Days 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: No because they can always be used as a bad example! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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