Government
City, county, and state government decisions affecting Duval, Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns counties.
Workforce Development
St. Johns County Launches Young Professionals Program to Retain Talent
More than 60 emerging leaders attended the inaugural networking event in Nocatee, part of the county's strategy to develop and retain the next generation of local workers in one of Florida's fastest-growing regions.
July 28, 2026
Infrastructure
Courtney Vista Drive Opens Ahead of Schedule in Silverleaf, Connecting 1,300-Student School
St. Johns County completed the roadway project three months early to serve the new Magnolia Oaks Academy K-8 school opening this month in the fast-growing Silverleaf master-planned community.
August 6, 2026
Government
Clay County offices to close July 3 for Independence Day holiday
County facilities will be closed Friday ahead of the July 4 weekend, with normal operations resuming Monday, July 6.
July 29, 2026
Infrastructure
Main Street Bridge Lane Closure Set for Downtown Jacksonville Riverfront Plaza Work
Southbound traffic on the iconic downtown bridge will narrow to one lane for five months starting August 24 as the city builds a permanent pedestrian link to the new Riverfront Plaza on the Southbank.
August 10, 2026
Infrastructure
St. Johns County Water Plant Gets $1.6M Upgrade as Growth Strains Infrastructure
The county completed a $1.6 million capital improvement project at the Plantation Water Treatment Plant, one of several infrastructure investments highlighted in the August newsletter as the fast-growing county works to keep pace with demand.
August 6, 2026
Housing
Palm Coast Dedicates $350K in Federal Grants to Home Repairs, First-Time Buyers
The Flagler County city approved a Community Development Block Grant action plan directing nearly three-quarters of its HUD allocation toward owner-occupied rehabilitation and down-payment assistance for income-qualified residents.
August 1, 2026
Government
St. Johns County Spotlights GIS Mapping Department in New Video Series
The county's latest Inside SJC episode showcases the Geographic Information Systems team that maintains location data for commissioner districts, school sites, road networks, and development projects across one of Florida's fastest-growing counties.
August 6, 2026
Public Safety
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Graduates 26 New Firefighters to Serve Duval County
JFRD Recruit Class 126 completed 13 weeks of advanced training and will deploy across 71 stations covering the largest fire department service area by land in the continental U.S.
July 9, 2026
Code Enforcement
Code Enforcement Hearing Canceled for Callahan Property on Marvin Street
Nassau County has canceled an August 11 code enforcement hearing for a property at 45041 Marvin St in Callahan, with all other scheduled hearings proceeding as planned.
August 10, 2026
Infrastructure
CR 16A in St. Johns County to Close Two Weekends for Expressway Work
County Road 16A between Timberwolf Trail and River Reach Parkway will close for two consecutive weekends starting July 31 as crews install pipes for the First Coast Expressway, requiring a detour through SR 16 and SR 13.
August 1, 2026
Public Service
St. Johns County Parks Employees Honored for Lifesaving Response at Usina Boat Ramp
Two Parks and Recreation Department staffers received official recognition from county commissioners for their quick action during a medical emergency at the popular St. Johns River boat ramp in May.
August 6, 2026
Public Safety
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Marks 140 Years of Service to Duval County
The city's first paid fire department began operations on July 16, 1886. Today, JFRD is among the largest fire-rescue organizations in the country, serving more than 1 million residents across 885 square miles.
July 20, 2026
Development
Palm Coast Eyes 7,000-Acre Raydient Annexation in Major Western Expansion
The Palm Coast City Council will hold first readings on August 4 for ordinances annexing roughly 7,041 acres owned by Raydient Palm Coast LLC on the city's northwest edge, part of a broader 20,144-acre expansion area that could eventually bring nearly 22,000 homes.
August 4, 2026
Infrastructure
Clay County unveils design for new Oakleaf Library at July 16 meeting
Residents can review architectural plans and provide feedback on the proposed library branch at a community meeting in Plantation Oaks. The project advances Clay County's push to expand library services in its fastest-growing areas.
July 28, 2026
Infrastructure
Clay County to Open New Development Services Building in Green Cove Springs
County officials will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 28 for a new facility consolidating permitting and development review services as the region handles record residential and commercial growth.
July 27, 2026
Infrastructure
St. Johns Marina Boat Ramp in Downtown Jacksonville to Close for Two Years
The public boat ramp on Jacksonville's Southbank will close during construction of a replacement facility with extended trailer parking and a longer ramp designed for larger vessels, with reopening targeted for summer 2028.
July 22, 2026
Development
European Street Cafe Selected for Downtown Jacksonville Riverfront Plaza
The locally owned restaurant, a Jacksonville fixture since 1980, will anchor the café at the city's new waterfront gathering space when it opens this fall, marking the first food and beverage tenant at the reimagined riverfront.
July 9, 2026
Public Safety
Jacksonville activates cooling centers through Sunday amid extreme heat
The City of Jacksonville is opening 70 public facilities as cooling centers through August 16, offering free air-conditioned refuge and transportation as temperatures climb. Two main centers will operate Sunday when most facilities are closed.
August 16, 2026
Infrastructure
Fernandina Beach marina redevelopment moves forward with $2M state seawall funding
The City of Fernandina Beach has secured an additional $2 million in state funding for seawall construction as part of its ongoing marina redevelopment project, advancing a key waterfront infrastructure improvement in Nassau County's historic downtown.
July 28, 2026
Infrastructure
A1A Lane Closures Set for Flagler Beach Signal Work Next Week
FDOT traffic signal work will close one lane of State Road A1A at Camino Del Mar Monday and Tuesday, with flaggers directing alternating traffic through the Flagler Beach intersection during daytime hours.
July 28, 2026
Infrastructure
Palm Coast Closes Raleigh Drive for Two Weeks to Replace Stormwater Infrastructure
The City of Palm Coast will shut down a section of Raleigh Drive from July 27 through August 7 while crews redesign and replace underground drainage systems aimed at preventing flooding in the residential neighborhood.
July 28, 2026
Government
Jacksonville Launches Tracker for Mayor Deegan's Promises and Budget Priorities
A new interactive webpage lets residents track progress on Mayor Donna Deegan's commitments since taking office in 2023, from affordable housing to infrastructure investments, and see what's proposed for the FY2026-27 budget.
August 7, 2026
Public Safety
Jacksonville Opens Cooling Centers July 29 as Heat Safety Plan Activates
The city will open 69 air-conditioned facilities across Duval County as cooling centers Wednesday, with free JTA bus rides to help residents escape dangerous heat.
August 4, 2026
Environment
Jacksonville Beaches Host Post-July 4th Cleanup Drive July 5
Volunteers will gather at three beach access points the morning after Independence Day to remove fireworks debris and litter from Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville Beach shorelines, continuing an annual tradition that last year collected 2,800 pounds of trash.
July 9, 2026
Infrastructure
SR 16 Traffic Overhaul Coming to St. Johns County: U-Turn Signals Replace Left Turns
New restricted crossing U-turn intersections at Stratton Boulevard and Industry Center Road are designed to improve safety and flow on the busy corridor, with the traffic pattern switch planned for mid-to-late September.
August 7, 2026
Infrastructure
Clay County road work to close lanes on Blanding, U.S. 17, Town Center Blvd. next week
Nighttime lane closures on Blanding Boulevard and U.S. 17 will affect commuters through Thursday, while a new project begins at Town Center Boulevard's traffic circle as Clay County coordinates multiple construction efforts.
July 20, 2026
Environment
Flagler County Docks to Get Free Oyster Gardens to Filter Intracoastal Water
Three public boat docks in Flagler County will receive vertical oyster gardens this month through a volunteer initiative aimed at improving water quality in the Intracoastal Waterway by creating artificial reef habitats.
July 29, 2026
Environment
Clay County lifts burn ban after rainfall eases severe drought conditions
Recent precipitation has alleviated drought conditions sufficiently for county officials to rescind the outdoor burning restrictions, though vegetative waste remains the only permitted burn material.
July 29, 2026
Public Safety
Jacksonville Activates Cooling Centers Through Sunday Amid Summer Heat
The City of Jacksonville is opening cooling centers at libraries, community centers, and pools through July 12, with free JTA bus rides to help residents escape dangerous heat. Two main centers will operate Sunday when most facilities are closed.
July 13, 2026
Workforce Development
Jacksonville animal care training program reopens enrollment for students with disabilities
The Professional Animal Workers program, a partnership between Animal Care and Protective Services and The Arc Jacksonville, provides certification training and job placement assistance for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
July 20, 2026