News archive
Older First Coast Observer coverage — page 2 of 14.
Infrastructure
St. Paul's Union Depot revival offers roadmap for downtown Jacksonville station
After 43 years without passenger trains, Minnesota's capital restored its 1923 terminal as a $235 million intermodal hub—a model as Jacksonville weighs the future of its own historic station.
Real Estate
Florida Realtors summit highlights behavior-first approach to wealth building
A behavior-change expert told hundreds of Northeast Florida real estate professionals that small, repeated financial habits matter more than perfect investment strategies.
Infrastructure
Flagler County Fire Rescue training facility passes state safety inspection
The John R. Keppler Jr. Training Facility has been certified compliant with Florida fire-training-center standards, ensuring firefighters train in a facility that meets state safety and professional benchmarks.
Education
Bishop Kenny grad crowned 2026 Miss Florida's Teen
Sheridan Delegal, a recent Bishop Kenny High School graduate, won the statewide title less than a month after receiving her diploma.
Business
Kathy Brooks Aesthetics Opens on Oak Street in Riverside
A new aesthetics practice has launched on Oak Street, adding to the commercial corridor's growing roster of locally owned businesses in one of Jacksonville's most walkable neighborhoods.
Real Estate
Gary DeJong Brings Executive Background to Jacksonville Real Estate
A Florida-licensed Realtor with decades of executive experience is applying business expertise to the Jacksonville market.
Community
Five Star Veterans Center raises $11K at Jacksonville benefit concert
A pre-Fourth of July fundraiser brought together Northeast Florida residents to support the nonprofit serving homeless and at-risk veterans.
Business
Rare Coin and Precious Metals Dealers See Surge Amid Inflation Concerns in Jacksonville
As inflation pressures mount, local dealers in gold, silver, and collectible coins report growing interest from Northeast Florida residents seeking tangible stores of value beyond traditional currency.
Real Estate
Florida Realtors backs property tax amendment on November ballot
The state's largest real estate trade association announced support for Amendment 3, which would expand homestead exemptions and lower assessment caps for non-homestead properties.
Infrastructure
Emerald Lane in Palm Coast to Close Monday for Stormwater Road Repairs
The City of Palm Coast will close a section of Emerald Lane for nine hours on August 24 to repair pavement over recently completed underground stormwater infrastructure, with traffic detouring to Emerson Drive.
Infrastructure
Edgemont Lane in Palm Coast to Close for Week-Long Stormwater Repair
The city will close a section of Emerald Lane starting Monday to complete roadway repairs over underground stormwater infrastructure, with traffic detoured to Emerson Drive through Friday.
Education
St. Johns County School Board to Vote on Teacher Contract, Hold Workshop Aug. 25
The school board will meet Tuesday morning to approve the 2026-2027 collective bargaining agreement with the teachers union, followed by a workshop session open to the public.
Animal Services
Jacksonville Animal Shelter Braces for Large Impounds, Issues Urgent Foster and Adoption Appeal
Animal Care and Protective Services is calling on the community to foster or adopt dogs as the shelter anticipates multiple large impounds that will strain kennel capacity. All adoption fees are currently waived.
Housing
92-Unit Affordable Housing Community Opens in West Augustine with County Support
The Village of New Augustine brings income-restricted apartments to West Augustine's Volusia Street corridor, backed by $1.6 million in St. Johns County funding as the region grapples with housing affordability pressures.
Development
Palm Coast Withdraws Raydient Westward Expansion Project from Consideration
Raydient Palm Coast has pulled its annexation and development applications for a major expansion project west of the city, canceling a special council meeting and removing the proposal from city review after months of consideration.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida Realtor Earns State's Highest Professional Endorsement
Missi Howell of the Northeast Florida Association is one of seven Realtors statewide to achieve Florida Realtors Board Certified Professional status, a credential recognizing industry leadership and advanced expertise.
Community
Free Downtown Jacksonville Yoga Series Continues at Lift Ev'ry Voice Park
Ev'rybody Yoga offers outdoor wellness sessions every Thursday evening at the downtown park on North Lee Street, welcoming all experience levels at no cost.
Real Estate
Florida Draws $21.2B in Net Household Income as Growth Reshapes Northeast Florida Markets
A new statewide economic analysis reveals massive wealth migration into Florida, with rising homeownership costs and shifting demographics creating new dynamics for Northeast Florida's housing and commercial markets.
Real Estate
Federal appeals court upholds NAR commission settlement affecting Northeast Florida real estate
An Eighth Circuit ruling keeps new buyer-broker rules in place across the industry, preserving practice changes that reshaped how Jacksonville-area agents negotiate commissions and represent homebuyers.
Public Safety
Flagler County Fire Chief Ascends to State Leadership Role
Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker's installation as first vice president of the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association positions him to lead the 2,200-member statewide organization in 2027, part of a convergence of Flagler County officials rising to state-level posts.
Politics
Jacksonville Rep. Angie Nixon's Democratic Senate Primary Win Sets Up Northeast Florida Battle
State Rep. Angie Nixon's surprise 12-point victory over Alex Vindman in Florida's Democratic U.S. Senate primary sets the stage for a fall showdown with Republican Sen. Ashley Moody, with Northeast Florida's political landscape taking center stage in a race that could hinge on voters' views of progressive politics.
Real Estate
Florida Realtors honors Central Florida real estate leader as 2026 Realtor of the Year
Tim Weisheyer, former president of Florida Realtors and longtime Osceola County real estate professional, received the state association's highest honor at the annual convention in Orlando, recognizing nearly three decades of industry leadership and community service.
Education
St. Johns County Schools Announce 2026-27 Secondary STEM Fair
Middle and high school students across St. Johns County can now sign up for the district's annual science, technology, engineering, and mathematics competition through their school coordinators.
Real Estate
Florida Realtors Warn: Small Contract Errors Can Derail Northeast Florida Transactions
Legal experts at the 2026 Florida Realtors Convention highlighted how unsigned extensions, septic disclosure gaps, and even comma placement can turn into costly problems for Jacksonville-area agents and buyers.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida housing market rebounds after three-year sales decline
After 11 straight months of rising sales, Florida's housing market is showing renewed strength across price points and property types, with Northeast Florida participating in the statewide turnaround as inventory tightens and postponed buyers re-enter the market.
Development
Jacksonville Arts Exhibit Tackles Displacement as Region Grapples With Development Pressures
The Duval Displaced, Duval Dis Place exhibit at Yellow House brought 15 local artists together to examine how rapid growth and climate change are reshaping Jacksonville communities, part of a broader effort to center artists in policy conversations about the region's future.
Education
St. Johns Compass Opens K-12 Enrollment for State Scholarship Students
The St. Johns County School District's virtual and hybrid learning program has capacity for students using Florida's school-choice scholarships, expanding access as the district's traditional schools face enrollment pressure.
Education
St. Johns County Schools to Host College & Career Night for Students, Families
The annual event scheduled for September 2 will bring more than 100 colleges, universities, technical schools, and employers to World Golf Village, offering local high school students direct access to post-graduation pathways.
Community
Riverside Arts Market Celebrates National Farmers Market Week in Downtown Jacksonville
Downtown Jacksonville's popular Saturday market highlights local vendors, fresh produce, and community gathering as part of nationwide celebration of farmers markets.
Development
Palm Coast to Purchase 259 Acres in Town Center for $17M as Part of Lawsuit Settlement
The City Council approved a settlement resolving litigation with Palm Coast Holdings LLC that gives the city ownership of vacant Town Center land, positioning the municipality to control future economic development on one of the largest remaining parcels in Flagler County's urban core.
