News archive
Older First Coast Observer coverage — page 3 of 21.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida Homebuyers Face Budget Pressures as Confidence Flatlines
Florida's consumer sentiment index edged up just 0. 3 points in September, ending six months of declines but leaving residents cautious about major purchases as borrowing costs and inflation strain household budgets.
Real Estate
Florida Amendment 3 could reshape property taxes for Jacksonville homeowners
A proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot would nearly double the homestead exemption and cap assessment growth on rental and commercial properties—changes that could ripple through Northeast Florida's housing market.
Real Estate
New septic-system rules hit properties across Northeast Florida
A 2023 Florida law requires nitrogen-reducing septic upgrades in designated watershed areas and along the Indian River Lagoon, with compliance deadlines now in effect and costs that can exceed $30,000 per property.
Government
Nassau County Tree Commission October Meeting Cancelled
The Nassau County-Amelia Island Tree Commission has cancelled its October 7 regular meeting, affecting public discussion of tree-protection matters in one of Northeast Florida's fastest-growing counties.
Infrastructure
Nassau County seeks watershed master plan for two major river basins
The county will open bids October 7 for a comprehensive stormwater and drainage study of the Nassau River and St. Mary's River watersheds, a planning effort that could shape development and flood management across the fast-growing county for years to come.
Agriculture
Hastings-Based Tater Farms Leaders Elected to State Agriculture Board
Two members of the multigenerational St. Johns County farm earned recognition at the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association's annual convention, cementing the county's role in the state's specialty crop industry.
Government
St. Johns County to Host Town Hall on Property Tax Amendment
County Administrator will explain how a November ballot measure could reshape property-tax revenues and government budgets across Northeast Florida.
Development
Overbuilding, road changes dominate Ponte Vedra town hall
St. Johns County Commissioner Krista Joseph addressed residents at The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach on September 17, fielding questions about growth pressures, infrastructure, and a homestead exemption ballot measure.
Infrastructure
Nassau County breaks ground on new Fire Station 30 in Yulee
The county will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking Oct. 5 for the new station on Still Quarters Road, a response to growth pressures in western Nassau County.
Infrastructure
St. Johns County approves $1.9B budget with $264M for capital projects
The Board of County Commissioners held the property-tax rate flat while approving a fiscal 2027 spending plan that commits a quarter-billion dollars to roads, facilities, and other capital improvements.
Healthcare Infrastructure
UF Health Opens 99-Bed Hospital, Medical Campus in Durbin Park
The new 42.5-acre campus off State Road 9B brings a full-service emergency room, six operating suites, and 72,000 square feet of specialty care to one of the fastest-growing parts of St. Johns County.
Infrastructure
JAXPORT names new Blount Island roadway for late operations chief
The port authority approved construction of a western entrance and security plaza at Blount Island Marine Terminal, naming the route James Bennett Way after the COO who oversaw the project before his death in 2025.
Housing
Habitat for Humanity Reaches 200-Home Milestone in St. Johns County
The nonprofit has built affordable workforce housing across five St. Johns County developments since 1992, with more than 80% of homes still occupied by original owners.
Real Estate
Homeowners in Northeast Florida see higher financial satisfaction amid costs
A national survey finds two-thirds of homeowners report financial satisfaction versus less than half of renters, a gap that may be widening as Jacksonville-area home values and equity climb.
Real Estate
Florida Renters: What Landlords Can—and Can't—Deduct from Security Deposits
A Fort Lauderdale attorney's answer to a tenant dispute highlights the statewide legal line between ordinary wear and tear and actual damage—protections that apply to Northeast Florida renters, too.
Real Estate
55-Plus Communities Lack Aging-in-Place Standards, Realtors Warn
The 55-plus label doesn't guarantee homes are built for aging in place, a concern for Northeast Florida's growing senior-housing market as baby boomers account for 42% of buyers statewide.
Education
Jacksonville's River City Readers pairs kids with shelter pets for literacy event
Second graders from Fort Caroline Elementary read to animals at ACPS as part of a citywide literacy program that has logged more than 3 million reading minutes since 2023.
Housing
Jacksonville region issued 1,291 home permits as Florida activity rebounded
Duval County accounted for 431 permits and St. Johns County for 338 in August, according to figures published by Florida Realtors from HBW.
Community
Palm Coast volunteers remove more than 800 pounds of waste near Intracoastal
More than 250 people joined Palm Coast’s annual cleanup, beginning at the Community Center and working near Waterfront Park.
Traffic Alert
Whiteview Parkway overnight closures planned Oct. 5-8 at Belle Terre
Palm Coast plans eastbound lane closures and intermittent road closures from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. while crews install new traffic signals.
Transportation
County Road 220 bridge replacement opens ahead of schedule in Clay County
The completed project adds a four-lane bridge over Little Black Creek and includes intersection work at Rideout Ferry Road.
Real Estate
Florida insurance rate cuts approved for more than 62,000 homes
Four insurers received approval for homeowners-rate reductions ranging from 3.2% to 10.4%, while regulators review additional decrease requests.
Utilities
Palm Coast utility rates change Oct. 1 across four services
Water, wastewater, stormwater and solid-waste charges on Palm Coast utility bills will change Oct. 1 under previously approved rate schedules and service agreements.
Economic Development
St. Johns County links entrepreneurs to local business resources
More than 50 people attended a county resource event connecting entrepreneurs with business planning, capital, mentoring and professional support.
Community
Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing Park hosts free concert series Sept. 27
The fifth installment of The Pop-Out live music series brings headliners from Michigan to downtown Jacksonville's waterfront park, with food trucks and vendors on the lawn.
Local Government
Clay County students shadow commissioners in civic-engagement program
Five high schoolers spent Tuesday as commissioners for a day in Green Cove Springs, part of an ongoing effort to introduce teens to how county decisions are made.
Real Estate
New credit-score option expands mortgage access in Northeast Florida
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac now allow all approved lenders to use VantageScore 4. 0, opening a potential pathway for buyers with nontraditional credit histories who are close to qualifying.
Real Estate
Jacksonville home prices rise as tight inventory offsets slower sales
Statewide data show median single-family home prices up over 1% in August despite declining sales, a pattern playing out across Northeast Florida's competitive housing market.
Infrastructure
St. Johns County Explores Beach Trolley to Unlock Federal Funding
A preliminary concept for public transit along South Ponte Vedra and Vilano beaches could reduce the county's share of a major coastal restoration project by increasing public beach access.
Real Estate
Jacksonville real estate pros push mentorship to close skills gap
As Northeast Florida's market evolves, veteran agents say new licensees need more than scripts and CRM systems to serve buyers and sellers effectively.
