News archive
Older First Coast Observer coverage — page 5 of 14.
Infrastructure
St. Johns County Remains Under Extreme Water Restrictions Despite Recent Rain
The St. Johns River Water Management District's Phase III Extreme Water Shortage Order remains in effect across St. Johns County, with officials warning that regional drought recovery requires sustained rainfall — approximately 32 inches over three months — even as localized afternoon storms have brought temporary relief.
Education
St. Johns County School Board Approves Major Capital Projects for August 2026
The St. Johns County School Board met August 11 to advance construction and facility initiatives across the district, addressing capacity needs in one of Florida's fastest-growing counties.
Education
Inside Pacetti Bay Middle: St. Johns Schools Chief Spotlights Student Programs
Superintendent Tim Asplen's visit to the St. Augustine-area middle school highlights peer mentoring, media production, and extracurricular growth as the district manages enrollment pressures across its fastest-growing corridors.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida real estate businesses exempt from federal ownership reporting
A finalized federal rule permanently exempts U.S.-formed LLCs and corporations from beneficial ownership reporting requirements, simplifying compliance for Jacksonville-area real estate professionals and property investors who use domestic business structures.
Real Estate
Mortgage Rates Dip Slightly in Northeast Florida as Homebuyers Watch for Relief
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 6.67% this week, the first decline in six weeks, offering a modest reprieve for prospective homebuyers in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida — though rates remain higher than a year ago and well above pre-conflict levels.
Elections
1.33 Million Early Votes Cast in Florida Primary as Tuesday Election Nears
With early voting ending this weekend, Republicans have cast more in-person ballots while Democrats lead in mail returns. Duval County has seen nearly 40,000 early votes and 18,400 outstanding mail ballots ahead of Tuesday's primary.
Real Estate
New Google tool helps Northeast Florida real estate agents track social media reach
Google's expanded Search Console now lets agents connect Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X accounts to see which posts drive online searches — offering free market research for professionals whose social media is a primary marketing tool.
Education
Three candidates vie for Clay County School Board District 5 seat in August primary
Incumbent Ashley Gilhousen faces challenges from Gerald Beasley and Veronica Powell-Faison in the nonpartisan race. If no candidate wins more than 50 percent on Aug. 18, the top two will advance to November.
Politics
Lawsuits, big money roil Jacksonville City Council special election race
The bitter contest for an at-large Jacksonville City Council seat has drawn $300,000 from a Democratic donor and multiple legal challenges over candidate eligibility, as Democrats seek to break the council's Republican supermajority.
Education
St. Johns County Schools Open with 48,093 Students, Up 441 Over Last Year
The district enrolled 441 more students on opening day than last year, a 0.93% increase that continues the growth pressures on one of Florida's fastest-growing school systems.
Government
Jacksonville City Council's In-House Lawyer Sparks Debate Over Authority and Consolidation
Jason Teal, the City Council's secretary and legislative counsel, has emerged as a powerful figure challenging the mayor's appointees and the city's general counsel, raising questions about checks and balances in Jacksonville's consolidated government.
Infrastructure
EverBank Stadium Construction Reshapes Jacksonville Jaguars Season Experience
The Stadium of the Future renovation closes EverBank's upper 400-level seating for the 2026 season, while new climate-controlled clubs, patio seating, and the Met Park Marina debut as Jacksonville prepares for preseason kickoff.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida Home Prices Drop 3.2% in July as Inventory Climbs to Nearly 4-Month Supply
Single-family home prices fell across the six-county region in July as buyers gained negotiating power from rising inventory and longer market times, with the most dramatic price drops in Nassau and Duval counties.
Public Health
Nassau County Opioid Task Force cancels August meeting
The county's Opioid Task Force has called off its Aug. 13 meeting with no rescheduled date announced, interrupting the panel's work addressing substance abuse across Nassau County.
Public Health
Health Department Issues Swimming Advisory for River-to-Sea Preserve Beach
Elevated bacteria levels detected in water quality tests have prompted state health officials to warn against swimming at the Flagler County beach preserve until conditions improve.
Public Safety
St. Johns County Urges 811 Calls Before Digging on National Awareness Day
With Florida averaging 93 underground utility strikes daily, St. Johns County is reminding residents and contractors to use the free 811 locate service before any digging project to prevent damage to water, sewer, electric, and gas lines.
Education
St. Johns County Schools Seeks Volunteers for Library Book Challenge Committee
The district is recruiting residents to serve on a committee that will review formal objections to library materials, with an initial training deadline set for September 11.
Real Estate
Divorce complications can derail home sales across Northeast Florida, attorneys warn
Separated spouses retain legal rights that can block closings even when their name doesn't appear on the deed, creating pitfalls for sellers and agents in Jacksonville and across the region's hot housing market.
Real Estate
Northeast Florida Realtors Urged to Keep Communication Logs Amid Rising Dispute Costs
Transaction disputes cost agents an average of $15,000 per claim, prompting new guidance for Jacksonville-area real estate professionals to systematically document client conversations and transaction details.
Real Estate
Jacksonville Real Estate Agents Urged to Stay Curious as Market Evolution Continues
As Northeast Florida's housing market navigates shifting buyer preferences and new technologies, industry leaders say the agents who thrive are those who never stop learning — regardless of how long they've been in the business.
Trade & Logistics
JAXPORT Positions Jacksonville as Gateway for Caribbean Supply Chain Growth
Growing nearshoring momentum in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic is driving increased cargo volumes through the port, as manufacturers seek alternatives to distant overseas production and JAXPORT invests in coordinated terminal capacity to support the trade lane.
Government Technology
Fernandina Beach Launches Digital Permitting System August 31
The city's Building, Planning, and Utilities departments are migrating to CityView software to streamline permit applications and approvals. A two-day transition period starting August 27 will shift inspection and application processes online.
Real Estate
Jacksonville-Area Real Estate Agents Warned: Don't Rush to Respond When FREC Calls
Florida real estate attorney advises Northeast Florida licensees to cooperate with state commission investigations but take time to prepare documentation and responses to avoid license revocations.
Infrastructure
Pope Road Beach Access in St. Johns County Partially Reopens After Cable Removal
The western half of the parking lot is now open to beachgoers following the successful removal of a buried cable, with full access expected to return Tuesday morning when removal equipment is cleared from the site.
Government
Clay County Fire Rescue Chief Lorin Mock to Retire; Nationwide Search Begins
Chief Lorin Mock will step down in April 2027 after leading Clay County Fire Rescue. County officials have launched a nationwide recruitment effort for his successor as the department serves one of Northeast Florida's fastest-growing areas.
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.
Real Estate
Florida Realtors Convention in Orlando Features Wealth Building Summit for Real Estate Professionals
The two-day convention Aug. 19-20 at Rosen Shingle Creek brings together real estate professionals statewide for education on AI, fraud prevention, and long-term wealth strategies, with a new full-day summit on building financial security.
Real Estate
Surveillance Cameras at Northeast Florida Home Tours Changing Buyer Behavior
A new survey finds 72% of recent buyers spotted recording devices during showings in the past five years, prompting many to hide their reactions and rethink negotiations — a trend Jacksonville and Northeast Florida agents say is reshaping how they advise clients.
Real Estate
Bankruptcy Doesn't Bar Jacksonville-Area Buyers From Homeownership, Realtors Say
Past bankruptcy filings don't automatically disqualify Northeast Florida homebuyers, but navigating the mortgage approval process requires realistic timelines, specialized lenders and clear financial preparation, according to industry guidance.
Civic Infrastructure
Jacksonville Offers Free Downtown Parking for Primary Election Voting
The city and Downtown Investment Authority are waiving meter fees on Monroe and Duval Streets near the Supervisor of Elections office during early voting and Election Day to remove a barrier to voter participation.
