From an ocean conservation festival and Asian Night Market to live music, sporting events and the Jaguars’ home opener, Jacksonville has plenty to do this weekend.

As expected, attorneys for Mario Fernandez are appealing his conviction for first-degree murder and solicitation to commit a capital felony in the deadly ambush shooting of Jared Bridegan, his wife’s ex-husband.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ home opener against the Cleveland Browns is Sunday, and fans are already turning out in force at team apparel stores after the team’s deep playoff run last season.

Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue warned beachgoers that lightning has been an issue all weekend and urged people to get out of the water and seek shelter if they see or hear lightning.

The Jacksonville Beach Police Department said Thursday it will continue using license plate reader technology in locations where it is legally permitted, while removing cameras on state roadways to comply with a State of Florida order.

Ginger’s Place, the longtime Jacksonville Beach bar at 304 Third Street North, is celebrating 50 years with a bold new mural honoring the city’s passion for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Created by local artist Scotty Briggs from a concept by Jeff Emmerling, the mural is the first major exterior redesign of the building, which dates back to the 1950s. The project was made possible through community fundraising, bringing together neighbors and longtime Ginger’s supporters to celebrate the bar’s history and its place in the Beaches community.

The owners of Beachside Seafood Restaurant & Market in Jacksonville Beach plan to close the restaurant portion of their property and redirect their focus toward the market, according to the Jacksonville Daily Record.

Glossy Finish is a Jacksonville Beach–based youth sports photography company that turns tournament action into professional keepsakes for athletes and families. Founded in 2006, the company specializes in high-volume, large-scale action photography, using professional photographers and on-site photo labs to provide printed posters and digital images directly at events rather than requiring families to wait for post-game delivery. Glossy Finish photographs registered players so its team can focus on capturing each athlete’s key moments, and its Jacksonville-area headquarters supports coverage of tournaments nationwide, including partnerships with prominent organizations such as USA Football, Cal Ripken Baseball, and Babe Ruth League.

After more than 30 years of blues music on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, the Springing the Blues Festival has played its final note.

“Truth won today,” Kirsten Bridegan said Wednesday after a jury convicted Mario Fernandez in the murder-for-hire killing of her husband, Jared Bridegan.

Mario Fernandez has been found guilty of first-degree murder and solicitation to commit a capital felony in the deadly ambush shooting of Jared Bridegan, his wife’s ex-husband.

After the defense for Mario Fernandez rested its case after calling two witnesses Tuesday morning, both sides delivered their closing arguments to the jury, which will begin deliberations on Wednesday morning.

The state rested its case after more testimony Monday in the trial of Mario Fernandez in the February 2022 ambush murder of Jared Bridegan.

A Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrest and booking report is shedding more light on a deadly stabbing at the Jacksonville Beach Pier.

The City of Jacksonville Beach is responding to community concerns following a deadly stabbing Wednesday night involving two homeless men.

Members of a popular boat club with locations in Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Fernandina Beach say they were left without access to the boats they pay hundreds of dollars a month to use.

After a heated back-and-forth this week and an order from Judge London Kite that she turn over her phone to the court at 9 a.m. Friday morning, Jared Bridegan’s widow was given a reprieve, albeit a brief one, by the Fifth District Court of Appeals.

An FBI analyst, a former ATF agent and a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office detective testified Friday about digital evidence that prosecutors say led to the arrest of Mario Fernandez in the murder of Jared Bridegan.

Judge London Kite rejected objections from Kirsten Bridegan’s attorney Thursday and ordered Bridegan to turn over her cellphone to the court at 9 a.m. Friday so it can be reviewed and specific information can be turned over to Shanna Gardner’s defense team.

Mario Fernandez’s defense attorneys continued to challenge the strength of the evidence connecting their client to the murder-for-hire killing of Jared Bridegan when investigators in Bridegan’s murder took the stand Thursday.

A man was fatally stabbed beneath the Jacksonville Beach Pier, and a suspect has been taken into custody, according to the Jacksonville Beach Police Department.

Attorneys engaged in another heated courtroom debate on Wednesday morning over a motion from Shanna Gardner’s defense team to get material from the phone of Jared Bridegan’s widow.

Attorney Jesse Dreicer cross-examined Jacksonville Beach Police Detective Chris Johns about his case against Mario Fernandez in the February 2022 murder of Jared Bridegan.

Testimony on Tuesday in the trial of the man accused of orchestrating the February 2022 murder of Jared Bridegan in Jacksonville Beach included a minute-by-minute timeline of video evidence leading up to the deadly ambush shooting.

More than four years after Jared Bridegan was repeatedly shot outside his vehicle while his 2-year-old daughter was strapped in a car seat, his widow testified Monday in the trial of the man charged with arranging the fatal ambush.

After fishing at Jacksonville Beach, 67-year-old Lance Schellpeper collapsed from a heart attack while petting a dog. Physician assistant Jennifer Carde performed CPR until help arrived, saving him.

With 12 jurors and four alternates selected, the trial for Mario Fernandez Saldana will begin Monday with opening statements from the prosecution and the defense. Attorney Gene Nichols explains what we can expect.

After the defense had its chance on Thursday morning to ask more in-depth questions of potential jurors, the jury for the Mario Fernandez murder trial was seated in the afternoon.

The second phase of jury selection in the Mario Fernandez murder trial began Wednesday with one of the remaining jurors being dismissed after a co-worker reported she broke the rules.

According to a federal indictment, Jacksonville Beach dentist Jon Christopher Williams failed to report business income totaling approximately $3,371,657 from 2020-2023 and failed to pay income taxes totaling approximately $1,079,136.

The first phase of jury selection wrapped up early on Tuesday in the trial of Mario Fernandez after the court spent Monday weeding through the first batch of 100 potential jurors.

Woman owned and operated music venue celebrates 9 years

Jury selection begins Monday in the trial of Mario Fernandez, the first of three defendants to head to court in the Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire case.

Mario Fernandez is the first of three people to be tried in the 2022 ambush killing of Jared Bridegan, a 33-year-old father of four from Jacksonville Beach.

As Mario Fernandez prepares for the beginning of jury selection in just over a week, Judge London Kite is expected to decide on some final motions from his defense attorneys on Friday in the high-profile Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire case.

Jacksonville Beach city leaders are considering an ordinance that would allow the city to deny, suspend or revoke dog park memberships for people investigated for or convicted of animal cruelty.

A Jacksonville attorney says the defense likely wasn't caught off guard by new state evidence suggesting a second person fled the scene the night Jared Bridegan was killed. The revelation comes less than two weeks before the first of three murder trials is set to begin.

While arguing a motion ahead of the high-profile trial for Mario Fernandez in the murder-for-hire death of Jared Bridegan, Assistant State Attorney Alan Mizrahi revealed new information about the case on Friday.

As Mario Fernandez prepares for the beginning of jury selection in just over a week, Judge London Kite is expected to decide on some final motions from his defense attorneys on Friday in the high-profile Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire case.

A 19-year-old Jacksonville Beach man is facing multiple criminal mischief charges after police said he was caught on surveillance video spray-painting over Flock cameras in Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach and Jacksonville Beach.

During one of the last hearings before jury selection begins in the trial of Mario Fernandez, Judge London Kite indicated that the defense had discussed a possible plea deal with prosecutors.

Steve Howard, founder of the Bike Breakers Foundation, is supercharged to lead the inaugural World’s Biggest Beach Bike Ride, a family-friendly community event taking place on Friday, August 14, 2026 at the Seawalk Pavillion in Jacksonville Beach. The event will bring together bicyclists and e-bike riders for a unique ride along the beaches while raising funds for three local nonprofits: BEAM, V for Victory, and the Two Titmice Foundation. Through Bike Breakers, Steve is working to promote health, community connection, and charitable giving while creating a new signature event for Jacksonville and the Beaches. Community members can register to ride, become sponsors, or learn more at jaxbikebreakers.com and by following @BikeBreakersFoundation on Facebook and Instagram.

Two of the four charges against Mario Fernandez have been dropped, prosecutors announced during Monday’s final hearing before the start of the first of three trials in the high-profile Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire case.

The Jacksonville Beach Police Department is kicking off a new education and enforcement campaign targeting electric motorcycles and electric bicycles — and officers want riders and parents to know the rules before they hit the road.

Jacksonville Beach police have arrested five people police say are connected to a retail theft ring responsible for more than $22,000 in stolen merchandise from a local Home Depot.

A Florida judge ruled Tuesday that defense attorneys in the Shanna Gardner murder case will be allowed to make a private, in-camera proffer in a closed hearing — after a heated courtroom debate over discovery rules, constitutional rights and court procedure.

GORUCK is hosting a special community event featuring a ruck workout followed by a screening of the documentary 54 | Something to Give. The film follows The Give Team’s 54-mile journey from Selma to Montgomery and the youth and mentors behind the mission. The August 1 event at GORUCK HQ in Jacksonville Beach costs $20, and 100% of proceeds will directly support The Give Team by helping fund reliable transportation and opportunities for youth. To learn more or register, visit thegiveteam.org or the GORUCK event page.

Jacksonville Beach Police Chief Gene Paul Smith has announced his retirement, effective Jan. 29, 2027.

A Jacksonville Beach family trade business thrives amid a skilled worker shortage, highlighting how trades and smart financial habits can rapidly build wealth.

The world’s largest women’s surf event and music festival paddles its way back to Jacksonville Beach this Fall.

The estranged couple accused of orchestrating the ambush murder of a 33-year-old father of four in 2022 will be back in court again on Monday as the judge makes decisions on some final motions heading into next month’s trials.

Shanna Gardner and her estranged second husband, Mario Fernandez, are due back in court on Thursday as the time to prepare for their separate murder trials winds down.

Thousands of people are expected to fill Jacksonville Beach this Fourth of July weekend, and lifeguards have a clear message for every family heading to the water: check the conditions before you get in.

With crowds expected all across Florida’s beaches Friday through the weekend and lots of people getting into the water, safety is a big talking point.

Melissa Endrina, a Navy veteran and owner of Aloha Waffle Bar, posted a video to Instagram pleading for community support after struggling to bring in customers. What followed surprised even her.

A man charged with DUI manslaughter in a Jacksonville Beach crash last year has pleaded guilty and was sentenced to prison time.

The man accused of fatally shooting Jared Bridegan in what prosecutors describe as a murder-for-hire plot should learn Wednesday when his trial will begin.

A 63-year-old Ponte Vedra Beach man was arrested Friday after police said he drove off in a marked Jacksonville Beach Police Department K-9 patrol truck that had been parked in the department’s secured back lot.

Large amounts of sargassum seaweed have once again washed ashore along Jacksonville Beach, creating a noticeable odor for beachgoers and renewed cleanup challenges for crews responsible for maintaining the shoreline.

Jax Beach Boil Company is a locally owned seafood catering company in Jacksonville Beach that specializes in low-country style seafood boils and steam pots, making it a fun, no-hassle option for everything from a casual dinner to a special gathering. Located at 1131 3rd St N, the business offers takeout and full-service catering, so you can enjoy fresh coastal flavors without the restaurant wait.

Add another milestone for teenage golfing phenom Miles Russell.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia took aim at Jacksonville city government Monday, claiming the city wasted $275.7 million in taxpayer money in the 2025-26 budget — a sharp jump from the $199 million in excessive spending he claimed the previous year.

Florida’s state legislature has voted to eliminate or significantly reduce property taxes, sending the issue to voters as a ballot measure this November. While concerns about the effect on local government services like libraries and road maintenance have dominated the conversation, law enforcement agencies across Northeast Florida are now raising alarms of their own.

Bike Breakers in Jacksonville Beach is gearing up for a Guinness World Record attempt to create the largest single-line bicycle parade, bringing riders together for a big community ride along the beach. There’s also a practice ride and party scheduled for Friday, June 5, and sign-up is open for both the practice event and the actual record attempt.

The prosecution will be allowed to share evidence in court that was obtained from Shanna Gardner’s electronics through court-authorized wiretaps, Judge London Kite ruled.

Jacksonville Beach city leaders narrowly passed an ordinance amendment on Monday night that will create a two-year pilot program to allow some bars and restaurants to temporarily expand their outdoor capacity on Jaguars game days.

Nearly two months after they learned they will be tried separately in what investigators call a murder-for-hire plot to kill Jared Bridegan, Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez were back in court on Monday as Judge London Kite continues to work through pre-trial motions.

The Jacksonville Beach Police Department said its tracking two unpermitted events being advertised on social media for beach events in Jacksonville Beach.

A Thursday night crash on Butler Boulevard has closed all eastbound lanes from San Pablo Road to Marsh Landing Parkway.

A crowd of people was sprayed with what witnesses described as “Mace” during a fight on Memorial Day in Jacksonville Beach, police said.

Some of the previously incriminating statements made to prosecutors by the man accused of fatally shooting Jared Bridegan will not be allowed during his first-degree murder trial, Judge London Kite announced Tuesday.

Waves of stinky seaweed washed ashore at Jacksonville Beach over the last several days, drawing plenty of reaction from beachgoers heading out for Memorial Day weekend.

Especially on holidays, when a lot more people will be out and about, parents are urged to keep an eye on their kids and remember that water safety is always a priority, like always swimming near a lifeguard.

Red snapper season was supposed to begin this weekend in Florida, drawing anglers and visitors to Northeast Florida for what many charter captains call one of their busiest stretches of the year. Instead, the recreational season has been put on hold after a federal judge ordered an immediate pause on the permits that allowed the expanded opening.

He ran toward danger for a living. As a Marine, a firefighter and a lifeguard, Garrett Opper spent his life in service to others. But like so many who dedicate themselves to protecting their communities, the battles he fought on the inside were the hardest ones of all

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office detectives, working alongside Jacksonville Beach Police, arrested 25 people in three days as part of a targeted operation aimed at reducing the demand for prostitution and combating human trafficking.

Jacksonville Beach city leaders are considering a two-year pilot program that would allow some bars and restaurants to temporarily expand their outdoor capacity on Jaguars game days, a move they say could help handle increased crowds during upcoming stadium renovations.

The attorney for an off-duty Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officer who tackled a teenager at a local skate park said his client has been cleared after the State Attorney’s Office dropped a misdemeanor battery charge.

Jacksonville’s own Angela Birch—founder of Focus Fitness in Jacksonville Beach and on Merrill Road and now a published author—is helping people rethink what it really takes to get healthy. She’s all about cutting through the noise, reminding us you don’t have to work out every day, lifting weights won’t make women bulky, and endless cardio isn’t the answer to fat loss. Instead, she encourages a balanced approach with strength training, proper nutrition, and enough rest to let your body actually do its job. Her message is simple: it’s never too late to start, and fitness should feel supportive, doable, and built to last.

Crash Out Rage Rooms, located at 1328 3rd St. N in Jacksonville Beach, provides a unique, high-energy environment designed for visitors to safely release stress by smashing items like electronics, glass, and furniture. The facility is open Tuesday through Sunday from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and you can easily book sessions or find more information online at CrashOutFL.com. Whether you are planning a date night, birthday, or team-building event, they offer various packages—including individual "quick crashes" and family-sized options—to accommodate groups of all sizes.

Jacksonville Beach is turning up the volume this weekend as Springing the Blues returns to the Seawalk Pavilion.

Springing the Blues Festival returns to Jacksonville Beach this weekend and will feature an incredibly special moment: longtime festival board member Lloyd Hyatt, a cancer survivor, will meet the young German man whose stem cell donation saved Hyatt’s life.

Jacksonville Beach Police is urging juveniles not to trespass on the former Adventure Landing property because it is being prepared for demolition.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys for both Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez have agreed that the two should be tried separately in the high-profile Jared Bridegan murder-for-hire case.

Beaches Energy is responding to a power outage affecting approximately 4,300 customers in the Neptune Beach and Jacksonville Beach areas.

Restaurant undergoes rebrand to create immersive experience

Adventure Landing St. Augustine announced on Facebook that it will permanently close on Sunday.

Jacksonville Beach could soon see new life on its boardwalk, thanks to two proposed ordinances aimed at boosting small businesses along the coast.

Much-needed rain covers Jacksonville and northeast Florida, bringing temporary relief to drought, with gusty winds, mild temperatures, and safety reminders from The Weather Authority.

The semi-truck driver who rear-ended a school bus carrying kindergarteners on a field trip said the crash was caused by a malfunctioning brake, according to the incident report obtained by News4JAX.

A longstanding Easter Sunday tradition in Jacksonville Beach had picture-perfect weather and a message of hope Sunday morning.

A Jacksonville Beach couple’s March 27 wedding unexpectedly drew hundreds of teens attending Senior Skip Day. They cheered, then quietly watched the vows. The viral video shows a respectful, feel-good moment.

Every spring, Baptist Medical Center Beaches in Jacksonville Beach gets a very special — and very feathered — visitor.

More details are coming out about the multiple arrests made by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office during a “Senior Skip Day” event at Jacksonville Beach last Friday.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said it made 13 arrests, seized over 100 grams of marijuana, and recovered nine guns at a “Senior Skip Day” event in Jacksonville Beach.

Jacksonville is facing extreme to exceptional drought and increased fire risk even as warm weather returns. Meteorologist Katie Garner breaks down what you need to know for the week ahead.

One of the men accused of plotting to kill St. Johns County father of four Jared Bridegan in 2022 will return to court Thursday for another pre-trial hearing while his case moves through the judicial process.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said it made 13 arrests, seized over 100 grams of marijuana, and recovered nine guns at a “Senior Skip Day” event in Jacksonville Beach.

The 2026 Spring Fling at Jacksonville Beach has been cancelled due to high winds, organizers said.

Duval County Public Schools is alerting families about an unofficial “Senior Skip Day” circulating on social media and is urging students to stay in class.