Duval County school leaders met Tuesday morning to discuss the possible consolidation of two schools, Anchor Academy and Mayport Elementary, and later in the day to discuss two more: R.L Brown Gifted and Talented Academy and Long Branch Elementary

Lynn Adams said she has “had enough.” She’s tired of living next to a mess. The yard is covered with weeds that are at least 6 feet tall in many places. The home itself is open, there appears to be a hole in the roof, and there is no electricity.

The City of Jacksonville and other community partners launched the Duval Care Coalition in response to the government shutdown and SNAP benefit delays.

Jacksonville City Council rejects controversial proposal for senior apartment complex on former landfill site, despite developer's cleanup promises, following strong community opposition and planning department recommendation.

Planning officials recommend denying an 84-unit apartment complex on a former Jacksonville landfill site, as residents unite with environmental concerns while developers promise supervised cleanup before construction.

Three Jacksonville councilmembers will meet Monday evening to address pharmacy closures on the Northside after residents reported waiting days and even weeks to get critical medications.

Jacksonville City Councilman Rory Diamond fired back at the four councilmembers who abruptly walked out of Tuesday’s meeting during budget amendment discussions.

Four Jacksonville city councilmembers walked out of a city council meeting during budget amendment discussions Tuesday night, sparking drama and prompting the sergeant at arms to intervene.

Pharmacy closures on Jacksonville’s Northside are forcing families to wait days and even weeks to get critical medications.

It's been two years since the tragic shooting galvanized an entire community that is still trying to find healing in the midst of the pain.

Two years after a tragic shooting at the Dollar General on Kings Road claimed three lives, the city of Jacksonville and several community organizations commemorated the victims and survivors by unveiling new memorials.

The Clara White Mission got $400,000 for its Food Distribution II Initiative at Eartha’s Farm & Market.

Lil Duval hosted his 10th Duval Day block party on Saturday at a park off Moncrief Road after the event was originally in jeopardy.

Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, the Ritz Theater & Museum and the City of Jacksonville hosted the fifth annual Jacksonville Emancipation Celebration at Lift Ev’re Voice and Sing Park on Saturday.

For 30 years, the "Miracle on Ashley Street" event has offered a beacon of light, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Clara White Mission's efforts to uplift those experiencing homelessness.

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Chief Keith Powers said the number of unsheltered people has dramatically dropped since it introduced an initiative to reduce homelessness.

Jacksonville City Council members Ju’Coby Pittman and Reggie Gaffney Jr. have introduced legislation aiming to crack down on the number of liquor stores in the city.

After years of planning, a goal to make major upgrades to a roughly 10-block stretch of Moncrief Road in Northwest Jacksonville is getting a big boost.

A new memorial now honors the lives of Angela Carr, Jerrald Gallion and A.J. Laguerre Jr., one year after the three were killed in a racially-motivated attack at a Dollar General in Jacksonville.

At the Dollar General on Kings Road in Jacksonville’s Grand Park neighborhood, three makeshift memorials still stand adjacent to the road in front of the store paying tribute to the three victims of the racist attack.

Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, in collaboration with the City of Jacksonville and the Inaugural Memorial and Soil Collection Community Planning Committee, will host a ceremony to honor the victims and survivors of the tragic 2023 Dollar General shooting in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman stood with Brentwood business owners at the Norwood Plaza Wednesday to address ongoing building concerns.

A historic marker to honor the victims killed in a racially motivated Dollar General shooting last year is planned for the Grand Park neighborhood.

The Clara White Mission is one of the most popular nonprofits in the River City which has been headed by City Council member Ju’Coby Pittman for more than 30 years.

More than 100 volunteers spent Saturday morning cleaning up a historic park on Jacksonville’s Northside.

City leaders and different organizations are holding a celebration for the annual Jacksonville Emancipation Celebration at James Weldon Johnson Park.

Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, The Ritz Theater & Museum and the City of Jacksonville are excited to announce the fourth annual Jacksonville Emancipation Celebration taking place in James Weldon Johnson Park. The festival will take place on Sunday, May 19, 2024 in an effort to educate the community about the historical significance of Florida’s observed Emancipation Day. Cities like Jacksonville in the State of Florida are acknowledging this special day of freedom.

The Clara White Mission is hosting Table Roots Act I: A Farm to Fork Experience on February 25 at 4 pm. Tickets are $125 per person. Tickets are on sale now at tableroots.eventbrite.com. The goal is to raise $5,000 to fund youth programming focused on agriculture, conservation and the arts.

District 10 Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman is laying out her plan to help the community she serves.

A Jacksonville overpass that’s had two vehicles go over it in about two years is now under a microscope.

Residents in Jacksonville’s Brentwood area are not happy after the site of a new Medical Examiner’s Office was rezoned from commercial to public at Tuesday’s city council meeting.

On Tuesday night, the Jacksonville City Council is expected to pass Mayor Donna Deegan’s $1.7 billion budget.

The pastor who emceed a vigil held one day after the racist attack at the Dollar General says he mistakenly offered Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis the microphone to speak at the event. Since then, the incident has caused controversy and Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman has endured criticism for her actions in response to the governor’s presence at the vigil as well.

The Beaches community plans to come together Tuesday night for a prayer vigil to focus on healing after a racially motivated shooting at a Jacksonville Dollar General that investigators have called a hate crime.

Tempers flared over the weekend in an already tense environment as the New Town community came together for what was supposed to be a meeting focused on healing after the racially motivated triple shooting.

An argument broke out after a community event hosted by city leaders that was intended to focus on healing just a week after the neighborhood was impacted by a racially motivated shooting that killed three people.

Community members, faith and city leaders joined together Sunday at a prayer vigil to remember the live of three victims who were violently killed in a Saturday’s mass shooting at a Dollar General.

Hundreds of people have gathered at prayer vigils and in church to mourn yet another racist attack in America.

Mayor Donna Deegan on Wednesday announced a huge budget increase of $21.7 million for Jacksonville’s Mowing and Landscape Maintenance Division — a 95-percent increase from the 2022 budget.

City leaders on Wednesday met with Ken Knight Drive residents to discuss solutions to the neighborhood’s flooding problems.

A 4-year-old boy died Sunday night after drowning in a pond in the Spring Park neighborhood.

The Clara White Mission’s annual "Miracle on Ashley Street" is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at 613 West Ashley Street in Jacksonville.

The I-TEAM found more than 9,600 houses across Duval County are owned by such investors — their real estate investments generate wealth for clients, rather than local families.

The festival honoring Emancipation Celebration Day in Jacksonville has become an annual tradition for James Weldon Johnson Park.

A News4JAX I-TEAM analysis of Jacksonville property records found more than 9,600 homes across Duval County are owned by large, institutional investors, which are companies that have more than 1,000 homes nationwide in their portfolio.

The election for Jacksonville City Council and Jacksonville Mayor is March 21, and two candidates running for office tell News4JAX their campaign signs are being destroyed.

The man was found on King Street by another individual, and that person took the man to a hospital where he died, police said.

Residents of a Northside apartment complex are saying enough is enough.

Marcia Fudge, the secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, met Monday with residents from properties in Jacksonville that receive assistance from HUD.

News4JAX is a proud sponsor of the event, which was a chance to give back and come together as a community.

The Emancipation Celebration Day will return to Jacksonville this year.

Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, James Weldon Johnson Park and the City of Jacksonville are hosting the 2nd annual Jacksonville Emancipation Celebration Day following last year’s successful event. The festival will take place on Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 4pm to 9pm in James Weldon Johnson Park. Fresh from his star making turn on NBC’s The Voice, Paris Winningham will headline the festival’s entertainment. Other great local performers include Jacksonville Arts and Music School, Taryn “Love Reigns” Warwood, Mal Jones and MJbaker. In addition, Jacksonville’s Emancipation Celebration will feature local African American food trucks and vendors and fun activities for the kids.

There’s a push to put new housing for men trying to get off the streets, but residents around Golfair Boulevard are raising concerns.

City Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman on Wednesday evening met with representatives of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and residents of the Hilltop Village Apartments.

With the area’s marquee sporting event just 50 days away, The Players was there to announce a donation of $100,000 to help revitalize the Clanzel Brown Community Center and Park in Northwest Jacksonville.

A young man drowned early Thursday in a retention pond at an apartment complex off Old Baymeadows Road, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said.

Jacksonville City Council member Ju’Coby Pittman wants to be an example for the people she represents in the neighborhoods of District 8.

The News4Jax I-TEAM is hearing from leaders of the Clara White Mission as the local nonprofit faces intense scrutiny.

Jacksonville city leaders are trying to prevent more children from drowning in retention ponds.

The latest census data shows the city’s population has grown by more than 100,000 over the last ten years. Now, Jacksonville City Council members are debating how the districts they represent could change as a result of the 2020 census.

Days after five of six executive board members for the Clara White Mission stepped down, the nonprofit’s president and CEO sent a message to its supporters: we are moving forward.

Clara White Mission leaders on Sunday responded to allegations of CEO Ju’Coby Pittman’s lack of transparency over a COVID-19 outbreak.

Within the past year, a handful of local leaders have come forward with the news that they have tested positive for coronavirus.

Weeks after News4Jax learned City Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman was in intensive care following a COVID-19 diagnosis, she confirmed she was released Friday from the hospital.

The Clara White Mission, which offers meals for the hungry and transitional housing for the homeless, has shut down after an employee died due to complications from COVID-19.

Family and friends of Jacksonville City Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman are asking for prayers as she battles COVID-19.

Members of the Jacksonville City Council on Tuesday evening approved a bill to help people move out of the Hilltop Village Apartments.

After the drowning deaths of two children with autism this year, city council members are meeting with state regulators to figure out how to move forward with new safety requirements for retention ponds across Duval County.

This edition of “This Week in Jacksonville” features three guests and several topics of conversation.

As city leaders explore making changes, the News4Jax I-TEAM found that barriers are not currently installed around all the city retention ponds.

Hours after the body of 4-year-old Gavin Douyon was found in a retention pond in a Northside neighborhood, Jacksonville councilman Reggie Gaffney promised to explore the possibility of passing legislation that would mandate fences be added around retention ponds for new planned communities.

Jacksonville City Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman on Wednesday morning sent a letter to the property management company that oversees Hilltop Village Apartments requesting that all tenants living in buildings infested with rodents be moved and given hotel vouchers while Cambridge Management works to rid the 14 apartment buildings of rodents and correct other code violations.

Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, James Weldon Johnson Park and the City of Jacksonville are excited to announce the first annual Jacksonville Emancipation Celebration. The festival will take place on Thursday, May 20, 2021 in an effort to educate the community about the historical significance of Florida’s observed Emancipation Day.

The second Miracle on Ashley Street "Pop Your Trunk, get your miracle on the go" event will take place on Friday.

Jacksonville City Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman held a community meeting Thursday evening with tenants at the Hilltop Village Apartments in Northwest Jacksonville.

The I-TEAM has obtained inspection reports that not only reveal that all 14 buildings at the Hilltop Village Apartments have a mice infestation -- but there are other safety violations as well.

After witnessing an active mice infestation while going door-to-door at apartments at Hilltop Village, a subsidized housing complex in Northwest Jacksonville, City Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman is mad.

After our investigation, Jacksonville’s code enforcement showed up for a surprise inspection Tuesday and Sen. Marco Rubio’s Office launched its own investigation.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville City Councilwoman is expressing concerns that the city’s plan to shelter its homeless residents could lead to an influx of homeless people from out of town. Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman told News4Jax that she’s worried law enforcement agencies in neighboring counties are transporting their homeless residents here, which could give them a false sense of hope about the resources available. “Last week I was here and I saw one of the police cars from Camden County and they dropped off a couple people,” Pittman said. All of them said they do not transport homeless residents out of their county. After 30 days pass, the bridge shelter will be closed, but resources will continue to be available through Urban Rest Stop.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Starting next Tuesday, the people living at a homeless camp in downtown Jacksonville will no longer be allowed to stay there. The City Of Jacksonville told News4Jax people who live at the camp are encouraged to go to existing homeless shelters now and will not be able to stay at the site nicknamed “Tent City” after next Tuesday. Spears moved to Tent City last week but has been homeless for the past seven years. The camp will close on March 9 but the city is hoping some people will begin moving into shelters before then. Several shelters had bed availability Tuesday night including four dozen beds at City Rescue Mission right across the street from Tent City.

Residents say they have been told to leave the property by MondayJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Help is days away for those living in a homeless camp in Downtown Jacksonville. At a news conference Wednesday, the city said eight to 10 extended-stay hotels will be participating. Rapid Rehousing specialists will be available at those hotels starting Monday to help people get checked in. This project is a collaboration with the city, Sulzbacher, Mental Health Resource Center, Changing Homelessness, additional area homeless providers, Downtown Vision and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. The mission is across the street from the homeless camp.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Help could soon be on the way for people who live in a homeless camp in Downtown Jacksonville. The city said a plan could be released as soon as Wednesday that will help these people get back on their feet. Catherine Creed is one of many people living in the homeless camp. Volunteers Jason Pugh and Charlie Griffin told News4Jax they have been coming to the homeless camp every Tuesday for three months. The mission is across the street from the homeless camp.

“A lot of people don’t care and some people do care,” Creed told News4Jax. Sometimes you might get one meal a day.”At 62 years old, Creed should be planning for retirement or spending time with loved ones. Ju’Coby Pittman is the CEO and president of the Clara White Mission, which helps Jacksonville’s homeless people. “We do need help. This is not the way I want to live.”LINK: Jacksonville homeless shelters & servicesThe city is looking forward to more Cares Act funding to help homeless people and get more of them in hotels.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Trout River Boulevard is a scenic bypass to traffic on Lem Turner Road, but it can also be dangerous to drive. City Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, whose district covers Trout River Boulevard, said conditions on that road are unacceptable. Driving along Trout River Boulevard, it’s not hard to find curves that require drivers to slow down. “This area the last couple of years has increased with traffic because there are new developments in this area,” Pittman said. To improve roadway safety in the area, Pittman said a field review and analysis has already been completed.

Ninety-three volunteers helped prepare and serve the meals for the line of people that stretched from Clara White Mission Center, south a block to Church and Broad. At least 50 people were waiting in line for a Thanksgiving meal when our News4Jax cameras were there. “We’re still doing a lot of the same services we have always provided, that hasn’t changed,” said Michelle Paul, Board president for Clara White Mission. Drop-off for food donations/contributions will be accepted from Wednesday, Nov. 25 until Tuesday, Dec. 22 at the Clara White Mission in historic LaVilla on the corner of Broad & Ashley streets. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, call the Clara White Mission at 904-354-4162 or visit our web site at www.clarawhitemission.org.

As Veteran’s Day approaches, locals are remembering Eartha White, the creator of the Clara White Mission, named after her mother. White was known to help everyone in the community, including veterans, often she would lay wreaths on Veteran’s Day. Dozens came to honor the woman who has helped so many in the community, including veterans. She was known of one of a few African American women that could go between the black and white community, to get a lot of social issues addressed. Veteran’s Day is November 11th.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A local activist is sharing his concerns over a Jacksonville City Council member’s proposal to add restrictions for unlawful gatherings. Ben Fraizer with the Northside Coalition feels it could lead to discrimination and unnecessary arrests in the Black community. Pittman is now proposing adding restrictions for unlawful gatherings to an anti-loitering law that has been in place since 1970. We need to get together all the shareholders, the public sector, the private sector and the community itself. Pittman said there is a public notice meeting where the proposal will be discussed on Oct. 28 at 4 p.m.

Jacksonville City Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, who represents District 8, said Wednesday she’s 100% dedicated to finding the money to complete the septic tank phaseout program. “I feel very slighted and I’m quite sure everyone in this area would feel the same way about it," Cherry said. Pittman said she’s committed to trying to find an alternative funding source after the septic tank phaseout of two other communities ended up costing the city more than expected. “If we can find money for Lot J, I also feel we can find funding for communities that have been left behind,” Pittman said. Pittman said the City Council likely won’t have a dollar amount until the end of the year or sometime early in 2021.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Clara White Mission broke ground Thursday morning on a new farmers market and training center. “We crave healthy, fresh, delicious food so it’s been a really good response to the farm so far,” Schott said. RELATED: Jaguars Foundation, Sysco Foods, more companies chip in to support Clara White MissionThe Clara White Mission said the second phase will help improve access to fresh food for people in the community. The revamped farm and new farmers market is set to open in Summer 2021. Clara White Mission relies on donations from generous community partners and members in order to operate.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Seven people were shot, two fatally, in a span of three days in Jacksonville. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, seven separate shootings, including a double shooting, were reported between late Friday morning and Sunday evening across the city. According to the Sheriff’s Office, one man was struck in the lower leg and the other was shot in the upper torso. “One of my priorities is to clean the main streets of Northwest Jacksonville," Pittman said. Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.