What you need to know for Emancipation Celebration Day at James Weldon Johnson Park
Councilwoman JuโCoby 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 Floridaโs observed Emancipation Day. Cities like Jacksonville in the State of Florida are acknowledging this special day of freedom.
Table Roots Act I: A Farm to Fork Experience on February 25
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.
Pastor who emceed vigil after racist attack says it was a โmistakeโ to offer Florida governor the mic
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 JuโCoby Pittman has endured criticism for her actions in response to the governorโs presence at the vigil as well.
Beaches community plans vigil focused on healing after racially motivated attack at Dollar General
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.
โIt was my role to take controlโ: Councilwoman defends actions that made her a target for criticism at community meeting
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.
Argument unfolds at community meeting to provide healing one week after Dollar General 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.
Why giant investment company rentals are being blamed for affordable housing issues in Jacksonville
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.
2nd Annual Emancipation Celebration Day
Councilwoman JuโCoby Pittman, James Weldon Johnson Park and the City of Jacksonville are hosting the 2nd annual Jacksonville Emancipation Celebration Day following last yearโs 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 NBCโs The Voice, Paris Winningham will headline the festivalโs entertainment. Other great local performers include Jacksonville Arts and Music School, Taryn โLove Reignsโ Warwood, Mal Jones and MJbaker. In addition, Jacksonvilleโs Emancipation Celebration will feature local African American food trucks and vendors and fun activities for the kids.
โResidents are tiredโ: Councilwoman leads meeting at Hilltop Village Apartments amid complaints over living conditions
City Councilwoman JuโCoby Pittman on Wednesday evening met with representatives of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and residents of the Hilltop Village Apartments.
Jacksonvilleโs growing population could change who on City Council represents you
The latest census data shows the cityโs 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.
Jacksonville leaders meet with state regulators on child drownings in retention ponds
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.
Gaffney mulls requiring fences for ponds in new communities after childโs death
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 councilwoman wants tenants in mice-infested apartments moved
Jacksonville City Councilwoman JuโCoby 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.
Emancipation Celebration Day Tomorrow! | River City Live
Councilwoman JuโCoby 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 Floridaโs observed Emancipation Day.
Jacksonville councilwoman concerned out-of-town homeless residents being dropped off
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ A Jacksonville City Councilwoman is expressing concerns that the cityโs plan to shelter its homeless residents could lead to an influx of homeless people from out of town. Councilwoman JuโCoby Pittman told News4Jax that sheโs 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. โLast week I was here and I saw one of the police cars from Camden County and they dropped off a couple people,โ 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.
Fence going up as city begins to move people out of downtown homeless camp
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ 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 โTent Cityโ 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.
Jacksonville to move people living on streets into hotels
Residents say they have been told to leave the property by MondayJACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ 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 Sheriffโs Office. The mission is across the street from the homeless camp.
People living in Jacksonville homeless camp hope to soon have help
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ 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.
As Jacksonville homeless camp grows, city hopes to gain more funding
โA lot of people donโt care and some people do care,โ Creed told News4Jax. Sometimes you might get one meal a day.โAt 62 years old, Creed should be planning for retirement or spending time with loved ones. JuโCoby Pittman is the CEO and president of the Clara White Mission, which helps Jacksonvilleโs homeless people. โWe do need help. This is not the way I want to live.โLINK: Jacksonville homeless shelters & servicesThe city is looking forward to more Cares Act funding to help homeless people and get more of them in hotels.
Pittman aims to make Trout River Boulevard safer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Trout River Boulevard is a scenic bypass to traffic on Lem Turner Road, but it can also be dangerous to drive. City Councilwoman JuโCoby Pittman, whose district covers Trout River Boulevard, said conditions on that road are unacceptable. Driving along Trout River Boulevard, itโs not hard to find curves that require drivers to slow down. โThis area the last couple of years has increased with traffic because there are new developments in this area,โ Pittman said. To improve roadway safety in the area, Pittman said a field review and analysis has already been completed.
Clara White Mission feeds hundreds at outdoor pre-Thanksgiving luncheon
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. โWeโre still doing a lot of the same services we have always provided, that hasnโt changed,โ 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.
Locals are remembering Eartha White who was known to help everyone in her community, including veterans
As Veteranโs 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 Veteranโs 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. Veteranโs Day is November 11th.
Activist has concerns over councilwomanโs proposal to restrict large outdoor gatherings
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ A local activist is sharing his concerns over a Jacksonville City Council memberโs 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.
Councilwoman says sheโs committed to finding money to complete septic tank phaseout program
Jacksonville City Councilwoman JuโCoby Pittman, who represents District 8, said Wednesday sheโs 100% dedicated to finding the money to complete the septic tank phaseout program. โI feel very slighted and Iโm quite sure everyone in this area would feel the same way about it," Cherry said. Pittman said sheโs 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. โIf we can find money for Lot J, I also feel we can find funding for communities that have been left behind,โ Pittman said. Pittman said the City Council likely wonโt have a dollar amount until the end of the year or sometime early in 2021.
10.5 acre farm breaks ground in Moncrief food desert
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The Clara White Mission broke ground Thursday morning on a new farmers market and training center. โWe crave healthy, fresh, delicious food so itโs been a really good response to the farm so far,โ 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.
7 shot in 3-day span in violent weekend in Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Seven people were shot, two fatally, in a span of three days in Jacksonville. According to the Jacksonville Sheriffโs Office, seven separate shootings, including a double shooting, were reported between late Friday morning and Sunday evening across the city. According to the Sheriffโs Office, one man was struck in the lower leg and the other was shot in the upper torso. โOne 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 Sheriffโs Office at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org.