JU'COBY PITTMAN

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.

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

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

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.

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. – 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.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Clara White Mission is thanking donors in the community who stepped up when the Jacksonville nonprofit was in a funding crunch. The Clara White Mission was working to raise $425,000 by Aug. 30. Without the money, the Clara White Mission would have had to cut its vocational program from five days a week to three days a week. "Our vocational program helps homeless veterans, ex-offenders and low income, and without that support, that program would have been ceased," said Ju'Coby Pittman, the CEO of the Clara White Mission. If the vocational program was cut, there would be more than the students who would be affected.