Mayor Alvin Brown issued an executive order naming the first Education Commissioner for the City of Jacksonville.

The office is designed to serve as a bridge between City Hall and Duval County Public Schools with a mission to increase graduation rates and better prepare Jacksonville’s youths for the 21st Century job market. The office will have no executive powers over the school system but will serve a crucial supportive function to raise private money and rally community support at a time the schools are facing cutbacks.

The Duval County Health Department (DCHD) continues its mosquito-borne illness alert for Duval County. Additional human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) have been confirmed and there is a heightened concern that additional residents will become ill. Duval County has eight confirmed cases of WNV in 2011.

Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown welcomed an announcement Thursday that Jacksonville was selected as a site for a team in the new North American Lacrosse League (NALL) that begins play in January 2012.  "We are thrilled to welcome the North American Lacrosse League to Jacksonville," he said.  "I have long touted Jacksonville's attraction as a sports hub, and lacrosse will be a wonderful addition to the multiple sports franchises we already have in our city."

Mayor Alvin Brown, accompanied by Councilmember Lori Boyer and San Marco business owners, today toured the city’s San Marco Streetscape project and six area small businesses.

Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown today announced additional members of his administration, bolstering the team of high-caliber professionals previously announced.
(l-r) Mayor Alvin Brown, Donald "Donnie" Horner Jr., Michelle Barth, Karen Bowling, Jessica Deal, Mario Rubio, Angela Spears and Mia Jones.

Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown  named key members of his administration, announcing a team of high-caliber professionals that represent one of the most diverse management teams in city history.

The City of Jacksonville’s Environmental and Compliance Department is issuing an air quality advisory today in response to smoke from fires currently burning in the area. Elevated levels of particulate matter from the smoke have been detected and an open burning ban remains in effect.

Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton will join City Council members Don Redman and Warren Jones, and other officials to celebrate the reopening of Friendship Fountain Park, 9 – 11 a.m., Saturday, June 18.  The event will feature a dedication ceremony, entertainment and family-friendly activities, in conjunction with the Museum of Science & History (MOSH). 

Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton was joined by U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw, Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll and a host of state, city and military leaders Monday, May 30, at Jacksonville’s Memorial Day observance ceremony honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation.

Spend your Memorial Day weekend in the heart of downtown with incredible jazz performers like Herbie Hancock, Natalie Cole and Eddie Palmieri. Other highlights of this year's Jacksonville Jazz Festival include Art in the Heart Downtown, Wine Down Brew Town Tasting Experience, Generation Next Youth Talent Competition, 'Round Midnight Jazz Jams, Sunday Jazz Brunch, a Jazz Jamboree through the festival streets and more.

Promising to deliver the “most complete, most transparent transition” ever, Mayor John Peyton stood on the steps of City Hall and welcomed his successor, Mayor-Elect Alvin Brown. Mayor Peyton and his senior staff spent all morning with Brown’s family – wife Santhea and sons Joshua and Jordan – and the new mayor’s transition team. 

After nearly 18 months of discussions with the Police and Fire Pension Fund, Mayor John Peyton and Peter Sleiman, chairman of the Police and Fire Pension Fund’s (PFPF) Special Committee on Pension Reform, announced today a pension reform plan that will save approximately $700 million over the next 35 years. The proposal will be presented to the full PFPF Board for consideration next Wednesday and requires approval by the Jacksonville City Council.

Activites and opportunities for fun with friends will be available across the city again this year for Jacksonville kids.  Click here for information on city-sponsored summer activities and camps for young people.