Jacksonville City Council member Michael Boylan stepped down Monday from the Safer Together Committee. Boylan’s resignation now left the effort in limbo. The committee was formed to improve relations between the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the community.
A final decision on the committee’s fate came later in the day.
Guest: Jacksonville Community Action Committee’s executive director, Michael Sampson, joins us now.
Enrollment gap
Fewer men enrolled in two-year and four-year college campuses last year, widening an education gap that has been growing for decades.This fall, women outnumbered men on college campuses by millions. Nearly 60% of students are women and only about 40% are men. Local schools recognize this issue and are trying to address it.
Guest: Dr. Theresa MacGregor, vice president of Enrollment Management at Jacksonville University.
Rodman Dam
The St. Johns River Water Management District is conducting a survey to see if citizens want to restore the Ocklawaha River or retain and repair the Rodman Dam. The St. Johns Riverkeeper wants to see the river restored and urges people who feel the same to complete the survey between now and Friday.
Guest: Riverkeeper and Chief Advocate Lisa Rinaman.
Firefighter Calendar
The American Lung Association launched its 2022 Fight For Air Climb Firefighter Calendar to honor local heroes and support its vision of a world free of lung disease. The second annual calendar features a local firefighter: Jeremy LaTraverse from Kingsland Fire Rescue in Kingsland, Georgia.
Every year, thousands of firefighters race up hundreds of stairs in full firefighter gear weighing over 40 pounds during American Lung Association Fight For Air Climbs in more than 40 cities nationwide.
Jeremy was chosen as one of the American Lung Association’s top Fight For Air Climb supporters nationwide. He has participated in the Fight For Air Climb for five years and raised more than $17,000 for the Lung Association.
Guest: Jeremy LaTraverse, firefighter with Kingsland Fire Rescue.
What’s good Wednesday
- This Saturday, the 2021 JAX YogaFest invites you to come by the Riverside Arts Market to soak in some awesome vibes with yoga classes inspired by celebration, collaboration and connection. North Florida’s thriving yoga communities unite to offer a variety of class styles suitable for beginners and seasoned practitioners. The event starts at 8 am and runs through 3 pm, under the Fuller Warren Bridge. All classes are free and feature nonprofits like Yoga 4 Change and Jax Yoga for Justice and Inclusion.
- Feeding Northeast Florida’s Empty Bowls event returns next Wednesday, Oct. 27, to the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. The luncheon raises funds and awareness for food insecurity. The food bank’s programs serve families in eight counties facing food insecurity. Social distancing and COVID protocols will be in place. Tickets for luncheon are available now.
- Quigley House, Inc. educates, empowers and equips survivors of domestic violence. To raise funds for their on-site pet facilities and provide support for their growing programs and services, Quigley House is hosting Howl-o-ween Paws for a Cause. The dog-friendly event will feature a fall festival, parade and costume contest. The group says it's grateful to provide a safe place to shelter pets while their owners flee domestic violence. Costume contest and vendor registration are open.
- The DONNA Foundation is honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a free community celebration event at the Foundation’s warehouse this Saturday, Oct. 23. The event will consist of a 3-mile training run, followed by a warehouse sale with deeply discounted DONNA Foundation merchandise, and an opportunity for runners and the public to donate blood with LifeSouth Community Blood Centers.
- WJCT Public Media announced that the Arthur Vining Davis Foundation has awarded a grant of $500,000 to its Local Journalism Initiative, aimed at strengthening local news reporting in Northeast Florida.
WJCT Public Media is launching Jacksonville Today, which builds on the success of “vertical” digital publications, such as ADAPT, focused on the regional response to climate change and sea-level rise, and The Jaxson, focused on the urban fabric of the region and published in partnership with Modern Cities Inc. Jacksonville Today will also spotlight the work of WJCT News’ content-sharing partners. To learn more about the Jacksonville Today newsletter and subscribe, go to jaxtoday.org.
First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross Associate Producer Katherine Hobbs can be reached at khobbs@wjct.org or on Twitter at @KatherineGHobbs.
