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Budget cuts may shutter six library branches

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter
Friday, June 14th, 2013, 7:41pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Library board of trustees operates the public library system. Mayor Alvin Brown asked all city agencies to cut their budgets. The board was asked to cut approximately $2.4 million.

"We need all of libraries," said Sheryl Williams. Williams, a regular user of the San Marco branch, is disappointed.

"When you cut back on library service you make us a second or third tier city," she said.

To cut $2.4 million the library board approved a plan to close six branches; Maxville, Brentwood, San Marco, Willowbranch, University and Beaches. 

"I use the computers at the library," said Williams, "I use the San Marco branch."

Williams is poised to fight to save not just the branch she visits, but all six branches that face closure.

"The citizens deserve better than that," she said.

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Stolen car bought on Craigslist leaves buyer in bind

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter
Wednesday, June 12th, 2013, 9:19pm

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. -- It was the first time she'd used Craigslist to buy anything, and for Kathy Yarborough, it may be the last.

"I was looking for a car within my budget," Yarborough said.

After searching for three weeks she found a 1999 Ford Mustang being sold by a Jacksonville man.

"I wanted to be able to see it and drive it before I bought it, " Yarborough said.

The single mom and hairstylist said she also wanted to pay outright so she saved money for 18 months to buy the car.

Yarborough said she needs reliable transportation so she can take her child to doctor visits in Gainesville.

"It has been devastating," said Yarborough. "The money was not handed to me, I saved that money."

On May 26 she purchased the mustang from Carnell Lee for two thousand dollars. Lee listed the vehicle on Craigslist in Jacksonville so Yarborough was able to test drive it. 

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Will a pop of color bring new life to downtown?

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff
Tuesday, June 11th, 2013, 10:07pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A local art group hopes four new murals painted over a local parking garage will be a bright and bold new way to keep people interested in Downtown Jacksonville.

The Milagros Art Collective and the Sean Mahan are taking over opposite ends of the Yates Parking Garage and the 52 foot stair towers along Market and Adams and Market and Newnan streets.

"Nerves and a lot of anxiety and I had dreams of falling off but that's starting to subside, it's more exciting now," Felici Asteinza of Milagros Art Collective said. 

Asteinza and her partner Joey Fillastre have been using harnesses and a lift to help them transform the cement walls into a colorful tribute to the St Johns River. Both teams have been given $17,500 from the Art in Public Places Trust Fund to create the mural. 

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Mandarin residents tired of power outages

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter
Tuesday, June 11th, 2013, 6:48pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The lights are on for now, but any moment residents of this Mandarin home may find themselves sitting in the dark. 

"We're without power at least once a week," said Marcia McLaughlin. 

In her neighborhood, at any moment there could be a power outage.

"We built this house in 2000 and we've had power outages from the moment we moved in but it is worst now," she said. 

Recently there was a power outage on May 4, June 3, June 9 and again on June 10.

"You come home if it's during the day and everything is bleeping," McLaughlin said. "You have to reset your clocks, it is hard on your appliances. The power surge and it is unbearable in the heat."

So, why are there recurring power outages in her Mandarin community? McLaughlin has been looking for answers.

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Child injured in city pool leads to repairs

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter
Monday, June 10th, 2013, 6:57pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- It is summer and the Jacksonville community pools are open.

"She was right there under the four foot sign," said Nareen Adams.

The rules for anyone using a public pool are very simple, said Adams: No jumping in the pool and no running around the pool. Adams said her three year old was abiding by the rules at the Emmett Reed Community Center.

"My daughter was playing at the pool," said Adams, "She was sitting on the side of the pool.

Adams said her daughter pushed off to take a swim and that's when it happened. 

"She said 'my leg is hurting' and her leg was cut open," said Adams.

The three year old was sitting on broken tiles near the edge, didn't realize it, and one of them cut her thigh open.

"My son wears a size ten Nike shoe," said Adams, "the cut was as long and as wide as that Nike check."

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Jacksonville Jaguars host career fair

Submitted by FirstCoastNews Web Staff
Monday, June 10th, 2013, 6:35am

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars Guest Services Team,  will host a career fair beginning June 9-10.

The team will be looking for skilled candidates for the 2013 season and other stadium events.

The job fair will be held in the East Touchdown Club at Everbank Field on Sunday, June 9th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Monday June 10 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Available positions will be in food service, merchandise, parking and guest services.

Free parking will be available on the east side of the stadium in lots C and D.  

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Sherwood residents want repair warranty honored

Submitted by Ken Amaro, Ken Amaro, Community Reporter
Friday, June 7th, 2013, 6:30pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --  It was a big project: rehab 54 homes in the Sherwood Forest subdivision. 

"Now the residents, most of them senior citizens are left holding the bag," said Eunice Barnum.

Barnum is one of those 54 residents selected for home improvement.

"They would come in and do roofing, plumbing, electrical, doors, windows," she said.

Barnum, 57, is also President of the Sherwood Forest Community Association and she said the homeowners are complaining about the work.

"It was shabby workmanship," she said.

The complaints are almost nine years after the project began. It started in 2004 and was led by Housing Partnership of Jacksonville, a nonprofit agency.

"A lot of the people are still having issues with their roofs," said Barnum, "The electrical in their home doesn't work and they're calling me concerning what they're going to do."

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