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Aaron Kampman: Hope on the Horizon

Aaron Kampman: Hope on the Horizon

Hearing the Jacksonville Jaguars added a true defensive end in the eight-year veteran Aaron Kampman on Sunday probably registered a few points-to-the-sky or fist pumps. And, rightfully so. During Kampman’s Pro Bowl seasons in 2006 and 2007, he was an elite pass rusher. For 2006, he was second in the NFL in sacks with 15.5 [...]

March 11 2010 | Posted in Featured, Richard Miller, Sports | Read More »

A Nearly Tragic Accident

A Nearly Tragic Accident

It seems that every time our photographer, Reinhardt, is out for a drive in the rain he comes across an automobile accident.
At noon on Thursday, a driver mistakenly drove up the north Acosta Bridge exit ramp which exits onto Riverside Avenue.  In his effort to avoid a head-on collision with another vehicle exiting the Acosta [...]

March 11 2010 | Posted in Local and State | Read More »

State Unemployment Nears 12%

State Unemployment Nears 12%

Florida’s unemployment rate inched up in January but did not eclipse the 12 percent level predicted by some economists months ago, the Agency for Workforce Innovation reported Wednesday.
The jobless rate hit 11.9 percent, up 3.2 percent from a year earlier and 0.2 percentage points higher than December’s adjusted rate.
Continued job losses in the utilities, construction [...]

March 11 2010 | Posted in Local and State | Read More »

Leadership Funds Ready for an Encore

Leadership Funds Ready for an Encore

House and Senate leaders would gain new authority over millions of dollars in campaign cash under legislation approved on Tuesday by a Senate Ethics and Elections Committee divided along party lines.
The legislation (CS/SB 880) revives so-called leadership funds, outlawed by lawmakers 20 years ago, but whose re-emergence has been fueled by accusations of financial mismanagement [...]

March 11 2010 | Posted in Local and State | Read More »

Lawmakers Compromise on Sex Offender Bill

Lawmakers Compromise on Sex Offender Bill

Lawmakers reached a tentative compromise Tuesday on a measure that would ban sex offenders from loitering in areas frequented by children and also set a minimum statewide buffer zone on how close offenders can live to schools and day cares.
The measure, which has been before the Legislature in past years, threatened to implode last [...]

March 11 2010 | Posted in Local and State | Read More »

Locksmith Crimes Cause Push for Licensing

Locksmith Crimes Cause Push for Licensing

Impersonating a locksmith could become a crime under legislation before Florida lawmakers that creates licensing standards for anyone who wants to make keys or pick locks for a living.
Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, and Rep. Tom Anderson, R-Dunedin, have both filed bills that would create locksmith licensing standards to stop criminals who set up fake [...]

March 11 2010 | Posted in Local and State | Read More »

Senate President Jeff Atwater on ‘What’s the Buzz?’

Senate President Jeff Atwater on ‘What’s the Buzz?’

Jeff Atwater, State Senate President and current candidate for Florida CFO, will be the guest on today’s episode of ‘What’s the Buzz?’ on ABC 1320 WBOB.
Atwater is a Republican member of the Florida Senate, representing the 25th District since 2003. In 2008 he became President of the Florida Senate, and his term is expected to [...]

March 11 2010 | Posted in Local and State | Read More »

Former Teen Heartthrob Corey Haim Found Dead at Age 38

Former Teen Heartthrob Corey Haim Found Dead at Age 38

Corey Haim, a 1980s teen heartthrob for his roles in Lucas and The Lost Boys whose career was blighted by drug abuse, has died. He was 38. Haim died early Wednesday at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, Los Angeles County coroner’s Lt. Cheryl MacWillie said.
An autopsy will determine Haim’s cause of death. There [...]

March 10 2010 | Posted in Nation and World | Read More »

Reader Poll: Your Pick for Jacksonville’s Next Mayor?

Reader Poll: Your Pick for Jacksonville’s Next Mayor?

Sometime next year, Jacksonville voters will head to the polls to pick our city’s next mayor. A trio of major candidates have already launched their campaigns, and several other high profile figures have announced that they will enter the race in early April.
The last time the Jacksonville Observer conducted a reader poll on the mayor’s [...]

March 9 2010 | Posted in Featured, Local and State | Read More »

Robin Lumb Appointed County Manager of Duval Republican Party

Robin Lumb Appointed County Manager of Duval Republican Party

Lenny Curry, Chairman of the Republican Party of Duval County, today announced the appointment of Robin Lumb to the newly created position as the party’s County Manager. The position was established by Curry for the purpose of streamlining the party’s Get Out The Vote effort in 2010.
“Our goal is a massive turnout of Republican and [...]

March 9 2010 | Posted in Local and State | Read More »