Sexton receives ‘Rock of Community Award’ at annual celebration

Jacksonville Beach Mayor Christine Hoffman, Grace Allen, Susan Schaad and Charlene Shirk attend the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach’s Mineral City Celebration, held April 5 at the Northeast Florida Regional Airport.
Jacksonville Jaguars broadcaster Brian Sexton received the 2025 “Rock of the Community Award” at the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach’s recent Mineral City Celebration. …

Manatees stir up Ponte Vedra Beach

Sun, surf — and sea cows? On Monday afternoon, April 14, Ponte Vedra Beach residents and visitors witnessed a rare and wild spectacle — four adult manatees rolling and splashing through the …
Nease head coach Collin Drafts is carried on the field by his players following the win over rival Ponte Vedra.

Panthers make it back-to-back over rival Sharks

The Nease Panthers opened the season with a memorable victory as they defeated the rival Ponte Vedra Sharks 24-7 Friday night.
WEEKLY NEWS BRIEFS
Theresa Bruccoliere
Atwater program announces next speaker The Getting to Know You resident speaker program at The Atwater at Nocatee will feature Theresa Bruccoliere at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 23. Her topic will …
NEWS

Nonprofits set to take center stage on Giving Day 2025

Giving back to the community is something that people attempt to do throughout the year, but thanks to a unique partnership within the local nonprofit scene has led to a 24-hour period on May 7 and 8 …

Jacksonville Symphony to present Dvořák’s ‘New World’

Conductor Shiyeon Sung takes the baton for a Jacksonville Symphony program embracing the diverse sounds of America. Celebrate America’s diverse cultures in a captivating performance of …

FEATURES
Fresh leatherback turtle tracks at Mickler Beach
Rare leatherback turtle nest spotted at Mickler Beach
It’s quickly approaching that time of year when beachgoers can expect to see orange-and-yellow caution tape triangles indicating sea turtle nests. While the season technically begins on May 1 …
Linda Adams holds a copy of her book with her stepdaughters Bella and Sophia Hayes by her side.
Cancer is something that unfortunately most everyone knows at least someone who has been affected by it in some way or another, but for Linda Adams it has been a part of her world for much of her …
Jacksonville Parks and Recreation will host its third annual Monopoly Tournament on May 31, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Jacksonville Main Library, 303 N. Laura St. Registration began last …
Pictured from left are: Anthony Lizano, Kerry Burkhart-Weed, Jacqueline Fogg, Paula Felici and Marcus Patterson.
Every person has a story. We’ve all heard that, but how often do we consider the stories of the people we encounter each day, stories that remain unspoken because no occasion to share them …
Behar made a guest appearance at Underwood Jewelers
On April 4 and 5 community members gathered at Underwood Jewelers in Ponte Vedra to meet renowned designer Lika Behar. Behar is currently on tour at jewelry stores around the country …
IN THE ARTS
W.H.D. Koerner (American, 1878 – 1938), “Madonna of the Prairie,” 1921, oil on canvas, 43 1/2 by 35 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches, Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody, Wyoming. Museum purchase, 25.77.
Exhibit presents fresh look at art, cultures of the West
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is currently presenting “Knowing the West,” the first major traveling exhibition to embrace and explore the American West as a place shaped by people of …
Cumbrian Blue(s), New American Scenery, “California Wildfires” No:5, 2024. Transfer print on partially erased Beauty Spots of California transferware souvenir plate made in Staffordshire England c.1910 for Rowland Marsellus (importer)
“ American Scenery and Souvenirs: Transferware by Paul Scott” highlights the work of artist Paul Scott, whose familiar-looking, blue-and-white ceramics subvert traditional tableware motifs with …
The Crisp-Ellert Art Museum (CEAM) and Flagler College have announced this year’s screening of the Finger Mullet Film Festival will be held at CEAM on Friday, May 2. The opening reception will be …
Lou Pugliese
Retiring after two careers, Lou Pugliese decided to try his hand at writing a novel. After sending the completed manuscript to dozens of agents and publishers, he learned the difficulties of finding …
The Ritz Chamber Players (RCP) invite the community to a moving and powerful musical tribute, “The Ties That Bind,” in commemoration of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). This profound …
More Local News
UF neuroscientists led by Ramon Sun, Ph.D., left, and doctoral student Xin Ma have created an AI tool that can generate a high-resolution 3D brain map.
It is a detailed view of the brain like never seen before. In a significant technological leap, University of Florida researchers have created a powerful new computational and artificial …
Kathy’s Creative Gardens & Nursery
The burst of color from a climbing flower is a stunning addition to any landscape. These plants provide a vertical design element with minimal space requirements. The plants listed below are …
When financial markets fluctuate, perhaps in reaction to world events, inflation, or a change in interest rates, even the calmest investors can start to question their financial strategies. But …
Local vendors lined up outside the restaurant for the event.
Trasca & Co. Eatery celebrated its 10th anniversary by hosting a fun-filled birthday bash on April 12 as a way of saying thank you to the community that has meant so much to them over the years. …
Members of the community are invited to gather at Beth El — The Beaches Synagogue on the evening of Wednesday, April 23, for an evening of remembrance and a Yom HaShoah service. The yearly …
NOCATEE HAPPENINGS

linkThrive Women’s Retreat inspires women from across the region

Gurpreet Misra, co-founder of the link and Sapna Foundation, welcomes guests

On Saturday, April 12, members of the community gathered at the link in Nocatee for linkThrive Women’s Retreat. The event lasted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and treated guests to a transformative …

The link announces highlights for April

linkThrive Women’s Retreat Women from across the region will gather at the link, in the heart of Nocatee, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 12 for an inspiring retreat designed to nourish the mind, …

Circle of Creation helps women level up their lives, businesses

Women in the community are invited to join a transformative seven-session series at the link, where they will enhance their lives and businesses through a dynamic and inclusive learning environment. …

ONE OF US
Chef Barry Honan
Chef Barry Honan opened Lotus Noodle Bar as a way to bring his fine-dining experience and deep love for Japanese cuisine to St. Augustine, blending big-city flavor with a personal passion that’s …
Linda Benson
Linda Benson is career development director for Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty.
Tanya Ramos-Puig
Tanya Ramos-Puig is chief executive officer for the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, which will hold its annual “A Night in the Vineyard” on April 8.
Feeding Northeast Florida President and CEO Susan King is seen near one of the nonprofit’s trucks.
Susan King is president and CEO of Feeding Northeast Florida, which has been a beneficiary of generosity by THE PLAYERS Championship.
Michele McManamon, CEO of Operation New Uniform
Michele McManamon, CEO of Operation New Uniform, is a dedicated leader focused on helping military veterans transition to new careers. She has been actively involved with THE PLAYERS since 2010, …
SPORTS

UNF esports arena OK’d

The University of North Florida will open an innovative esports arena next year, after the Jacksonville City Council granted $3 million in support on April 8. The Flight Deck, UNF’s innovation …

Spring football schedules released, practice begins April 28

Nease and Beachside will both begin their spring football practices beginning Monday, April 28.

Coaches and players will begin to get a feel of the squads they will have as they prepare for the football season next fall with spring practice set to get underway in less than two weeks. The …

Comeback win thrusts Sharks into district championship

Aspen McAdoo earned the save against Orange Park High in a semifinal matchup to secure a spot in the district championship for the Sharks.

The Ponte Vedra Sharks are one win away from a district baseball title after the Sharks stormed back to defeat the Orange Park High Raiders 10-7 in a semifinal matchup and will face tournament host …

Obituaries
 Michael Palmer Diffenderffer
Michael Palmer Diffenderffer, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2025, at the age of 84, in his cherished home of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Born …
Cathy Dibble Raef
Cathy Dibble Raef, a beloved mother, sister, and friend, passed away in Fort Worth, Texas on March 7, 2025, just shy of her 74th birthday. Born in Dallas, Texas, on March 9, 1951, Cathy was a proud …
Death Notices for April 10, 2025
Connie Lee Adams Shea Connie Lee Adams Shea, 78, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, died March 15, 2025. Ponte Vedra Valley Funeral Home, Cremation Center & Cemetery – 904-285-1130 – …
Death Notices for April 3, 2025
Andrew Keltus Emmerth Andrew Keltus Emmerth, 90, of Ponte Vedra, Florida, died March 21, 2025. Ponte Vedra Valley Funeral Home, Cremation Center & Cemetery – 904-285-1130 – …
Death Notices for March 27, 2025
Lorena June Bagi Lorena June Bagi, 86, of Palm Coast, Florida, died March 17, 2025. Ponte Vedra Valley Funeral Home, Cremation Center & Cemetery – 904-285-1130 – www.pontevedravalley.com …
What parents need to know about the measles vaccine
The 19th details how people can best protect their families amid measles outbreaks. According to vaccine experts.
The workforce AI gap no one's talking about—but every frontline worker feels
TeamSense explores how manufacturers are using AI for automation, machinery, and supply chain optimization, but why most frontline workers are being left behind.
8 ways to manage your small business liability risk
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The truth about cortisol, aging, and weight loss in women
Hone Health explains that while high levels of cortisol can contribute to weight gain in women, changes in other hormones during menopausal transition can also have much to do with those unwanted pounds.
What's in America's medicine cabinets? A look at what families buy
SaveHealth takes a peek into America's medicine cabinets to understand what families are stocking, why they're stocking it, and what this means for both household safety and seasonal health preparedness.
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