NEWS

News Briefs for the Week of Oct. 8-14, 2026

A Notice to Our Best of Ponte Vedra Winners An out-of-state company has been contacting Best of Ponte Vedra winners to sell commemorative plaques featuring their award and logo. Please be aware …

Pet Supermarket plans Halloween event

Pet Supermarket, 880 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach, will have a special event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, Halloween. There will be doggie photos with Skelly The Skeleton, a bake sale, …

Tailor Your Closet to the Coastal Florida Lifestyle

Living in Ponte Vedra offers a highly sought-after blend of relaxed coastal charm and upscale elegance. From morning tee times to evening charity galas, the First Coast lifestyle is distinctly luxurious. Yet, while homeowners invest heavily in their living rooms and outdoor kitchens, the master suite is often overlooked. Your dressing room should be a personal sanctuary, designed with the same plush, resort-style luxury you experience at your favorite local country club. Read More...

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Ribbon cutting ceremony
Baptist Health opens emergency center at SilverLeaf campus
Those living in and around the SilverLeaf area now have more choice for emergency care with the opening of the Baptist & Wolfson Emergency Room at SilverLeaf. The new facility provides expert, …
University of Florida and UF Health officials cut a ceremonial ribbon at the opening of UF Health Durbin Park campus.
UF Health opens Durbin Park campus
UF Health recently celebrated the opening of its UF Health Durbin Park campus, a milestone in the organization’s regional growth. Located on 42.5 acres in northern St. Johns County, one of the …
Everyone gathers for the Oasis Face Bar ribbon cutting.
Oasis Face Bar grand opening generates excitement
A rejuvenating new escape awaits at Oasis Face Bar, a facial spa offering 30-minute facials in a fun and upbeat setting. Mother-daughter duo Katie and Kendall Brown celebrated the grand opening of …
Spooky season returns with Florida Water Tours’ Moonlit Mysteries
Florida Water Tours is welcoming fall and the Halloween season with the return of its popular Moonlit Mysteries: Haunted History Boat Tour. The cruise departs after sunset and features guides who …
A model shows off one of the creations from North Florida designers at last year’s JaxFuse festival.
Fashion Day brings back JaxFuse in style
Local fashion models will take to the runways Saturday, Oct. 10, during the JaxFuse festival to show off the collections of established and emerging North Florida designers, accompanied by music and …
High School Sports PREVIEW

Another big win for Nease Panthers

The Panthers played well on offense against the Generals.

Many high schools across the First Coast brought in the month of October with a bye week, but there was still plenty of high school football action to go around. The Nease Panthers defeated the …

Ponte Vedra gets second win of the season

The Sharks offense had a strong performance against the Golden Eagles.

The Ponte Vedra Sharks earned their second straight win of the season on Friday, Sept. 18, with a 31-18 road victory over the Fleming Island Golden Eagles. Carter Sole passed for 240 total yards …

Nease wins first game of the season

Creekside players celebrating after a touchdown

High school football is in full swing, and the Nease Panthers got their first win of the season on Friday, Sept. 4, over the Mainland Buccaneers. The Panthers put together a full team effort to earn …

A look at some other football programs nearby

Bartram Trail Bears The Bartram Trail Bears are off to a good start this season with a current record of 2-0. On Aug. 21, the Bears won their home opener against the Tocoi Creek Toros 37-3. …

Beachside hits the ground running

Beachside

High school football has returned to St. Johns County, and the Beachside Barracudas are off to a strong start. The Barracudas are currently 1-0 after defeating the KIPP Bold City Greyhounds 58-0 …

Young team key to Jaguars’ future

The Jacksonville Jaguars have officially concluded the preseason with a record of 2-1. The Jaguars defeated the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason but lost to …

LIFESTYLES
Kathy’s Gardening Guide: Crotons
In fall, the colorful leaves of croton plants begin to stand out around Northeast Florida. Crotons (“crow-tun”) are tropical plants known for their bright and varied foliage featuring hues of …
Homeowners often wonder whether it is better to plant annuals or perennials to develop color in their landscape. The answer is both! Planting a combination of annuals and perennials adds color and …
In Northeast Florida, we are part of Planting Zone 9. We have warm winters and hot summers that allow us to plant year-round. This climate also enables us to transplant trees during the fall, winter …
Are you looking for bold, bright blooms to bring color into your landscape? Hibiscus and hydrangea plants are great options. Both produce large, colorful flowers that stand out in garden beds and …
Observing nature in action is part of the wonder of gardening. Although deer can be as beautiful as butterflies, hummingbirds and other visitors, they can also cause significant damage to the plants …
IN THE ARTS
First Coast Cultural Center plans JAM exhibit reception on Oct. 15
First Coast Cultural Center (FCCC) will host an opening reception for the Best of JAM (Juried Art Member) exhibition from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at 6000B Sawgrass Village Circle in Ponte …
Catalyst Theatre is partnering with The Venue – Hastings to bring area residents something completely different: The Gilded Cage Supper Club, a full murder mystery dinner theatre experience. …
The date for the JaxFuse Film Day has been changed to Sunday, Oct. 18. JaxFuse is a celebration of the creative economy held at the link in Nocatee; it will be conducted on three days over two …
This month marks the Butterfield Garage Art Gallery’s annual October Invitational. During the month, member artists have the opportunity to invite guest artists to show their work in the gallery. …
Award-winning local artists Nikki and Eric Rakov have announced the opening of Rakov Studio Gallery, 137 King Street, Suite 101, in the San Sebastian Art District. Rounding out a trio of fine art …
More Local News
DONNA Foundation turns Breast Cancer Awareness Month into action
The DONNA Foundation has kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month, celebrating patients, survivors and their families through new partnerships, signature races and fundraising initiatives that …
Misdemeanor charges filed against three elected officials in St. Johns County were dismissed Friday, Oct. 2, by Eighth Judicial Circuit Court Judge William E. Davis. Prior to the dismissal, St. …
More than 40 area businesses became “ambassadors” for Betty Griffin Center over the last year, providing in-kind and monetary donations to the nonprofit agency that provides emergency shelter and …
The 2026 Marsh Landing Country Club Pink Ribbon Trio event continued Oct. 1 with Tennis for Tatas. Forty players in 20 teams of two took to the Marsh Landing tennis courts for some friendly …
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has announced that it is a recipient of the 2026 Southeastern Museums Conference Bronze Award in the Under $10,000 budget category for the exhibition “Touring …
ONLY ON THE WEB

Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library announces October programs

Here’s a look at programs being offered in October at the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library. To see the complete schedule, go to https://sjcpls.org/branches/ponte-vedra-beach-branch. …

COA’s River House announces classes and events for October

Council on Aging (COA) has announced the following programs will be held at COA’s River House, 179 Marine St., St. Augustine, beginning in October. Classes are one to five weeks long and begin …

PLAYERS Community Senior Center announces October programs

Council on Aging (COA) has announced the following programs will be held at COA’s THE PLAYERS Community Senior Center, 175 Landrum Lane, Ponte Vedra Beach, beginning in October. Most activities are …

NOCATEE HAPPENINGS

Gold ‘throne’ helps families battling cancer

A gold-painted toilet made its way from yard to yard throughout Nocatee in September, bringing plenty of laughs along the way — but behind the fun is a much more meaningful purpose. The Golden …

JaxFuse: Festival of creativity returns to the link

A table with food is seen from the 2025 JaxFuse Fashion Day.

JaxFuse, Northeast Florida’s one-of-a-kind celebration of the creative economy, returns this October for its third year. The three-day festival, held on three consecutive weekends at the link in …

RISE at Nocatee celebrates second anniversary

RISE at Nocatee celebrated its second anniversary Sept. 2.

RISE at Nocatee, a luxury active living community for adults 55+, celebrated its second anniversary on Wednesday, Sept. 2. Residents, staff and community members gathered to celebrate the growth and …

ONE OF US
Brette Petway
Jacksonville native Brette Petway is a self-taught artist who has been creating artwork for more than 30 years.  Tell us about your art and gallery. What inspires you? My art has …
Carl F. Cricco is president and CEO of United Way of St. Johns and Putnam Counties. Tell us about United Way and the resources it offers. Our work is really about strengthening the …
Artist Sandra FitzSimmons draws on her experiences growing up and living in the South and is interested in all things coastal. Tell us about your latest art collection. What inspires you? …
Chef Mimi Lan is a personal chef who works hard to ensure every detail is correct. What does a personal chef do exactly, and what kind of clients use your service? Most of my clients …
Kiwi Dabold is director of food and beverage and general manager at Coastal Farmer, an oceanfront restaurant inside the newly renovated Dune House Hotel & Spa. Tell us about your role …
SPORTS

PLAYERS Championship tickets now available

Tournament officials have announced that tickets for The PLAYERS Championship 2027 are now available at ThePlayers.com. The championship will be contested March 9-14 and bring together the …

Sporting Jax women’s team ties on the road

A Sporting Jax player getting ready to take a shot.

The Sporting Jax women’s team tied with Carolina Ascent FC 3-3 on Saturday, Sept. 26. This game was a rematch of last season’s playoff semifinal, and it did not disappoint. Jacksonville …

Nease wins at home

The Panthers offense turned in another good performance against Beachside.

The Nease Panthers are now 2-3 overall and 1-1 in district play after defeating the Beachside Barracudas 49-14 on Thursday, Sept. 24. The Panthers turned in a full-team performance to claim the …

Obituaries
Judith Hyle Hudgins
Judith Hyle Hudgins, age 81, passed away in her husband’s arms on October 2, 2026. Judy was born in Newport News, VA. and graduated from Ferguson High School. She was married to Edward A. Hudgins, …
David William Swanson
David William Swanson, 95, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, passed away at home surrounded by his family on September 28, 2026. Dave was born on November 26, 1930, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to …
Rose Wittemen
Rose Wittemen, 78, passed away gracefully on Sunday, September 13, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Born on December 28, 1947, Rose lived a life defined by quiet devotion, …
Christy Vlahos Bromberg
Christy Vlahos Bromberg of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on September 25, 2026, at the age of 68. Christy was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on March 12, 1958. Christy and her …
Mary Yvonne Rose
Mary Yvonne Rose, 91, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2026, at Community Hospice Center for Caring at Baptist Medical Center South. Mary was born in San …
More Lifestyle coverage

Americans own more clothes than ever. Here's how to store them correctly.

Closets by Design reports that Americans buy an average of 53 new garments yearly, leading to an increase in textile waste. 

Why clothing sizes still don't mean the same thing from one brand to another

Felina reports that online clothing sizes vary significantly by brand, making it essential to consult size charts, as there's no universal measurement.

Apple retired the 8GB Mac because of AI. 16 months later, AI brought it back

SmartScout reports Apple made 16GB standard in all Macs before launching the $599 MacBook Neo, which now drives 24.1% of their Amazon laptop revenue.

Survey: Many Americans pulled away from religion, then declined to pay for its replacement

Practical Enlightenment reports that a recent survey found 57% of Americans have pulled away from organized religion, yet 63% spent nothing on spiritual practices.

Report: Lab-grown diamonds reach 51% of new engagement rings in 2026

BriteCo reports over half of newly appraised engagement rings feature lab-grown diamonds, with median prices for these rings significantly lower than natural ones.
How real estate can help build generational wealth
Buchanan Street Partners reports that real estate is a key avenue for building generational wealth, providing income, tax benefits, and appreciation over time for families.
The trucking companies with the worst federal safety scores
THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys reports on trucking companies with high out-of-service rates based on federal inspections. 
What every woman should know about menopause and heart health
Hone Health reports that heart disease is the top cause of death for U.S. women, with perimenopause seen as a key time to monitor cardiovascular health.