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🌱 Patch AM: What Jacksonville police say led to deadly gunfire in Sandalwood

You won't want to miss Sunday Brunch and Live Music from Alex Affronti at Top Dawg Tavern! on the Jacksonville Patch calendar

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Sunday December 14th Patch AM
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Hello Jacksonville! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Jacksonville police say led to deadly gunfire in Sandalwood
  • How UNF’s president change could reshape Jacksonville’s hometown university
  • Will Jacksonville’s next jail be banned from historically redlined neighborhoods?

Also on today's calendar: Sunday Brunch and Live Music from Alex Affronti at Top Dawg Tavern! and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Jacksonvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Jacksonvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 73 and low of 39 degrees.
  • Monday: Breezy in the morning, temps: high: 53, low: 39.
  • Tuesday: Plenty of sun, with a high of 63 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Youth dies after triple shooting Jacksonville police say was drug related (jacksonville.com) — Jacksonville police say a drug-related triple shooting in the Sandalwood neighborhood left one youth dead and another youth and a man wounded Friday night. Officers and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue rushed all three to the hospital, and investigators believe the gunfire erupted during a drug transaction but say the incident appears isolated with no ongoing public danger.
   

2. UNF president Moez Limayem confirmed as new USF president, will stay at UNF until interim is named (actionnewsjax.com) — Jacksonville’s University of North Florida will soon launch a search for an interim president as Moez Limayem leaves to lead the University of South Florida in early 2026. Limayem says he’ll remain in Jacksonville through the transition, highlighting record gains in retention, fundraising, salaries, and state support during his tenure and promising a smooth handoff for students and staff.
   

3. Jacksonville officials consider excluding areas with ‘hazardous' mortgage security grades for new detention facility (news4jax.com) — Jacksonville city leaders are weighing a proposal that would bar any new pre-trial detention facility from being built in neighborhoods historically graded “hazardous” on 1930s redlining maps, including LaVilla, Durkeeville, and Mixon Town. Councilmember Peluso and colleagues say the move is about environmental justice and avoiding further burdens on communities already harmed by past discriminatory policies.
   

4. FBI Jacksonville now accepting nominations for 2026 Citizens Academy (actionnewsjax.com) — Jacksonville residents can now nominate themselves or local leaders for the FBI Jacksonville Field Office’s 2026 Citizens Academy, running April 2 to May 21. The free program offers an inside look at investigations and community safety work, with nominations due by Thursday, January 15 and submitted through the FBI Jacksonville Community Outreach page.
   

5. Edward Waters University reaffirmed for accreditation with no recommendations for improvement (actionnewsjax.com) — Edward Waters University in Jacksonville has just had its accreditation reaffirmed with zero recommendations for improvement, a strong sign of stability for students and families. The decision by the regional accrediting body secures continued access to federal financial aid, credit transfers, and key funding, reinforcing EWU’s standing as Florida’s first HBCU and a growing private university.
   

📸 Around Jacksonville

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Jacksonville

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📣 Jacksonville Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Sunday December 14
  • Hike Spanish Pond and Fort Caroline
    Fort Caroline National Memorial , 12713 Fort Caroline Rd , Jacksonville
    9:00 am
  • The Florida Ballet - The Nutcracker
    Thrasher-Horne Center , 2900 Thrasher Horne Ave , Orange Park
    2:00 pm
  • Silly Goose
    Jack Rabbits Live , 1528 Hendricks Ave , Jacksonville
    8:00 pm
    • Monday December 15
  • Family and Friends Hangout In-Person
    Keystone Heights Library , Keystone Heights - General , Keystone Heights
    10:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Amazon is now doing a new promotion for their drivers.
    Please send them compliments. The ones that get the most get a nice reward. I'm pretty much off until the new year but there are plenty of our… (Nextdoor Indian Trails)
  • Anyone missing a sweet black and white puppy?
    Looks to be maybe a year. Very sweet. Pics aren’t great but he was busy snooping around. Found him in middle of Craven Road headed toward Baymeadows… (Nextdoor Brierwood)
  • Quikrete Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Front End Loader Operator in Jacksonville. Apply here.
  • Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Jacksonville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Jacksonville here.

Ok Jacksonville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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