Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why some Jacksonville seniors say they’re freezing inside their own homes
Happening soon: Ring in the New Year at Top Dawg Tavern! on the Jacksonville Patch calendar

Good day Jacksonville! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why some Jacksonville seniors say they’re freezing inside their own homes
- How Jacksonville’s food truck community is rescuing one family’s livelihood
- Why a deadly Oceanway warrant arrest is drawing fresh scrutiny
Also on today's calendar: Ring in the New Year at Top Dawg Tavern! and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Jacksonvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Jacksonvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Plenty of sunshine, but cool, with a high of 55 and low of 39 degrees.
- Thursday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 63, low: 44.
- Friday: Partial sunshine, with a high of 68 and low of 54 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Jacksonville senior living center residents say they're braving bitter cold with no heat (actionnewsjax.com) — Residents at Jacksonville’s Riverton Tower Senior Center say they’re enduring bitter cold without reliable heat, while also dealing with elevator problems and mold concerns in the decades-old high-rise. The Jacksonville-based nonprofit owner, Ability Housing, says it’s providing portable heaters and working to repair or replace the building’s HVAC system, but can’t yet give a repair timeline, leaving vulnerable seniors worried and frustrated.
![]()
2. Food truck community rallies behind family of trailer stolen on Christmas, launches GoFundMe (news4jax.com) — A Jacksonville food truck owner is scrambling to rebuild his livelihood after the Perla Del Norte trailer was stolen from its usual Northside spot between Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Fellow food truck operators have launched a GoFundMe and a Trout River Food Park owner is offering a reward, while Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office investigates and the family seeks tips from the community.
![]()
3. Family of warrant suspect says friend ‘didn't need to die' in Oceanway officer-involved shooting (firstcoastnews.com) — Jacksonville police fatally shot a driver during a high-risk warrant arrest in the Oceanway area, and a family friend is now questioning officers’ use of deadly force. Investigators say the man fought an officer and pulled a gun, while witnesses insist he had his hands visible. The case is under scrutiny as locals debate police tactics and training.
![]()
4. Jonas Brothers close out Daily's Place concerts as venue closes for two-year renovation (firstcoastnews.com) — Daily’s Place in downtown Jacksonville has closed for about two years as part of the Jaguars’ “Stadium of the Future” renovation, with the Jonas Brothers headlining its final show. Since opening in 2017, the amphitheater has hosted thousands of local fans and supported nearby small businesses, which now face a pause in concert traffic until the venue’s expected reopening around mid-2028.
![]()
5. ‘Self-certification has to go,' FMCSA leader says (safetyandhealthmagazine.com) — Jacksonville transportation professionals heard directly from the new FMCSA chief that federal regulators plan to end “self-certification” for truck driver training schools, logging devices, and medical reviewers. Speaking to the Transportation Club of Jacksonville, he detailed crackdowns on noncompliant schools and devices and highlighted stricter English proficiency enforcement for truckers, saying the ultimate goal is safer highways.
![]()
📸 Around Jacksonville
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Jacksonville
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Ring in the New Year at Top Dawg Tavern!
Top Dawg Tavern - Jacksonville 13820 OLD ST AUGUSTINE RD STE 417 JACKSONVILLE, Florida 32258
5:00 pm - Rewind: The Ultimate 2000s NYE Rave - 18+
FIVE , 1028 Park St , Jacksonville
9:00 pm - KIDZ BOP LIVE: The Concert Movie - Jacksonville
Cinemark Tinseltown Jacksonville and XD , 4535 Southside Blvd , Jacksonville
11:00 am - Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
Maryland Hall , 801 Chase St , Annapolis
6:30 pm - Enjoy Sunday Brunch with Live Music from Katmanduo at Top Dawg Tavern!
Top Dawg Tavern - Jacksonville (Bartram Park) , 13820 Old St Augustine Rd , Jacksonville
10:00 am - Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift
Maryland Hall , 801 Chase St , Annapolis
8:45 pm - Junhee 2026 US Tour - Into the Ocean
FIVE , 1028 Park St , Jacksonville
6:30 pm - The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Jacksonville, FL
Marriott Jacksonville Downtown , 245 Water St , Jacksonville
6:00 pm
Wednesday December 31
Friday January 2
Saturday January 3
Sunday January 4
Tuesday January 6
Saturday January 10
📣 Jacksonville Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Community Yoga
Bull Memorial Park & Adele Grage Cultural Center , 716 Ocean Boulevard , Atlantic Beach
9:00 am - Family Storytime - Lunar New Year In-Person
Middleburg-Clay Hill Library Middleburg-Clay Hill - Meeting Room,
10:30 am - Music & Movement In-Person
Green Cove Springs Library , Children's Department , Green Cove Springs
10:30 am - New Year's Party In-Person
Orange Park Library , Meeting Room A , Orange Park
11:30 am
Wednesday December 31
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Jacksonville PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Target posted a job opening for Overnight Inbound (Stocking) (T1921) in Jacksonville. Apply here.
- LaborMAX Staffing posted a job opening for Hotel Housekeeper 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 heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.