🌱 Patch AM: How an AI deepfake tricked a Ponte Vedra Beach grandmother’s life savings

Good day Ponte Vedra Beach! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How an AI deepfake tricked a Ponte Vedra Beach grandmother’s life savings
• How a nearby mayoral change could shape growth near Ponte Vedra Beach

Also on today's calendar: St. Augustine Community Chorus Christmas Concert.

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Sunny and cooler, with a high of 64 and low of 48 degrees.
• Sunday: Abundant sunshine, temps: high: 66, low: 56.
• Monday: Strong winds; some sun, with a high of 70 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• A grandmother says a ‘doctor' made her believe she could increase her life savings for her grandson. It was an AI scam (news4jax.com) — An 82-year-old Ponte Vedra Beach grandmother says she lost nearly all her savings to an online deepfake investment scam while trying to provide for the autistic grandson she raises. She’s filed a report with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and launched a GoFundMe, hoping her story will both recover some funds and warn neighbors about AI-driven frauds.
   

• Sweeny Named Mayor of St Augustine Beach HISTORIC CITY NEWS (historiccity.com) — Local leaders recently celebrated the withdrawal of a controversial land swap near Ponte Vedra Beach, highlighted in coverage of St. Augustine Beach’s new mayor, Beth Sweeny. While the story centers on her appointment and priorities for neighboring St. Augustine Beach, it underscores growing regional cooperation that can affect development, infrastructure, and tax policy along the coast, including communities like Ponte Vedra Beach.
   

📸 Around Ponte Vedra Beach

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Ponte Vedra Beach

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Sunday December 21

• Apex Theatre Studio Presents: A Christmas Carol
  Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A N, Ponte Vedra Beach
  2:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 20

• St. Augustine Community Chorus Christmas Concert
  Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine , 38 Cathedral Pl , St. Augustine
  7:30 pm

📣 Ponte Vedra Beach Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday December 20

• The Beaches Green Market
  Jacksonville Beach, FL Calendar , 321 Penman Road , Jacksonville Beach
  10:00 am
• Children's Craft
  Beaches Branch Library , 600 3rd St , Neptune Beach
  10:00 am
• Kid’s Art Class (Ages 6-10)
  Atlantic Beach Arts Market , 1805 Mayport Rd , Atlantic Beach
  1:00 pm
• Branches of Christ Church
  Palm Valley Community Association Center , 148 Canal Blvd. , Ponte Vedra Beach
  2:00 pm

Sunday December 21

• Yoga in the Park
  Jack Russell Park , 800 Seminole Road , Atlantic Beach
  9:00 am
• Yoga in the Park (FREE!) - December 21st!
  Jack Russell Park , 850 Seminole Rd , Atlantic Beach
  9:00 am
• Farmers Market
  Jack Russell Park , 800 Seminole Road , Atlantic Beach
  10:00 am
• Sound Healing & Soundbath Meditation Sessions | Jacksonville’s Only Sound Healing Studio on home of SoundBath Jax
  Soundbath Jax , 469 Atlantic Blvd #6 , Atlantic Beach
  5:30 pm

Monday December 22

• Planning Commission Meeting
  Jacksonville Beach, FL Calendar Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
  6:00 pm

Monday December 29

• Mrs. DeSpain’s Kid’s Two-Day Winter Art Workshop (Day 2/2)
  Atlantic Beach Arts Market , 1805 Mayport Rd , Atlantic Beach
  9:00 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

• Anybody know anything about Baptist Health not accepting United healthcare Medicare supplemental traditional insurance for mammogram and bone density.
  Been in Fl since 2016 NEVER BEEN AN ISSUE. I called United healthcare and they said of course they cover it - if Medicare covers it so do they. … (Nextdoor Riverwood)

• Marriott posted a job opening for Housekeeping Attendant in Ponte Vedra Beach. Apply here.
• City of Jacksonville Beach Florida posted a job opening for Equipment Operator I (Distribution & Collection) in Jacksonville Beach. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ponte Vedra Beach here.

🗞 Nearby News

Jacksonville Beach

• Jacksonville Beach Pier Dance continues holiday traditions (pontevedrarecorder.com)
• Caitlin Brunell named vice president of Ascension St. Vincent's Foundation (jaxdailyrecord.com)
• Air Force Thunderbirds join Navy Blue Angels on 2026 NAS Jax Air Show schedule (jaxdailyrecord.com)

Neptune Beach

• Former Neptune Beach police commander sues department, alleges health-related discrimination (news4jax.com)

Ok Ponte Vedra Beach! 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 dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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