Former Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Frank Mackesy has been named the University of North Florida’s director of safety and security for the school’s police department.
Mackesy was selected after a national search.
“As an alumnus of UNF, I can think of no greater honor than teaming with the men and women of the University Police Department, faculty, staff and students in continuing the tradition of excellence in the delivery of police services to the university community,” Mackesy said in a news release.
He will be responsible for the direction of the university’s police department, including budget management, planning, developing campus safety initiatives and directing investigations.
Mackesy previously spent 32 years with the sheriff’s office and served as executive director of public safety programming at Florida State College at Jacksonville.
Downtown businesses taking part in Halloween event …
For the second year in a row, many Downtown businesses will be spooking the neighborhood as part of Downtown Vision’s “Trick or Treat on the Street.”
This year, 26 businesses will be taking part from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday. Staff from each will set up inside or outside the business and hand out candy, coupons and promotional goods. For more information and a map of the locations, visit downtownjacksonville.org.
The participants are:
• Downtown Vision Inc., 214 N. Hogan St.
• Farah’s Uptown Deli, 502 N. Hogan St.
• VyStar Credit Union, 214 N. Hogan St.
• Chamblin’s Uptown, 215 N. Laura St.
• The Brick Coffee House, 214 N. Hogan St.
• Diversions, 209 N. Laura St.
• The UPS Store, 221 N. Hogan St.
• Magnificat Café, 231 N. Laura St.
• Knott & Co. Jewelers, 222 N. Hogan St.
• Midtown Deli & Café, 100 N. Laura St.
• Quizno’s Subs, 224 N. Hogan St.
• Jacobs Jewelers, 204 Laura St.
• Hemming Plaza Jewelers, 231 N. Hogan St.
• Visit Jacksonville, 208 N. Laura St. No. 102
• Visit Jacksonville at The Landing, 2 E. Independent Drive
• United Optical Outlet, 326 Broad St.
• Down the Rabbit Hole, 42 W. Monroe St.
• Grease Rags Clothing Co., 40 W. Monroe St.
• Art Center Cooperative, 31 W. Adams St.
• Pho. A Noodle Bar, 117 W. Adams St.
• Indochine, 21 E. Adams St.
• Burrito Gallery , 21 E. Adams St.
• Chomp Chomp, 106 E. Adams St.
• Pita Pit, 491 W. Forsyth St.
• CoWork Jax, 5 W. Forsyth St.
• Florida Theatre, 128 E. Forsyth St.
… as are some at the St. Johns Town Center
The St. Johns Town Center is inviting participants to join its free Mall-O-Ween event from 6-8 p.m. Friday in the park green.
“St. Johns Town Center is the perfect place for families looking for Halloween entertainment in a fun, safe environment,” said Lindsey Von Hoven, The center’s director of marketing and development. “Whether kids want to show off their new costume or take home some Halloween-themed crafts, there is an activity here for every ghost, witch, princess and werewolf.”
The first 250 children to check in will receive a Halloween tote and candy map. Check-in starts at 6 p.m., with participating retailers offering sweets and treats.
For more information, call (904) 998-7156.
Edward Waters alumni association raises $20,000
The Edward Waters National Alumni Association and others raised more than $20,000 for the school during its homecoming celebration.
The check presentation was made Saturday during halftime of the homecoming game against Newport News Apprentice School. Members of the association included Edgar Mathis, Class of 1970, and chapter President Malachi Beyah.
“It is extremely important that we give back to an institution that has given all of us so much,” said Mathis in a news release. “I hope this presentation inspires other alumni and friends of the college to also make donations to ensure that EWC students today have the same opportunities for success that we had.”
Jacksonville’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ next month
A local rendition of a popular network competition will be back on the dance floor next month at the University of North Florida.
Jacksonville’s “Dancing with the Stars” competition featuring nine celebrity dancers will be 8 p.m. Nov. 15 at UNF’s Lazzara Performance Hall.
This year’s dancers are Alexandra Ackerman, vice president and co-owner of Iridium Holdings; John Azar, president and owner of Azar Sausage Co.; Stephanie Cost, wife of Jacksonville University President Tim Cost; Jacob Long, WTLV TV-12 and WJXX TV-25 reporter; Gary McCalla, a retired architectural designer, business owner and philanthropist; Debbie Moreland, owner of D. Mor Inc.; Cheryl Riddick, community engagement manager at the Jacksonville Transportation Authority; Kerri Stewart, senior vice president of Infinity Global Solutions; and Jesse Wilson, a writer and Family Support Services child welfare worker.
Public votes will decide who wins the competition.
The event benefits the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus.
Tickets range from $35-$75, with VIP seating already sold out. For more information, visit jaxdwts.com.
JetBlue adds flights at JIA
JetBlue Airlines is expanding at Jacksonville International Airport with the addition of two daily flights to Fort Lauderdale.
The service is slated to enhance connections for travelers heading to the Caribbean and Latin America.
No DDRB in November
The Downtown Development Review Board will not have a November meeting because there are no agenda items. The next scheduled meeting is noon Dec. 4 in the Lynwood Roberts Room at City Hall.
Area attractions offer free admission to children
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens; The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville; and The Museum of Science & History have teamed to offer free admission to children ages 3-12 during November.
The promotion, called “Kids Free Admission November,” will make it more accessible for families and children to see exhibits like Land of the Tiger at the Zoo, “Get Real: New American Painting” at MOCA and “Odyssey’s Shipwreck! Pirates and Treasure” at MOSH.
An adult must be present with children. The promotion isn’t valid with other discounts or separately ticketed events. Groups can’t exceed six people.
For more information about each venue, visit jacksonvillezoo.com, mocajacksonville.org and themosh.org.
Christian music festival coming to Jacksonville
Winter Jam, called Christian music’s largest annual tour, will make its way to Jacksonville for a Jan. 9 show at Veterans Memorial Arena.
SMG announced the local tour stop Tuesday. Promoted acts include Skillet, Jeremy Camp, Francesca Battistelli, Building 429 and For King & Country, along with others.
For information on tickets and other dates on the East Coast, visit the tour’s website at 2015.jamtour.com.