Officers and crew members of the M/V Ocean Glory were honored with a 2016 Admiral of the Ocean Sea Mariners award for heroism at sea.
The Crowley Maritime Corp.-based vessel rescued an Indonesian fisherman in the vicinity of the Bali Strait while en route to Banuwangi, Indonesia.
The account relayed by Capt. Christopher Hill reported the fisherman standing atop his overturned outrigger. He was stranded for about 20 hours before help came.
The strong current swept him out of the strait and into the more open part of the Indian Ocean.
While waiting for assistance, the crew attempted to pass a life jacket to the fisherman, but he lost his footing and fell into the water while still holding the ship’s heaving line. The crew worked together to drag him aboard.
Gator Bowl Sports to induct 2 into Hall of Fame class
Gator Bowl Sports announced it will induct a former football coaching legend and a longtime area volunteer into its Hall of Fame class for 2016.
The two will be inducted during the annual TaxSlayer Bowl Coaches luncheon at noon, Dec. 30, at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.
Former Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer made his first appearance in the former Gator Bowl game in 1994 and his squad played in five bowl games in Jacksonville. He retired at the end of 2015 season after 29 years at Virginia Tech.
Tom Shouvlin graduated from Ohio University, moved to Jacksonville in 1973 and was with Gator Bowl Sports for more than 40 years.
He served on the board of directors for the majority of his time and was “one of the most dynamic and dedicated volunteers this organization has ever had,” said Gator Bowl Sports President and CEO Rick Catlett in a news release.
Shouvlin passed away Sept. 21.
Aviators training at Naval Air Station Jacksonville
Those who have noticed some extra aircraft activity in the skies aren’t mistaken.
The Navy is on a training schedule that has carrier-based jet fighters and other aircraft conducting operations out of Naval Air Station Jacksonville through Dec. 18.
The operation is in support of aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush and embarked Carrier Strike Group 2 staff that departed Naval Station Norfolk to begin specialized exercises late last month.
The Composite Training Unit Exercise, commonly called COMPUTEX, is “the closest training to real-world scenarios that is available,” said Cmdr. Gabriel Mauldin, USS George H.W. Bush combat directions officer in a news release.
Brothers Osborne to headline TaxSlayer Bowl bash
Georgia Tech and the University of Kentucky will headline the TaxSlayer Bowl on the field the morning of New Year’s Eve, but the bowl-associated events continue throughout the evening.
That includes a free outdoor concert Downtown at Ocean and Forsyth streets headlined by the Brothers Osborne. The 2016 Country Music Association Vocal Duo of the Year will close out the concert that includes performances by Brett Young, Maggie Rose and Tyler Hammond.
The concert begins at 4 p.m.
NYE Bowl Bash VIP area tickets include complimentary beer, wine and soda and are available at nyebowlbash.com.
Dinkins receives top award from Northeast Florida Regional Council
The Northeast Florida Regional Council recently held its annual Regional Leadership Awards for Excellence, recognizing elected officials, projects and a variety of other distinctions.
The overall Regional Leadership Award was given to David Dinkins, a county agriculture agent who exemplifies service to community and a commitment to regionalism, according to the organization. Dinkins provided educational support for a variety of efforts, including farm production, marketing, agriculture awareness and youth development.
Because of his efforts, agricultural interests were included in the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.
For a full list of recipients and more information, visit nefrc.org.
City ethics officer Miller moderates international panel with United Nations
Carla Miller, director of the city’s Ethics Office, moderated a panel with the United Nations for its International Anti-Corruption Conference held in Panama City, Panama.
Panelists included four mayors of cities in Europe, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.
The panel was a coordinated effort between the U.N., Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, the Global Fund, the Commonwealth Local Government Forum and the UCLF Middle East Section.
It showcased how local governments can increase citizens' trust in their governments. That included identifying problems and solutions with transparency policies.
Deck the Chairs event this Sunday
As part of Jacksonville Beach’s annual Deck the Chairs event, there will be a night of music and dance from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Latham Plaza and Seawalk Pavilion in Downtown Jacksonville Beach.
There will be more than 40 decorated lifeguard chairs and a 30-foot tree on display, along with a visit by Santa Claus, dance performances, food trucks and chair-decorating awards.
Griggs Group rebrands as Pivot CPAs
Ponte Vedra-based The Griggs Group rebranded itself last week as Pivot CPAs.
The change breaks away from using one of the certified public accounting firm’s principals or an acronym to identify the business, with the new name also better communicating the business with customers, said managing partner Peter Reynolds in a news release.
The firm’s founder, Eric Griggs, sold the firm in 2007 to the current ownership group.
Ten UNF students receive Jaguars Foundation Scholarship
Ten undergraduate students majoring in athletic training at the University of North Florida recently received $1,000 scholarships from the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation.
The students are part of the school’s Brooks College of Health.
The funding is the first of a five-year commitment from the foundation providing scholarships for qualifying UNF students, who can use the money for expenses like room and board.
Eligible students had to complete an application that included four essay questions and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 along with community service.
Also, as part of a partnership with the NFL, Jacksonville Sports Medicine Program, Duval County Public Schools and Baptist Health, the foundation is committed to having full-time athletic trainers at all 17 county high schools.