• Guaranty Bank CEO Jay Fant will replace Blue Cross/Blue Shield lobbyist Mike Hightower on the JEA Board of Directors. Hightower has served on the board since 1996, including two years as chair.
• The Terrace Suite at Alltel Stadium is hosting an open house Feb. 19 from 5:30-8 p.m. to show off its cuisine and service.
• Jaxport is continuing to search for a permanent home for City cruise ships. Although many people favor the current location at Drummond Point because of its proximity to I-95 and the airport, Jaxport spokesperson Robert Peek said an ideal location would lie east of the Dames Point Bridge. The Holiday cruise ship Miracle will clear the bridge by only four feet, and Peek said many of the newer ships won’t fit. He said the recently christened Queen Mary II would rise 55 feet above the bridge. “With the trend toward bigger ships, we want to make sure we don’t limit ourselves,” said Peek.
• Circuit Court Judge Waddell Wallace says the next step in the process to fill the federal judicial vacancy created by the death of Judge Ralph W. Nimmons is interviews with the White House staff, though no date has been set. Wallace and attorney Christine Milton are among the six finalists for the job. “I’m looking forward to the remaining process toward the final selection,” said Wallace.
• DuPont Filterworks, the State and Toyota will present a $500,000 check today to officials at FCCJ’s Downtown Campus for its Transportation Technology facility. There will also be a dedication of the Collision and Refinishing Training Center. City Council vice president Elaine Brown will handle the ribbon-cutting honors.
• Enterprise Florida Inc., is inviting local businesses to participate in the first China Import Exhibition in Guangzhou, China. An Enterprise statement said the event, scheduled for May 18–22, will provide access to Chinese business and government contacts necessary to “gain a foothold in the China market.”
• Johnny Rembert, head of the local NFL Alumni Association, will be talking to officials at Edward Waters College about a job at the school, quite possibly athletic director. “Johnny Rembert is interested in us, and we are interested in anything that will make things at Edward Waters College better through academics or athletics,” said Bob Alan, the present AD. “If he wants to come over, we’re going to do our best to find a way to make that happen.” Alan, who was named AD six months ago, would stay at the school, working in fund-raising, marketing and public relations.