• With a little help from the town of Callahan, the City found a dump truck that’s been missing from the Jacksonville fleet since 1998. The City loaned the truck to Callahan to help fix a drainage problem. City Council member Jerry Holland asked Council Auditor Richard Wallace whether the misplaced vehicle indicated a larger problem. Wallace said he was investigating. “Any time we discover a vehicle that’s been on loan for six years, it’s a concern,” said Holland.
• City Council president Lad Daniels will host a workshop next week to inform Council members about their new pension options. A recent opinion by the State Attorney General gives Council members the option to join the Florida Retirement System Pension Plan.
• More than 500 rooms have been set aside at the Adam’s Mark Hotel for participants in the State Cheer and Dance Competition, being held this weekend at the Osborn Center. That translates to about 2,000 young people, mostly from high schools around the state, staying at the hotel. Some participants are expected to check in Thursday, with the bulk coming in on Friday and Saturday.
• Former Circuit Court Judge Bill Maness has moved his offices out of the old Barnett Bank building. He has relocated to the second floor of the Law Offices of Roy Dezern, 500 N. Ocean St. The phone number has stayed the same (353-5786).
• The Council’s research into a living wage for City employees revealed 158 civil service employees, earning $9.19 an hour — the proposed living wage — or less. About 17 percent will receive raises after passing a probationary period. There are currently 449 temporary employees who work a 40–hour week and earn $10.19 an hour, according to numbers provided by Human Resources chief Adrienne Trott.
• “All-Americana,” part of the Winn-Dixie Coffee Series, will be performed at 11 a.m. Friday by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Preconcert coffee and cookies will be served at 10 a.m. in the T-U Center. The concert includes works by Gershwin, Bennett, Gould and Copland. A second concert will be held at 8 p.m., also on Friday, as part of the Jacksonville Greyhound Racing Discovery Series. That show will feature the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus.
• A local beauty has landed a part in a new reality TV show. Jacksonville resident Yoanna House, who owned a beauty store on the Southbank a couple of years ago, is competing in the UPN show, “America’s Next Top Model,” which debuts Tuesday.
• Gene’s Sandwich Shop on West Adams Street has reopened.
• Hemming Plaza Jewelers on Hogan Street is now open.
• Lots of City Hall types are training for the Gate River Run in March, including City Council aides Jessica Adams and Heather Patterson, Council members Lake Ray, Reggie Fullwood, Lake Ray and Sharon Copeland and Council liaison Michele Querry.