• U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Paul Perez joins Circuit Court judges Lance Day, Waddell Wallace, U.S. Magistrate Thomas Morris and local lawyers Alexandra Hedrick, Mary Jarrett, Christine Milton and Edward Trent on a list of applicants to fill a federal judgeship that opened when U.S. District Judge Ralph Nimmons died in November.
• Talk of Florida Coastal School of Law moving downtown is still in the talking stages. According to Downtown Development Authority managing director Al Battle, the law school and the DDA have discussed different opportunities, but no concrete plans or any particular properties have been identified as sites for the law school.
• Speaking of Florida Coastal, Tom Wippman, principal with Sterling Partners, the school’s new owners, says naming a new dean is “probably” two weeks away because the sixth and final candidate for the position has yet to be interviewed. Among those attending Mayor John Peyton’s speech at the law school Tuesday was General Counsel Rick Mullaney, prominently rumored to have the inside track on the job.
• The assistant project engineer for the Jacksonville Zoo’s Range of the Jaguar says it has been difficult building all the animals’ needs into the exhibit. But John Thomas is used to working for a demanding clientele. His last project was the U.S. Courthouse at Jacksonville. “When you’re building a courthouse, it’s the judges you have to worry about,” he said. “They drive everything.”
• Clarification to our story Tuesday on the zoo, which received $200,000 from the City to promote its new Range of the Jaguar, not $400,000 as we reported.
• The Chamber’s Cornerstone says it is targeting “big box” regional distribution centers for relocation to Northeast Florida. Several consumer product distributors have shown interest and are attractive because they employ large numbers at above average wages.
• Looking to really get in the mood for the Super Bowl. The Bud Zone at Alltel Stadium will be open for the game Sunday. Doors open an hour before kickoff.
• The City received some input from an unexpected source on library management. FCCJ President Steve Wallace told City interim Chief Financial Officer Walt Bussells that the City should question the library department’s management philosophy. Wallace said there are more effective and efficient ways to run a library. The City is pursuing further conversations with Wallace.
• A portrait unveiling will be held at 4 p.m. March 18 for the late Judge Giles Lewis, who presided over Circuit and County courts. Major B. Harding is among those scheduled to make remarks. The ceremony will be held in Courtroom 4 of the Duval County Courthouse.