• NBA rookie sensation LeBron James might be showing off his skills in Jacksonville this summer. James and fellow rookie Carmelo Anthony are being considered as replacements on the U.S. Olympic team for Seattle Guard Ray Allen, who is nursing an injury, or Laker all-star Kobe Bryant, who could be on trial for rape. The team will practice in Jacksonville from July 26 to 30 and will play an exhibition game June 30 in the Arena.
• The City is looking into a U.S. House of Representatives committee’s meetings on rising steel prices. Climbing prices have pushed up costs on city construction projects. Local manufacturers have been feeling the effect as well and have appealed to the City to get involved with the committee.
• City Director of Military Affairs Daniel McCarthy is watching in frustration as the Navy struggles to buy 30,000 acres of farmland in North Carolina. The Navy has hit some environmental snags in its attempts to acquire the land, which it wants to use as an air base. According to McCarthy, the Navy wouldn’t even be bothering with the land if it hadn’t closed Cecil Field. However, he sees an opportunity for the City to press to relocate the planes to NAS Jacksonville.
• The Florida Department of Transportation has awarded the City more than $55,000 to buy equipment to outfit DUI checkpoints.
• Farewell to a familiar face. Officer James “J.J.” Brady, who has served the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for the past 42 years and most recently was a fixture patrolling Downtown, will officially retire today.
• Deborah Gianoulis’ latest TV documentary will be on Ch. 4 Monday at 8. It’s called “Reading Minds” and tells the story of Judge Karen Cole’s efforts at reducing juvenile crime by teaching kids to read.
• The city’s annual Jacksonville Day in Tallahassee is next Wednesday and Thursday so don’t expect too many bigwigs to be around town. There will be a Wednesday reception for the mayor and other city officials, a Thursday breakfast with the local delegation and a Thursday barbecue lunch with state pols.
• The poker craze is producing such big crowds at the Bayard betting parlor that the owners — they also own the dog tracks — are having trouble getting enough dealers.
• Former Jacksonville Sun star Bubba Crosby was having trouble making the major leagues when he was owned by the Los Angeles Dodgers but now has a chance. He was traded to the New York Yankees, where injuries have opened an extra outfield slot.
• Mike Sullivan and Chris Sutton of the Sports and Entertainment Board are in Orlando looking over the NCAA basketball regionals. They’re getting the inside info so they can handle the first-round games when they come to the new Arena.