• Spohrer Wilner Maxwell and Matthews law firm announced Monday a $3.75 million settlement in a case dating back to a 2001 airplane crash that killed 21 National Guardsman. The firm’s investigation showed that the crash was a result of modifications made to the plane and not pilot error as originally thought.
• City Council member Art Shad, whose district includes San Marco, said he’s okay with using the remains of the old Fuller Warren Bridge for a fishing pier provided it’s safe and affordable and doesn’t interfere with traffic in and out of Baptist Medical Center. Shad looked at the idea about a year ago in Council committee, but said there was no way to fund the estimated $2 to $4 million cost.
• The University of North Florida campus has a bird problem. In addition to a large flock of geese who apparently have moved in full time rather than migrating, there’s a flock of vultures who sit on the top of buildings and eye students as they walk below.
• The man who paid $91 million for our BellSouth Tower is the same one who is converting one of the nation’s most famous hotels, the Plaza in New York City, into condominiums. Israeli immigrant Yitzhak Tshuva is closing the Plaza on April 30 for a renovation project.
• How many police officer overtime dollars are being allocated for the Super Bowl? According to a pending piece of legislation, up to $1.3 million may be
needed to pay for those extra manhours.
• Good news for downtown non-profit group Community Connections: they’ve leased out their Duval Street parking lot for over a week to be used for Super Bowl-related purposes. They stand to make about $3,000.
• City Council vice president Kevin Hyde should have no problems in being voted in as president later this year. With the exception of Council member Pat Lockett-Felder, every other Council member has offered a written endorsement.