• More than 609,000 vehicles went through Jacksonville Port Authority facilities in fiscal year 2006, making it one of the nation’s busiest vehicle-handling ports. The 2006 figure is a 13 percent increase over the previous fiscal year and only a few vehicles short of the record 615,030 vehicles that went through the port in fiscal year 2002.
• The newest branch office for the Supervisor of Elections is now open at 5200-2 Norwood Ave. It will provide the same services available at the Main Office including voter registration, updating voter information and pick-up and drop-off of absentee ballots. After the new branch has been open for a year, it will be eligible to be used as an early-voting site.
• The Jacksonville Airport Authority and Florida Community College at Jacksonville have developed a plan to put an aircraft-painting facility at Cecil Field. The JAA will contribute up to $10 million toward the cost of constructing the facility while FCCJ will apply to the state for $10 million in matching funds. If all goes as planned, JAA will lease eight acres to FCCJ for 40 years at no cost, FCCJ will build the facility and JAA will manage and operate it.
• The JAA board has also approved a ground lease of 2.2 acres at the intersection of International Airport Boulevard and Airport Road at Jacksonville International Airport for the construction of a 79-room Microtel Hotel Inn and Suite. Microtel hotels have been ranked highest in guest satisfaction in the economy category by J.D. Powers and Associates for the past five consecutive years.
• The Jacksonville Bank parking lot on Forsyth Street between Main and Laura streets has been closed until further notice due to construction underway at one of the buildings next to the lot. A brick fell on a car parked there.
• The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation has a couple of local ties. Mayor John Peyton is serving a six-year term on the board of trustees for the foundation, while Jeanne Miller, counsel to Florida Community College at Jacksonville and former deputy director of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, won one of the scholarships when she was in college. The Truman Foundation awards scholarships for students to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in government or other areas of public service.
• The Players Championship is holding the dedication ceremony for its new clubhouse May 7, the week of this year’s tournament. PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem is hosting the event and a big crowd is expected. Play begins May 10.
• The kick-off party for the 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer is Friday at Sneakers in Jacksonville Beach from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The race route will be announced, and the gathering marks the one-year countdown to the race.