• There were several bag ladies roaming around the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville during the Florida-Florida State game Tuesday, but they definitely weren’t vagrants. Advanced Disposal Services sponsored the young girls, who walked around the stadium and through aisles between innings to collect recyclable products and raise awareness about recycling.
• Some more notes from the game: Long concession lines were a loud complaint at last year’s game, but this year things seemed much smoother. Of 10 people polled, nine said concession service was “much better” than last year. To help out some torn fans, the UF men’s basketball game against the University of Massachusetts in the National Invitational Tournament semifinals was shown on the closed circuit televisions in concession stands, and scores were continuously announced over the public address system between innings. Also, SMG officials hoped to break last year’s attendance record of 12,280, but this year only drew 7,215.
• State Attorney candidate Angela Corey has qualified by petition. According to the State Elections Office, Corey turned in 7,301 signatures, a few hundred more than the required 6,945. A representative from the office said her opponent — current Chief Assistant State Attorney Jay Plotkin — has submitted 2,276 verified signatures as of about 1 p.m. Wednesday. The candidates have until April 21 to qualify by petition.
• Jacksonville Economic Development Commissioner Joe Barrow Jr. has resigned effective May 31. Barrow is the CEO of The First Tee and, in a letter to Mayor John Peyton, cited “additional responsibilities taken on at the World Golf Foundation and other not-for-profit involvements.”
• Thirsty Thursday’s are usually a big hit during the Jacksonville Suns’ season, but the Suns are skipping the promotion — which offers $1 beers — in the season-opener tonight. Suns owner and GM Peter Bragan Jr. said since it’s spring break for Duval County public schools, he wants to have a more family-like atmosphere this week. David Lamm of AM-930 said the Thursday promotions are the “biggest meat market” in town.
• The altercation between City Council member Art Shad and a dog and its owner in a San Marco park has led to a lawsuit. According to reports released by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Shad said he was jogging when he was attacked by a dog, then got into a shoving match with its owner. Shad also claimed to have been bitten but said the bites didn’t break the skin and he required no medical treatment. Shad called 911 after he got home. The dog’s owner, attorney Timothy Kelly, called 911 shortly after the incident and told police he had been hit in the mouth by Shad. The lawsuit asks for $75,000 in damages for bodily injury, pain and suffering, disfigurement, mental anguish, inconvenience, loss of the capacity for enjoyment of life, expenses of hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment and a jury trial.
“This country has come to feel the same way when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of a hammer.”
– Will Rogers