• Judicial Assistant for Chief Circuit Court Judge Donald Moran, Mary Lou Martinson, plans to retire July 30, ending a career in the legal community spanning more than 30 years. Martinson cited health problems as a reason for her retirement. “I’ve only had four jobs in my life and I feel extremely blessed to be able to say that,” she said.
• Jacksonville Port Authority CEO Rick Ferrin and Panama Canal Authority Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta launched a strategic partnership Tuesday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. The memorandum, signed at the Panama Canal Administration Building, outlines joint efforts to increase economic growth, share business intelligence, promote commercial activity and maximize expansion projects. Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton and JPA Board of Directors Chairman David Kulik also attended.
• University of North Florida police now carry tasers. A story in the recent edition of the Spinnaker, the school’s student newspaper, says the police started carrying them April 1. The school is now the eighth college in the state to allow its police force to carry the non-lethal weapons.
• If you haven’t been down Beach Boulevard lately, then you haven’t noticed the former Sticks ‘N’ Stuff furniture store is now Kaplan College.
• This year’s Vestcor 5K Bridges Run is July 31. The race starts in Hemming Plaza at 7:30 p.m. and includes the Acosta and Main Street bridges. Proceeds from this year’s run will benefit MOCA.
• Downtown takes center stage at the Urban Land Institute North Florida program at 7:30 a.m. May 5 at the St. Joe Building along Riverside Avenue. The group will look at the new “Turning the Corner” report about downtown. Terry Lorince of Downtown Vision and report editor John Welch will discuss the report. Attendance is limited. For information, email [email protected] or call 486.8256