• The Fraternal Order of Police filed a “Charge Against Employer” against the City on Tuesday with the State’s Public Employees Relations Commission. Peyton, according to the charge, had an impromptu lunch meeting with two officers and discussed the budget and union concessions. It charges that Peyton’s “actions and comments were intentional and designed to usurp and interfere with President (Nelson) Cuba’s position and authority as leader of the FOP collective bargaining unit.” Adam Hollingsworth, Peyton’s chief of staff, made a statement Wednesday afternoon: “We are focused on saving the city money and treating employees fairly and we’re not going to be distracted by these kinds of antics.”
• Trying to sell the season tickets needed to lift a TV blackout, the Jaguars announced that its 2010 “Half Packs” are available. The Half Pack offers fans the opportunity to purchase the same seat for five 2010 Jaguars home games at EverBank Field, starting at $250. Visit www.jaguars.com.
• Existing condo sales in metro Jacksonville rose 90 percent over the year, from 359 in the second quarter of 2009 to 682 in the second quarter this year, but the median sales price fell 42 percent, from $126,900 to $74,200, reports the Florida Realtors.
• Meanwhile, existing single-family home sales in the Jacksonville metropolitan area rose 33 percent in the second quarter compared with last year, while the median sales price dropped 9 percent. Sales rose from 3,054 in 2009 to 4,073 this year, while the price fell from $160,300 to $145,100.
• “Steak Me Out to the Ballgame” is on the menu at Saturday’s Jacksonville Suns game, and $20 will buy a filet mignon, baked potato and salad along with general admission. The dinner is 5:30-8 p.m. The offer is also scheduled Sept. 4-5 and Sept. 10. Reservations: 358-2846 or jaxsuns.com
• Watch out when it comes to underage alcohol sales and use. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco will patrol college towns statewide through Aug. 22 to ensure compliance with underage drinking laws and retailer compliance with alcoholic beverage sales.
• City Council President Jack Webb created a five-member City Council Special Committee to Review Charter Revision Commission Recommendations. The panel will review the work of the 2009-10 Charter Revision Commission and make recommendations to Council about which proposals to implement and what further actions should be taken by Council. Meetings are 5 p.m. Sept. 7, Sept. 20, Oct. 4 and Oct. 18 in Council chambers. A report is due Nov. 1.
• The new 30,000-square-foot Jacksonville University Marine Science Research Institute along the St. Johns River is open. Executive Director Quinton White told the Jacksonville Waterways Commission Wednesday that he and other staff members moved in and the official grand opening is 10:30 a.m. Sept. 24.
• Also at Waterways, Commission member Penny Thompson asked if seafood from the gulf was safe to eat. “Along the coast of Florida, yes,” said White. Member Lane Burnett asked if it was safe for kids to swim in the St. Johns River near Julington Creek and Goodbys Creek. “As long as you don’t see any algae or white foam,” said White.
• In other St. John’s River news, White reported that the river has maintained a temperature at or near 90 degrees recently. “It’s been a very warm year for the river so far,” said White.