Wednesday, Jan. 7: Police Shootings + Armory Sale + Clean Energy Protest
Wednesday, Jan. 7
Your local news briefing
5 Headlines You Should Know Today
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Two Jacksonville police shootings reported Monday night.
Jacksonville police shot two men in separate incidents Monday night, both after suspects reportedly pointed guns at officers. In the first, a domestic dispute at the Luxor Club apartments escalated when 34-year-old Daniel Rodriguez allegedly drew a firearm. Officers J. Rodrick and J. Milam opened fire; Rodriguez later died at the hospital. About 10 minutes later, on Creeks Ridge Road, police confronted a man with a rifle. He complied, but his father, 68-year-old Offero Manalon, allegedly aimed the weapon at officers, prompting another round of gunfire. Manalon was wounded and arrested after a SWAT standoff.
City ups Armory sale price to $3M in revised deal.
After extensive negotiations, Jacksonville officials and Reva Development Corp. reached a revised $3.04 million sale price for the historic Armory building near Downtown. The 110-year-old Gothic-Revival structure will be converted into a food hall and artist space, following a stalled plan that began in 2020. The increased price addresses concerns about public reimbursement for a prior $496,000 grant and rising redevelopment costs. City Council committees also added clauses to ensure the property becomes taxable and cannot be resold for three years. A final Council vote is expected January 13.
Coal protest targets JEA’s failing clean energy grades.
Environmental activists dropped off bags of coal at JEA’s Downtown headquarters just before Christmas, sending a pointed message about the utility’s ongoing use of coal and petroleum coke. Despite some progress in diversifying energy sources, JEA has repeatedly earned failing grades in the Sierra Club’s “Dirty Truth” report, including an “F” in four of the past five years. Advocates are urging the utility to expand investment in solar power and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The protest highlights growing pressure on JEA to accelerate its transition to cleaner energy.
Details are in the new episode of WJCT’s First Coast Connect podcast.
Anheuser-Busch invests $30M in Northside brewery upgrades.
Anheuser-Busch is investing $30 million into its Jacksonville Brewery and Can Plant on the Northside to expand production of Michelob Ultra. The upgrades will enhance brewing and packaging equipment at the 200-acre site, which has operated since 1969. This marks the latest in over $100 million in local investments since 2021. The facility is one of 12 Anheuser-Busch breweries in the U.S. and includes a metal can plant expanded in 2022. The company says the improvements will help sustain jobs and support the local economy.
Nothing Putt Fun project advances despite zoning hurdles.
A proposed entertainment complex in St. Johns County has taken a key step forward, despite early resistance. The developer behind “Nothing Putt Fun” — a planned mini-golf, arcade, and food venue — has filed for a commercial permit to build on a four-acre site along U.S. 1 North, just south of Palencia. However, county commissioners must first approve a rezoning request at their January 20 meeting. The Planning and Zoning Agency recommended denial last month, citing concerns about wetland impacts. The project hinges on this upcoming vote.
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