JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – At The Local Station, we pride ourselves on being Positively JAX.
That means not only shining a spotlight on the good things happening in the Jacksonville community but setting a positive example through volunteerism and charity.
Related: Nominate a person, project, or organization to win our ‘Positively JAX’ award | Join the Positively JAX movement. Make a difference.
We report on stories all year long when we see positive things happening in our communities. We want to share with you the stories that really hit home with our viewers.
End your year on a positive note with these top stories that will make you smile!
Well-known professional bodybuilder just turned 79, and she has no interest in slowing down
We started off January strong with our top Positively JAX story of the year, all thanks to one fit woman!
We highlighted Iris Davis’ story. She’s a professional bodybuilder who just turned 79 — and she’s living proof that age is just a number.
On her 74th birthday, she went on live television in Texas and broke a world record number of pull-ups by someone her age — 21.
Click here to read the full story.
UPS driver leaves touching note after seeing Buffalo Bills flag flying at Jacksonville home
It was two days into 2023 when a horrible accident occurred. Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field.
After the incident, it seemed like the entire world came together to support Hamlin, with constant updates on how he was doing.
During this time, a News4JAX viewer — who is also a huge Bills fan — missed his package, and a UPS driver left a “sorry we missed you” note with three heartwarming words: “Prayers for Hamlin (#3).” It was realized the driver saw his flag flying on his home and wanted to tell the homeowner he was thinking about his team.
Read the full story here.
FREE family fun: Save big during ‘Kids Free November’
It’s a month-long initiative to get families out of the house and supporting our local businesses.
For the ninth year in a row, Visit Jacksonville partnered with the city’s top family attractions for Kids Free November, a special month-long promotion that offers free admission and other discounted activities for children at local museums and attractions.
It happens every year and News4JAX always compiles a list of events to keep everyone in the loop!
Click here to see the list.
‘I’m not going to judge’: JSO officer turned pizzeria owner serves up slices and second chances
A story about a Jacksonville Sheriff’s officer and his pizzeria turned heads in November due to one thing — kindness.
Officer Gregory Hernandez, a 4-year veteran of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and a trained negotiator, purchased an Arlington restaurant and hired a man he personally arrested.
Hernandez says since the man’s first day at work, he’s been a reliable, dedicated employee.
Click here to read the full story.
Jacksonville man holds signs, hands out flowers on Beach Blvd. to remind people they matter
Sometimes it doesn’t take much to make someone’s day. In this case, it was as simple as a sign and some flowers.
Back in September, a News4JAX viewer reached out to us on social media and said she passed a man who was standing in the median of Beach Boulevard and San Pablo Road South holding signs that read, “Have a wonderful Day!! I Love You,” and “You are Relevant.”
The kind messages came during National Suicide Prevention Month.
Click here to read the full story.
Clay County 6-year-old sings with Kelly Clarkson & Dolly Parton, shares how Imagination Library helped her read braille
Six-year-old Rosie from Clay County made national headlines back in November when she appeared on the Kelly Clarkson show and stole our hearts!
Rosie is blind but was reading at three years old thanks, in part, to Braille books that were sent to her through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Rosie appeared on The Kelley Clarkson show and got to meet Dolly Parton!
Click here to read the full story.
Jacksonville couple married at Gate Express Car Wash receives free honeymoon, car washes for a year
This story really took Duval County by storm at the end of 2023!
One of our News4JAX co-workers, Bruce Melvin, married his sweetheart of more than five years in a car wash!
After the story went semi-viral, Gate Petroleum in Jacksonville threw a party for the two and gifted them free car washes for a year and a honeymoon at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club!
Read the full story here.
Ribault High School alum helps graduating seniors pay for caps and gowns
Roughly 300 Jean Ribault High School and Raines High School seniors were gifted caps and gowns thanks to a generous donation from Angie McDaniel, a Ribault High alum.
McDaniel started a non-profit nearly three years ago called Single Moms Impacting Lives Everywhere. One of the resources within her charity is called the “Glad Grad” program. McDaniel pays for caps and gowns for students who are not able to afford them.
Read the full story here.
The ultimate trick-or-treat treasure: 15 children claim their new homes just before Halloween at adoption event
It was a family celebration on the eve of Halloween at the Duval County Courthouse as it was transformed into a trick-or-treat treasure trove.
Fifteen local children were adopted and claimed their permanent homes just in time for Halloween. (For more information about how to foster or adopt a child in care, go to familysupport.org.)
Read the full story here.
Positively JAX: ‘Night to Shine’ in Jacksonville gives people with special needs a prom to remember
Back in February, it was a night to remember for more than 1,000 people with special needs who were crowned Kings and Queens at the 9th Annual Night to Shine Prom. This year, it was back in person, after two years of modified events due to the pandemic. Last year it was a drive-through event and virtual program.
News4JAX always covers this Positively JAX event — News4JAX anchor and reporter Vic Micolucci and River City Live usually attend the event to help bring smiles to those who attend.
Read the full story here.
Which positive story stood out to you the most in 2023? Let us know in the comments section below!
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