City of Jacksonville, Alabama

09/14/2026

Thanks for sharing, East Alabama Now! We're proud of our first responders and the work they do to keep advancing their skills and enhancing our community.

According to a Press Release from the City of Jacksonville, Alabama -🚔 Jacksonville Police Chief Marcus Wood is among 35 public safety leaders selected for the 2026 Alabama Public Safety Leadership Academy.

The nine-month program focuses on leadership, training and collaboration among public safety agencies across Alabama.
Wood says building relationships with other public safety leaders is an important part of preparing for future emergencies.
Mayor Mark Jones praised Wood’s professional growth and commitment to Jacksonville, its officers and residents.

09/14/2026

The Jacksonville City Council meets Monday night at 6 p.m. in the Johnny L. Smith Council Chambers at City Hall, 320 Church Ave. SE, with a work session at 5 p.m.

See the agendas below and watch along live at 6 p.m. on YouTube:

Work Session: https://www.jacksonville-al.org/media/12961
Meeting: https://www.jacksonville-al.org/media/12966
YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/sQxAlWPlSEo?feature=share

09/12/2026

Today we were proud to host two more events celebrating our national heroes and thanking them, and their families, for the sacrifices they made.

In the late morning, community members and leaders gathered together to honor Charles G. Haight and Kyle Comfort, two Jacksonville residents and active servicemen who gave their lives in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, respectively. Members of the Haight and Comfort families were at the ceremony and unveiled the monument alongside David Hall, commander of American Legion Post 57 Jacksonville, Al. Many sponsors came together to make the monument and the event possible, and we cannot thank them enough for their involvement in honoring our hometown heroes. They include: AmFirst, the CDP Employee Association, ORSA Technologies, the Women's Army Corps Veteran's Association Heritage Chapter 62 and the American Legion Riders Post 57, among several individual donors.

Earlier in the morning, we also hosted our first Ride to Remember, with dozens of cyclists traveling from the city community center along the Chief Ladiga Trail on routes approximately 9.11 miles in length. Thank you as well to Chief Marcus Wood and Councilman James Newell for speaking at the event, as well as the Jacksonville Parks & Recreation Department and the Calhoun Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitor's Center for their help in carrying out both events today.

09/12/2026

Join us the unveiling of a new monument at the Jacksonville city cemetery, honoring Charles Haight and Kyle Comfort, both Jacksonville residence and military servicemen killed in action.

09/11/2026

Join us for A Ride to Remember, a free community event honoring the police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and first responders who courageously served on September 11, 2001, and remembering the lives that were lost.

The event will begin at the Jacksonville Community Center on September 12.

Schedule:
• 8:00 AM – Check-in
• 8:30 AM – Opening program featuring an instrumentalist, guest speakers, and a moment of silence
• Immediately following program– Ride begins

Participants may choose between two route options:
• 4.55 miles out and 4.55 miles back
• 9.11 miles out and 9.11 miles back

This event is free and open to the community. All pre-registered participants are guaranteed an event T-shirt. Day-of registration will be available, with T-shirts distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Register online at https://jacksonvilleal.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=183

Come ride with us as we honor the heroes of September 11 and remember those whose lives were forever changed.

09/11/2026

Early this morning, first responders, veterans, students and community members joined together for the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, including our own Jacksonville Fire Department, at AmFirst Stadium on the Jacksonville State University campus.

Participants climb 110 stories, the height of the World Trade Center towers, to honor the firefighters, police and medical personnel who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, in New York. It's a taxing physical task, and a reminder of the sacrifices that have been made by Americans, for Americans.

We're proud of our first responders and our community members for getting out there and keeping the tradition, and the memory, alive.

Photos courtesy Alyssa Cash/Jacksonville State University

09/11/2026

Today we recognized the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, and the loss of one of our own that day: Army Maj. Dwayne Williams, who worked in the Pentagon and was a Jacksonville native.

Thank you to everyone who attended, watched at home, or simply offered their prayers, or who has helped over this last quarter-century to pick up and carry on. Special thanks to Mike Abrams, master of ceremonies, speakers Chris Yeager, Lt. Col. Eddie Walker, and of course, Roy Williams and the Williams family, for organizing and attending each year.

09/11/2026

Join us for the 25th anniversary ceremony of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks at the city cemetery:

09/11/2026

09/11/2026

After 25 years, we still remember the not just the pain we all felt on Sept. 11, 2001, but also the triumph of overcoming tragedy together as a nation.