A homeless teacher, the retired Duval Schools Police Director, and guns on college campuses are all in the headlines today.
Welcome to WJCT First Read, your daily weekday morning round-up of stories from the First Coast, around Florida, and across the country. We'll also preview some of WJCT's upcoming news programming.
Today's Weather
In Jacksonville it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 59 degrees. Tonight should be mostly clear, with a low around 40 degrees.
At the Beaches it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 58 degrees. Tonight should be mostly clear, with a low around 41 degrees. (National Weather Service)
Teacher goes homeless in Jacksonville to raise awareness to the issues faced by the homeless. Thomas Rebman, an Orange County middle school teacher says he took a year off from his job to break the misconceptions that the public has about the homeless. (WJCT)
Recently retired Duval Schools Police Director David Coffman was under investigation before he departed. According to the investigation, Coffman created a hostile work environment, and in one incident he unholstered his weapon and swung it toward another officer in a threatening manner. (The Florida Times-Union)
Jacksonville girl who went missing Jan. 17 found in Indiana, according to Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Her mother reported last Saturday that the 12-year-old girl ran away with her 19-year-old friend Rodolfo Ramirez. (Action News Jax)
Legislation to allow students to carry guns on college campus in Florida being discussed. Advocates for the bill believe that allowing students who have concealed carry permits to carry their weapons on campus will make Florida colleges safer, but safety experts point out that it could put the police at risk. (News4Jax)
Kayaker last seen near the Jacksonville Beach pier missing. Garth Sangree, a 22-year-old UNF student, was last seen Friday in a lime green and white kayak. His best friend, Kevin Todd, says that Sangree "knows the outdoors well and knows what he's doing," but that he is "the risk taking type." (News4Jax)
Today on First Coast Connect, Dawn Gillman, Executive Director of Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition of Northeast Florida joins Melissa Ross to discuss the Point-in-Time Count exploring the homeless conditions in Northeast Florida. First Coast Success profiles Nina Waters, and Sports Wrap Up with Cole Pepper.
You can get all the latest headlines online at WJCTNews.org, on our Facebook page and on Twitter @WJCTJax. You can follow Ray Hollister on Twitter @RayHollister.
