The Bryan Concert Organ, two house fires in Eastside and a police shooting in Lake Wales 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 there will be areas of fog before 10 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 84 degrees. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 16 mph. Tonight there should be areas of fog after 4 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 67 degrees. South wind 8 to 11 mph.
At the Beaches there will be areas of fog before 11 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 73 degrees. South wind 8 to 13 mph. Tonight should be mostly cloudy, with a low around 63 degrees. South wind 7 to 14 mph. (National Weather Service)
Headlines
The Bryan Concert Organ at Jacoby Concert Hall turns 100 years old. The pipe organ originally named "Opus 553" has been in its home at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts since 2001. (WJCT)
Two abandoned houses in Eastside were burnt last night in separate fires. The first fire was at a house on East 14th Street around 7 p.m. The second fire was at a house on Franklin Street around 11 p.m. It is unknown if the fires were related. (News4Jax)
Gov. Rick Scott told the Florida Legislature in his State of the State address that it was "time to make major investments in education." Gov. Scott said the motivation to spend more on education was driven by making sure that the surpluses in the Florida budget were not wasted on special interests. (WJCT)
Two police officers were shot in Lake Wales after responding to a 911 call. Police say they were called by a 59-year-old man that began firing at police when they arrived at the scene. The officers' wounds were not life-threatening, and the suspect was taken into custody. (News4Jax)
A meth lab in Mandarin is being investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. The home on Blakely Court was roped off with police tape and nearby houses were evacuated. (News4Jax)
Today on First Coast Connect, Melissa Ross previews a UNF forum on deepening the St. Johns, Donna Orender of Gen W and Theatre Jax previews "The Miracle Worker."
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.
