The early morning shooting of a Raines sophomore, St. Augustine's new aquarium and Police and Fire Pension Fund holiday bonuses are 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 expect mostly sunny skies, with a high near 59 degrees. Tonight, we should see some patchy frost after 2 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 39 degrees.
At the Beaches expect the same, except with a high near 57 degrees. Partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 40 degrees. (National Weather Service)
16-year-old Raines student killed waiting for school bus: Around 6:40 a.m. yesterday, shortly after being dropped off at the school bus stop by his mother, Raines High School sophomore Devron Crowden was shot multiple times by an unknown assailant. Protesters carrying signs reading "No justice, no peace," protested near the murder scene later the same morning. (Florida Times-Union, News4Jax)
Police and Fire Pension Fund reverses decision; retirees will receive holiday bonuses: When the issue was voted on in November, the board came to a 2-2 decision, leaving the deciding vote to former sheriff Nat Glover, who was absent. The decision to not give out the bonuses would have saved the city almost $2.2 million. The Police and Fire Pension Fund board considered the bonuses again Wednesday night and voted 3-1 in favor of giving the bonuses to retirees. (Florida Times-Union)
Crash involving a day-care van injured 9 children: Yesterday, a van carrying several young children, ages 3 to 6, was hit by another vehicle at Hollycrest Drive near Cassat Ave in the Lakeshore neighborhood. The van was flipped over in the accident. 9 of the children were injured in the crash and were taken to UF Shands Jacksonville and Wolfson Children's Hospital. (News4Jax)
USS Iwo Jima and USS Fort McHenry ready for deployment: The two ships that left Norfolk, Virginia to join the Amphibious Ready Group with the USS New York at Naval Station Mayport only four months ago will be leaving for a seven month deployment Dec. 11. (WOKV)
Clay County couple arrested for unlawfully possessing $1.4 million mansion: The couple moved into the six bedroom mansion, changed the locks, and, according to Clay County police, filed a fraudulent quit-claim deed with forged bank employees' signatures. (Florida Times-Union)
St. Augustine chosen as site of new aquarium, snorkeling pool and zip line attraction: The privately funded project will be located off Interstate 95 on Florida State Road 16 on a 5-acre property. The aquatic attraction is expected to open in three phases, with the earliest opening next spring. (Florida Times-Union)
Today on First Coast Connect, Florida Times-Union Reporter David Bauerlein joins Melissa Ross to discuss the amended Police and Fire Pension Fund reform legislation passed by the Jacksonville City Council, and Kerry Speckman helps unveil the New Live in 5 Green Room!
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.
