Steve Roberts, Cherish Perrywinkle, and Johnny Manziel 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.
Search continues for Columbia County fugitive: Steve Roberts, jailed for theft, weapons possession and property crimes, is still on the loose after escaping late Tuesday night from the Columbia County Detention Facility in Lake City. (WJCT)
Teachers speak out against budget cuts: Several dozen Duval Schools faculty and staff urged school board members not to go through with proposed staffing cuts in this year's budget at their regular meeting this week. (WJCT)
Former pro wrestler turns himself in to face child sex abuse charges: Stephen "Gatorwolf" Ketcher, accused of sexual assault on a child in Colorado, turned himself in to Clay County authorities on Wednesday and is expected in court today. (News4Jax)
Rayne Perrywinkle sees Donald Smith in court for the first time: The mother of slain Jacksonville 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle was present for proceedings in the prosecution of Donald Smith, the man accused of raping and killing her daughter, for the first time Wednesday. (Florida Times-Union)
Four dead in Avlia mansion fire: A fire at the Florida mansion owned by former tennis star James Blake killed two adults and two teenagers in what is being investigated a murder-suicide and arson. (New York Daily News)
Florida at the center of climate change report: Sea level rise and temperature increases in Florida are highlighted by the White House report on climate change released this week. (The New York Times)
Florida gold heist suspect captured in Belize: Raonel Valdez-Valhuerdis, wanted for allegedly robbing a Coral Gables man who carrying two suitcases full of more than 100 pounds of gold flakes, has been extradited to the U.S. from Belize. (CNN)
Reports say Jags to select Manziel as No. 3 pick: Reports indicate that Texas A&M star quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel could be selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with their overall third pick of the NFL Draft.
Today on First Coast Connect, Dr. Stephen Baker, professor of political science at Jacksonville University, on the 2014 Florida Governor's race and the recent comments made by candidate Charlie Crist that racism pushed him away from the Republican Party.
You can get all the latest headlines online at WJCTNews.org, on our Facebook page, and on Twitter @WJCTJax. You can follow Patrick Donges on Twitter at @patrickhdonges.
