Public access to the St. Johns River, food deserts in Northeast Florida and more options for police dealing with juvenile offenders are all in the headlines this morning.
Welcome to WJCT First Read, your daily weekday morning round-up of stories from the First Coast, around Florida, and across the country.
Here are 6 stories you don’t want to miss.
City Council Weighs Public Access To St. Johns River In Avondale
Advocates for closing the access say it is dangerous and unsightly. Those opposed to closing the public access point say it should be made into a park.
Duval County Honors Fallen Service Members
Current and former members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and the Coast Guard, their families, and members of the public came to honor Duval County veterans who died in service to their country.
Heart Association: Financing, Incentives Would Fix Northeast Florida Food Deserts
Dr. Catherine Christie, Associate Dean and Nutrition Graduate Program Director at UNF Brooks College of Health, says healthy food financing would allow corner stores and small markets to carry fresh produce and other health foods.
Gibson: New Florida Law Gives Police Flexibility For Juvenile Offenders
State Senator Audrey Gibson says the new law allows police to issue more civil citations for juvenile offenders instead of locking them up, and she says police will have more latitude dealing with minors who’ve committed nonviolent misdemeanors.
Teacher Residency Program Holds First Signing Day
The intensive, one-year residency will allow new math and science teachers to co-teach in urban classrooms across the district while working toward a master’s degree in education from UNF.
Florida Supreme Court To Decide Property Rights Fight Over Fire Station
Jacksonville property owners, R. Lee and Christy Smith, sued the city after it built a fire station on a riverfront lot on Hecksher Drive across from Mayport — and right next to the Smiths’ undeveloped lot.
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.
