Confusion over what constitutes “private contributions” in the agreement between the city of Jacksonville and the nonprofit Friends of Hemming Park may be cleared up with a bill being considered by City Council. JSO Chief Tom Hackney says the search for missing Jacksonville toddler Lonzie Barton has turned into a homicide investigation. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry told state lawmakers the city needs more money for public safety, infrastructure, and healthcare, among other things.
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 9 stories you might have missed.
Consumer Group: FPL Paying Too Much To Close Coal Power Plant
The state Public Service Commission is weighing whether to approve a Florida Power and Light purchase of a Jacksonville coal-fired power plant.
City Council Bill Would Clear Up Hemming Park Funding Confusion
Friends of Hemming Park CEO Vince Cavin says he was under the impression private contributions include food and drink sales. But recently, he was told, that’s not true under the current agreement. A new bill sponsored by Councilman Bill Gulliford is aimed at clearing that up.
Mayor Curry Talks City Needs Over Lunch With State Lawmakers
Curry invited the Duval Legislative Delegation, a group of Northeast Florida state lawmakers, to lunch at City Hall. Curry and the delegates dined and talked Jacksonville priorities without a formal agenda.
Jacksonville Anti-Abortion Advocates Call For Defunding Of Planned Parenthood
More than 200 anti-abortion activists met in the parking lot of a Mandarin Woody’s Bar-B-Q, lining the sidewalks next to the only Planned Parenthood in Northeast Florida.
Search For Missing Toddler Lonzie Barton Now Homicide Investigation
The five-day search for missing Jacksonville toddler Lonzie Barton has turned into a homicide investigation. The 21-month-old boy was reported abducted early Friday morning by his mother’s boyfriend, William “Ruben” Ebron, who is now the main suspect in the investigation.
Former FBI Agent Says Officers In Jacksonville Should Have De-escalation Training
Toni Chrabot, recently-retired FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge for Jacksonville, says when officers know how to de-escalate high-pressure situations, violent incidents are less likely to occur.
One Spark Award Winner Receives $1.5M Investment
For a company in Atlanta, winning the technology category at One Spark was just the beginning of what has been a successful year. PartPic recently received a $1.5 million investment from a group of more than a dozen angel investors, venture capitalists and other funders.
Teens Missing on Fishing Trip Strayed From Agreed-upon Route
Perry Cohen and Austin Stephanos had strayed from the agreed-upon boundaries for their fishing trip, the stepfather of one of the boys said Tuesday, as the Coast Guard continued a massive search off Florida’s Atlantic coast.
Legislature will Return to Redraw Senate Maps
Legislative leaders announced Tuesday they will hold a special session to redraw the state's 40 Senate districts after the chamber acknowledged it violated the state constitution by creating maps that benefit Republicans and incumbents.
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