It looks like the rain is finally easing up, just in time for the weekend! Here’s what we got for you til’ we meet again on Monday.
The Gaetz rally…
Last night Matt Gaetz brought Donald Trump Jr. to Niceville to rally for the upcoming primary. According to the Northwest Florida Daily News, about 1,000 people gathered at Northwest Florida State College’s Raider Arena. Trump Jr. came out in support of both Gaetz and gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis, who he said would support and bolster his father’s policies. To read the full report from the Daily News, click here.
Chairman of the Republican Party for Okaloosa County removed from Rally
Last night, Chairman of the Republican Party for Okaloosa County Mark Franks posted on his Facebook page that he was asked to leave the rally. Here’s what he wrote:
“I’m going to address this because I know it’s going to get around anyways. I went this evening with my wife and extended family to the Matt Gaetz rally with Trump Jr. in Niceville. Not long after we sat down a guy in a shirt and tie asked to speak with me. I go off with him and he let’s me know that Congressman Gaetz has requested I leave the rally. He also did not like where my family was sitting and they would need to move. I had my 90 year old grandmother with me as well as my mom, aunt, Uncle (Vietnam Veteran) among a few others. This gentleman goes on to tell me that he was hired to “deal with issues.” I asked him why I was an issue and he would only say that he had other jobs to do and he had already used up too much time on me.
I think I know why. I have been to several candidate events and posted pics of them on here which bothers some. Here’s what I have to say about that: I am Chairman of the Republican Party for Okaloosa County in District 1 and an Executive Committee Member for the Republican Party of Florida. It is my job to support ALL Republican candidates as much as possible during the primary. I make it a point to get as many as I can to come speak at our REC meetings. No, I’m not perfect but I do my damn best to stay neutral and be supportive. That is what a chairman is supposed to do. That is why I went tonight.”
No word yet from the Gaetz camp on why this happened. It sounds like Franks is still a little unsure as well. Franks concluded his post saying, “I will continue to support all Republican candidates during the primary. That’s my job and i’m still proud to be your chairman Okaloosa.” To read the entire post and thread on his his Facebook page, click here.
Destin City Council to consider interim manager
With City Manager Carisse LeJeune’s resignation comes the need to find a replacement (that kinda rhymed!). According to The Destin Log, Destin Parks and Recreation Director Lance Johnson, former Destin Code Enforcement Officer Joseph Forgione and Rodney Lucas, who most recently served as the interim city manager of Groveland in Central Florida, are up for consideration. LeJeune’s resignation will take effect as soon as the council appoints the interim manager. To read the entire story from The Destin Log, click here.
Another local drowning, makes 8 this year
Wednesday night another fatal drowning was reported off of the Okaloosa Island shore. The Destin Log reported that Sara Sebren, a 19 year old girl from Mississippi was pulled from the surf at about 8 p.m. near beach access No. 7 on Santa Rosa Boulevard. She and her friends were swimming about 250 feet from shore when she apparently began struggling in the water. Firefighters from the Okaloosa Island Fire District began lifesaving measures until she could be taken to the hospital by ambulance, where she was pronounced dead.
Sebren was the eighth person to die of an apparent drowning in local waters this year. According to the Northwest Florida Daily News, Beach Safety Chief Rich Huffnagle said that red flags were flying up and down the island all day Wednesday and that rip currents were present in the area. Since it was after sundown lifeguards had already left for the day. To read the tragic story, click here.
The therapy dogs of Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Centers
Meet the trained therapy dogs and their owner-handlers who help kids at both Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Centers in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Jacqui Broadus, a Mental Health Therapist with ECCAC and Registered Pet Partners Therapist, started the program in 2010 that now includes 9 dogs that make regular volunteer visits each week to kids at both the Niceville center and the Pierce Family Children’s Advocacy Center in DeFuniak Springs. ECCAC’s mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect, protect children, and restore the lives and futures of impacted children. For the full story from the Beachcomber, click here. If you suspect a child is being abused, please call the anonymous Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE.
Jeffery Steele to headline fundraiser for South Walton Athletics
Five-time Grammy Nominee and Nashville Hall of Fame Inductee, Jeffrey Steele, will headline a fundraiser for South Walton High School. Hosted by Grayton Beer Company, the fundraiser is to support improvements to the South Walton High School athletics facilities. Steele will be performing some of his greatest hits for the fundraiser on August 23, 2018. Here is the full story.
And speaking of South Walton High School, it looks like construction will continue through the start of the school year. According to WJHG, plans for 20 more classrooms at South Walton High school have been in the works for months, but only 10 are currently under construction.
Who to follow: Instagram
Local photographer Kevin Freese has some great shots of our beaches, the gulf and other parts of Florida. Make sure you follow him on Instagram!
That’s all we’ve got for this week. Make sure you follow us on Facebook and the ‘gram over the weekend for other awesome shareable content! See ya Monday!