Some residents in Mary Esther, FL are against the idea of widening the 2-mile stretch of road from four lanes to six lanes and are actively fighting the plan with their own petition. According to WEARTV, the state has plans to widen a 24-and-a-half-mile stretch from Mary Esther to nearly the Garcon Point Bridge. To read more about what the residents have to say, click here.
“In God We Trust” is back in schools
This school year students will see a new sign that reads, “In God We Trust”. House Bill 7055 requires each district school board to adopt rules to require, in all of the schools of the district and in each building used by the district school board, the display of the state motto, “In God We Trust,” in a conspicuous place. According to the Crestview Bulletin, Walton County has their signs while Okaloosa County plans to have them in place at the start of the school year. To read more on the new signs, click here.
Interim Destin City Manager
Destin Parks and Recreation Director Lance Johnson has been appointed interim city manager by majority of the city council. The council voted 6-1 in favor of Johnson with Councilman Rodney Braden voting “no”. The other two candidates for the interim job were former Destin Code Enforcement Officer Joseph Forgione and Rodney Lucas. According to the Northwest Florida Daily News, now that Johnson is the interim city manager, the city will continue looking for a new full-time manager. To read more on Destin’s struggle with their city manager, click here.
Texas drowns trying to rescue children in Destin
A 50 year old Texas man drowned in the Gulf of Mexico Sunday while attempting to rescue his children, who were struggling in the water off Scenic Highway 98 in Destin around 3 p.m. on Sunday. Alejandro Velazquez of Little Elm was pulled to shore by Destin Beach Safety lifeguards, but later died at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. Lifeguards were able to rescue Velazquez’s 13 year old daughter and 11 year old son, along with a 19 year old. This is the second drowning on Okaloosa County beaches in the past five days. Beach visitors are urged to always adhere to the beach flag system directives and know what to do if caught in a riptide.
FWC holds public meeting on possible shore-based shark fishing regulations
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission plans to gather feedback from public workshops regarding possible regulations for shore-based shark fishing, according to WJHG.com. While it is not at all uncommon to see someone fishing from the beach, some residents believe shore-based shark fishing draws sharks closer to the shore and near beachgoers. To read more on the dilemma, click here.
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