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Quick Reads
⛱Beach access: According to the Walton Sun, Dune Allen Regional Beach Access is the first new regional beach access built in Walton County in more than a decade. The $8.4 million development won’t be the last. The Walton County TDC has plans for two more that will be located on Miramar and Seagrove beaches sometime next year. Click here to continue reading.
🏈High school football: Phil Dorn, the head football coach at Fort Walton Beach High School, will step down from his position immediately, citing family reasons, according to the NWFDN. You may recall that his wife was severely injured in a boating accident this past May and he has been her primary caregiver. Click here to read more on his departure.
🚰Boil water notice: the City of Fort Walton Beach Water Distribution crews worked to repair a broken water main on Tuesday in the vicinity of 635 Anchors Street NW inside the Fort Walton Beach Commerce and Technology Park. A precautionary boil water notice is now in effect from 626-635 Anchors Street NW.
NAS Pensacola Shooter bought handgun locally using loophole
WEAR is reporting that the handgun used in the deadly NAS Pensacola shooting was bought locally at “Uber’s Lock and Gun.” The FBI confirmed the gun was purchased in Florida, but would not confirm it was purchased locally.
On Tuesday, the FBI revealed that the shooter purchased the 9mm Glock pistol back in July….legally…even though he is a foreign national.
“The investigation into the #PensacolaShooter has revealed that a Federal Firearms Licensed dealer in Florida sold him a 9mm Glock pistol on 7/20/19. Under federal law, an alien who is admitted to the US under a nonimmigrant visa is prohibited from having a gun and ammo unless the alien falls within one of the exceptions provided in 18 U.S.C. 922(y)(2). The exception under which the #PensacolaShooter qualified to purchase a firearm was a valid Florida hunting license, but he may have qualified under other exceptions as well. The preliminary investigation into the firearm purchase has not revealed any information to suggest that the sale was unlawful.“
The loophole: The shooter was issued a resident Florida hunting license. That’s how he was able to purchase the handgun. Click here to read more.
NAS Pensacola Shooting victims Posthumously Awarded Wings of Gold
The Navy posthumously awarded Wings of Gold on Tuesday to all three Sailors killed during the NAS Pensacola shooting.
Acting Secretary of the Navy the Honorable Thomas B. Modly proclaimed Ensign Joshua K. Watson as a naval aviator, and Airman Mohammed S. Haitham and Airman Apprentice Cameron S. Walters as naval aircrewmen.
“It is my honor today to present the Wings of Gold to the families of these three American heroes who were among the first to respond to horrific attacks upon our own naval family and tragically, were also our Sailors who made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting their brothers and sisters in arms,” said Modly.
“Although this authorization pales in comparison to their immense bravery in the line of fire, this winging represents the symbolic achievement of the coveted goal that all three came to Pensacola to accomplish: to join the long line of naval aviators, flight officers, and aircrewmen who have served the cause of freedom so valiantly for over a century. Airman Haitham, Airman Walters, and Ensign Watson represent the highest virtues of naval aviation, and undoubtedly belong in that great fraternity of selfless service to our Navy, our Department, and our Nation.”
Student naval aviators are selected based on their aptitude for flight training. A recent U.S. Naval Academy graduate, Watson possessed the education, skills, and tenacity required of naval aviators and was set to begin the rigorous training toward earning his coveted Wings of Gold.
Naval aircrewmen, often said to be the Navy’s “guardian angels,” undergo some of the Navy’s most physically challenging training. Candidates must be comfortable in the water, and pass demanding physical fitness standards. Both Haitham and Walters possessed the strength, skill, and determination required of the Navy’s aircrewmen.
3 Crestview schools were placed on lockdown after an off-campus shooting was reported
The Crestview Police Department received a call regarding a person in the wooded area at the end of Panama Drive that was shooting a gun. Officers arrived on scene and made contact with the caller. A description of the person was given to police.
As a precaution, Northwood Elementary /Richbourg School and Bob Sikes Elementary, all of which are within a few hundred feet of the incident, were placed on lockdown as a precaution.
A short time later, a Deputy attempted to stop a male on a bicycle who matched the description of the person in the woods and the suspect fled on foot.
Officers, deputies and Crestview’s Canine division conducted a track of the surrounding area and the suspect that fled was promptly detained by officers on Industrial Drive behind Northview Plaza.
It was determined at that time, that he was not the person in the woods shooting the gun, but did flee from the deputy because he had active warrants.
The suspect that fled from deputies was arrested and the incident regarding a person shooting in the wooded area at the end of Panama Drive remains under investigation.
Happening today
Holiday Concert Series & Visits with Santa (Destin, FL) – Info
Beginner Adult BARRE and Pilates Conditioning (FWB, FL) – Info
Clemenza’s Toys for Tots Drive (FWB, FL) – Info
Oskar Blues + Cigar City Takeover (Destin, FL) – Info
Puppies on the Lawn (Niceville, FL) – Info
Ok, that’s all I have for you today. Hope you have a great Wednesday and I will see you tomorrow!
Jared
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