Saturday, October 27, 2012

[WZEP AM 1460]

WZEP AM 1460 First News

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Brought to you by

Dr. Chuck Stevenson

Optometric Physician

Attorneys Kerrigan, Estess, Rankin,

McLeod & Thompson

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WZEP congratulates Good Neighbor Janice Pentz.

Check out all the Good Neighbors and see what they get by clicking here!

Go Online for Pictures, Video, Country Store, Contests, Station Information, Calendar, Good Neighbor, Audio Features, Newsletter Archives, Headlines and Weather

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November 2012 Local Candidates On-Air Forum

Missed em', want to hear them again? Click here.

Walton County Sheriff: Mike Adkinson Rep. and Danny Griffith Dem. - Tuesday, Oct 23 8:45 am

WC Superintendent: Carlene Anderson Rep. and Rosemary Ragle Dem. - Wednesday, Oct 24 8:45 am

WC BCC District 1: Bill Chapman Rep. and Frank Day Dem. - Thursday, Oct 25 8:45 am

Review The Proposed Amendments

News Segment 1

Two Ethics Complaints Against Jones Dismissed

We previously reported on complaints to the Florida Commission On Ethics filed against Walton Commissioner Larry Jones by Suzanne Harris and Mike Judkins. Jones has maintained he felt he was not in violation and welcomed the investigation. These came after Jones took a job with Waste Management, a company who was seeking and eventually received a contract with Walton County. The two complaints have been dismissed.

The complaints claim Jones misused his commissioner office by working for and representing Waste Management. The claims indicate he misused his position as commissioner for the advantage of the waste company, a company he was being paid by. In Harris’ complaint it states, “The mere act of employment with a company that is doing business with the county presents a violation of the (state) code of ethics.” Both complaints also say Jones accepted the job with Waste Management and did not notify the county. According to the Commission On Ethics, the complaints also alleged that by accepting the job, Jones “knew or should have known it was offered to influence his official actions.”.

Jones says he consulted with then County Attorney Mike Burke and was told there were no legal obstacles. Jones has maintained he moved forward based on the legal advice. A year ago Jones told WZEP First News he did not believe he was in the wrong and has tried to be open about his position. He also says he made an effort to not participate in any action relating to commissioner decisions about Waste Management. Jones has said that if he was in the wrong and was mistaken, then he would own up to it.

The Commission on Ethics found no probable cause to believe Jones used inside information gained by reason of his public position to secure a benefit for his employer. The Commission also says an allegation that Jones misused his position to benefit Waste Management was also dismissed with a finding of no probable cause. The Commission’s rejection of the claims also rejects an Attorney General’s Office investigator opinion about probable cause.

Jone did not seek reelection of his Commission seat. He tells First news he is actively considering applying for the open County Commissioner job. A few years ago Jones completed a degree that better qualifies him for the position.

News Segment 2

Candy Tobacco

Candy is everyone’s favorite treat on Halloween. Year-round, candy is one of the tobacco industry’s favorite tricks. Fruit and candy flavored cigarettes were banned under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act in 2009. However, menthol cigarettes and other smokeless products are amongst some of the productions not included.

There are increasingly more non-cigarette products available in Florida which youth are using. Tobacco products in flavors like kiwi-strawberry, chocolate and sour apple are available across the state despite overwhelming evidence that these deadly products appeal to youth and lead to a lifetime of tobacco addiction.

Many children and teens believe these products are less harmful than their non-flavored counterparts. It’s no surprise that one in seven Florida youth between the ages of 11 and 17 has tried flavored tobacco. Once they start using one tobacco product, they are more likely to experiment with others.

The flavoring and lower costs of these non-cigarette smoked tobacco products make them especially appealing to youth. All of these tobacco products cause cancer, heart disease and other smoking-related diseases. Smokeless tobacco includes chew, dip, snus and a host of emerging products. Compared to cigarettes, these products can contain more nicotine. Traditional smokeless products, like chew and dip, contain 28 cancer-causing agents. Users of these products have an 80 percent higher risk of oral cancers and a 60 percent higher risk of pancreatic and esophageal cancer.

With cigarette smoking rates are on the decline, the tobacco industry has created products and strategies that attract a new generation of tobacco users. The array of flavored tobacco products that appeal to youth present new challenges and concerns in the fight against tobacco use. These products help create a new generation of lifelong nicotine addicts and of life-threatening diseases.

Learn more about the dangers of candy-flavored tobacco and how you can help protect Florida’s youth from this sweet deception. Visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com/flavoredtobacco.

News Segment 3

Operation Felon Sweep

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), in partnership with The Florida Sheriffs Task Force, recently launched an initiative to remove felons from Florida’s streets. Operation “Felon Sweep” focused on removing violent felons, felons with outstanding warrants and sexual offenders and predators from our communities.  

The Sheriff’s Office says it is proud to take an active role in the initiative and to lead the charge in Walton County. During the sweep, a number of cases were made to include the raid of Woodstock, a local head shop; Christopher Black was arrested when a stolen firearm from Okaloosa County along with narcotic equipment was located during a traffic stop in South Walton; and the arrest of Gene Alden, who was charged with distribution and possession of obscene material involving a minor.

Sheriff Michael Adkinson says their team of deputies and investigators worked hard during the operation to apprehend criminals living in the community. He says Walton County continues to be a great place to live and they intend to keep it that way.

The Florida Sheriffs Taskforce coordinated the effort. The operation combined 44 Sheriff’s Offices and focused on removing violent felons and felons with outstanding warrants off the streets. The Operation in Walton County alone resulted in 91 felony arrests, 10 misdemeanor arrests, 1 firearm seized, and various amounts of methamphetamine, crack/cocaine, and marijuana. In addition to the arrests and seizures, 96 sexual offender/predator checks were completed.  

Florida Sheriffs Association President, Sheriff Susan Benton says felonies are taken very seriously and they are proud to lead the initiative to get criminals off the streets. She says the Florida Sheriffs Task Force will continue to work to make Florida one of the safest states in the country.

News Segment 4

Looking for the arrest report? http://jailpublic.co.walton.fl.us. This is the new jail search page. Use the drop down calendar to find dates.

Sports - Listen to WZEP for national and local sports. Email us your local sports stories and scores.
More online at our website

TThe FSU Seminoles will be at Miami on Saturday, October 20th. Join us right here on WZEP. Pre-game at 5 pm. Kick-off at 7 pm.

Join us on Wednesdays for the Jimbo Fisher Show from 6-7 pm right here on WZEP.

The Rotary Club of DeFuniak Springs is holding a Night Golf Tournament on Friday, October 26th at the DeFuniak Springs Country Club. Come play golf in the moonlight using lit golf balls and specially marked greens. Registration begins at 5:30 pm. Shotgun start at dark. BBQ Pork will be served from 6-7 pm. The entry fee is $45 per person and includes 3 mulligan, string, cart, green fees, and meal. For more information or to register, contact Robert Harrington at 801-498-0029.

Obituaries - Listen in the morning, just after noon and the 4pm hour
Also online at our website

Mrs. Joann E. Sly, age 79, passed away October 18, at Sacred Heart Hospital after a lengthy illness. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers condolences may be sent to the family at PO Box 4764, Seaside, Florida 32459. You may go online to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign guest book at www.clary-glenn.com. Clary-Glenn Freeport Chapel Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

Mr. Leon Orell Mitchem, age 83, of DeFuniak Springs, and Hartford, Alabama passed away October 15. A time of Visitation will be held 6:00~8:00 PM, Friday, October 19, at Clary-Glenn Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, October 20, at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church at 1015 Pleasant Ridge Road, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32435. Burial will follow in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery with full military honors. Floral arrangements are being accepted. You may go online to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign guest book at www.clary-glenn.com. Clary-Glenn Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

Mr. Darwin O. Dunlap, age 74, passed away September 21. Funeral services will be held at 2 pm, Sunday, October 21 at the Destin Elk Lodge #2688. You may go online to view obituaries, offer condolences and sign guest book at www.clary-glenn.com. Clary-Glenn Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

Velma Brackins Messer, age 65, passed away Tuesday, October 2. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 20 at 1pm at the Community Holiness Church. Visitation will be from 11am to 1pm. Her ashes will be interned at Brakins Family Plot in Alaqua Cemetery. Faith Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cBqotV0MFzjcmLZXOcmLCibIZvvIkd5SAXr52oP0Aps/edit

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