Saturday, May 25, 2013
WZEP AM 1460
WZEP AM 1460 First News
Saturday, May 25, 2013
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News Segment 1
WCSB Meets But No Quorum
If you do not have a quorum, can you still meet and take action. What if the meeting was not to have any action anyway. The Walton County School Board advertised and was to hold a workshop meeting Friday morning, but only two board members showed. Member Sharon Roberts questioned if they could meet without a quorum, even if no action was to take place. Superintendent Carlene Anderson got attorney Ben Holley on the phone.
The attorney said the meeting could take place since it was advertised and was only a workshop. The school board does not vote in workshop meetings. Holley felt the meeting requirements of the sunshine law were met as far as advertising and having to have a quorum if they would take action.
The thought then turned to the legal requirements of the school board meetings as listed in Florida Statutes. School boards fall under a different set of operating rules than most other boards. Holley again felt they could meet because of not taking action, but said the statutes read that a quorum is needed for meetings. He advised they could err on the side of caution and not meet. Roberts said she did not feel they should meet and left.
Holley called back and said he had further reviewed the statutes and believes the workshop is not a meeting as defined and listed. Since no action was to take place, only information from the superintendent, he said they should be able to meet with only two present.
There was also a question about the rules of order. The school board generally follows Robert's Rules of Order. Like all formal gathering, a process is usually required. Most choose Robert’s Rules, but there are actually several editions and there are other rule books. To follow one specific is not required. If a board chooses to follow one and sets in order in a meeting that they will follow a specific set of rules, they can bind themselves to this. It was unclear if the school board was bound and if so were they required to have a quorum for an information meeting.
After Roberts left, Superintendent Anderson and board member Faye Leddon met with three top district employees present. This is allowed at anytime and advertising does not need to take place to meet alone with an elected official as long as it is not two from the same board. Anderson allowed the press to remain in the room.
She told Leddon she needs help with the budget as far as personnel. She said they have worked a tight budget, have cut back and the employees are doing more work than some can handle. She explained there are positions needs in several areas. Anderson said, with more and more mandates, they have to have the staff to get everything done. She said they can cut back on the service, but things would not be done well. They could ignore the requirements, but that would be wrong. She also said they could send the tasks to the schools, but told Leddon the schools do not have the personnel. She suggested using a teacher on special assignment for many of the needs and told Leddon she would not allow the district to be put in the red. She also suggested taking the duties of education at the DJJ facility back and not renewing the contract with the Raider for the Walton Learning Center off Gene Hurley Road.
News Segment 2
ECMS A’s, SWFD Helps MDA, Cyber Scam
Emerald Coast Middle School says they proudly recognize Sarah Wright, Hannah Calderazzo, Tyler Goodman and Rebekah Lamb as 8th grade students who have received all “A”s throughout their middle school years. Principal Charlie Marello stated, “Not only do these students represent the highest level of academic excellence, they have been outstanding role models and ambassadors for our school.”
Firefighters will be out on the streets of southern Walton County asking motorists to help “Fill the Boot” for the Muscular Dystrophy Association on Saturday. Every dollar that passing motorists can pitch into the fire fighters’ boots helps South Walton Fire District and Local #3516 firefighters provide medical treatment and support services to individuals and their families living with neuromuscular diseases in the South Walton area.
Local #3516 MDA Coordinator and SWFD Lieutenant Tommy Thompson said they know the money raised makes a difference in the lives of people affected by neuromuscular diseases, and helps them get the care they need.
The International Association of Firefighters has been a national MDA partner for more than 50 years and remains committed to the fight to end neuromuscular diseases. They became the first national sponsor for MDA in 1954, and over the years, firefighters have raised millions of dollars to help improve and enhance the lives of those living with neuromuscular disease.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) Cyber Crime Unit has released information from the FBI on the MoneyPak virus. They say several citizens in the community have come across the scam and reported it to our office.
The premise is cyber criminals disguise themselves as members of the FBI. They attempt to persuade victims to pay a fine (usually $100-$300) within a certain amount of time. The criminals have created a virus that will lock the victim’s computer down and then demand payment. Victims have also been threatened by the possibility of jail time. These criminals claim that the victim has violated laws, such as downloading copyrighted material or child pornography). It is important to stress these victims are NOT really in trouble with the FBI; the crooks just make them believe they are.
This type of virus is known as “ransomware” and paying the fine not only does not unlock your computer, but can cause more damage. There are also several different variants of this type of scam but they all boil down to one thing---they lock your computer and ask you to pay through pre-paid money cards, such as MoneyPak. If you are infected with ransomware such as the FBI virus, your personal and private data and computer system functionality is already at a very high risk. If the infected computer is powered ON and connected to the internet, Trojans horses may have complete control of the computer system and access to every piece of stored data. Keep your anti virus and spyware programs updated.
The public may report such activity to www.ic3.gov (the Internet Crime Complaint Center). The IC3 is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center.
News Segment 3
Summer Safety
The official mark of the summer vacation season is upon us, Memorial Day weekend. The Walton COunty Sheriff’s Office says, as schools around the nation release for summer break, families from all over will descend on Walton County to enjoy all we have to offer. The influx of people to the area means citizens and visitors need to pay attention to their surroundings, whether on the roadway or in the emerald green waters of the Gulf.
There are several safety tips the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) offers up to the public.
Travel/road safety: The increased traffic on the roadways can be hazardous. Take precautions.
Being in a hurry to get to the beach or shopping center could mean drivers are not aware of vehicles maneuvering around them, especially if they are not familiar with the area. Drivers are cautioned to familiarize themselves with the area ahead of time. Never drink and drive and always use your safety belt.
Beach Flag System: Get acquainted and abide by the rules that have been set forth for your safety. South Walton beaches follow Florida’s uniform beach warning flag system, designed to alert beachgoers to changing surf conditions and their relative safety to swimmers. Because the Gulf of Mexico is a natural body of water, dangerous rip currents can be present even under seemingly calm conditions. By heeding the flag system, beachgoers can remain safe. The easiest way to keep abreast of changing surf conditions is through South Walton’s text alert system. Simply text the word “SAFETY” to 67463 to have daily updates sent to your mobile phone for the duration of your stay. You may also check out http://www.visitsouthwalton.com/beach-safety orhttp://www.swfd.org/beach.php which details beach flag colors and current weather conditions.
Boater and swimmer safety: Memorial Day weekend is often the time of year that boaters begin to come out in full force to enjoy our beaches and waterways. Boaters should remember to wear their life jackets, as 67% of the 55 boating deaths last year in Florida resulted from drowning (according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). Operators of vessels, just as with vehicles on the roadway, should remain sober. Boaters should also be aware of maritime rules, water conditions and swimmers in the area. Marine pests, such as jellyfish, are present in our waters. Don’t swim alone and supervise children at all times in and near the water. Identify points on the beaches where lifeguards are stationed. Lifeguards will be stationed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Learn to identify rip current conditions.
Sun Safety: Even if water-related activities are not in the plans for this holiday, you may want to enjoy Florida’s sunny weather. If you do so, make sure you are prepared. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher and apply it generously throughout the day. Wear a hat and sunglasses and drink plenty of water.
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.
Northwest Florida State College is hosting two Baseball Camps--June 10-13 and June 17 -20 on the college’s Niceville campus. Expert coaching staff and players from the NWF State College Raiders Baseball Team will serve as camp instructors and will teach participants about the fundamentals of baseball in an educational and entertaining setting. The camp’s half-day sessions will be held at the college’s Raiders baseball field each day from 9 am until noon. The camp is open to boys ages 7 to 14 and the fee is $90. Campers may enroll in person at any NWFSC area campus or center for course #XRL 6024; Ref# 86114 (for June 10-13) or Ref# 86115 (June 17-20). The registration form is also available on the Raider Athletics website at www.nwfraiders.org.
Obituaries - Listen in the morning, just after noon and the 4pm hour
Infant Bruwin Terrance Victor Cuchens one month and nineteen days, passed away Monday, May 20, 2013. He was born April 1, 2013 in Gainesville to Terrance Earl Cuchens and Melinda Bea Thompson Cuchens. Visitation services will be held 6:00~8:00 PM, Friday, May 24, 2013 at Clary-Glenn Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM, Saturday, May 25, 2013 at Clary-Glenn Funeral Home Chapel. Floral arrangements are being accepted or donations may be made to the family. 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. Warren W. Baylet, age 91 of DeFuniak Springs passed away at his residence surrounded by his family. In leiu of flowers memorials may be made to The American Heart Association, The American Kidney Foundation or to Alzheimers Research, (envelopes are available at the funeral home). A time of visitation will be held Friday, May 31, from 5 until 7 P.M. at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 1, at 2:00 P.M. in Jerry Evans Chapel. Interment will be beside his wife in Magnolia Cemetery.
Mrs. Darlene Mallory Pugh, age 78, widow of the late Danny Martin Pugh passed away Thursday morning, May 16, 2013 in Joyce Goldenberg Covenant Hospice in Pensacola.
Memorials may be made in Darlene Pugh’s memory to Southwide Baptist Church or to Joyce Goldenbery Covenant Hospice. Memorials may be made in Darlene Pugh’s memory to Southwide Baptist Church or to Joyce Goldenberg Covenant Hospice. A time of visitation will be held Saturday, May 25, from 4 until 5 P.M. in Southwide Baptist Church with the service beginning at 5 P.M.
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