WZEP AM 1460 First News Saturday 08-16-08
WZEP AM 1460
Mossy Head Park To Open
The first public park in Mossy Head is scheduled to open Monday, August 18. District 3 Commissioner Larry Jones announced the park will open with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:00 a.m. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
The park sits next to the new Mossy Head Elementary School, which will open the same day. The park is located on Highway 90 in Mossy Head about one mile east of State Road 285. The new 3-acre park is comprised of a walking trail, playground, and picnic pavilions. One of the pavilions is specifically designed to be handicap accessible. Walton County construction crews will add a splash pad within the next few weeks. The park also has drinking fountains and restroom facilities. The $250,000 park was mostly funded with grants from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The new park will also serve future Mossy Head residents of a new development overlooking an 18-hole golf course now under construction less than a few hundred yards away. The park can be expanded in the future, since it rests on 20 acres of undeveloped land which joins neighboring school property.
Commissioner Jones says he is proud to see the public park be constructed in Mossy Head and looks forward to those in the community walking the new trail, using the new playground equipment and enjoying all of the park's amenities.
Verdict in a 2006 Stabbing Case
You may remember a stabbing at Cash's Lounge in Freeport on September 16, 2006. Thursday evening Richard Dale Harrington was found guilty of 2nd degree murder with a weapon in DeFuniak Springs. Judge Kelvin Wells ordered a pre-sentencin investigations, with sentencing set for Sept 8. Two others involved, Terry Wayne Godwin and Matthew Wayen Godwin, pleaded earlier. The Walton COunty Sheriff's office arrest report tells of an altercaton at Cash's Lounge in Freeport. Harrington and the two Godwins are reorted to have caused the death of Terrance Jay Keefe by stabbing and cutting Keefe with pocket knives. The report says that after the unarmed Keefe was mortally wounded, the three beat, kicked and stomped Keefe as he lay on the ground bleeding to death. Deputies report that atrons of the lounge witnessed the event and that deputies recovered the weapons. Richard Dale Harrington, guilty of 2nd degree murder with a weapon.
Back To School
Thousands of students head back to the classroom next Monday and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind drivers to be extra cautious on area roads.
Give yourself extra time for your commute.
Keep an eye out for children walking or riding their bikes to and from school, and youngsters getting on and off school busses.
Pay attention to school zones by slowing down! Keep in mind if you’re going ten to fourteen miles over the speed limit in an active school zone, in Okaloosa County you’ll pay a $273.00 ticket! The ticket for failing to stop for a stopped school bus is $173.00.
And remember, if you’re on a divided highway with an unpaved space of at least five feet, a raised median, or a physical barrier, you don’t have to stop if you’re traveling in the opposite direction of a school bus which has stopped.
B & G Club Update
The Summer Program at the BGCEC DeFuniak
Springs Teen Center has been in full swing. On July 4th, the Club joined the
community celebration at the lake yard distributing member information and
staffing the air playground attractions.
In July, there were two field
trips to the Shoal River Bowling Lanes in Crestview and a fishing trip at "Uncle
Buck's" lake in DeFuniak Springs.
For many club members this was their first ever bowling or fishing
trip.
Club youth participated in the recent two day law enforcement
training project at Freeport High School serving as role players during a mock
school shooting scenario. This presented a unique opportunity for youth to
interact with deputies of the Walton County Sheriff's Department and discuss
school safety.
There were three guest speakers in July. The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge stopped by with several small animals, and the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society discussed all types of birds and wildlife conservation. Chris Mitchell, President of the Chautauqua Assembly shared the history of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America with the kids.
They have more than a dozen youth working in the Junior Staff program, where they learn working skills by volunteering and developing a spirit of ownership around the Club. They have been educated on the philosophy, mission and purpose of the Club and the report is they have become true ambassadors for the Teen Center.
Average attendance during the Summer Program is around 60 per day.
The current needs for the club include, any board games and 7-8 Computers for the Media Center/Education Classroom. The club says to remember them as you surplus computers that might still be useful to the kids.
For more information about the Boys and Girls Club please contact Bobbie Smith, Unit Director at 892-3752 or 428-0943. You may also stop by the Center located on Hwy 83 North in the old National Guard Armory and receive a tour by one of their new Junior Staff members.
These stories and more are on line in mp3
audio format. Go to our website and click the "NewsCenter" link or the picture
of the big ear. The stories are on the News Audio Page with a link about half
way down. Or just click here or on the picture of the listening ear to the
left. The audio files are now updated five times
each day! 6am, 9am, 12am 4pm 6pm Registration for Walton County Recreational Soccer will be held Saturday, August 16th, and 23rd, from 10am-2pm at the old armory building in DeFuniak Springs and at the Paxton Gym. The program is for children ages 4-13. Children must turn 4 by August 18th. The registration fee is $50 per child and $45 for each additional sibling. The fee includes the soccer uniform. Parents are required to provide shin guards and proper shoes for practices and games. If you are unable to attend one of the Saturday registration dates, you may submit applications and payments to the Parks and Recreation Office on North 9th Street from August 11th-22nd, Monday through Friday from 7:30am-4pm. August 23rd is the final date for registration. No late registrations will be accepted. Also, the Tri-County Community Council has funds available for families, who meet income guidelines, to assist children in extracurricular activities. For information, call Bertha Hood at 892-3615.
The Walton Braves Sports Club has announced selling dates for season tickets for the 2008 football season. All season ticket holders from last year are asked to report at this time. Season tickets are $40 per seat, and are good for the Kickoff Classic and the four regular season varsity home games. In addition, Century Club passes will be available for $100. Selling dates will be Tuesday, August 19th, and Thursday, August 28th, from 6-8pm. Sports Club memberships will be available for the 2008-2009 school year for $10. Please make arrangements to come on one of the selling dates to secure your tickets.
Hear local sports at 6:50 am, 7:20 am and 12:20 pm and FRN sports at 7:50am & 3:45 pm.
On Saturdays at 6:45 & 7:45 am, 12:15 & 4:06 pm.
And on Sundays at 6:45 am, 1:06 & 4:06 pm.
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