Florida

Rubio, Scott call fast-tracking of Florida state park golf course plan ‘ridiculous’

Published

2 years ago

August 23, 2024

Rubio, Scott call fast-tracking of Florida state park golf course plan ‘ridiculous’

In a scathing letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis Friday, Republican U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott joined local officials in criticizing the rushed process behind state plans to develop golf courses on Jonathan Dickinson State Park on Florida’s Atlantic coast.

The officials called the scheduled one-hour hearing at 3 p.m. Tuesday for the public to weigh in “absolutely ridiculous,” adding that “not one” member of a state committee that is responsible for voting on the plan will attend the meeting to hear the public’s concerns.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection plans to hold near-simultaneous meetings around the state Tuesday afternoon for the public to comment on its designs to add golf courses, 350-room lodges, pickleball courts, disc golf courses and more to nine state parks. After these meetings, a state committee called the Acquisition and Restoration Council will vote on whether to move forward.

DeSantis admin wants to put golf courses, pickleball courts and more in Florida state parks

“We believe every voting member of the (Acquisition and Restoration Council) must attend a public comment meeting before taking any action regarding the proposal,” the letter reads. “An hour-long meeting on a weekday afternoon when most people are at work will not suffice.”

The letter focuses primarily on critiquing the process for allowing the public to weigh in on the proposal for one park, rather than comment more broadly on the DeSantis administration’s designs for amenities in nine parks total. Since they were revealed earlier this week, the plans have brought an unusually swift and crushing wave of bipartisan blowback. In response, the DeSantis administration has doubled down.

Jonathan Dickinson is home to the largest amount of protected scrub-jay habitat in Southeast Florida. The Department of Environmental Protection has said it would “minimize” the impact to sensitive habitats. It posted on social media Friday that one of the pickleball courts in Broward County’s Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park would be built on land that’s already a parking lot.

Jeremy Redfern, a DeSantis spokesperson, has said that the additional amenities would make the parks “more accessible to the public.”

Neither DeSantis’ office nor the Department of Environmental Protection immediately responded to emails seeking comment on the letter Friday.

Documents from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection show plans to develop a golf course which would require tearing down the landmark Hobe Mountain observation tower and staff houses. [ Courtesy of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection ]

This is not Scott’s first brush with public outrage on this topic. In 2011, when Scott was governor, he played a role in a similar plan to build golf courses on state parks, the Tampa Bay Times reported at the time. Proposed legislation had reportedly emerged after discussions between golfer Jack Nicklaus and Scott, Nicklaus’ lobbyist said then.

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In a statement to the Times, Nicklaus Companies and Nicklaus Design said they have no involvement in any current proposals.

The letter demanded two meetings, one in Stuart and one in Jupiter, “both for as long as it takes to hear all concerns.” It suggested holding them after Thanksgiving, when more part-time residents will be in Florida for the winter, to give the process more “credibility.”

U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Stuart, who represents the district that includes Jonathan Dickinson State Park, also signed on to the letter. Earlier this week, Mast urged voting members of the Acquisition and Restoration Council to attend the public meeting scheduled for Tuesday so they could be eye-to-eye with the residents affected by the proposed development. In a phone interview Friday, Mast said he had yet to hear a response from a single council member.

“They’re going to try and develop something without disturbing it? How about they just don’t disturb it,” Mast said.

In addition to Scott, Rubio and Mast, 12 other Treasure Coast officials signed the letter, including state Sen. Gayle Harrell, Reps. Toby Overdorf and John Snyder, and county commissioners from Martin and Palm Beach counties.

Below are the locations for each state park proposal meeting scheduled for Aug. 27 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Hillsborough River State Park, Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, Community Room D
Honeymoon Island State Park, The District, 11141 U.S. 19 N., Suite 204, Clearwater
Oleta River State Park, Florida International University, Biscayne Bay campus, Kovens Conference Center, Room 114, 3000 NE 151 Street North, Miami.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park, The Flagler of Stuart, 201 SW Flagler Ave., River Room, Stuart
Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, Downtown Event Center, 416 NE First St., Fort Lauderdale, Lecture Hall, Building C, second floor (Enter at Main Entrance B — clearly marked on the outside of the building.)
Anastasia State Park, First Coast Technical College, The Character Counts Conference Center, Building C, 2980 Collins Ave., St. Augustine
Camp Helen State Park, Lyndell Conference Center, 423 Lyndell Lane, Panama City Beach
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State Park, The Lakehouse at the Watercolor Inn, 238 Watercolor Blvd. West, Santa Rosa Beach

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Florida

Forget Florida, Retire To This East Coast City With River Views, Festivals, And Endless Outdoor Fun – Islands

Published

10 hours ago

July 12, 2026

Press Room

Forget Florida, Retire To This East Coast City With River Views, Festivals, And Endless Outdoor Fun – Islands

ddonahue/Shutterstock

Most retirees clock out of their last day at work, grab their suitcases, and book a one-way flight to a place like Florida that has warm weather year-round. Yet, just along the U.S.-Canada border, a different lifestyle awaits — one that includes all four seasons, river views, and community-involved events. Welcome to Caribou, Maine: the “Most Northeastern City in the U.S.”

The Aroostook River (as seen above) cuts through the middle of town, highlighting gorgeous waterfront views, dense foliage, and natural beauty that offers an ever-evolving backdrop with every season. From snowy Januarys to blooming Junes, retirees and visitors can stay active rather than just lie at the beach as many do in the Sunshine State.

Beyond the scenery, Caribou keeps a packed calendar of fun festivals running nearly year-round, from a winter wonderland carnival to weekly summer concerts downtown. In between events, it’s easy to fit in a daily walk on multi-use trails, kayak or canoe the river, or pick strawberries at a local farm. Caribou is a great alternative to consider for a family-friendly environment and small-town charm, especially for travelers (and retirees) who are looking to trade crowded beaches for quieter, closer-knit surroundings.

Fun festivals in Caribou, Maine

Historic buildings on Sweden Street in Caribou, Maine, at dusk

Denistangneyjr/Getty Images

While Florida has beach towns that can pass for the Caribbean, one thing many retirees eventually miss is a sense of community. Caribou offers plenty of opportunities to connect with locals with a packed year-round calendar of events and festivals. The fun kicks off in February with the Winter Carnival and Snowmobile Festival, bringing everyone together in the heart of winter with races, bonfires, and fireworks. In summer, the Mi’kmaq Nation’s Mawiomi of Tribes brings traditional dancing and drumming to town, educating visitors on the Native American lifestyle through traditional meals, sunrise blessing ceremonies, and dancing.

Fall rounds things out with the Caribou Craft Fair, where roughly 140 artisans set up shop. The season wraps up with Oktoberfest, celebrating Bavarian heritage through craft beer brewing, live music, and delicious food. Finally, the city’s annual grand finale is Christmas in Caribou, showcasing detailed light displays, a Christmas tree lighting, and the charming Christmas Market. While these are all one-off events, the town ensures that locals and visitors are mingling often. Once the snow melts,”Thursdays on Sweden Street” shuts down the center of town for weekly live music, food vendors, and a beer garden.

A short drive out of town extends the calendar even further. New Sweden, about 15 minutes northwest, hosts the Swedish-heritage Midsommar Festival in June, while Fort Fairfield, a 14-minute drive southeast, throws the Potato Blossom Festival every July. Presque Isle, roughly 20 minutes out, adds the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, giving travelers a seasonal event that’s worth planning a trip around.

Things to do in Caribou, Maine

The Aroostook River in Caribou, Maine, on a sunny day

ddonahue/Shutterstock

Caribou offers plenty of ground — and water — to cover for anyone craving variety in the great outdoors. The Aroostook River is a summer highway for paddlers, with canoes and kayaks a common sight. Anglers can fish from the shoreline with a single baited hook during the season, which runs from April 1 to September 30. A few miles away, Collins Pond Park’s 1.5-mile walking and biking path loops right along the water, with a playground on-site for visiting families with grandchildren.

For those wanting to cover more ground, the Aroostook Valley Trail is a 28-mile multi-use path connecting Caribou to nearby towns, popular for biking, walking, and snowmobiling depending on the season. Just outside town, at around 20 minutes by car, the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge, dubbed Maine’s “green heart”, offers miles of trails for hiking, birdwatching, and cross-country skiing. Spectators can catch live music and races at the Spud Speedway Race Track and Event Center, and families can pick their own berries at McElwain’s Strawberry Farm.

To reach Caribou, visitors can fly into Presque Isle’s Northern Maine Regional Airport (PQI), a 20-minute drive south, or Bangor International Airport (BGR), about three hours away. A once-daily CYR Bus Line route connects Bangor, one of Maine’s lesser-known little cities, to Caribou directly for those skipping the rental car.

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Florida

Florida top-ranked signee selected in Round 4 of MLB draft

Published

20 hours ago

July 11, 2026

Press Room

Florida top-ranked signee selected in Round 4 of MLB draft

The Baltimore Orioles selected Florida signee Kevin Roberts Jr. with the 110th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 MLB draft.

Roberts, UF’s top-ranked signee, is expected to forgo his college career and is the only member of Florida’s signing class to not enroll for the summer. A slot value of $711,800 is a bit low for a highly touted high school recruit, but it would be a big whiff by the Orioles if they don’t get him signed.

Perfect Game ranks Roberts No. 19 overall and No. 8 among shortstops nationally. Most of that is because he is incredibly projectable at 6-foot-5-inch and 220 pounds with good speed. There’s good bat speed and solid pop in his bat, showing exit velocities in the mid-90s as a 16-year-old. Roberts is also very young. He won’t turn 18 for another two weeks, giving pro teams extra time to develop him.

The power is there, but he’ll need to refine the contact tool a bit. Still, with plus speed and a strong arm — he clocked fastballs at 94 mph when pitching — Roberts figures to make an easy transition to center field.

Of course, it would have been nice for Florida to get Roberts on campus, but Florida has plenty of options in the outfield, and Brendan Lawson is returning at shortstop next season. If this is the only loss from Florida’s 2026 signing class, it’s a big win for Kevin O’Sullivan and the Gators.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

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Florida

NW Florida authorities make two more arrests in murder case

Published

1 day ago

July 11, 2026

Press Room

NW Florida authorities make two more arrests in murder case

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WALA) – The Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Florida posted on its Facebook page Saturday the latest arrests in the murder of Jason Coulthart.

Here is the post:

TWO ADDITIONAL ARRESTS IN JASON COULTHART HOMICIDE; JOHNSON STILL AT LARGE

WALTON COUNTY, FLA — The Walton County Sheriff’s Office has made two additional arrests in connection with the murder of Jason Coulthart, marking the fourth and fifth individuals charged in relation to the ongoing investigation.

On July 10, 2026, Michael Ray White, 74, and Kathleen Morris, 59, of Santa Rosa Beach, were arrested for accessory to a capital felony after the fact and obstruction.

According to investigators, White knowingly provided assistance to Johnson as she evaded law enforcement between June 25 and June 30, 2026.

Evidence shows White initially denied knowing Johnson while talking to investigators but later admitted she was at his home on multiple occasions during that period.

White also allowed Johnson and a second suspect, Martin Leaverton, to stay at the home, provided supplies, and later coordinated moving Johnson to a second location.

Morris, who resides at the same address, was also arrested in connection with the case after admitting she assisted Johnson by transporting her, providing supplies, and misleading deputies regarding Johnson’s presence at the residence.

Text messages recovered from Morris’s phone further corroborate her involvement in helping Johnson avoid capture.

Interviews with additional witnesses, including Martin and Sandra Leaverton, provided further confirmation that both White and Morris knowingly sheltered Johnson and assisted her efforts to elude law enforcement.

The Leavertons admitted retrieving Johnson’s belongings, supplying her with a cell phone, and attempting to find out‑of‑state refuge for her. They are still behind bars at the Walton County Jail.

The discovery of Coulthart’s remains occurred on June 25, 2026, following two independent statements provided to the Niceville Police Department regarding a body located on a property on Sunset Lane in Freeport.

A residential search warrant was executed that same day, leading to the discovery of human remains. An arrest warrant for Johnson was issued on June 26, 2026. This week, the remains were confirmed to belong to Jason Coulthart.

Johnson remains at large. She is considered dangerous, and anyone who has seen her or has information on her whereabouts is urged to contact the Walton County Sheriff’s Office immediately.

“Anyone found to have helped or is still assisting Isabelle Johnson avoid arrest will be charged accordingly,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “If you give her a place to stay, help her hide, or lie for her, you will face consequences. This is a homicide case. We will not allow anyone to get in the way of this investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Walton County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 892‑8111 or contact Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 863‑TIPS.

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