30a News

30a News May 19, 2023

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT ARRESTED BY WCSO FOR “KILL LIST” FOLLOWING ANONYMOUS TIP

May 19, 2023 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— An anonymous tip leads to the arrest of a teenager after it’s found he created a “kill list” and shared it with others. On May 15th, Walton County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Deputies were notified of a tip submitted to Fortify FL outlining Freeport Middle School student Ryan Ciupak, 13, making threats to harm others. The School Administration at Freeport Middle School was made aware and immediately removed Ciupak from the premises and he was not allowed to return to school. Walton County Sheriff’s Deputies deputies were dispatched to the student’s home to make sure there was no access to weapons and no immediate threat was present. An investigation was launched and Ciupak’s parents brought Ryan in for an assessment the following day where he admitted to making a “kill list” and sharing it with students at the school. The parents of the students on the list were notified the same day. Several witnesses were interviewed during the course of the investigation acknowledging Cuipak had made verbal threats in the past and confirming they had seen the list. On May 19th Cuipak was arrested and charged with making written threats to harm others, a second-degree felony. He was booked into Walton County Jail and then transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Crestview. Walton County Sheriff’s Office is not publishing the mugshot of the student but has chosen to publicize his name based on the lack of criminal history while taking into consideration... Read More
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30a News May 18, 2023

Veteran Broadway Performer Amy Hamel Announced as Summer Director

Summer Musical Theatre Intensive: Grease Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of esteemed Broadway performer Amy Hamel as the director for their upcoming Musical Theatre Intensive production of Grease (High School Version). Amy Hamel, renowned for her exceptional talent and extensive experience on Broadway, will bring her expertise and passion to the creative helm of ECTC’s Musical Theatre Intensive. As director, Hamel will guide aspiring young performers through an intensive program, providing invaluable mentorship and insights to shape a vibrant and dynamic production. Originally from West Palm Beach Florida, Hamel trained as a classical ballerina with Ballet Florida, received her BA in Theatre Arts from Palm Beach Atlantic University (where she went to school with Nathanael Fisher, ECTC’s Producing Artistic Director), and upon graduation went on to tour with the IV National Tour of Cats as “Demeter” and dance captain. She then had the honor of receiving four different contracts with the Broadway company of Cats, until the show’s historic closing, September 10, 2000, where she played the role of “Tantomile”. As a veteran of the Broadway stage, Amy Hamel has graced renowned venues such as the Richard Rodgers Theatre, the Gershwin Theatre, and the Imperial Theatre, among others. With an illustrious career spanning over two decades, Hamel has honed her craft in some of the most celebrated productions, including Chicago, A Chorus Line, and West Side Story. Her experience and artistic vision will undoubtedly elevate the caliber of ECTC’s Musical Theatre Intensive. “We are... Read More

30a News May 18, 2023

Veteran Broadway Performer Amy Hamel Announced as Summer Director

Summer Musical Theatre Intensive: Grease Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of esteemed Broadway performer Amy Hamel as the director for their upcoming Musical Theatre Intensive production of Grease (High School Version). Amy Hamel, renowned for her exceptional talent and extensive experience on Broadway, will bring her expertise and passion to the creative helm of ECTC’s Musical Theatre Intensive. As director, Hamel will guide aspiring young performers through an intensive program, providing invaluable mentorship and insights to shape a vibrant and dynamic production. Originally from West Palm Beach Florida, Hamel trained as a classical ballerina with Ballet Florida, received her BA in Theatre Arts from Palm Beach Atlantic University (where she went to school with Nathanael Fisher, ECTC’s Producing Artistic Director), and upon graduation went on to tour with the IV National Tour of Cats as “Demeter” and dance captain. She then had the honor of receiving four different contracts with the Broadway company of Cats, until the show’s historic closing, September 10, 2000, where she played the role of “Tantomile”. As a veteran of the Broadway stage, Amy Hamel has graced renowned venues such as the Richard Rodgers Theatre, the Gershwin Theatre, and the Imperial Theatre, among others. With an illustrious career spanning over two decades, Hamel has honed her craft in some of the most celebrated productions, including Chicago, A Chorus Line, and West Side Story. Her experience and artistic vision will undoubtedly elevate the caliber of ECTC’s Musical Theatre Intensive. “We are... Read More

30a News May 18, 2023

MAN CONVICTED OF DEADLY CRASH ON 331 SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON, LIFETIME DRIVER’S LICENSE BAN

May 17, 2023 WALTON COUNTY, FLORIDA – A man convicted of DUI manslaughter after a deadly crash in April 2022 is sentenced to 20 years in prison and a lifetime driver’s license ban. On May 16, 2023, Jose Carcamo Elvir was sentenced to 20 years in state prison by Circuit Judge Kelvin Wells, followed by 10 years of probation, fines, and court cost in the amount of $4588, DUI School, lifetime driver’s license ban, and restitution. Gomes previously entered a plea to an eight-count information filed by the State Attorney’s Office which included DUI manslaughter, four counts of DUI with serious bodily injury, expired driver’s license, and driving while license suspended causing death. In April of 2022, the defendant was arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol for DUI manslaughter related to a crash he caused that took the life of a South Florida businessman and injured several others. Elvir was driving a 2009 Chevy truck southbound on 331 approaching the traffic signal at the intersection of Highway 331 and Highway 20 in Freeport. Both southbound lanes of travel were occupied by several vehicles which were waiting at the red light. The defendant slammed into the waiting vehicles causing a massive chain reaction of crashes. FHP secured a warrant for the defendant’s blood following the crash which the Florida Department of Law Enforcement processed. The defendant’s blood alcohol content was .126. The defendant was convicted following a joint effort from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, FHP, FDLE, and the Office of... Read More