winners & losers winners losers

LT. AMANDA LEE The U.S. Navy Blue Angel pilot became the Blue Angels' first female fighter jet pilot in the squadron's 76-year history on Saturday, March 11, at the El Centro Naval Air Facility air show in El Centro, Calif. Lt. Lee of Mounds View, Minn., served as a member of the "Gladiators" of Strike Fighter Squadron 106 before joining the Blue Angels this year. Women have served with the Blue Angels in other capacities for more than 55 years but not as demonstration pilots.

PENSACOLA BLUE WAHOOS Pensacola's Double-A baseball team had 31 former players on Major League team rosters when the season opened last week. Over its first decade, the Blue Wahoos have been affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins and Miami Marlins. The 14 players with Reds connections spread over 12 different teams, including Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas, who played for the Blue Wahoos' first team in 2012. Three former Minnesota Twins prospects that played on the 2019 Blue Wahoos team were starters. Six former Blue Wahoos are on the Twins' pitching staff.

UWF DANCE MARATHON The 10th annual University of West Florida Dance Marathon raised $30,109.48 on Saturday, March 25, to support Studer Family Children's Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart, a member of the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. During the UWF Dance Marathon, over 250 participants danced for six hours in support of children. Winners were split into three divisions—sororities, fraternities and all other organizations. They raised funds as teams for the event and competed in the "Miracle Ball." The 2023 champions were Alpha Delta Gamma, Sigma Xi and Argonets.

EVER'MAN COOPERATIVE The grocery and café is celebrating its 50 years of serving Northwest Florida and South Alabama. Ever'man Cooperative Grocery & Cafe has been driven by its members' commitment to actively create a healthier, more vibrant community. Since its founding in Gulf Breeze in 1973, it has been the local source for natural and organic foods and educational classes about conscious living.

MATT GAETZ The day after Donald Trump was indicted, Congressman Gaetz sent out fundraising emails—not for the former president but for himself. Declaring himself one of Trump's top allies, Gaetz wrote, "It's clear why this dark day for America has sadly become a reality: President Donald J. Trump always fought for us. He puts the American People above corrupt interests. And for that reason alone, the powerful will never stop coming after him. So I will continue to stand with President Trump, friend—because I know that he has always stood with us. Will you help me continue to be one of 45's strongest defenders in the wake of this political persecution?" Inweekly declined.

CENTRAL FLORIDA TOURISM OVERSIGHT DISTRICT BOARD

Gov. Ron DeSantis' handpicked board to oversee Disney World's future development may have been outmaneuvered by Disney. Ahead of the state takeover, the corporation pushed through the pact and restrictive covenants that may tie the hands of future board members for decades. The previous board, which was known as the Reedy Creek Improvement District and controlled by Disney, approved the agreement on Feb. 8, the day before the Florida House voted to put the governor in charge. The new Board of Supervisors has voted to bring in outside legal help to examine the agreement.

KATHRYN DREY

The Assistant U.S. Attorney in Pensacola has pleaded guilty to illegally steering contracts to her spouse in violation of the federal criminal conflict of interest statute. According to court documents, Drey directed contracts from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida to companies in which her spouse had a financial interest, including while she served as chief of the office's Civil Division. She concealed that financial interest in contracts to conduct title searches in litigation defended by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Drey pleaded guilty to one count of acting with a conflict of interest. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 28 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.