Things To Do In SW Florida

WITHLACOOCHEE STATE FOREST — Over the thrumming of insects and the squawking of blue jays perched high in sand pines, heavy machinery roared nearby.

Bordering this wedge-shaped stretch of state forest in Hernando County is Cabot Citrus Farms, a luxury golf resort that’s making upgrades. The company hopes to draw people from around the world to tee off on its courses and fill multi-million dollar homes.

And it wants to expand. Following a request from the company, the Florida Cabinet — which includes Gov. Ron DeSantis — quietly approved giving Cabot Citrus 324 adjacent acres of state forest, some of it harboring threatened species. The Cabinet’s June 12 discussion, which lasted less than 30 seconds, did not mention golf courses nor the state forest where more could be built. There was no debate, no public comment. No mention of endangered wildlife.

In return, Cabot would buy 861 acres of timber land about 50 miles northwest in Cedar Key to give to the state — land that largely consists of rows of planted pines with limited biodiversity. read more

Ripley Entertainment and Amsterdam-based GoPhoto have formed a joint venture designed to expand souvenir photography at attractions in North America.

Ripley, headquartered in Orlando, is installing GoPhoto equipment in multiple aquariums and “odditoriums,” museum-inspired attractions stocked with unusual artifacts and information. Visitors strike poses at the kiosks, then buy traditional prints or videos with added special effects they can use on TikTok and other social media platforms.

Photography systems devised by GoPhoto require fewer hands-on workers and increase revenue for attractions, according to company executives.

“There’s tons of flexibility with the system. There’s very little training required to utilize it,” said Pablo Chavez, a regional manager for Ripley.

“It’s a lot faster, and it’s less cumbersome for a staff member because all they have to worry about is being friendly and welcoming to the guests,” he said.

The digital age prompted changes in the business, said Daniel Duivestein, CEO and founder of GoPhoto. His initial interest hatched when he and his brother operated an observation wheel in Finland that needed a photo system. read more

By DAVID KOENIG, MANUEL VALDES and LINDSEY WASSON

SEATTLE (AP) — Blue-collar workers from Boeing walked picket lines in the Pacific Northwest instead of building airplanes on Friday after they overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract that would have raised their wages by 25% over four years.

The strike by 33,000 machinists will not disrupt airline flights anytime soon, but it is expected to shut down production of Boeing’s best-selling jetliners, marking yet another setback for a company already dealing with billions of dollars in financial losses and a damaged reputation.

The company said it was taking steps to conserve cash while its CEO looks for ways to come up with a contract that the unionized factory workers will accept.

Boeing stock fell 3.7% Friday, bringing its decline for the year to nearly 40%.

The strike started soon after a regional branch of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers reported that in a Thursday vote, 94.6% of participating members rejected a contract offer that the union’s own bargaining committee had endorsed, and 96% voted to strike. read more

By JOSH BOAK

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Donald Trump plans to deliver remarks next Monday about cryptocurrency and the launch of the company World Liberty Financial, a crypto platform controlled by the Republican nominee’s sons Donald Jr. and Eric.

His speech will come 50 days before Election Day, an extraordinary use of dwindling campaign time to promote a personal business. The Republican former president has long mixed his political and business interests and marketed sneakers, photo books and Trump-branded Bibles during his 2024 campaign.

“We’re embracing the future with crypto and leaving the slow and outdated big banks behind,” Trump said in a video posted Thursday to X, the social media site that will also host his address on the subject at 8 p.m. EDT on Monday from his Mar-a-Lago home.

As part of his presidential campaign, Trump has pledged to turn the United States into the “crypto capital of the planet,” raising red flags that he could use the federal government to help support a business tied to his family. read more

Health care

Stephanie Wohlford was appointed director of government affairs at Halifax Health, Daytona Beach.

Law

Todd Demetriades has joined Ball Janik LLP as special counsel in the firm’s Orlando office.

Property management

Jackie Impellitier was promoted to chief operating officer at ZRS Management, Orlando.

Other

Dani Moritz was appointed vice president of marketing and community relations at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida.

Submit professional appointments, management-level promotions and significant awards for individuals, along with photos as .jpg attachments, to peopleonmove@orlandosentinel.com.