SPECIAL OLYMPICS

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office hosted and participated in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Thursday morning.

A seventh member of the Haitian delegation for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games has gone missing while visiting central Florida for the athletic competitions.

More than 5,500 athletes from all 50 states and the Caribbean Islands are competing. 607 of those athletes are from Florida.

The 2022 Special Olympics USA Games will begin next week, and athletes and their families have already made their way to Orlando to prepare.

The Special Olympics has dropped a coronavirus vaccine mandate for its games in Orlando after Florida moved to fine the organization $27.5 million for violating a state law against such requirements.

Law enforcement officers from over 300 Florida agencies came together during this state-wide torch run to benefit athletes of Special Olympics Florida.

(Gary Schottle via AP)Gary Schottle arrived in time to see the other kids in line hitting and jumping on his young son. Special Olympics changed everything. Special Olympics has since branched out to more than 170 countries, empowering more than 5 million athletes who had often been cast aside. In 20 years of Special Olympics competition, Tank's confidence has soared, his leadership spreading across playing fields, the Houston area and beyond. Once one of the bullied, he has become a living embodiment of the Special Olympics message.

STARKE, Fla. – The superintendent of the Bradford County School District is facing a defamation lawsuit brought by an organizer for the local chapter of Special Olympics Florida. “The email did not give dates, times, or list a phone number for a return call,” the Facebook post said. Cooper approached the Superintendent and proceeded to rant about the district’s failure to respond to her request; repeatedly using profanity," the Facebook post said. Cooper’s behavior was unprofessional, unwarranted and highly inappropriate given the presence of parents, teachers and even students in close enough proximity to have overheard her profane diatribe,” the district’s Facebook post said. After doing that she created a false and libelous post on the school district’s official Facebook page.

The officers stood at attention Friday as the national anthem played, but all eyes were on one veteran cop in particular. It was a drug deal gone bad, Weigt told KPHO-TV. "I'd been wanting to stand for the national anthem for 14 years," Weigt, a former United States infantry soldier, told TODAY. When everything hushed and the drums started, Im telling you, everything just went right into place, Weigt told KPHO-TV. That was probably the most special thing," Weigt said of being able to connect with the events participants.

If you don't already have lunch or dinner plans Tuesday, consider heading out to Jumpin' Jax House of Food in Atlantic Beach to support Special Olympics Florida. The Atlantic Beach Police Department will be participating in a Tip a Cop event at the restaurant from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. in Atlantic Beach. The event raises money for Special Olympics Florida by having officers assist with waiting tables as they collect donations from patrons. To learn more about Special Olympics Florida and the Torch Run, visit www.specialolympicsflorida.org.