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Your Florida Daily: State investigating former RCID, flesh-eating bacteria blamed for 5 deaths

Plus: How Ellaville became a ghost town

One of Walt Disney World's "gateway" entrances. (Copyright 2023 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

The oversight board appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to handle Walt Disney World property is asking the Florida Inspector General to investigate why the board’s predecessor spent at least $2 million for employee perks.

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A news release from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District said it found a bill sent to the district’s predecessor, the Reedy Creek Improvement District

The bill, over $533,000, included line items for Disney tickets, merchandise, food and beverage, water parks and mini golf discounts, employee room discounts for Disney resorts and discounts for Disney Cruise Line.

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In 2022 alone, the board said the Reedy Creek board members spent $2.5 million on discounts and tickets for employees and family members.

The board has since eliminated the employee perks.

The Florida Legislature remade the Reedy Creek Improvement District into the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District earlier this year, complete with a board of supervisors appointed by DeSantis.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings speaks at his 2023 State of Orange County address on Friday, June 9, 2023. (Orange TV)

The debate over how to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in tourist tax revenue will once again be up for discussion in Orange County.

Last week, the county’s comptroller sent a letter to commissioners, warning them not to overspend with the recent drop in tourism to the area.

That prompted a response from Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings who said he wants to prioritize projects at the Convention Center and Camping World Stadium.

“It is a lot of money to spend, and when you borrow the money, you ultimately have to pay it back,” Comptroller Phil Diamond said.

Tuesday, the board will likely give direction on the next steps for the funding though no formal vote is being held.

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State health officials said a rare species of flesh-eating bacteria has been linked to five deaths in Florida this year.

Vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria found in raw shellfish or brackish water, can cause skin breakdown and ulcers.

Two deaths were reported in Hillsborough County, with one each in Pasco, Polk and Sarasota.

The Florida Department of Health said Vibrio vulnificus enters the body through fresh cuts and scrapes and can also cause disease in people who eat contaminated seafood.

Random Florida Fact

Ellaville is a ghost town founded on the banks of the river in 1861 by George Drew, a businessman who would later become the first governor of Florida.

He named the town Ellaville as a tribute to Ella, his long-time African-American servant.

Drew opened a successful steam-operated sawmill but after becoming Governor, he sold his shares in Ellaville.

The mill later burned down and with major river flooding and the Great Depression, The town finally vanished in 1942.

Today, very little remains of Ellaville, though, you can still see the old bridge and the foundation of the Drew Mansion.

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