New restaurants, LaCoste sentencing, Kyle Rittenhouse in top news
This week’s top stories include new restaurants, Kyle Rittenhouse’s new gig and Jesse LaCoste’s sentencing.
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Kyle Rittenhouse lands new gun shop job after Milton stint
Kyle Rittenhouse has landed at a new Florida gun shop after his tenure in Milton came to an end when Gulf Coast Gun and Outdoors closed in late 2025 after 10 years in business.
Rittenhouse, whose acquittal after he fatally shot two men and wounded a third during 2020 unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, drew national attention.
Chris Smith, owner of the now-closed store, said in a February 2025 Facebook post that Rittenhouse, whom he called “the Kenosha kid,” was a full-time employee. There, Rittenhouse worked with the Milton gun shop to release his signature “KR-15” rifle model.
Here’s what’s next for Rittenhouse.
Viral ‘Cat in the Hat’ trend prompts police presence at local schools
Schools across the country have been on high alert after yet another disturbing trend has popped up on social media, this time involving a demented version of Dr. Seuss’ “Cat in the Hat” character.
The viral “Cat in the Hat” trend has officially reached local schools, according to a recent social post from the Santa Rosa County School District, which announced that students and faculty would see more law enforcement and security personnel around campuses last week.
“We understand that messages like these can be concerning to students, families, and staff. Please know that Santa Rosa County District Schools takes all potential threats seriously,” the district wrote in the post.
Contractor Jesse LaCoste sentenced to 30 years on RICO, fraud charges
Embattled Pensacola-area contractor Jesse LaCoste was sentenced to 30 years in prison Aug. 31 after being convicted of racketeering and organized fraud.
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Jurors heard during his trial the week of Aug. 24 that LaCoste had used his company, LaCoste Construction Group, to defraud dozens of area homeowners of approximately $2 million between 2018 and 2022.
Numerous victims gave testimony that they had paid LaCoste tens of thousands of dollars, and in some cases hundreds of thousands, to do various home rebuilds or repairs that were never completed or never even started.
7 restaurants open in Pensacola area in August, 2 permanently close
August brought plenty of tasty new dining options to Pensacola, ranging from hot chicken tenders to healthy grain bowls. While we reported on seven new restaurants opening in August, we also said goodbye to two restaurants that served as hot spots for hand-rolled sushi and homemade desserts.
Here’s a look back at what restaurants opened and closed in August.
5 French bulldogs seized from Gulf Breeze home after video goes viral
Two people from Gulf Breeze are charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty after a video was shared online of a woman kicking, slapping and shoving two French bulldogs under a fence, while a man appeared to participate in the alleged abuse.
Charolette Dellinger and David Neely, both 57, were arrested on Aug. 28 and charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty. They were released the following day. Bond was set at $10,000 for Dellinger and $5,000 for Neely. They both list the same Gulf Breeze address.
Santa Rosa County Animal Services Chief Randy Lambert said they were tipped off about the video and they contacted the Sheriff’s Office, who identified Dellinger and Neely as the individuals in the video and arrested them.
“We knew we had to jump in and take action right away,” Lambert said. “We weren’t going to stop until we got somebody to sign off on us seizing those animals.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: New restaurants, LaCoste sentencing, Kyle Rittenhouse in top news
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Reporting by Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect
This story was originally published September 6, 2026 at 5:04 AM.
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