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Good morning!
Here’s what we’re covering today:
- Niceville celebrates as two of its athletes earn top scholastic honors, while the Gulfarium CARE Center takes in eight cold-stunned sea turtles. The F-16 fuel tank cleanup continues in Niceville, temporary one-way configuration near Brooks Bridge, and a tragic crash in Destin.
MILITARY
Eglin AFB removes dropped F-16 fuel tank, cleanup underway
Eglin Air Force Base personnel successfully removed the 300-gallon fuel tank on January 8, one day after it fell from a 96th Test Wing F-16 Fighting Falcon.
- “Our environmental management team is working diligently to clean up the affected areas,” said Col. Michelle Sterling, 96th Civil Engineer Group commander. “We are communicating our efforts with the homeowners and want to assure the community we are engaged in clean up procedures.”
The 96th Civil Engineer Group’s Spill Response team is leading the cleanup operation, which officials expect to last several weeks.
An Air Force Safety Investigation Board continues to examine the cause of the incident, which occurred January 7 near Nathey Avenue and Monette Street. No injuries or property damage were reported.
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NEWS
Gulfarium CARE Center welcomes eight cold-stunned sea turtles for rehabilitation
Eight cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are receiving critical care at the Gulfarium CARE Center after their rescue and transport from the New England Aquarium on December 10.
- The endangered turtles, rescued from cold northern waters, were transported to Florida facilities through a collaborative effort led by Turtles Fly Too. Upon arrival, the rehabilitation team gave them seasonal names: Frosty, Garland, Jingle, Joy, Kringle, Snow, Tinsel, and Winter.
“These turtles are remarkable fighters, and it’s an honor to be part of the effort to nurse them back to health,” said Tabby Siegfried, Gulfarium CARE Center Coordinator. “The collaboration between organizations like Turtles Fly Too and our dedicated team allows us to give these animals the best chance for recovery.”
The center’s staff conducted thorough evaluations of the turtles and provided supportive therapies. According to the CARE Center, all eight turtles are doing well under care. Once fully rehabilitated, they will be released back into the ocean.
The public can follow the turtles’ recovery progress on the center’s Facebook page. The rehabilitation work is viewable to visitors with general admission tickets to the Gulfarium.
The CARE Center encourages anyone who spots a distressed, injured, or deceased sea turtle to contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922).
PUBLIC SAFETY
Deputies investigate death of Navarre man in early morning Destin crash
A Navarre man died early Friday morning after his vehicle ran off the road, crashed down an embankment and struck several parked vehicles at a Destin hotel before catching fire, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
- The 50-year-old driver was reportedly ejected from his black Dodge Charger during the crash, which occurred around 5:20 a.m. Deputies attempted CPR on the victim while also trying to extinguish the vehicle fire with fire extinguishers.
The Destin Fire Department responded to the scene and successfully put out the flames. Emergency Medical Services personnel pronounced the driver dead at the scene.
No other injuries were reported in the incident, which remains under investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
TRAFFIC
FDOT: Florida Blanca Place SE one-way extended to mid-February near Brooks Bridge
Florida Blanca Place SE from First Street to Brooks Street will remain in a temporary one-way traffic configuration beginning the week of January 13, while crews perform drainage work through mid-February, weather permitting.
- The temporary configuration will maintain eastbound-only traffic on Florida Blanca Place SE. Westbound drivers traveling from Brooks Street to First Street will follow a detour via Alconese Avenue SE and First Street. Detour signs will guide drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists through the area.
This work is part of the $171 million Brooks Bridge Replacement Project, which includes constructing two new parallel bridges to increase capacity from four to six travel lanes. The current bridge opened in 1966, and the replacement project is scheduled for completion in summer 2027.
Transportation officials note all activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled due to inclement weather. Drivers are urged to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
SCHOOL
Niceville’s Diehl, Broutin named All Sports Association Scholastic winners
Surrounded by fellow students, staff, family members and All Sports Association representatives in Niceville High School’s media center, seniors Max Diehl and Sophie Broutin received surprising news Friday morning – they are the 2025 All Sports Association Scholastic Award winners.
- “This is a huge honor for you guys. From the school, we’re certainly very proud of you,” said Principal Charlie Marello during the announcement. “When I got the call that we actually won both, that’s unprecedented at Niceville High School.”
The awards recognize outstanding achievement in both academics and athletics across Okaloosa, Walton, and Santa Rosa counties.
Diehl, who maintains a 4.77 weighted GPA and ranks first in his class of 475 students, serves as captain of the boys’ lacrosse team. He has led the team to state playoff appearances in consecutive seasons.
- Currently seeking a congressional nomination to one of the United States service academies, Diehl has focused on service work, personally raising $5,000 in donations for Bed 4 Me, a nonprofit organization providing beds and bedding to children.
Broutin, who also holds a 4.77 weighted GPA, was named NHS Volleyball MVP and Most Valuable Offensive Player of the Year. Her athletic achievements include earning bids to compete at both Beach and Indoor Nationals. She was also selected as Northwest Florida Daily News Athlete of the Week for volleyball, receiving over 150,000 votes in the poll.
“When you have students who not only excel academically but also athletically, that’s what we want…well rounded students,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “In our school district, we want to be about academics, athletics and the arts, and this symbolizes that.”
Kevin Bowyer, president of the All Sports Association, noted that the awards are part of the organization’s annual banquet, which raises funds for four charities: the Boys and Girls Club, Eleanor Johnson Youth Center, the FCA, and Special Olympics.
- The achievement marks a rare occurrence of one school winning both the male and female scholastic awards in the same year, following Choctawhatchee High School’s double win last year.
Both students have participated in advanced academic programs. Diehl scored a 30 on his ACT and has completed multiple AP and AICE courses. He attended both Air Force Academy and Naval Academy Summer Seminars during his junior year. Broutin serves as Key Club President and Vice President of Science National Honor Society.
The students were selected from a pool of nominees representing schools across the region.
ICYMI
News you might have missed last week
- Okaloosa County approves $3.3M for portion of Destin Crosstown Connector. The 0.4-mile road project aims to provide traffic relief in Destin, where record visitor numbers and local traffic create persistent bottlenecks along Highway 98, particularly during peak tourist seasons. Full story
- Okaloosa commissioners accept conceptual plan for Eglin Orphan Land development. County commissioners accepted initial plans for developing eight underutilized Eglin Air Force Base properties, marking an early step in a long-term development process. Full story
- ‘Who fixes this road?’: A new web-based application launched by Okaloosa County helps residents determine which government entity manages and maintains specific roadways through an interactive color-coded map system. Full story
- Destin approves $1.2M project to resurface 11 city streets. Eleven streets will get fresh pavement under the city’s renewal plan, targeting roads that haven’t been resurfaced in over two decades. Full story
- Meet Milo: Fort Walton Beach police welcomes first wellness K-9 to support trauma victims. Full story
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Monday. Help us shape the future of local news and make a meaningful impact on your community. Click here to learn how you can support us!
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