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Good morning!
Here’s what we’re covering today:
- A Miramar Beach gas station sells a $43 million winning lottery ticket, while Governor DeSantis taps Destin native James Uthmeier as Florida’s next attorney general. Winter weather threatens next week, Fort Walton Beach seeks volunteers for encampment cleanup, and Okaloosa opens school registration. Meanwhile, the community prepares to honor MLK Day with a parade.
EVENT
Volunteers sought for emergency cleanup of abandoned homeless camp in Fort Walton Beach
A community cleanup initiative will target an abandoned homeless encampment along Lewis Turner Boulevard next to the Bernie R. Lefebvre Aquatic Center on January 18.
- Keep Okaloosa Beautiful is partnering with city officials to coordinate the effort, which will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., though organizers say they will remain on site until the work is completed, regardless of weather conditions.
The cleanup operation will involve bagging debris and loading materials into trucks. Larger items will be placed along the sidewalk for later collection by city crews using a knuckle boom truck.
- “This is not going to be an easy job,” Keep Okaloosa Beautiful stated in their announcement, calling for community volunteers to assist with the project.
The organization will provide all necessary cleanup supplies, though participants are advised to bring water and wear closed-toe shoes. Those interested in volunteering can register through the organization’s online signup system.
The initiative came about after social media posts drew attention to the site’s condition, prompting coordination between a concerned citizen and Keep Okaloosa Beautiful to address the situation.
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WEATHER
Freezing temperatures, wintry mix possible in Okaloosa next week
Okaloosa Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox announced Thursday that temperatures will plummet into the 20s Monday through Wednesday mornings, with inland areas possibly seeing readings in the teens. Wind chills could drop into the lower teens and single digits in some locations.
- The arctic air mass will move into the region Sunday night and persist through mid-week, Maddox said.
Adding to the winter weather threat, forecasters are monitoring the potential for snow and ice Tuesday into Wednesday. While confidence in the winter precipitation forecast remains low, Maddox noted that the possibility of a dry forecast is decreasing.
“There are several scenarios at this point that range from little to no impacts to higher-end snow/ice impacts across the area,” Maddox said.
The National Weather Service will provide additional guidance through a webinar Friday, with local officials expected to release an updated forecast afterward.
POLITICS
DeSantis says Destin native James Uthmeier will be Florida’s next attorney general
Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to appoint his chief of staff and Destin native James Uthmeier as Florida’s next attorney general, following current Attorney General Ashley Moody’s appointment to the U.S. Senate.
- DeSantis announced his intention during a Thursday press conference, where he drew parallels between Uthmeier and Moody. “My Chief of Staff, James Uthmeier, is kind of like Ashley. He’s proven himself in these fights,” DeSantis said.
Uthmeier, a Fort Walton Beach High School graduate, will step into the role after Moody departs to fill Sen. Marco Rubio’s Senate seat. Rubio is set to become secretary of state under President-elect Donald Trump.
“I think he’s got big shoes to fill, but I think he’ll do a good job doing that,” DeSantis said, while noting he would not make the appointment official until the position becomes vacant.
Following the announcement, Uthmeier expressed gratitude on X:
- “I’m honored and humbled to be appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis as the next Attorney General of the Free State of Florida.” He pledged to “build on AG Ashley Moody’s fine record, help enact the @realDonaldTrump agenda, and defend our people, our constitution, and our Florida way of life!”
EVENT
MLK Day parade scheduled for Fort Walton Beach
The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade will take place Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, with activities beginning at 8 a.m. at the Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium.
- Parade participants will begin lining up at 8 a.m., with the parade scheduled to step off at 10 a.m. The route will begin at the Civic Auditorium and conclude at Chester Pruitt Park, following a path west on Highway 98 to Memorial Parkway SW, north on Memorial to Hollywood Boulevard, north on Beal Parkway to Walter Martin Road, and south on Carson Drive to McGriff Street.
Free shuttle service will be available for parade participants and spectators. Buses will run from Beulah First Baptist Church to the Civic Auditorium from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Return trips will operate from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Organizers have approved soft candy distribution along the parade route for participants to share with spectators.
SCHOOL
Okaloosa County Schools opens registration for new students, kindergarteners
Registration is now open for kindergarteners and new students entering the Okaloosa County School District for the 2025-2026 school year.
- Parents must first create a Focus Parent Portal account to begin the enrollment process. The portal will allow parents to access their children’s class schedules, grades, attendance records, and discipline information, as well as communicate with teachers.
To complete registration, families need to provide their child’s legal name and a valid Okaloosa County address. While the initial online enrollment request starts the process, parents or legal guardians must still submit signed documents and proof of residence at their child’s school.
For families needing assistance, registration kiosks are available in the front offices of all enrolling schools. Upon completing the registration process, children will be linked to their parent’s portal account.
NEWS
Winning Florida Lotto ticket worth $43 million sold at Miramar Beach gas station
A Florida Lottery ticket worth $43 million remains unclaimed after being sold at a Tom Thumb/Cumberland convenience store in Miramar Beach, lottery officials announced.
- The winning ticket matched all six numbers – 7, 8, 24, 37, 43, and 49 – in Wednesday’s Florida Lotto with Double Play drawing on January 15, 2025.
The lucky ticket was purchased at Tom Thumb #116, located at 9595 Highway 98 East in Miramar Beach.
The winner has not yet come forward to claim the prize.
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