SCHOOL

Lewis School Band Director Mike Wilson receives surprise “Thank a Teacher” Award

Band director Mike Wilson was surprised Friday morning at Lewis School in Valparaiso with a $250 “Thank a Teacher” award from HCA Florida Healthcare for his dedicated mentorship and positive impact on students.

• Wilson was nominated by a colleague for the recognition.

Around 10:45 a.m., Wilson was in the teacher’s lounge during his lunch period. There, Lewis School Assistant Principal Amy Morgan and Catherine Card (Public Information Officer for the Okaloosa County School District), Zach McCluskey (CEO of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital) presented Wilson with the award certificate, $250 check and praised his commitment to student success.

“He is a standout because he always goes over and above. From 5th grade band all the way through 8th grade band. He also works with the high school every summer at band camp,” said Morgan of Wilson’s dedication. “Our Lewis kids are a little nervous about going to Niceville High School but when they show up and Mr. Wilson’s on the field too, they feel so comforted.”

Zach McCluskey, CEO of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, read excerpts from Wilson’s nomination letter highlighting his dedication through the band program at Lewis and ensuring students transition smoothly to high school band.

• “Mr. Wilson embodies the qualities of an exceptional educator. His passion for music, dedication to student success, and commitment to fostering a positive learning environment make him an ideal candidate,” McCluskey read. “Mr. Wilson spends countless hours with students after school providing lessons and tutoring.  His dedication to his students can be seen all the way through those students that have left Lewis and are thriving in music programs across the district and the state.”

The award is part of an initiative between HCA Florida Healthcare and the Okaloosa County School District to recognize impactful district teachers. More than 100 submissions have been received since its launch in December.

For 10 years at Lewis, Wilson has spearheaded the band program. Additionally, he collaborates across the district to address individual student needs and ensures access to instruments.

• “Even our students who don’t have access to instruments. Mr. Wilson always tells them ‘it’s not a problem. We’ll get it for you,‘” said Morgan.

According to Morgan, even his former students often return to Lewis seeking Wilson’s guidance or to mentor younger pupils themselves. Wilson is known for encouraging school spirit and seizing opportunities to showcase the excellence of the Lewis band program.

“He has compassion for students and a lot of integrity,” added Morgan.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Okaloosa County forms team to find new jail site in Crestview

The Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners approved a proposal last Tuesday to create a jail site investigation and fact-finding team that will assist the county in selecting a location for a new correctional facility.

• The team was formed after the board previously considered a potential jail site on December 5th that ultimately did not move forward due to unfavorable feedback.

According to Deputy County Administrator Craig Coffey, although any site may appear unfavorable to some due to the stigma associated with these facilities, it is understood that the desire of the Board would be to put more thought into a potential site and minimize objections against a site while avoiding significant cost burdens to the taxpayers or a slow down of the process for a new County correctional facility.

Coffey noted that since the last meeting, many quality sites and ideas have already been presented that could help expedite the process of finding a suitable location.

The newly approved site investigation team will be chaired by Commissioner Paul Mixon and consist of the county jail director, a representative from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the public works director, a representative from the county’s water and sewer department, a representative from the courts, and any other members appointed by Mixon and the sheriff.

“The team is only delegated with the function of information gathering and fact-finding authority to assist the Deputy County Administrator and shall not exercise any decision-making function or recommendations,” according to county documents. “The Deputy County Administrator, who is not part of the team, will consider the factual findings and information gathering of the team but will be solely responsible for making recommendations to the Board.”

The team has been given a specific set of criteria to follow when evaluating potential sites, including:

• Minimum of 40 acres of upland with relatively gentle slopes, preferably 60+ acres
• Access to public water and sewer sufficient to support a large correctional facility
• Nearby access to major road networks and truck routes
• Location within 5 miles of Crestview courts and transportation networks
• Reasonably priced property
• Compatibility with surrounding area and buffer space
• No major limiting factors like flood plains, wetlands, or contamination

Coffey explained to commissioners that the utility and infrastructure demands of a modern jail facility are extensive.

“With the jail, it’s almost like a 500 unit subdivision. When we have them 24 hours a day, you have those needs 24/7,” he said. “Every jail site throughout the panhandle that we visited, and we visited all the ones to the west and one to the east, they have it on larger sites.”

Having adequate acreage would also allow space for inmate training programs, farming, and other activities to support jail operations, Coffey added.

In contrast, the current aging county jail is situated on a site with flooding and sinkhole issues.

• “Our current facility, we’re in a swamp. Our buildings are sinking. I’m sure the land was very cheap but they didn’t think through all the different details of trying to fast forward many years from now and some of the issues we’re facing today,” said Coffey. “The goal would be to find a site that doesn’t require a ton of fill or a ton of wetland mitigation and anything like that.”

Any proposed site will still need to be presented to the county commission at a future date for final consideration and approval. In the meantime, the county will also begin soliciting proposals for design services so that master planning and design work can commence immediately once a site is selected.

Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel motioned to approve the proposal for the new correctional facility site selection team, which was seconded by Commissioner Nathan Boyles and passed unanimously.

The county hopes to identify and recommend viable jail sites to commissioners within two to three months based on feedback and factual findings gathered by the investigation team.

NEWS

Fort Walton Beach Council to consider moratorium on livery vessels

The Fort Walton Beach City Council is considering a temporary one-year moratorium on new livery vessel businesses within city limits and adjacent waterways due to concerns over boating safety and environmental impacts.

• The moratorium comes in response to a rise in commercial watercraft rental operations locally. Currently there are 17 livery vessel companies pursuing or possessing active business permits in the city, according to the agenda item summary.

The ordinance proposes prohibiting the city from issuing any new development approvals, building permits or business licenses for livery vessel establishments through Sept. 30, 2024. Existing companies could continue operating under current permits but would be barred from expanding.

According to the document, the Fort Walton Beach City Council adopted regulations on livery vessels in August 2021 in response to prior community feedback over watercraft safety and upland development standards.

• However city staff determined current oversight “may not adequately address livery vessel businesses” as their numbers increase on local waterways.

The summary cites rising risks of “dangerous boating conditions and negative impacts on the environment.” The City of Destin enacted a similar moratorium in 2019 later extended through 2023 to address concerns including waterway congestion, safety and environmental harm.

Under the proposal, Fort Walton Beach would continue evaluating potential long-term policies during the moratorium window relating to “aesthetics, socio-economic impact, quality of life for the public, tourism, and community character issues including population concentration” among other factors.

The city could exempt certain establishments from the temporary policy if owners demonstrate “substantial hardship,” defined as provable financial losses over $10,000 resulting from prior investments made based on existing regulations.

City staff advise the year-long pause on livery licensing to develop recommendations for City Council on adopting “appropriate regulations” for these businesses within municipal boundaries.

The Fort Walton Beach City Council will vote on whether to approve the proposed Ordinance 2135 enacting the livery vessel moratorium at their upcoming meeting Jan. 23 at 6pm.

TRAFFIC

Okaloosa and Walton Counties Traffic Advisory

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Okaloosa and Walton counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Okaloosa County:                                 

• Brooks Bridge Replacement Project – Drivers may experience traffic disruptions Sunday, Jan. 21 through Thursday, Jan. 25, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for utility work and construction activities in the following locations:
  • U.S. 98 east and westbound alternating and intermittent lane closures between Ferry Road and Pier Road.
  • Santa Rosa Boulevard east and westbound alternating lane closures from east of Amberjack Drive to Ross Marler Park.

• Mary Esther Boulevard (State Road (S.R.) 393) Resurfacing from U.S. 98 to Beal Parkway (S.R. 189) – Drivers may encounter intermittent inside lane closures on Mary Esther Boulevard for median construction at the following locations and times:
  • Sunday, Jan. 21 through Thursday, Jan. 25, from U.S. 98 to Hollywood Boulevard, between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
  • Sunday, Jan. 21 through Saturday, Jan. 27, from Hollywood Boulevard to Beal Parkway, between 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

• S.R. 85 Resurfacing from north of Commerce Drive to Bill Lundy Road – Next week, drivers may experience intermittent north and southbound S.R. 85 single-lane closures for milling and paving operations. Lane closures may occur:
  • Between Airport Road and Butler Road, Monday, Jan. 22 through Friday, Jan. 26 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Between Commerce Drive and Butler Road, Sunday, Jan. 21 through Thursday, Jan. 25, from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
  • Between Butler Road and Bill Lundy Road, Sunday, Jan. 21 through Saturday, Jan. 27 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

• S.R. 285 Resurfacing from S.R. 20 to S.R. 293 – Drivers may experience intermittent S.R. 285 north and southbound lane closures, Sunday, Jan. 21 through Thursday, Jan. 25, for milling and paving operations and for crews to place sod. Lane closures may occur:
  • Between John Sims Parkway (S.R. 20) and Palm Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Between Palm Boulevard and S.R. 293 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from Josie Road to Florida Place Southeast – Drivers may experience intermittent S.R. 285 north and southbound lane closures, Sunday, Jan. 21 through Thursday, Jan. 25, for milling and paving operations and for crews to place sod. Lane closures may occur:
  • Between John Sims Parkway (S.R. 20) and Palm Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Between Palm Boulevard and S.R. 293 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

• S.R. 85 Intersection Improvement at Erwin Fleet Intersection – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures near the S.R. 85/Erwin Fleet intersection, Sunday, Jan. 21 through Saturday, Jan. 27, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for signalization work.

Walton County:

• U.S. 98 Widening from Mack Bayou Road to County Road (C.R.) 30A – Drivers may encounter intermittent, alternating U.S. 98 east and westbound lane closures, between Mack Bayou Road and C.R. 30A, Sunday, Jan. 21 through Thursday, Jan. 25 from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for milling and paving operations.
• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from east of U.S. 331 to Peach Creek – Drivers may encounter nighttime intermittent U.S. 98 east and westbound lane closures, Sunday, Jan. 21 through Thursday, Jan. 25, from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations.
• Western Lake Bridge Replacement Project – Drivers may encounter nighttime intermittent C.R. 30A east and westbound lane closures over Western Lake Bridge, Sunday, Jan. 21 through Thursday, Jan. 25, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for construction activities. Signage and traffic flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone.
• U.S. 331 Turn Lane Operations at C.R. 282 (Segrest Road) – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures Monday, Jan. 22 through Friday, Jan. 26 from turn lane operations.

TRAFFIC

Public input sought on U.S. 98 “Around the Mound” Project in Fort Walton Beach

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a hybrid public alternatives meeting Tuesday, Feb. 20 concerning the U.S. 98 “Around the Mound” Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study.

• The project limits cover State Road 30 (U.S. 98/Miracle Strip Parkway) from S.R. 189 (Beal Parkway) to the west end of the Brooks Bridge in Okaloosa County.

The hybrid meeting will run 5:30-6:30 p.m. Citizens can attend virtually at www.nwflroads.com/virtualmeetings. Those unable to participate online can attend in person at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE. Preregistration is required for virtual attendance and encouraged for in-person.

• Registration details are at www.nwflroads.com/virtualmeetings.

The purpose of the study is to address existing and future traffic capacity and safety issues on U.S. 98 as well as high volumes of regional and commuter traffic through downtown Fort Walton Beach.

The PD&E study aligns with recommendations from the 2019 City of Fort Walton Beach Downtown Master Plan and the 2020 FDOT Feasibility Study, according to FDOT.

Two build alternatives will be presented: Alternative 1A (At-Grade) and Alternative 1B (Grade-Separated). A No-Build Alternative is also under consideration.

• Access management changes will be required, along with right-of-way acquisition resulting in some business and residential relocations. Future phases of right-of-way, design and construction are currently unfunded in FDOT’s five-year work program.

Those wishing to comment can do so at the meeting or by contacting the project manager. The deadline for official comment submissions is Friday, March 1, 2024.

A PD&E Study is the formal process that develops and compares alternatives to determine a preferred action that meets project goals while minimizing impact to social, natural and physical environments, per the National Environmental Policy Act’s public engagement requirements.

The purpose of this project is to increase the capacity of U.S. 98 to accommodate current and future traffic and reduce downtown Fort Walton Beach passthrough volumes by regional and commuter vehicles.

Click here to view more renderings of both Alternatives