GIVING BACK

Be the Magic Foundation makes record-breaking contributions in 2023

Bit-Wizards’ Be the Magic Foundation reinforced its support of the local community in its third year. Through various partnerships, 23 local nonprofits, organizations, and students received $156,943 in cash donations and over $363,680 in services and volunteer support throughout 2023.

• In total, BTMF contributed $520,625, the most significant donation amount to date.

Founded in 2021, BTMF aims to make the future of Northwest Florida stronger and more viable through the support of Youth Development, Adults & Children with Special Needs, Animal Welfare, and Community Development.

100% of all funding received by BTMF goes to its nonprofit partners. Bit-Wizards covers all administrative expenses, promotion and advertising costs, and other Foundation overhead.

• This ensures that every cent donated directly impacts the Northwest Florida nonprofit community, according to Bit-Wizards.

“In 2023, the Be the Magic Foundation radiated brilliance, channeling our commitment through monetary donations of $156,943, dedicating 2,975 hours of skilled labor, and fervently backing 23 remarkable organizations,” said Louis Erickson, Co-Founder of Bit-Wizards and Be the Magic Foundation Vice President. “Our steadfast dedication to creating a positive impact remains unyielding. Together, we embrace the enchanting power of our Wizards’ philanthropic magic to create transformative change in the lives of our neighbors and the community at large.”

SCHOOL

Okaloosa County School District to host Multilingual Family and Community Night

The English Language Learners Community Connections Committee is hosting a Multilingual Family and Community Night on Jan. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Edwins Elementary School.

• The free event will provide information on school and community resources to support families, with childcare and translators available. There will also be food and fun activities.

Topics covered will include how to help children with academics at home, navigating the Classlink portal for access to student resources and information, and Title I services providing additional support to disadvantaged students. A special presentation for middle school and high school students will address support available to them.

Local organizations are also invited to attend to explain the resources they can offer families.

The “ELL CommUNITY CONNECTIons Committee” is a group dedicated to supporting English language learners and their families while promoting cultural awareness in the community, according to a press release.

By organizing inclusive events and providing access to resources like language classes and mentorships, the committee aims to create equal opportunities for all students to succeed.

POLITICS

Rep. Matt Gaetz to hold mobile office hours in Niceville

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz will hold mobile office hours in Niceville on Tuesday to assist constituents with federal casework issues.

• Gaetz’s staff will be available from 10 a.m. to noon at the Costa Leadership Institute, Building 400, Raider Central, third floor, Room 301, at Northwest Florida State College, 100 E. College Blvd.

Constituents can receive assistance with casework involving federal agencies such as the IRS, Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, passport services and the Small Business Administration.

The mobile office hours allow residents who do not live near Gaetz’s district office to meet with staff in a more convenient location.

Gaetz represents Florida’s 1st Congressional District, which includes Niceville. Tuesday’s event is open to any constituents living in the district. No appointment is necessary.

ICYMI

News you might have missed

• HURLBURT FIELD: Colonel Allison Black has announced she will retire from Air Force Special Operations command, according to WEAR Channel 3. Col. Black served in the Air Force for 32 years and is the commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field. Read the story.

• HOMELESSNESS: The Pensacola Chamber of Commerce is taking steps to address homelessness in the community, according to WEAR. They are looking at how leaders in Okaloosa County have worked to address the issue in their community, as well as change people’s lives. Read full story.

• CLEAN UP: Volunteers showed up on Saturday to clean up the area next to the Shalimar Bridge. According to Keep Okaloosa Beautiful, more than 800 pounds of trash was collected and disposed. Looking ahead, this area will eventually be a new public park with a partnership between Okaloosa County and the Town of Shalimar. Full details.

• POLITICS: The Destin City Council on Monday unanimously appointed local businessman John Stephens to fill the council seat left vacant by Matthew Sweetser’s resignation last week. Sweetser announced his resignation last week, citing health issues. His term was set to expire in November 2026. Read full story.

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

Lane closures planned for Highway 98 near Brooks Bridge on Okaloosa Island

Today, Highway 98 east and westbound drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures near Santa Rosa Boulevard just east of Brooks Bridge between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.

• The City of Fort Walton Beach says the closures will be all four lanes throughout the morning.

According to FDOT, the closures are required for the installation of power lines at this location. Law enforcement personnel and directional signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.

Drivers are reminded to use caution when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.