IN MEMORY

Choctawhatchee High School mourns the loss of beloved educator Mrs. Kay Brock

On the morning of Sunday, January 29, 2023, Choctawhatchee High School announced the passing of beloved educator, Mrs. Kay Brock.

Mrs. Brock was a mentor, role model, and educator who touched the lives of countless students and staff members during her 32 years at Choctaw. In a tribute on Sunday morning, the school wrote on their Facebook page that her “fingerprints are all over Choctawhatchee High School and so many who walked our halls for the last 32 years.”

• “Our school will not be the same without her smile, knowledge or willingness to help others even when it wasn’t convenient for her,” the tribute continued.

In October 2022, Mrs. Brock was named “Teacher of the Year” at Choctaw and was recognized for her dedication and commitment to her students. She was pictured here with Principal Michelle Heck, beaming with pride and joy.

Mrs. Brock’s impact extended beyond the classroom as well. Coach Frank Beasley wrote about her this morning, stating “I could go on and on. WE LOVE YOU MRS. BROCK! Your legacy will live forever! As you used to say to me often, ‘It’s another day in paradise Coach‘, may you go Rest in Eternal Paradise.”

Okaloosa Superintendent of Schools, Marcus Chambers, expressed how much of beloved member of the Choctaw community Brock was, and how she selflessly gave her all for her students. 

• “For 32 years, Mrs. Brock served the students and families of Choctaw with an unwavering commitment and passion that impacted the lives of so many,” he said. “She is the epitome of an educator and she will be sorely missed. My heart goes out to Mrs. Brock, her family and the entire Choctaw community.”

As the Choctaw community mourns the loss of Mrs. Brock, there is no doubt that her legacy will live on through the countless students and staff members she touched throughout her career.

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PUBLIC SAFETY

Search warrant leads to 13 arrests by Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office

In a video interview on Friday, January 27, 2023, Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden announced the results of a recent bust on 9th Avenue in Shalimar, Florida. According to Sheriff Aden, this bust is the latest in a series of efforts to combat the ongoing problem of drug use, narcotic activity, and drug sales in the area.

The bust took place at a homestead property at 34 9th Avenue that has been the source of multiple overdoses, drug-related deaths, and complaints from residents and developers in the community. Just a week before the bust, two more overdoses were reported on the property. In response, the Sheriff’s Office conducted another search warrant and took 13 people into custody.

Sheriff Aden expressed frustration with the situation, saying, “It’s a problem for the good law-abiding citizens that live in this community. It’s a problem for the developers that are trying to sell homes in this community. It’s a problem for our county commissioners that received multiple calls and complaints on this specific residence.”

• He added that the homestead property has created a significant problem for law enforcement, as there are certain rights that homestead owners have in the unincorporated community of Okaloosa County. Despite these challenges, Sheriff Aden stated that his office will do everything in its power to close down the property and put an end to the ongoing drug activity.

The conditions at the property were described by Sheriff Aden as “deplorable,” with no running water, electricity, or food. The property was also infested with roaches and other pests, which prompted officers to wear gas masks during the last search warrant. Sheriff Aden also expressed concern for the elderly woman who lived on the property, who was a victim of elderly abuse and was taken into custody along with others charged with abuse.

Sheriff Aden stated that the Sheriff’s Office will continue to work with the county to try and close down the property through nuisance abatement and will charge those arrested with every crime possible.

“We gotta do something,” he said. “We will continue until every last one of them is in jail or away from this property.”

NEWS

Emerald Coast Autism Center announces launch of the 2023 ONE Campaign

Emerald Coast Autism Center is launching the Eleventh Annual ONE Campaign to provide scholarships to students with autism. As the national incidence rate of autism has risen to one in 44 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the prevalence of autism continues to grow at an alarming rate, according to the ECAC.

• ECAC’s ONE Campaign is an annual effort to raise funds and awareness of autism within Okaloosa and surrounding counties.

“With such a high incidence rate, more and more of us are connected to someone whose life is affected by autism,” said Heidi Blalock, CEO of ECAC. “Many of us know one individual who has autism, perhaps it is a son, daughter or grandchild that is the one.”

The 2023 ONE Campaign is starting with the eleventh annual ONE Run 5K on Saturday, April 1st, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. at Emerald Coast Autism Center, located at 80 College Blvd. East, Niceville, Florida.

The 5K will take on the theme of “Building Bright Futures” as the funds raised from the run will go towards ECAC’s scholarship fund and participants will get a glimpse of the future home of the Emerald Coast Learning Center. The 5K route will be held on the beautiful grounds of Northwest Florida State College, followed by an after-party with food, music, and raffle drawings for incredible prizes from local businesses.

The ONE Campaign will continue its efforts with a golf tournament at Blackstone Golf Course in Mossy Head, FL on Friday, September 29, 2023, with a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start. The proceeds from the ONE Campaign will go directly to the ECAC Scholarship Fund, which will help families who otherwise could not afford the services their children need.

“Our goal is to provide scholarships to families in need so that they can receive the support and services they need,” said Blalock. “We are committed to building bright futures for students with autism and their families.”

TRAFFIC

Okaloosa and Walton County 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:                                  

• State Road (S.R.) 20 (John Sims Parkway) Resurfacing Project – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts the week of Sunday, Jan. 29:
  • Intermittent east and westbound nighttime lane closures on S.R. 20, from Edge Avenue to west of the Rocky Bayou Bridge, Sunday, Jan. 22 through Thursday, Jan. 26,between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. These closures are required for median milling, median widening, and sidewalk construction.
  • Intermittent temporary east and westbound outside daytime lane closures on S.R. 20, from Edge Avenue to west of the Rocky Bayou Bridge, Monday, Jan. 30 through Friday, Feb. 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  These closures are required to deliver concrete for sidewalk, curb, and gutter construction.

• S.R. 85 Resurfacing from U.S. 90 to Commerce Drive – Drivers may experience intermittent north and southbound single-lane closures Sunday, Jan. 29 through Thursday, Feb. 2, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. as crews perform striping operations and complete concrete work.

• S.R. 85 Resurfacing from John Sims Parkway to College Boulevard – Drivers may experience the following traffic impacts the week of Sunday, Jan. 29:
  • Intermittent northbound outside lane closures on S.R. 85 between S.R. 20 (John Sims Parkway) and County Road (C.R.) 190 (College Boulevard), Monday, Jan. 23 through Thursday, Jan. 26, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for sidewalk repair and construction.
  • Temporary daytime closure on Lewis Street at the S.R. 85 intersection Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. as crews install drainage.  Detour signage will be in place to direct drivers.

• Brooks Bridge Replacement Project – Drivers may experience the following traffic impacts Sunday, Jan. 29 through Thursday, Feb. 2 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform utility work.
  • U.S. 98 east and westbound alternating and intermittent lane closures between Perry Avenue and Pier Road.
  • Santa Rosa Boulevard east and westbound alternating lane closures from east of Amberjack Drive to Ross Marler Park.
  • Intermittent shoulder closures on Brooks Street, between Perry Avenue and Florida Blanca Place, and on Business Access Road.

• U.S. 98 Bridge Rehabilitation over East Pass Bridge – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 98 eastbound (Fort Walton Beach to Destin) single-lane closures over the East Pass (Marler) Bridge, Sunday, Jan. 29 through Thursday, Feb. 2, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. The existing 35 mph speed limit will be maintained during construction.

Walton County:

• U.S. 98 Widening from Mack Bayou Road to C.R. 30A – Drivers may encounter intermittent east and westbound outside lane closures Sunday, Jan. 29 through Thursday, Feb. 2, from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform traffic signal work.

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from Village Road to East of U.S. 331 – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts Monday, Jan. 30 through Thursday, Feb. 2:
  • Intermittent U.S. 98 east and westbound single-lane closures, from Mack Bayou Road to Village Road, between 7:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. for milling and resurfacing activities.
  • Intermittent east and westbound outside shoulder and turn lane closures on U.S 98 within project limits as crews construct new sidewalks and widen existing turn lanes.

• S.R. 20 Turn Lane Construction at J. W. Hollington Road – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures the week of Sunday, Jan. 29 for paving operations.

• U.S. 90 Routine Utility Maintenance Between Norwood Road North and Norwood Road South – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Jan. 30 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for power pole replacement operations.

All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

THINGS TO DO

Valentine’s Gala 2023: A Night of Fine Dining, Fun and Romance in Crestview

The Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce their upcoming Valentine’s Gala, set to take place on Saturday, February 11th, from 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM at the newly renovated Crestview Community Center.

According to Sandra Wilson, Executive Director of Crestview Chamber of Commerce, this marks the 3rd year of hosting this gala that has become a fun event the community looks forward to. 

• “The Crestview Community Center has been completely redone, featuring a chandelier, new decor and is the perfect setting for our red carpet event,” added Wilson.

The Valentine’s Gala will feature a wide range of activities for couples to enjoy. Attendees can indulge in a delicious dinner, an open bar and a dessert buffet, all while mingling with other guests and taking part in fun games.

“The Valentine’s Gala will include dinner, an open bar, and a dessert buffet so you can eat and drink all night and be merry. There will also be free photos for the couples, wine tasting and couples games,” said Wilson.

The Valentine’s Gala is open to individuals 21 years of age or older and tickets are available for purchase at $55 per person. Additionally, tables can be purchased for $375 for a table that seats 6 people or $485 for a table that seats 8 people.

“It’s just a really neat event for us up here in Crestview,” said Wilson. “Attendees that came to the previous galas had a fabulous time. I brought this event to Crestview because my husband and I love to have a good time and we were looking for something that we could do in town. And so that’s how that event was birthed.”

The Valentine’s Gala 2023 is shaping up to be a night of romance, fun, and memorable experiences. Don’t miss out on this elegant evening and get your tickets today.

For more information on the Valentine’s Gala 2023 and to purchase tickets, visit the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce website or contact them directly.