SCHOOL

Antioch Elementary’s Amy Bowden named 2024 Okaloosa ‘Teacher of the Year’

Amy Bowden, a fourth-grade teacher at Antioch Elementary School, was named the 2024 Okaloosa County School District Teacher of the Year at the District’s annual banquet on Tuesday night.

Superintendent Marcus Chambers said Bowden was selected from three finalists and praised her success as a mentor teacher to other district educators in addition to her work with students in her own classroom.

• “Ms. Bowden has not only had fantastic success in her fourth-grade classroom at Antioch Elementary but also as a mentor to many teachers throughout our District as a former member of the Northwest Florida State College faculty,” Chambers said.

The two other finalists were Mary Miller, a high school English teacher at Baker School, and Kendall Cragin, a math teacher at Niceville High School. Chambers praised all three as “excellent educators who go above and beyond for their students and schools.”

As district teacher of the year, Bowden will represent Okaloosa County in the state teacher of the year competition.

Chambers thanked the Okaloosa Education Association, the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation and other sponsors for supporting the annual teacher of the year banquet.

SCHOOL

Crestview High School celebrates 8 new classroom additions

Okaloosa County School District officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony last Tuesday to open eight new classrooms at Crestview High School.

• The addition was one of several construction projects underway at the school thanks to a 10-year half-cent sales tax for facilities that voters approved in 2020.

“There are so many construction projects occurring all throughout the school district, and I’m so excited that there are still so many projects to come,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers said at the event.

Over a year ago, several projects started at Crestview High School to include a cafeteria expansion, roofing projects, new bathrooms, parking additions, and a multipurpose building that is nearing completion.

Principal Vicky Hayden led tours of the new classrooms, which feature updated technology and furnishings.

• The half-cent sales tax program is funding infrastructure upgrades and renovations at schools across the district as well as plans for new school construction over the next seven years.

School Board Member Tim Bryant and other local dignitaries attended the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“I could not be more appreciative to the citizens of Okaloosa County for making these improvements possible,” Chambers said.

A MESSAGE FROM COX

Cox Employees award $12,000 to Gulf Coast nonprofits

Cox Communications employees have awarded a total of $12,000 in grants to local non-profits, through Cox Charities Community Investment Grants.

The program provides employee-funded grants of up to $5,000 to support a special program benefiting residents in the area. Earlier this year, organizations were invited to submit applications for funding. This year’s recipients of the Cox Charities Community Investment Grants are:

• Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy Centers, Inc. received $4,000 for the Young Learners – Brain and Body Development program. The program uses educational and developmental curriculum, equipment and toys to facilitate age-appropriate learning and development.

• Community Solutions for the Emerald Coast (One Hopeful Place) was awarded $5,000 for their Cold Night Program in Fort Walton Beach. This facility provides emergency shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. The Cold Night Program activates on any night that drops below 40 degrees to reduce the incident rate of death by exposure.

• YMCA of Northwest Florida received a $3,000 grant assist students at West Pensacola Elementary School get glasses to help them excel at reading.

“At our core, giving back to the communities we serve is not just a practice—it’s who we are,” said David Deliman, market vice president for Cox Gulf Coast. “Beyond providing crucial funding to local non-profits, our dedicated employees generously contribute their time and resources to uplift the Gulf Coast. Serving our community is ingrained in our DNA. I couldn’t be prouder of our team, embodying the spirit of compassion that defines us.”

Cox Charities is an internal giving campaign funded 100% by employees who set aside a portion of their paychecks to support the local grants. Money donated by employees in the Gulf Coast Market stays right here in the Gulf Coast.  A committee comprised of local employees reviews applications and selects the grant recipients.

In addition to the Community Investment Grant, the Cox Charities Innovation in Education Program provides grants of up to $2,500 each to schools to fund classroom programs and curriculum that encourage and promote students’ ingenuity and imagination through the innovative use of technology. Last spring, Cox employees awarded more than $6,200 to six local schools.

• The Cox Gulf Coast market includes parts of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.

For more information about Cox Charities, visit www.CoxCharitiesSER.org.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Suspect in deadly Sandestin shooting indicted for first-degree premeditated murder

On Friday, January 26, a Walton County grand jury indicted Gunner Cole, 21, of Warner Robins, Georgia on one count of first-degree premeditated murder, five counts of attempted first-degree premeditated murder, and six counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle.

• The charges stem from a September 2023 incident where the Walton County Sheriff’s Office responded to numerous reports of an active shooter on Sandestin property near the area of Heron Walk Drive and Baytowne Avenue.

Within minutes, Walton County Sheriff’s Deputies located Cole who fired his weapon in their direction, according to the WCSO. A deputy returned fire, neutralizing Cole, and securing the scene preventing further harm to the public.

As a result of the shooting, one person was killed and numerous others were injured.

Friday’s indictment is the result of an exhaustive investigative effort by Walton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit connecting the shooting to the discovery of a body located in a vehicle fire nearby.

• “This random act of violence took a man away from his family,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “We made a commitment that our investigation would lead to further charges and this indictment is our way of making good on that promise. Nothing will bring their son back. We just hope justice will take its course.”

COASTAL RESOURCES

239-foot DEEP STIM III vessel deployed as second largest artificial reef in Destin-Fort Walton Beach

On January 30, 2024, the Okaloosa Coastal Resource Team added a new addition to its extensive artificial reef system with the deployment of the 239-foot R/V DEEP STIM III.

• The vessel joins hundreds of other artificial reefs already deployed off the shores of Northwest Florida and will serve as a haven to support various marine species while simultaneously providing the fishing and diving industry with an additional resource.

In late February 2023, the Okaloosa Tourist Development Council approved allocating funds from tourist taxes to support the next phase of the County’s 5-Year Artificial Reef Plan. This plan included acquiring and deploying the 239-foot former (oil) well stimulation vessel as an artificial reef.

The vessel, which was constructed in the 1990s for offshore oil exploration, is now the second largest artificial reef off the Destin-Fort Walton Beach coast. Prior to deployment, hazardous materials like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), fuels, plastic and non metal items were removed.

The successful deployment of R/V DEEP STIM III was accomplished through a Tri-County partnership between Tourist Development Councils in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Panama City Beach and Walton County. 

• Emerald Coast Reef Association and South Walton Artificial Reef Association provided funding for additional reef modules that were placed on the deck of the vessel adding to the complexity of the new site. 
• The Coastal Conservation Association provided funds for the towing fees necessary for deployment.

“This deployment will demonstrate how a joint project such as this will work and pave the way for a future larger-scale project,” Fogg said. 

The majority of the vessel deck sits at about 100 feet, ideal for an advanced dive experience, according to Coastal Resource Manager Alex Fogg. 

In addition to diving, the 65-foot high-relief site will provide an outstanding fishing location and habitat for popular species like amberjack. The added reef modules enhance the overall habitat and will attract fishing favorites such as grouper and snapper.

• “While fishing has always been at the heart of our region’s history, creating sites that increase scuba diving opportunities is something we look forward to continuing to develop,” added Fogg. “Collaborating with neighboring counties and communities on a large artificial reef project like this not only creates essential habitat off our coast but certainly moves the needle on establishing our area as a leader in adventure tourism.” 

The deployed vessel will benefit a wide range of coastal communities. It is located about 22 NM from the Destin East Pass, 29 NM from St. Andrews Pass and 16.5 NM south of Walton County.

“This collaborative effort is an example of excellence in Northwest Florida and a guide for future successes,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon. “We look forward to many more opportunities that will allow our tourism industry to thrive, while also creating a sustainable aquatic ecosystem benefitting marine life, tourists and locals.”

While the Tri-County partnership involves three counties, large reef deployments like the DEEP STIM III have the potential to draw in adventure seekers from beyond the borders of our counties and the state of Florida.

• “The Gulf of Mexico serves as a shared resource among our destinations, and we are thrilled to collaborate with our partners on this artificial reef project,” said Visit Panama City Beach President and CEO Dan Rowe. “In addition to benefiting our region’s diverse marine life, this joint effort will enhance the spectacular diving opportunities for all residents and visitors in Panama City Beach.”

Coordinates: DEEP STIM III artificial reef is located at 30° 03.035’N 86° 17.758’W