TRAFFIC

Crestview council approves naming new East-West Connector as “Fallen Heroes Way”

In January, the Crestview City Council met to discuss several items on their agenda, including the naming of the new East-West Connector Road project. 

• The approximately 3-mile long roadway connects the Arena Road section of the southwest Crestview Bypass to Highway 85 at Physicians Drive.
• The City of Crestview invested $8 million to fund the project, while Okaloosa County is overseeing the design and construction portion. 

City Manager Tim Bolduc brought up the topic of naming the new connector road and Councilman Andrew Rencich presented his idea of naming it “Fallen Hero Parkway” to honor fallen law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. 

“We’ve gone back and forth on what to name the road and we need it to be something forward thinking, something that unites the community,” Rencich stated. “This is a large project for the north [Crestview] and the entire county, and with the recent loss of Corporal Ray Hamilton, a Sheriff’s officer, I would like to name the East-West Connector as Fallen Hero Parkway, a Memorial Drive for all of our fallen officers.”

The council then discussed the final name and approved “Fallen Heroes Way” as the new name for the East-West Connector. The city of Crestview has already submitted the name to the county and it will now be included in the plans and permit process.

• The council is expected to continue discussions on “Fallen Heroes Way” in the future as it pertains to signage along the roadway in recognition of the fallen officers and the naming of the roadway. 

In a statement to Get The Coast on Wednesday morning, Michele Nicholson, Public Information Officer for the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, said that this was just another example of the incredible support that law enforcement officers receive from the local community.

• “We are very appreciative of the community for coming forward with these type of initiatives to honor our fallen deputies, and it means more than we can say within the agency and to the families of these men, as well,” she added. 

The City of Crestview and the surrounding community can look forward to paying homage to the brave law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty through this memorial road.

POLITICS

Okaloosa Superintendent Marcus Chambers launches re-election campaign for 2024

On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, Okaloosa Schools Superintendent Marcus Chambers filed for reelection for 2024. 

• During his first term, Chambers led the school district through the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining the district’s top “A” rating.

“Nothing is more important to me than our students’ safety and academic success. For nearly 25 years, I have worked every day to provide Okaloosa students with an outstanding education,” Chambers said. “I am excited to launch my reelection campaign and talk to voters about my commitment to continue building safer, stronger schools for students. I believe in Okaloosa Schools, and I will always put our students first.”

As Superintendent, Chambers said his priorities will be:

• Maintaining Okaloosa Schools’ top “A” rating for academic excellence.
• Providing robust extracurricular opportunities.
• Expanding workforce and technical education offerings.
• Investing in teachers and staff.
• Completing critical school safety and maintenance improvements.
• Planning for new school construction.

“I stand with Governor DeSantis and his efforts to keep inappropriate political agendas out of the classroom,” said Chambers. “In Okaloosa County, our schools will provide a high-quality, well-rounded education focused on the basics, so our children are prepared for success in the workforce, college, and their daily lives.”

ARTS+CULTURE

Emerald Coast Storytellers to launch first ever Story-Pairing Dinner Series

On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, the Emerald Coast Storytellers, a local creative writers group, will kick off a series of Story-Pairing Dinners with a sold-out event at Hotel Effie.

• The intimate three-course meal will be held at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Ovide, and prepared by executive chef Matthew Krueger.
• The menu will feature dishes such as snapper, short ribs, seasonal gnocchi, salads, and key lime pie.

Throughout the meal, local writers will share their creative stories centered around the February theme, “Lifelines”, which will tell the story of a time they or someone they know got by with a little help from a friend. The writers include Ali Diamond, Kristy Gustafson, Lindsey Hagood, Jennifer Howard, Solange Jazayeri, MaryAlayne Long, Sharon Vaughn, and Sarah Young.

The evening will conclude with a featured storyteller and marquee speaker, Laura Quick, founder and CEO of Good Grit Magazine. Quick, who discovered her talent for storytelling in the process of launching the magazine, will share her own story and journey in the industry.

The next Story-Pairing Dinner will be held in Nashville on April 5 in partnership with Olive & Bee Creative, and will feature a menu prepared by Chef Johnny Haffner.

• To learn more about the series or stay up to date on future creative meetups and events, visit the website or follow Emerald Coast Storytellers on Facebook and Instagram.

NEWS

City of Destin prevails in $15 million lawsuit brought on by Destin Fishing Fleet

In a long-standing legal battle over private property rights, the City of Destin has emerged victorious against Destin Fishing Fleet, Inc. 

• The case, which has been ongoing for nearly five years, reached a conclusion with the First Circuit Judge ruling in favor of the City of Destin on all counts.

The Destin Fishing Fleet had been seeking $15 million from the City based on allegations of violating the Bert J. Harris Private Property Act, which provides compensation to private property owners for government regulations that diminish their property value. 

The Fleet claimed its rights were violated and its property value was diminished when the City of Destin adopted comprehensive plan amendments in May 2018 to restrict the height of all buildings in the city to six stories or less. The Fleet’s property is a 3.2-acre site located at 210 Harbor Blvd. and includes a marina, an office and Brotula’s Seafood House and Steamer.

• In a 2019 article from the Northwest Florida Daily News, reporter Tony Judnich wrote that “under the 2010 plan, the maximum development potential for the fleet’s property included 112 short-term dwelling units, 62 long-term dwelling units and 300 hotel rooms.”
• Judnich added that “under the 2015 plan, the development potential was reduced to allow either 120 dwelling units or a 350-room hotel, and that under the latest plan, it was further reduced to allow 74 dwelling units and 75 hotel rooms.”

However, the Court found that the City of Destin did not violate the Bert Harris Act, and did not take any action that constituted an “inordinate burden” or prevented the Destin Fishing Fleet from having “any reasonable, investment-backed expectation” on its property. 

• The height limit was a City-wide amendment and was implemented after receiving overwhelming support from the public, who later voted to enshrine the limit in the City’s Charter.
• According to the City, only the Fleet sued the City.

The Court stated that the comprehensive plan amendments, which applied to all buildings in the city and not just the Fleet’s property, did not violate the Fleet’s rights. The Fleet had claimed that it intended to build a 16-story mixed-use development, mostly consisting of hotel rooms, on its property before the comprehensive plan amendments were implemented.

In its ruling, the Court found that the City of Destin was entitled to its costs and attorneys’ fees and may seek an award of these costs and fees against the Destin Fishing Fleet. The Court reserved jurisdiction to consider the amount to be awarded to the City. The council will have an opportunity to discuss their plans for reimbursement at a future meeting in March. 

The Destin Fishing Fleet has 30 days to appeal the Court’s decision.

FOOD+DRINK

Brunch Lovers Rejoice: Ruby Slipper opens ‘all-day brunch’ eatery in Baytowne Wharf

On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, Ruby Slipper officially opened their new all-day brunch restaurant at The Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin. Born from the soul of New Orleans and celebrating the creative spirit of brunch, Ruby Slipper Baytowne is the third Ruby Slipper location in Florida and second in the Destin area.

• The restaurant celebrated its opening by offering the first 100 guests the chance to win free brunch for a year.

According to Peter Gaudreau, CEO of Ruby Slipper Restaurant Group, “There is nothing better than a great brunch along a beautiful coastline, and we’re looking forward to hosting both locals and visitors alike to enjoy our signature all-day brunch experience.”

Situated on the Choctawhatchee Bay and within the popular Baytowne Wharf Village, Ruby Slipper is not only accessible to residents and visitors within Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort but also to neighboring beachgoers as it’s just minutes away from Miramar Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, and various 30A neighborhoods.

The restaurant features wall-to-wall murals, hand-painted by Ruby Sunshine Krewe member Buurbon Mitchell, depicting syrup swirls, and framed pop-art brunch photography by Noah Fecks, making it an Instagrammable atmosphere.

• With seating for almost 100 guests and an expansive outdoor patio, it’s an inviting neighborhood destination for families and friends to gather around the brunch table.

The menu echoes New Orleans’ original Ruby Slipper Café, featuring award-winning dishes like The Trifecta, which plates together three crowd-favorite benedicts: Eggs Cochon, Chicken St. Charles and Bayou Shrimp. Popular appetizers include pig-candy bacon bites and French toast bites.

• Pair these with a seasonal mimosa flight or an award-winning Bloody Mary crafted with a house-made mix and choice of regular or bacon-infused vodka or tequila Blanco for the ultimate way to start the day.

• There are also gluten-free and vegetarian options, pancakes, sandwiches, salads, sides, and seasonal mocktails, making it a fresh, flavorful brunch option for everyone.

Ruby Slipper Baytowne is offering a special Mardi Gras menu until February 21st, with seasonal specials like beignets, crawfish cakes, and carrot cake pancakes.

The restaurant is located at 9100 Baytowne Wharf Blvd, Suite A-4 and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday–Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday & Sunday.