GIVING BACK

Shrimp & Grits Festival raises $40,000 for The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast

The 3rd Annual Shrimp & Grits Festival held on Saturday, February 19th, 2022, at Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer was a huge success. 

• The event raised a record-breaking $40,000 and welcomed more than 1,200 attendees in support of all local club kids.  

“We are truly blessed to live in a Community that continuously comes together to support the next generation and invest in the youth of our region,” said Tyler Jarvis, CoFounder/Operating Partner, Bald & The Beard Restaurant Group. “We must continue to seek out opportunities to speak light into the next generation and provide them the tools to be successful in today’s society.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence through its programs focused on academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. 

“We are extremely thankful to Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer, all of our sponsors, cook teams, and all that attended for making this year’s event better than ever,” said Shervin Rassa, Chief Executive Officer, The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast. “Every cent raised through this event will make an impact on the over 5,000 youth we serve on an annual basis.”

Ticket holders experienced classic southern dishes, great drinks, and live music from Cadillac Willy. Local restaurants and chefs competed on the Destin Harbor for the best Shrimp & Grits dish on the Emerald Coast. 

Award winners are as follows: 

• People’s Choice (1st Place): East Pass Seafood & Oyster House
• People’s Choice (2nd Place): Knife’s Edge Private Chef and Catering 
• People’s Choice (3rd Place): Local Roots 
• Best Overall (Judges Award): Knife’s Edge Private Chef and Catering 
• Most Creative (Judges Award): The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
• Best Grits (Judge’s Award): A&A Spice is Life 

SCHOOL

Former Niceville High School student arrested for possession of firearm on school grounds

On Friday, the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office arrested a former Niceville High School student found to have a handgun with a loaded magazine on school grounds in the outside area between Niceville High and Ruckel Middle School.

An OCSO School Resource Officer took 16-year-old Javarius Lee into custody on a charge of possession of a firearm on school grounds after he found a 9mm handgun in the student’s pants waistband around 11:15a.m.

• The SRO had received a report that Lee, who no longer attends Niceville High, had previously flashed a weapon at a city park off campus. 

When he saw Lee, he approached him, discovering the gun, according to a press release.

• The investigation also led to the discovery of marijuana during a vehicle search. 
• Another 16-year old was charged with possession of a marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

Okaloosa Superintendent of Schools Marcus Chambers issued the following statement:

“There is no greater priority in our District than student and staff safety,” he said. “While the intent of this juvenile is not yet known, as a District, our actions will always be to act decisively to protect our school family. With that in mind, I am so very grateful that this situation was handled quickly and efficiently when it came to our attention.”

According to Chambers, there is no indication that the juvenile attempted to enter either campus. 

“What we do know is that the layers of safety measures in place extend beyond the perimeters of our campuses and worked exceptionally well in this case,” he said. “Fences limited access to either campus if that was the intent.”

Chambers added that the Okaloosa County School Districts trains students that if they “See Something, Say Something,” which means to tell a staff member, teacher, or school administrator, anytime they see or hear something suspicious. 

“Part of the resolution of this situation involved students coming to school administrators earlier in the day to provide information about an off-campus event that occurred at an earlier date,” he added. “A School Resource Officer later saw an individual who matched the description on the exterior of the school campuses and confronted the student.”

• “This incident is a prime example of why we have implemented the number of safety measures we have in Okaloosa Schools,” added Chambers. 

The District says they will continue to work cooperatively with the Sheriff’s Office and will take a zero-tolerance approach in this matter.

PUBLIC SAFETY

You can’t hide from infrared drones!

The Crestview Police Department received a call of an armed man inside a bar at 172 Woodruff Avenue East. When law enforcement arrived, the man was in the parking lot and pointed the gun at them before running.

According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, one of their Lieutenants used the FLIR technology on an OCSO drone to find the man bunkered down in a corner of a building.

Once located, commands were given for him to surrender, which he did once he realized they had found his hiding spot.

“Having the drone capability may have helped save the life of a law enforcement officer or the OCSO K9, since they didn’t have to be sent into the building in an attempt to find the armed individual,” wrote the OCSO in a press release.

The man faces numerous charges by the Crestview Police Department.

Click to watch the video

INVESTIGATION

Niceville police identify 2nd victim in double homicide off John Sims Parkway

On Monday, the Niceville Police Department announced that they have identified “most” of the people involved in the double homicide shooting earlier this month.

According to a press release, the investigators with the Niceville PD, and their partners from the State, have been working diligently to solve this case. 

As part of their investigation, the Niceville PD announced the names of the two victims:

• Bryson Tyrese Mitchem of Niceville
• Brandon Dequan James of Tallahassee

The person wounded was Isaiah Lamar Luna of Tallahassee. 

According to the police department, all parties were associated with each other and there is no threat to citizens of Niceville. 

“We have nothing further at this time, as this is still an active investigation,” wrote the PD. “Anyone who may have further information, please contact the Niceville Police Department Tip Line at (850) 729-4020.”

FOOD+DRINK

IHOP coming back to Fort Walton Beach

Nearly 2 years ago, the IHOP on Highway 98 in Fort Walton Beach closed and the Chicken ‘N Egg opened in its place.

• Now, IHOP is set to make a comeback.

A “coming soon” sign can be seen at the the old Mattress Firm location in front of Lowes on Beal Parkway. Eyeglass World is located to the right.

• In October 2021, a permit was pulled for the build out/remodel of the new location. 

The previous IHOP franchise operated in Fort Walton Beach for nearly 20 years. 

No word yet on an opening date.