SPONSORED BY
Good morning!
Here’s what we’re covering today:
- Okaloosa County is purchasing a former bank building in Cinco Bayou with plans for tourism offices and boat ramp improvements, while the Sheriff’s Office outlines its spring break enforcement strategy. Destin Council makes the Crosstown Connector its top funding priority, new law enforcement officers graduate from NWFSC, and a Fort Walton Beach crash leads to serious charges.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office details spring break enforcement plan
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office presented its plan for handling spring break crowds at the Destin City Council meeting Monday.
- Captain Jason Fulghum told council members the department is following the “same blueprint” used in recent years, dedicating five officers specifically to spring break enforcement through April 20.
“Two of them will be on ATVs on the beach in Destin. Two of them will be on ATVs on the beach on the [Okaloosa] Island. And then we have one person that bounces back and forth,” Fulghum said during his presentation.
The fifth officer will primarily monitor beach parks and neighborhoods that have experienced issues during previous spring break seasons. Fulghum noted this officer can also use an ATV if needed.
The deployment strategy will adapt based on the demographic makeup of visitors. When high school students predominate, officers remain on beaches during evening hours. For college crowds, evening patrols shift to focus on problematic neighborhoods since beach activity typically diminishes after sunset.
- Fulghum reported spring break began Sunday, with law enforcement already making 12 arrests, 10 of which occurred in Destin.
When questioned about funding by Councilman Kevin Schmidt, Fulghum explained that while some officers are on regular duty as part of the beach unit, any overtime costs are covered by the Tourist Development Department (TDD).
The spring break enforcement period will continue through April 20.
In a statement ahead of Spring Break, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office emphasized its commitment to maintaining the area’s family-friendly atmosphere:
- “Okaloosa County is a family destination, and during Spring Break there is ZERO TOLERANCE for underage drinking or unlawful behavior! We encourage visitors and locals alike to enjoy the beaches of Destin and Fort Walton Beach. Our expectation is for the beaches to be enjoyed in a safe, orderly, and lawful manner. Criminal activity will not be tolerated. The Sheriff’s Office will have additional Deputies patrolling our beaches and will have zero tolerance for criminal activity typically associated with Spring Break. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office will be diligent in preserving the family atmosphere our guests and locals come to our beaches to enjoy.”
SPONSORED
If you live, work, worship or attend school within our field of membership, you can bank with us.
- To find out if you’re eligible to join, visit eglinfcu.org/join or apply at a branch.
Membership subject to approval. Must be 18 or older to apply online. Insured by NCUA
BUSINESS
Destin Council ranks ‘Crosstown Connector’ as top legislative funding priority
The Destin City Council voted Monday to prioritize four infrastructure projects for state funding requests, following the recommendation of their lobbyist.
- After discussion at their March 3 meeting, the council approved a priority ranking that places the Crosstown Connector at the top of the city’s legislative appropriation requests to be submitted to Rep. Patt Maney’s office.
The $12 million Crosstown Connector project, which has been in development since 2004, is seeking $3 million in state funding to complete the final leg of an alternative route through Destin to Highway 98. Design and permitting for the two-lane roadway from Beach Drive to Benning Drive are nearly complete.
“I was in middle school when we started this project,” said Mayor Bobby Wagner, who recently met with state officials in Tallahassee alongside the city’s lobbyist. “So I would love to see that done.”
The Mattie Kelly Outfall stormwater project ranked second, with officials seeking $1 million toward the estimated $1.5-2 million cost. The project aims to replace undersized pipes that frequently become blocked with sand due to wave action, affecting drainage for Joe’s Bayou Recreation Area and surrounding residential areas.
- Councilman Jim Bagby supported following the lobbyist’s recommendations, noting the priorities reflect “a read on what type of projects are going to get approved and make it across the Governor’s desk.”
The pedestrian underpass near the Stahlman/Highway 98 intersection ranked third, with a $500,000 funding request. Councilman Dewey Destin emphasized the connection between this project and the Crosstown Connector.
“If we do nothing at all to fix the problems there, then the Crosstown is going to be a giant fiasco,” Destin said.
The Clement Taylor Park renovation placed fourth, with a $1 million request toward the $1.7 million project to update aging facilities and improve ADA accessibility.
The vote came after Councilman Kevin Schmidt initially proposed a different ranking that prioritized recreation projects, citing frustration with seeking more funding for the long-running Crosstown Connector project.
PUBLIC SAFETY
NWFSC Law Enforcement Academy graduates new class of officers
The Law Enforcement Academy at Northwest Florida State College recently celebrated the graduation of its latest class of cadets who will now serve in various local law enforcement agencies.
- The graduates are joining the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Walton County Sheriff’s Office and Niceville Police Department, while others are seeking positions with Crestview Police Department, Fort Walton Beach Police Department, Valparaiso Police Department and Shalimar Police Department.
“The success of the NWFSC Law Enforcement Academy is a direct result of the hard work and sacrifice of its students, as well as the exceptional adjunct instructors who are current and retired law enforcement officers,” said Wes Haggan, Law Enforcement Coordinator at the Public Safety Training Center.
Haggan noted that many instructors provide training for both new recruits and continuing education for sworn officers, with many of those officers being alumni of the academy.
The academy’s Public Safety Training Center also helps certified officers from other states who are seeking to become sworn in Florida, maintaining high training standards across the board.
For more information on the Law Enforcement Academy and other public safety programs at NWFSC, visit www.nwfsc.edu/academics/public-safety/.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Woman charged with DUI, child neglect after Fort Walton Beach rollover crash
A local woman faces multiple charges after a rollover crash Tuesday morning left her and her young child injured.
- Fort Walton Beach Police responded to a collision at the intersection of Beal Parkway and Walter Martin Road at 7:35 a.m. Tuesday after receiving reports of a rollover crash with entrapment.
Bystanders quickly rescued a 6-year-old child from the overturned vehicle before emergency personnel arrived. The child sustained minor injuries, according to police.
Fire department crews from Station 6 extricated the driver from the wrecked vehicle. The driver of a second vehicle involved in the crash also suffered minor injuries.
During their investigation, officers observed what they described as signs of impairment in the driver of the overturned vehicle and reportedly found items indicating recent narcotics use inside the vehicle, police said. Investigators allege the child passenger was not properly secured at the time of the crash.
- Michelle Glinka, 35, of Fort Walton Beach, was arrested and charged with child neglect and driving under the influence with refusal to submit to testing, according to police.
The Fort Walton Beach Police Department continues to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to contact MPO M. Montgomery at 850-833-9546 or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-TIPS or www.emeraldcoastcrimestoppers.com.
PARKS+REC
Okaloosa to purchase former bank building in Cinco Bayou for tourism offices, public boat ramp upgrades
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to purchase a three-story former bank building and two vacant lots in Cinco Bayou for $2.95 million, part of a $4.1 million project that will create tourism department offices and expand a popular boat ramp facility.
- The project includes the acquisition of a 13,859-square-foot office building at 198 Eglin Parkway NE (next to Whataburger) and two vacant lots at 4 Lucille St. and 254 Seaway St., plus funding for building repairs and redevelopment of the boat ramp parking area.
“I want to thank you this morning for allowing us to come and speak in favor of the two projects,” said Jean Hood, Town of Cinco Mayor. “I’m convinced that these two projects will be a very positive partnership between the county and the Town of Cinco Bayou.”
The purchase addresses immediate space needs for the county’s Tourism Development Department, though it will not become a new welcome center, according to Deputy County Administrator Craig Coffey, who presented the proposal.
- “Tourism is growing. We’ve got staff double stacked, triple stacked in offices,” Coffey said during the meeting. “This will provide 20 offices… and serve as a tourism headquarters.”
Currently, the department has converted its conference room and break room into office space, split existing offices, and reduced visitor center space by more than 50% to accommodate growth, according to county documents.
The property purchase will allow the county to quickly establish needed office space within 4-6 months while simultaneously partnering with Cinco Bayou to upgrade the heavily used boat ramp.
“The Town has been after these lots… probably going over a decade,” Coffey explained.
The project funding comes from multiple sources: $3.1 million from Tourism Development end-of-year funding, $750,000 from Cinco Bayou Tourism Development Tax funds, $100,000 from Cinco Bayou Community Redevelopment Agency funds, and $150,000 from county Boater Improvement Funds.
Commissioner Trey Goodwin, who attended a recent Cinco Bayou town meeting about the project, noted that while no residents opposed the project outright, several expressed concerns about vagrancy, boat trailer traffic routing, commercial use of the facility, and alcohol and drug use in the area.
- “I think we can address all those things,” Goodwin said. “If we focus on and work with the city on security—cameras, fencing, buffers, lighting that doesn’t create light pollution, and hours of operations—I think we could address all those concerns.”
Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel emphasized the importance of preserving the mature oak trees on the vacant lots.
“The two lots have some beautiful old live oak trees, and I would hope if we go into place parking that we would consider not clear-cutting all of them,” Ketchel said.
- Mayor Hood agreed: “I’m very much in favor of saving as many trees as we can.”
The redeveloped boat ramp area will include additional boat parking, bathrooms, stormwater management, cameras, lighting, buffers for neighboring residential properties, boat dockage improvements, and shoreline stabilization. The county will operate and maintain the boat ramp facility.
Under the approved interlocal agreement, the county will vacate Seaway Street between its properties, allowing for optimal redesign of the area. The agreement includes deed covenants protecting both parties’ investments for a minimum of 30 years.
The property acquisition is expected to be completed by March 28, following a due diligence period ending March 14.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Wednesday. Help us shape the future of local news and make a meaningful impact on your community. Click here to learn how you can support us!
p.s. What did you think of this morning’s newsletter? Hit the reply button and let me know!
Published with ♥ by Get The Coast.
Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe here.
124 Eglin Parkway SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548