TRAVEL

Southwest Airlines honors VPS Team with ‘Most Reliable Small Station Award’

The Southwest Airlines team at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) was awarded the Most Reliable Small Station award at the company’s Annual Station Awards Banquet on February 29, 2024. 

• The VPS team ranked first among the 70 small stations in Southwest’s system based on their exceptional performance in reliability, which includes on-time performance and baggage handling.

Southwest Airlines holds an annual awards banquet to recognize the outstanding performance of its stations across the country. Stations are grouped by similar levels of flight activity and are ranked within categories such as Safety, On-time Performance, Baggage Handling, and Customer Satisfaction. 

“Our Team takes great pride in delivering an excellent product to our Customers,” said Adam McKee, Station Manager for Southwest at VPS. “We understand a large number of our Customers are tourists coming to enjoy our beautiful beaches, but we also want to show love to the locals that we share the community with on a daily basis. Our goal is to connect People to what’s important in their lives, and we know that can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. The best way we can do that for everyone is by keeping our Customers’ flights On-time, with their bags, and with friendly interactions along the way.”

Southwest Airlines began service at VPS in May 2021, making this the first award the VPS team has received since their inception. The team, consisting of 35-40 people, focuses on taking care of each other to ensure they are at their best when serving customers.

• “The Southwest Team at VPS consists of a diverse, hard-working group of individuals that considers ourselves a family,” McKee said. “We focus on taking care of each other, so that we are all at our best to spread the love to our customers. Our employees understand their roles and how what they do every day impacts the overall success of our team.”

The partnership and support of the airport have also played a crucial role in the team’s success. “It’s truly a team effort between the Airport and Southwest Airlines,” McKee acknowledged.

• “The improvements made by the Airport over the past few years have greatly improved the customer experience at VPS and upgraded the ability for our Southwest Airlines Employees to provide an increased level of hospitality to our customers. Thanks to the Airport’s commitment to improving and maintaining the facility, our team is able to focus more on our customers and less on any outside challenges.”

With the airport’s commitment to improving and maintaining the facility, the Southwest Airlines team at VPS can focus more on their customers and continue to deliver exceptional service, according to McKee. 

As the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport continues to grow and attract more visitors, this award means a great deal to Airports Director Tracy Stage.

“The Most Reliable Small Station award is a significant achievement for both the Southwest Airlines team at VPS and the airport as a whole,” said Tracy Stage, Airports Director. “It demonstrates our shared commitment to operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and the growth of our region. We are proud to have Southwest Airlines as a VPS family member and key partner in our ongoing efforts to provide the best passenger experience.”

POLICE BLOTTER

Santa Rosa Beach woman killed in early morning hit-and-run on Highway 98

A 57-year-old Santa Rosa Beach woman was struck and killed by a vehicle in a hit-and-run incident on Highway 98 near Mussett Bayou early Wednesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The incident occurred at approximately 6:18 a.m. when a westbound truck drifted out of the outside lane, crossing the fog line and colliding with the woman, who was running westbound on the north paved apron of the highway.

• After the collision, the truck fled the scene, according to an FHP report.

The impact threw the woman in a northwesterly direction, and she came to rest on the north grass shoulder of Highway 98. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her next of kin has been notified, according to the report.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office initially responded to the scene and blocked one westbound lane of Highway 98 in the area. The Florida Highway Patrol later took over the investigation and located the truck involved in the hit-and-run in Panama City, Florida.

The incident remains under investigation, and authorities have not released any further information about the driver of the truck or any possible charges at this time.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Ocean City Wright Fire Control District awarded International Accredited Status

The Ocean City Wright Fire Control District in Okaloosa County has received Accredited Agency status with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) for meeting the criteria established through the CFAI’s voluntary self-assessment and accreditation program.

• The Ocean City Wright Fire Control District is one of more than 300 agencies to achieve Internationally Accredited agency status with the CFAI and the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc. (CPSE)

CFAI is dedicated to assisting fire and emergency service agencies throughout the world in achieving excellence through self-assessment and accreditation to provide continuous quality improvement and the enhancement of service delivery to their communities.

The CFAI process provides an agency with an improvement model to assess their service delivery and performance internally and then works with a team of peers from other agencies to verify and validate their completed self-assessment.

Fire Chief Jeff Wagner stated that the agency’s achievement of Accredited Agency status “demonstrates the commitment of the agency to provide the highest quality of service to our community.”

• “We have also been able to use the Commission on Fire Accreditation International’s process as a proactive mechanism to plan for the future of this agency and locate areas where we can improve on the quality of the services we provided, he added.”

PUBLIC SAFETY

OCSO Sergeant Kyle Corbitt named 2023 Supervisor of the Year

Sergeant Kyle Corbitt of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) has been named the 2023 Supervisor of the Year for his exemplary leadership and dedication to serving the community. 

• As the Special Operations Unit Supervisor, Sgt. Corbitt oversees the operations of the Marine, Beach, and Dive Units.

Promoted in 2021, Sgt. Corbitt has been instrumental in planning and scheduling for the White Point Road and Spring Break Beach Details, ensuring public safety and security at public beach parks and Crab Island. His efforts have contributed to a 77% decrease in BUI arrests in 2023 (first year since 2017), with Okaloosa County experiencing only one alcohol-related fatality vessel crash.

Under Sgt. Corbitt’s leadership, the Marine Unit has set the standard for marine law enforcement in the panhandle of Florida and Alabama, with other agencies seeking operational guidance and recommendations from Okaloosa County. 

In 2023, two Marine Unit members received state recognition at the Mothers Against Drunk Driving awards, and the OCSO was nominated for small agency of the year.

• Sgt. Corbitt actively engages with the community by attending meetings with the Okaloosa Watersport Operations Coalition to discuss water safety and applicable laws with local business owners and residents. Additionally, he has volunteered over 196 hours coaching youth sports in Crestview and has completed the FBI-LEEDA trilogy leadership series.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office commended Sgt. Kyle Corbitt for his exceptional leadership, empowering others to perform at a high level, and his unwavering commitment to serving the community.

FROM THE STATE

Florida House unanimously passes bill to improve Mental Health System

The Florida House of Representatives has unanimously passed CS/CS/HB 7021 – Mental Health and Substance Abuse, a bill aimed at significantly modernizing Florida’s Baker and Marchman Acts.

• The legislation, championed by State Representative Patt Maney and supported by House Speaker Paul Renner, is set to improve the navigation, service delivery, and expected outcomes of the state’s mental health system.

The bill, which received unanimous approval in each assigned committee stop and a 111-0 vote in the Florida House, would be the first major improvement to the Baker Act in 53 years and the Marchman Act in 30 years, according to Maney.

The proposed changes include modernizing standards for involuntary mental health treatment services, broadening the definition of licensed medical practitioners qualified to provide care, and refining the responsibilities of county courts.

“Persistence surely does pay off,” said State Representative Patt Maney – HD4. “After four years in office pursuing these improvements, I am delighted that my colleagues are just as determined as I to see this good legislation implemented.”

The bill aims to reduce recidivism, improve access to care, and increase the efficiency of mental health service delivery. It would be supported by a $50 million appropriation.

• Key highlights of the bill include allowing law enforcement discretion in initiating involuntary mental health evaluations, permitting physician assistants and APRNs to practice in psychiatric settings within their scope of practice, and streamlining the petition process for Marchman Act evaluations and treatment.

The Senate companion bill, SB 1784, sponsored by State Senator Erin Grall, is expected to come before the Florida Senate for a vote before reaching the Governor’s desk for signature into law.

The Baker Act, officially known as the Florida Mental Health Act of 1971, allows for short-term involuntary and voluntary examination, admission, and treatment of individuals with mental illness.

The Marchman Act, officially the Hal S. Marchman Alcohol and Other Drug Services Act of 1993, allows for the involuntary and voluntary assessment, stabilization, and treatment of individuals allegedly abusing alcohol or drugs.

• “We need to shore up our Baker and Marchman Acts to reflect today’s needs,” added Rep. Maney. “Florida’s families deserve the kinds of warm hand-offs in care and positive outcomes in stabilization and treatment when their loved ones are assessed for mental health needs. Especially post-pandemic, our mental health is too important to ignore.”

NEWS

Okaloosa County Jail celebrates inmate success with ‘Anchored’ program

Thirty-four men at the Okaloosa County Jail achieved a significant milestone on March 5, 2024, by successfully completing Phase I of the transformative “Anchored” program.

• The faith-based initiative, administered by the Emerald Coast Life Center, aims to equip participants with the tools and mindset necessary to break the cycle of recidivism and substance abuse.

“While we are committed to ensuring the safety of our inmates while they are in the jail, we can also make an effort to better their lives so that when they leave the jail, they never return,” said Okaloosa Board Chairman Paul Mixon. “This program is one of the successes in our jail and we are extremely proud of this milestone that each one of these individuals has accomplished.”

The rigorous three-month curriculum required participants to devote 425 hours to intensive classwork, encompassing specialized coursework designed to dismantle barriers to rehabilitation.

• Additionally, they wrote three 1,200-word essays, memorized three scripture verses, and delivered a comprehensive book report from the Phase I reading material.

The accomplishments of these men extend beyond academic achievement, signifying a profound commitment to personal growth and transformation. Through the “Anchored” program, participants confronted past traumas, discovered their true identities, and cultivated positive change within themselves.

“We are immensely proud of each and every one of these men for their unwavering dedication and determination,” said Okaloosa County Department of Corrections Chief Nolan Weeks. “Their progress is not only commendable but serves as a beacon of hope for others seeking redemption and a fresh start.”

As they enter subsequent phases of the “Anchored” program, the county says these individuals are poised to continue their journey with renewed vigor and resolve.

• Upon completing all program requirements, they are set to emerge equipped with a newfound mindset and a comprehensive understanding of the resources available to support them post-release.