CRESTVIEW

City of Crestview ready to take on Animal Control Services with new Officer at the helm

With over 150 calls taken, the City of Crestview’s Animal Control Service is
full steam ahead with Officer Kathryn Healey at the helm. 

• Officer Healey has been serving Okaloosa County and the surrounding areas for 5 years and is helping Crestview set a new standard of service for its citizens.

“It has always been a dream of mine to change the lives of animals,” Officer Healey said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to help build Crestview’s new Animal Services division and look forward to the positive impact we will have in our community not just for the animals but our citizens as well.”

In the two months following the decision not to renew services with the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society, the City has had nine employees complete the FACA Animal Control Certification Course.

This brings the total to 10 employees, including officer Healey, certified to perform animal control duties for the City of Crestview. 

Some of those certified include:

• Police officers
• Code enforcement officers
• The police chief
• And even the city manager

By the middle of April, the City will have two animal control facilities in use. A newly remodeled facility located at 715 N. Ferdon Blvd, and the Laurel Hill facility previously used by PAWS.

“When we started this process in January, we knew there would be some challenges,” City Manager Tim Bolduc said. “With the expertise that Officer Healey brings combined with the updated facilities, we are equipped to provide a level of service consistent with our mission and it’s only going to improve from here.”

The City is currently accepting food, bedding, and toys for dogs and cats. 

Some much needed items include:

• Adult dog food- Purina One Smart-blend
• Adult cat food- Purina One
• Puppy- Purina One Healthy Puppy
• Kitten- Purina One Healthy Kitten
• Wet food – Both dogs and cats Purina preferred but will accept all
• Treats
• Gently used/New/Clean – Linens, towels, wash cloths, blankets, beds. No pillows.
• Stainless steel dog and cat food/water bowls
• Gently used/new/clean – Dog and Cat Toys Specifically Kongs for dogs
• Slow feeding bowls
• Cleaning supplies
• Grooming supplies
• Newspaper
• Collars/leashes/harnesses

For a complete list and link to the Animal Services Amazon Wish List, click here. Those interested in volunteering can email Officer Healey at healeyk@cityofcrestview.org.

The Crestview Police Department located at 201 Stillwell Blvd is the drop-off point for donations.

EASTER

City of Destin announces Easter Egg Hunt at Morgan Sports Center

The City of Destin’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 16th, at Morgan Sports Center beginning at 9:00 am. 

The Easter Egg Hunt is for ages 12 and under, with a special egg hunting zone for crawlers & toddlers. 

Persons with disabilities, who require assistance to participate in this event are requested to notify the recreation manager at least 48 hours in advance.

For more information, please call the City of Destin Recreation Department at 850-654-5184 or email recreation@cityofdestin.com.

EVENT

Mac & Cheese Festival raises $65,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast

The 4th Annual Mac & Cheese Festival held on Sunday, March 6, 2022, at Destin Commons was a record-breaking success.

• The event raised $65,000 and welcomed roughly 1,500 attendees throughout the day.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, 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. 

“Our fourth Mac-N-Cheese Festival was a huge success and thoroughly outperformed our own expectations,” said Shervin Rassa, Chief Executive Officer, The Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast. “We are extremely thankful to all that attended, all of our cooking participants, Destin Commons, and all of our sponsors for making this year’s event amazing. Every cent raised through this event will make an impact on the over 4,000 youth we serve on an annual basis.”

The family-friendly event featured gourmet, chef-inspired twists on the South’s favorite comfort food.

Award winners are as follows:

• Judge’s Choice: Jackacuda’s Seafood and Sushi
• People’s Choice: Smoke N’ Whiskey BBQ
• Kid’s Choice: Dixieland Chicken

EDUCATION

NWFSC named a military friendly school with a Gold Distinction

Northwest Florida State College has been named a Military Friendly School with a Gold Distinction by MilitaryFriendly.com.

• The Military Friendly School designation is evaluated each year by using public data and responses from a proprietary survey.

Final ratings are calculated by combining the institution’s survey scores with the institution’s ability to meet minimum thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, and loan default rates for student veterans.

• Methodology, criteria, and weightings are determined with input from the Military Friendly Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community.

Schools which score within 10% of the 10th best school in their category are awarded the gold-level distinction.

“As a leader of higher education in this region, Northwest Florida State College strives to provide our veterans with the resources and opportunities they need to further their education and careers,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson.

For more information about Northwest Florida State College’s military and veteran services, please contact the NWFSC Veterans Success Center at 850-729-5375 or va@nwfsc.edu.

FROM THE STATE

Strawberry Shortcake becomes the official dessert of Florida

On Monday, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1006, designating the Strawberry Shortcake with natural Florida dairy topping as the official state dessert.

• The official designation is a tribute to Florida strawberry farmers who produce 75 percent of the winter strawberry crop in the United States.

The Governor signed the bill into law at the Florida Strawberry Festival, held every year in Plant City, Florida. Approximately 200,000 strawberry shortcakes are served at the Florida Strawberry Festival every year.

“Signing this bill at the Strawberry Festival is one way that we are supporting our Florida strawberry farmers and is a tribute to the more than 10,000 acres of strawberries that are grown in the greater Plant City area,” said DeSantis.

“As a fifth generation Floridian and a native of Plant City, I am delighted and proud that our Governor and the Legislature are making Strawberry Shortcake the official state dessert,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody. “I hope everyone tries a bite of Strawberry Shortcake in celebration.”

COMING SOON

Ruby Slipper set to open first Destin location in Spring 2022

Ruby Slipper, the New-Orleans born, all day brunch restaurant, has announced it will open in Destin, FL. later this year at 34902 Emerald Coast Pkwy (the old Graffiti & The Funky Blues Shack location.)  

Ruby Sunshine offers New Orleans-inspired twists on traditional Southern brunch favorites, including:

• Eggs Benedicts
• Beignets
• Bananas Foster Pain Perdu
• White Chocolate Bread Pudding Pancakes
• As well as eye-opening cocktails

Ruby Slipper in Destin is part of the Ruby Slipper Restaurant Group’s larger expansion across the Southeast region, which includes locations in Louisiana, Alabama and Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.

“We’re excited to bring our Big Easy inspired brunch to the beautiful Florida Panhandle” said Peter Gaudreau, CEO of Ruby Slipper Restaurant Group. “Destin is a natural next step for our expansion along the Gulf Coast with restaurants already in Mobile, Orange Beach and Pensacola. We think the Destin area captures that sense of New Orleans hospitality and southern charm that Ruby Slipper is all about.”

Ruby Slipper will offer a vibrant and inviting atmosphere for locals and visitors alike. The restaurant will have a 5,549 square foot space and will feature indoor seating for approximately 140 guests, in addition to a vibrant outdoor space for around 25 guests. 

• In addition to welcoming guests, Ruby Slipper is excited to offer job opportunities to a local team or Krewe of enthusiastic managers, bartenders, servers, bussers, cooks and dish techs. 
• Job openings can be found on the Ruby Slipper website.

Click here to see pics