TOGETHER WITH
Good morning!
A dense fog advisory has been issued for several counties in the region until 9 AM CDT this morning. The affected counties include Escambia Coastal, Escambia Inland, Okaloosa Inland, Santa Rosa Coastal, and Santa Rosa Inland.
According to the advisory, visibility is expected to be one quarter mile or less due to the dense fog. This low visibility could create hazardous driving conditions for motorists in the affected areas.
- Drivers are urged to take precautionary measures to ensure their safety on the roads.
Let’s get to more news this morning…
TRAVEL
Okaloosa approves electric vehicle/aircraft charging station at Bob Sikes Airport
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners has approved an Electric Vehicle Charging Station Host Site Agreement with BETA Technologies, Inc. (BETA) at Bob Sikes Airport (CEW) in Crestview, FL.
- This agreement will allow BETA to install a DC Fast Charge Commercial Charging Station to recharge electric vehicles, including BETA’s ALIA-250 aircraft, at no cost to the county.
BETA Technologies, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of electric aircraft founded in 2017, is expanding its charging network to support the emerging advanced air mobility (AAM) industry. AAM focuses on moving people and cargo between previously underserved or unserved locations using revolutionary new aircraft.
In October 2023, BETA landed its all-electric aircraft at Duke Field to begin a contracted deployment period with the US Air Force’s 413th Test Squadron. During this time, BETA’s ALIA aircraft and its core flight test team conducted hands-on training and explored use cases such as critical resupply, cargo delivery, and personnel transport.
With the Board’s approval, BETA will install one DC Fast Charge Commercial Charging Station along the north end of the CEW South Apron. There will also be a Level 2 vehicle charger installed on the land side to service two parking spots for electric car charging at the airport.All electrical infrastructure needed to support the chargers will be funded and installed by BETA.
- At the end of each calendar year, BETA will remit 10% of the previous year’s station margin to the county for the privilege of installing the station on County Airport property.
Tracy Stage, Airports Director, noted that BETA has completed 336 nautical miles of flight on its battery packs and has flown through the nation’s busiest class B and C airspaces. The company recently completed a three-month deployment at Eglin Air Force Base, conducting operational experimentation and training with over 200 sorties and 5,500 nautical miles of flight testing in Okaloosa County using the ALIA CTOL aircraft.
Commissioner Nathan Boyles expressed his enthusiasm for the agreement, stating, “12 years ago when I got on the commission, I would not have thought I would have the chance to approve plug-in stations for electric airplanes. But I think it’s neat to see that our community is leading on this issue right now.”
SPONSORED
Become a member of Eglin Federal Credit Union and join today! Visit eglinfcu.org/join.
Must be 18 or older to join online. Insured by NCUA.
POLICE BLOTTER
15-year-old arrested for assaulting deputies during underage drinking bust on 30a
A 15-year-old boy from Huntsville, Alabama, faces multiple charges, including two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, after reportedly hitting two deputies during an arrest for underage drinking in Walton County, Florida.
- The incident occurred Sunday night when Walton County Sheriff’s Deputies were managing crowd control for a large group of juveniles between Nightcap Street and the beach access near S County Highway 395 in Seagrove Beach.
Deputies discovered the teen drinking a Michelob Ultra and attempted to take him into custody, according to the report from the WCSO.
During the arrest, the teen allegedly resisted and punched one of the deputies in the side of the head. As deputies escorted him to a patrol car, the minor slipped out of his handcuffs and swung his right arm across a deputy’s face, striking them in the nose with the cuffs.
In addition to the two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, the 15-year-old is charged with resisting arrest with violence, obstruction with violence, and possession of alcohol by a minor.
- He was initially booked into the Walton County Jail before being transferred to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Crestview.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office has chosen not to release the juvenile’s name or mug shot due to various factors, including his criminal history and out-of-state residency.
SCHOOL
Okaloosa School Board appoints Jennifer Beasley as new CTE Program Director
The Okaloosa County School Board unanimously approved the appointment of Jennifer Beasley as the new Program Director for Career and Technical Education (CTE) during their meeting on Monday, March 11, 2024.
Superintendent Marcus Chambers praised the leadership of the previous and existing CTE program directors, Patti Bonezzi and April Branscome, for their role in developing one of the strongest CTE programs in the state of Florida over the past 10-15 years.
- He then introduced Jennifer Beasley as the new appointee for the position.
Beasley has served as an assistant principal at Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach for the past three years. Prior to that, she worked for Marion County Public Schools for 25 years, where she gained extensive experience in career and technical education.
During her tenure in Marion County, Beasley served as an administrator in five schools, overseeing more than 25 different CTE programs. She also held the positions of principal at Liberty Middle School, Lake Weir High School, and Marion County Technical Institute, a CTE magnet school.
- “First, I’d like to thank Mr. Chambers and all of you for this amazing opportunity,” Beasley said during the meeting. “I’ve always been very passionate about CTE programs. I’m very excited and honored to work with our schools in our community.”
Beasley also expressed gratitude to her Choctaw family for welcoming her into Okaloosa County and acknowledged that while she will miss them, she is excited for what the future holds in her new role.
According to the District, current program director April Branscome is set to retire later this year.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Two injured in stabbing incident at Destin gas station, suspects at large
A 27-year-old man and his sister were reportedly injured in a stabbing incident following an altercation at a gas station on Harbor Boulevard in Destin, Florida, around 10:15 PM on Monday night.
- The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the case.
According to the male victim, his sister was involved in an argument with two men, which escalated into a physical fight. When he attempted to intervene and break up the altercation, one of the men pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the forearm.
- The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening stab wound to his arm.
The victim’s sister also sustained injuries, including a stab wound to her ear and a bloody mouth. The extent of her injuries and current condition were not disclosed.
After the stabbing, the two male suspects fled the scene in a car. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information related to the incident to contact them at 850.651.7400 or reach out to Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850.863.TIPS, through their website at emeraldcoastcrimestoppers.com, or via the P3 Tips mobile application.
The identities of the victims and the suspects have not been released, and no further details about the altercation or the events leading up to the stabbing have been provided at this time.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to locate the suspects and gather more information about the incident.
GIVING BACK
“Mike’s Ohana”: Niceville brewey crafts special beer in memory of Mike Ledford
The Niceville community continues to honor one of their own, Michael Ledford, who was fatally stabbed last month behind the CVS in Niceville.
- 3rd Planet Brewing, which hosted an “Ohana Day” food truck rally and celebration of life for Ledford on Feb. 25, is releasing a new beer on Thursday, March 14, with proceeds benefiting Ledford’s loved ones.
The hazy pale ale, called “Mike’s Ohana”, was brewed in collaboration with the team from Post 20 Sushi, the brick-and-mortar restaurant Ledford was working to open before his death.
- “Sushi rice and yuzu create a bright and clean citrus twist on Luminous Cloud—one of Mike’s go-to’s at our place,” 3rd Planet said in announcing the beer. “A big dry-hop of Centennial and Strata CGX plays up the bright lemon and delivers balancing dank, tropical complexity.”
Ledford, 42, was the proprietor of the My Ohana food truck. He was stabbed to death on Feb. 9 behind the Niceville CVS pharmacy. Dylan Deschaine, 24, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in Ledford’s death. Deschaine remains in custody at the Okaloosa County Jail.
The Feb. 25 Ohana Day event at 3rd Planet featured local food trucks, including several Ledford considered friends and family, providing discounted fare to patrons. The event also had live music and a raffle, with a portion of sales and all raffle proceeds going to the Ledford family.
The special Mike’s Ohana beer will be available on draft and in 4-packs of 16-oz. cans to go, with a limit of two 4-packs per customer.
Post 20 Sushi, meanwhile, is moving forward with plans to open in the near future at a location on Bayshore Drive in Niceville. The 3rd Planet statement said to “keep your eyes peeled” for an opening announcement.
THINGS TO DO
Mullet Festival plans to return to Niceville in 2025
Emerald Coast Entertainment Group announced at the Niceville City Council meeting on Tuesday that the Mullet Festival will make its comeback in Niceville, Florida, in 2025.
- The promoters had initially aimed to schedule the event for 2024 but decided to postpone it due to the approval process.
During the meeting, Shiraz Hosein, an attorney representing Emerald Coast Entertainment Group, provided an update on the festival’s progress. The council had asked the promoters to work with the city manager and attorney to address issues related to parking and an amendment to an event permit with the military.
City Manager David Deitch stated that he is in discussions with Eglin Air Force Base about the permit, noting that the Department of Defense’s process is slow. “It won’t be a short process. October 25, I imagine we’ll be done by then,” Deitch said.
Despite the delay in obtaining the permit, Emerald Coast Entertainment Group is ready to move forward with announcing the event for 2025. “We want to do this right. We want to show Niceville that we can bring a big family concert here,” said Mark Wagner, the promoter. “With it being March, we just don’t want to push this and try to do it in 2024 at all.”
Wagner also revealed plans to bring in one of the “top 10 ride companies,” North American Mid Amusements, and hinted at the possibility of featuring artists like Miranda Lambert or Jelly Roll.
- The promoters believe that the postponement to 2025 will allow them to secure a better lineup and ensure a successful event.
The Mullet Festival’s return to Niceville in 2025 is expected to be a significant event for the community, focusing on providing entertainment for families. As the approval process continues, residents can look forward to more updates on the festival’s development.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Thursday. 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!
