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Good morning!
Here’s what we’re covering today:
Okaloosa deputies and a rideshare driver team up to save an elderly woman from an $8,000 scam, while Fort Walton Beach celebrates completion of the first phase of Landing Park’s $8 million renovation. School zone speed cameras in Fort Walton Beach will begin operating all day starting April 1, the School District prepares for an upcoming job fair, and Eglin announces a temporary closure of SR 285. Meanwhile, the county recognizes America Saves Week coming in April.
GIVING BACK
Okaloosa County proclaims America Saves Week for April 7-11
by Ashley Armacost
The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed April 7-11, 2025 as Okaloosa Saves and America Saves Week during their board meeting Tuesday.
- This year’s theme, “Saving for Your Past, Present and Future,” aims to inspire residents to evaluate their finances, establish savings goals and create actionable plans to achieve them.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners for their continued efforts in raising awareness about the importance of saving,” said Okaloosa Saves Board Chair Laura Coale. “Personal and household savings are crucial for the stability and vitality of northwest Florida residents.”
The commissioners’ proclamation highlighted that adequate emergency savings, retirement funds and safe debt-income ratios are critical components of personal financial security. The proclamation calls on community members to start or increase emergency funds, open savings accounts, set up split deposits for savings and increase 401(k) contributions.
America Saves Week has been an annual celebration and call to action since 2007, encouraging everyday Americans to commit to successful saving practices. The initiative relies on thousands of participating organizations to promote financial wellness.
- Okaloosa Saves, a local partner in the America Saves campaign, was founded in 2003 as a 501(c)3 organization focused on helping individuals build wealth and reduce debt. In 2024, the organization received the Savings Champion Award from America Saves.
The national America Saves program uses behavioral economics and social marketing principles to motivate and support Americans in saving money, reducing debt and creating better financial habits. The organization encourages individuals and families to take the America Saves pledge, which helps them commit to a savings plan.
Residents can learn more about these initiatives at americasavesweek.org and okaloosasaves.com.
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- To find out if you’re eligible to join, visit eglinfcu.org/join or apply at a branch.
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PARKS+REC
City of Fort Walton Beach completes phase one of $8 million Landing Park renovations
The $8 million renovation project at Fort Walton Beach Landing is progressing with the completion of its first phase focused on waterfront improvements.
- GLC Contracting of Fort Walton Beach began work in spring 2023 by removing the park’s existing stage and wooden boardwalk, which sustained severe damage during Hurricane Sally in 2020.
The completed waterfront renovations include a reinforced 700-foot-long seawall topped with a 10-foot-wide concrete boardwalk. Aluminum handrails run the entire length, complemented by bench seating and new light fixtures along the path.
A marine construction company built a new T-dock at the west end of the waterfront and renovated the existing multi-slip dock at the east end. The east end also features a new “pocket beach” and kayak launch with a terraced seating area above it.
- The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance has created a living shoreline in the shallow water in front of the park using small oyster shell reefs and native grasses.
Work has now shifted to the park’s interior for the second phase. Crews are currently constructing the concrete base for a new bandshell, which will feature a circular awning covering the stage and tiered seating for spectators.
Future work includes demolishing the existing restroom and replacing it with two new prefabricated facilities at opposite ends of the park. Plans also call for additional lighting, new sidewalks, more electrical outlets for festival vendors, and a designated food truck area near the park’s northwest corner.
- Along Brooks Street, crews have demolished the foundation of the old Science Center building and created a new golf cart parking area. The city has leased property east of The Landing and is working to create a parking lot with 32 to 34 additional spaces.
The renovation is funded through multiple sources, including a Natural Resource Damage Assessment Grant, Restore Act funds, Okaloosa County Tourist Development tax revenues, Okaloosa County’s Half-Cent Surtax for infrastructure projects, and the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency. No funding comes from the city’s General Fund.
Click here to see additional pictures
BUSINESS
Okaloosa County School District to host job fair April 5
The Okaloosa County School District will host a job fair next month for those interested in education careers.
- The free event will take place Saturday, April 5, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Choctawhatchee High School’s Multipurpose Building, located at 110 Racetrack Road.
The district is looking to fill various positions, including teachers, substitute teachers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals and custodians. Officials say opportunities exist for those wanting to work directly with students or in specialized support services.
During the fair, the Professional Services Department will offer a class on “How to Become a Teacher” for those interested in pursuing teaching credentials.
For more information about the job fair, contact the district’s Human Resources department at (850) 833-5800.
PUBLIC SAFETY
City of Fort Walton Beach to begin all-day speed cameras in school zones starting April 1
The City of Fort Walton Beach will begin using automated cameras to enforce speed limits in school zones starting April 1, implementing a program unanimously approved by the City Council in January.
- The city is partnering with RedSpeed USA to install the photo enforcement system at eight schools throughout Fort Walton Beach, including Choctawhatchee High School, Fort Walton Beach High School, Silver Sands School and Saint Mary Catholic School.
Camera systems and informational signs have already been installed at the selected locations, which were chosen following a 2024 traffic study that identified these areas as having more than 200 speeding violations per day.
“This system is an effective tool to encourage compliance with speed limits, ultimately protecting students and pedestrians,” said Police Chief Robert Bage. “Photo enforcement ensures consistent and equitable speed enforcement every school day, regardless of police staffing levels.”
Unlike traditional school zone enforcement that operates only during arrival and dismissal times, the cameras will monitor speeds throughout the entire school day. The enforcement system will be active 30 minutes before school starts and 30 minutes after school dismissal. It will not operate on weekends, holidays, summer break, or other times when school is not in session.
- During school zone hours when beacons are flashing, tickets will be issued at 26 mph in 15 mph zones and 36 mph in 25 mph zones. Outside beacon times but during school hours, citations will be based on the regular posted speed limit plus 11 mph.
The program will begin with a mandatory 30-day warning period starting April 1. During this time, speeders will receive warning notices rather than citations, as part of an effort to educate drivers about the new enforcement system.
“We would hope that we don’t write the first speeding ticket,” Bage said at the January council meeting. “I would hope that during the warning period and the educational period, when people know that there’s a repercussion for speeding through the school zones, that nobody speeds through a school.”
Violations will result in a $100 civil citation issued to the registered owner of the vehicle. Officials emphasized that the citations are civil infractions that do not result in driver’s license points or impact insurance rates.
- Revenue from citations will be divided, with $39 going to the city, $21 to RedSpeed, $12 to the school board, $5 to crossing guard programs, $3 for law enforcement training, and $20 to state general revenue.
City Councilman Bryce Jeter voiced strong support for all-day enforcement during the January meeting, citing varied student schedules.
“100% [this] needs to be all day long because if you volunteer at a school or… your daughter goes late, checks out early…between doctor’s appointments, mom’s volunteering,” Jeter said. “I’ve personally seen cars speed during the day and there’s a kid crossing the road at 11 o’clock.”
The city’s contract with RedSpeed includes provisions allowing the City of Fort Walton Beach to terminate the program with notice and without equipment removal fees. Police maintain final approval authority over all citations.
Similar programs in other states have shown promising results. According to research presented by Bage, Maryland saw a 39% decrease in speeding violations after implementing full-day enforcement, while Washington D.C. reported a 30% drop in injury crashes near cameras after one year.
Camera systems and informational signage have been installed in the following schools:
- Choctawhatchee High School (Racetrack Road)
- Liza Jackson Preparatory School (Hospital Road)
- Bruner Middle School (Holmes Boulevard)
- Silver Sands School (Holmes Boulevard and Wright Parkway)
- Fort Walton Beach High School (Hollywood Boulevard and Wright Parkway)
- Edwins Elementary School (Hollywood Boulevard)
- Saint Mary Catholic School (Robinwood Drive)
TRAFFIC
Eglin Air Force Base to close State Road 285 for test mission
State Road 285 will be closed temporarily on March 26 as the 96th Test Wing conducts testing operations on the Eglin Test and Training Range.
- The closure will affect SR 285 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., though officials said no single closure will exceed 90 minutes. Multiple closure periods may occur throughout the six-hour window.
Motorists should plan alternate routes during these times. The Air Force has scheduled backup mission dates for March 27 and April 3 during the same timeframe if needed.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Okaloosa deputies, rideshare driver save elderly woman from $8,000 scam
A vigilant rideshare driver prevented an elderly woman from losing $8,000 to scammers posing as her son’s attorney, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
- The driver, who was hired to deliver a package to Covington, Louisiana on March 18, became suspicious when offered $700 for the delivery fee. After picking up the package from an 87-year-old woman near Shalimar, the driver noticed she appeared to be following instructions from someone on the phone.
When the driver observed the suspicious taped cereal box, he contacted law enforcement. Deputies discovered $8,000 in cash inside the package.
“If the hair stands up on the back of your neck, it probably is not legit,” Sheriff Aden said. “We always say: see something, say something.”
Investigators located the woman and learned she had received a call from someone claiming to be her son’s attorney, saying her son was in jail in Colorado and needed bail money. She was instructed to send the money via rideshare delivery.
Deputies confirmed the woman’s son was not in jail and had not requested bail money.
“It totally saved this lady from losing $8,000,” Sheriff Aden said. “We just want to try and reiterate to the public, if you hear something and you are the least bit skeptical, please contact us.”
The sheriff’s office returned the money to the victim and provided guidance on protecting herself from future scams. An active investigation is underway.
- Sheriff Aden noted that similar scams originate outside the United States from countries without extradition treaties. This case targeted someone in “one of our very affluent retirement communities.”
The sheriff’s office reminded residents that they will never call or email requesting cash for missed jury service, unpaid tickets, warrants, or similar situations — all common scams in recent years.
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