JOB BOARD

Okaloosa County School District hosting Job Fair for 2023-2024 school year

The Okaloosa County School District is seeking qualified personnel to join their team for the 2023-2024 school year. In light of this, the District will be hosting a job fair that is open to the public and completely free of charge. 

• The job fair will be held at Edge Elementary on Saturday, April 1, from 9 am to 11 am.

According to the District, there are a variety of career paths available for interested candidates. The District welcomes career changers and veterans, and there are opportunities for military spouses as well. 

The job fair will provide an opportunity for individuals to connect with school principals and other District Administrators, who will be present to interview and possibly hire candidates on the spot.

• Representatives from all Okaloosa County School District schools will also be present at the job fair, providing an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the different schools and positions available within the District.

Those who are interested in attending the job fair can call 850-833-5800 for more information or click here to register. The event will be held at Edge Elementary, located at 300 Highway 85N in Niceville, FL 32578.

TRAFFIC

FDOT to hold open house event for the Brooks Bridge replacement project in Fort Walton Beach

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a hybrid public open house for the Brooks Bridge Replacement project in Okaloosa County on Thursday, April 13, 2023, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (CDT). 

• This event will be held virtually and in-person to provide information about the project and provide an opportunity for inquiries and comments.

The $171-million Brooks Bridge replacement project includes constructing two new parallel bridges over the Santa Rosa Sound in Okaloosa County. 

The bridge will have increased capacity of six travel lanes versus the current four-lane bridge that opened in 1966. Preliminary construction activities are now underway with project completion estimated for mid-2027.

According to FDOT, citizens are strongly encouraged to attend the virtual open house and may register online at www.nwflroads.com/virtualmeetings. Those who are unable to participate virtually may attend the open house in-person at Destin Fort-Walton Beach Convention Center located at 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway Southeast in Fort Walton Beach.

• Maps, drawings and other information will be on display and FDOT representatives will be available to discuss proposed improvements, answer questions, and receive comments. 

“Persons wishing to submit written comments may do so at the event, or by contacting the FDOT Project Manager, Jack Harrison, by e-mailing at Jack.Harrison@dot.state.fl.us or by mail at 1074 Highway 90, Chipley, Florida 32428-0607,” wrote FDOT on Thursday morning. “All comments provided, or postmarked, on or before Monday, April 24, 2023, will become part of the official record.”

• Interested persons may visit the project website at www.nwflroads.com/virtualmeetings and register for one viewing option (virtual or in-person). If you have any questions or issues registering, please contact the FDOT project manager named above.

EVENTS

Destin City Council waives parking fees for annual Blessing of the Fleet event

On Monday, March 20, 2023, the Destin City Council made the decision to waive parking fees at the Marler Parking Lot on Harbor Blvd for the upcoming 66th Annual Blessing of the Fleet and Community Fish Fry event.

• The Blessing of the Fleet is Destin’s second oldest tradition, which began in May 1958, second only to the annual Fishing Rodeo.
• It has been the catalyst for the beginning of Destin’s Week of Blessings activities, which are now held annually in conjunction with the Blessing of the Fleet.

The Destin Week of Blessings Committee and the Immanuel Anglican Church requested that the City of Destin waive the parking fees at the Marler Parking Lot on Thursday, May 18, 2023, beginning at 3:00 PM in support of this long-standing community event. Immanuel Anglican Church is the event sponsor, but the Church of Destin and the entire community participate in this event.

The Blessings of the Fleet Committee will post appropriate signs at the parking lot indicating that the parking fee has been suspended for that one day. The event will take place on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 4pm on the docks at the Destin Fishing Fleet Marina, behind Brotula’s restaurant.

The Blessing of the Fleet is available to all vessels that make their living from the sea. The event involves the community’s fishermen and other sea-goers bringing their boats to the marina for a blessing of safety and prosperity for the upcoming season. The event is significant for the community and celebrates the city’s long-standing relationship with the sea and its culture.

GIVING BACK

4th Annual Shrimp & Grits Festival raises $50,000 for The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast

The 4th Annual Shrimp & Grits Festival was held on Saturday, February 25th, 2023 at Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer and saw a record-breaking $50,000 raised and more than 1,500 attendees in support of the local Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast.

• The event featured classic Southern dishes, live music from Epic & Elegant Entertainment, and a shrimp and grits competition on the Destin Harbor, where local restaurants and chefs competed for the title of the best shrimp and grits on the Emerald Coast.

“We are truly blessed to live in a Community that continuously comes together to support the next generation and invest in the youth of our region,” said Tyler Jarvis, CoFounder/Operating Partner, Bald & The Beard Restaurant Group. “We must continue to seek out opportunities to speak light into the next generation and provide them with the tools to be successful in today’s society.”

Jarvis noted that their partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast through charitable events allows them to serve the next generation through their programs and mentorship, something he is very honored and humbled to be able to support.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast CEO, Shervin Rassa, thanked Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer, sponsors, cook teams, and attendees for making the event a huge success.

• “Our fourth annual Shrimp & Grits Festival was a huge success,” he said. “Every cent raised through this event will make an impact on the over 5,000 youth we serve on an annual basis. Our team is already working on next year’s event, we look forward to an amazing fifth year.”

Award winners are as follows: 

• People’s Choice (1st Place): East Pass Seafood & Oyster House
• People’s Choice (2nd Place): Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
• People’s Choice (3rd Place): Knife’s Edge Private Chef and Catering
• Best Overall (Judges Award): Knife’s Edge Private Chef and Catering 
• Most Creative (Judges Award): Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
• Best Grits (Judge’s Award): Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer

COMING SOON

The old Bluewater Zoo building demolished to make way for new museum in Downtown Fort Walton Beach

On Thursday, March 23, 2023, the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department oversaw the crew from Cross Environmental Services as they demolished the old Bluewater Zoo building at the corner of U.S. Highway 98 and Florida Place SE.

• In November 2022, the Fort Walton Beach City Council approved the demolition bid for the old Bluewater Zoo building and public restrooms in downtown Fort Walton Beach.
• The property is located at 159 Miracle Strip Parkway SE and is adjacent to the City’s Indian Temple Mound Museum site.

Back in May 2020, the Fort Walton Beach City Council accepted the donation of the Bluewater Zoo building and property from the Chris Gibson estate. The building was to be used as the new Heritage Park & Cultural Center gift shop and office space.

Gibson served two terms as a Fort Walton Beach City Council Woman and was a long-time benefactor of the Heritage Park and Cultural Center. She was a Charter Member of the Friends of the Museum and served on its Board of Directors for many years.

• She was active in archaeological interests in Fort Walton Beach and worked to preserve the local history. She passed away in 2017.

“They had a vision of connecting the Bluewater Zoo building to the museum and it would become the gift store,” said interim City Manager Jeff Peters. “Over the years, the building has gotten worse and worse.”

After a thorough evaluation of the building, it was determined that the cost to renovate outweighed the overall value of the building. City staff contacted the Gibson family to discuss demolition of the building rather than renovating it. Both parties were in agreement that it would be best to demolish the building and build a new addition.

• As part of the agreement between both parties, the city had to show that they had a funding source to build the addition before they could tear it down.

As part of the City’s 12.5% allocation for FY 2022-23 from the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council, $390,000 was included for the demolition and construction of a new 4,800 sqft. museum gift shop and office building.

• The overall project amount is $800,000.
• The balance of the project cost will be funded through the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Fund.

The plan now is to build a two-story museum addition that will be the entrance into that facility. The addition will include a large lobby area, gift shop, public restroom, classroom area and office space.

PUBLIC SERVICE

Liza Jackson students head back to school, mourning the loss of beloved School Resource Officer

Today, the students of Liza Jackson Preparatory School in Fort Walton Beach headed back to school, following the news of the death of their beloved School Resource Officer, Deputy Cullen Coraine.

On Thursday, March 23, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office announced the death of Deputy Coraine:

• “It is with tremendous sadness we report our brother, former Deputy Cullen Coraine, was found deceased in his home late this afternoon,” they wrote in a press release. “No foul play is suspected. Please keep in mind this investigation is in progress and ongoing.”

Coraine separated from the OCSO earlier last week after nearly 10 years of dedicated service. He was a highly decorated and awarded School Resource Officer for the last eight years of his service and he was a dedicated public servant and passionately lead the youth Explorer program.

According to the OCSO, he was personally responsible for recruiting some of these students to later become deputies at the OCSO. Several young deputies credit Deputy Coraine as their biggest influence in choosing a career in law enforcement.

• “He touched thousands of young students’ lives while serving as an SRO,” said Sheriff Eric Aden. “The impact he made cannot be measured and will likely not be duplicated anytime soon. He will be missed by all. We ask for your prayers for his family, friends, and former co-workers here at the OCSO.”

Over the weekend, Liza Jackson School opened their gates to allow students and their families to honor Deputy Cullen by placing flowers and having a moment of silence at the flag pole. Cullen’s last day at Liza was just before Spring Break.

This morning, more than 15 officers from the Fort Walton Beach Police Department and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office were lined up outside of the school where Deputy Cullen was ever-present. The officers were there to greet students as they arrived to school and offer their support.

Please keep the students and staff in your prayers as they return to school this morning, impacted by the sudden loss of Deputy Coraine.