NEWS

Commissioner Boyles to host Town Hall Meeting on North Okaloosa Planning Study

Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles (District 3) will host a Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at 6 p.m. at the Baker School gymnasium to address concerns and gather feedback from residents regarding the ongoing North Okaloosa County Planning Study.

• The meeting aims to provide a platform for residents to voice their concerns, clarify any misinformation about the study, and discuss how the County and residents of north Okaloosa County can work together to preserve agricultural and rural traditions while responsibly addressing future growth.

“This is an important issue for north Okaloosa residents and I look forward to listening to their concerns and gathering feedback,” said Commissioner Boyles.

The North Okaloosa County Planning Study seeks to balance the preservation of the area’s rural character with the need to plan for potential future development, according to the county. The study’s findings and recommendations will help guide the County’s decision-making process in the coming years.

The Town Hall meeting is open to the public and members of the media. For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be streamed live on the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OkaloosaCounty/.

Residents interested in learning more about the North Okaloosa County Planning Study can visit https://www.inspire-engagement.com/north-okaloosa-plan for additional information.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Fort Walton Beach community invited to “Adopt a Dispatcher”

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department will honor its 9-1-1 dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week (NPSTW) from April 14th to April 20th.

• The week-long celebration aims to recognize the dedicated men and women who serve the community around the clock by answering emergency calls, dispatching law enforcement personnel, and providing assistance to those in need.

“While we try every day to make sure our Communications Officers feel special, NPSTW is a time that we can really show them how much they mean to the community,” the Fort Walton Beach Police Department stated in a press release.

The department is inviting the community to participate in the celebration by “Adopting a Dispatcher.” This initiative allows individuals, families, work professionals, church groups, and friend groups to express their gratitude to the dispatchers through handwritten notes, cards, or colorful pictures from children.

To adopt a dispatcher, interested parties can send an email to khuyghue@fwb.org, and the department will assign a dispatcher to them.

• During the week of April 14th-20th, appreciation items can be mailed or dropped off at the Fort Walton Beach Police Department located at 7 Hollywood Blvd NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.

Note: They still have 5 dispatchers that have not been adopted.

PARKS+REC

Okaloosa progresses on ‘all-inclusive’ Miracle League Field project at Meigs Park in Niceville

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved Task Order 1 for a not-to-exceed amount of $372,110 with Mott MacDonald for engineering and architectural services related to the development of the Miracle League Field and Playgrounds at Meigs Park in Niceville on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

• The project, a partnership between Okaloosa County and the City of Niceville, aims to revitalize the 4-acre city-owned park with accessibility upgrades and facilities for those with special needs.

The planned improvements include an 8-foot quarter-mile walking track, a 200-foot ball-field, a large ADA-compliant playground, a basketball/volleyball court, and a large pavilion with a quiet room.

“There’s nothing else like it to this degree in the neighboring counties,” said Okaloosa Commissioner Mel Ponder during a presentation to the Niceville City Council in December 2023. “Hopefully it will be a good win for the people here at home, but also for anyone who wants to come into Okaloosa County and have fun there and enjoy what we have.”

The project will be funded by a combination of a $1.25 million legislative appropriation from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), up to $750,000 from the county’s Tourist Development District (TDD) funds, and contributions from the City of Niceville.

• The city will provide permitting assistance, general oversight, ongoing maintenance, ensure compliance with grant funding conditions, add parking, and new bathrooms.

According to Public Works Director Jason Autrey, the services provided by Mott MacDonald include full design for civil, architectural, on-street parking, and ball fields.

“We are very excited to see this project move forward. It will certainly be a capstone park for our communities,” Autrey said during the meeting.

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners and the City of Niceville entered into an interlocal agreement on January 16, 2024, to jointly develop Meigs Park into an ADA Miracle League style facility. The approval of Task Order 1 marks the first step toward project development, with Mott MacDonald set to perform all design and permitting elements outlined in the agreement.

POLICE BLOTTER

Crestview man allegedly charged at deputies with knife, shot by officer

A Crestview man was shot by an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy after charging at officers with a knife during a felony warrant service in Baker around midnight on Tuesday, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

• Daniel Wesson, 38, had active warrants for violation of probation on two counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of burglary tools, and trespassing, according to the report.

Deputies had gone to 5727 Griffith Cemetery Road to take Wesson into custody when the incident occurred.

Wesson was transported to a local hospital for treatment and is expected to survive. No deputies were injured during the incident.

As per standard protocols, the Sheriff’s Office says the deputy involved in the shooting will be placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division and review by the State Attorney’s Office.

EVENTS

A few things to do around town

March 28, 2024 – Spring Break Workshops – $12 – View

March 28, 2024 – Fly Guy Thursdays – Free – View

March 29, 2024 – Spring Break Workshops – $12 – View

March 29, 2024 – 9th Annual Doggie EGGstravaganza – View

March 30, 2024 – Folk School Classes at Traditions Workshop – Viking era knife – $120 – View

March 30, 2024 – Easter Explosion – Free – View

March 31, 2024 – Scallywag Sunday – Free – View

April 1, 2024 – Movie Monday – Free – View

April 2, 2024 – Boomin Tuesday – Free – View

April 4, 2024 – Fly Guy Thursdays – Free – View

April 4, 2024 – Concert in the Village: Post Modern Jukebox – View

April 5, 2024 – First Friday Coffee sponsored by FASTSIGNS – View

April 6, 2024 – Kenwood Disc Golf Tournament – – View

April 6, 2024 – 2024 Outdoor Adventure Expo – Free – View

April 6, 2024 – HHArts Gallery Night – Free – View

April 7, 2024 – 2024 Outdoor Adventure Expo – Free – View

April 7, 2024 – Okaloosa’s Got Talent Finale – View

April 8, 2024 – Solar Eclipse Extravaganza – Free – View

April 9, 2024 – Friends Guild to Celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month with Dr. Cheryl Jones “A Deep Dive into Jazz” – Free – View

April 10, 2024 – A Walk Down Magnolia Lane Benefitting Embrace Florida Kids – $200 – View

April 11, 2024 – Nothing But Networking sponsored by the University of West Florida – View

April 11, 2024 – Concert in the Village: Wendy Moten – View

GIVING BACK

Step One Automotive donates Ford Focus to Crestview High School Automotive Program

On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, Step One Automotive Group demonstrated its commitment to community partnership by donating a 2014 Ford Focus to the Crestview High School Automotive Program. 

• The presentation took place in front of the school, with representatives from Step One Automotive, school district staff, and Crestview High School teachers in attendance.

The donation of the newer car will provide automotive students with valuable hands-on experience working with modern technology, a privilege they don’t always have access to. Instructor Damon Welch, along with his students, gratefully accepted the vehicle from Step One Automotive.

Marrianna Harper, Marketing Manager for Step One Automotive Crestview Area, expressed her excitement about the donation, stating, “This has been an ongoing effort for over a year for us to be here at this moment. It’s a big deal for Crestview High School and it’s a big deal for Step One Automotive.”

Crestview Mayor JB Whitten, a former high school teacher in his second career, praised the partnership between the community, businesses, and the high school. 

• “Step One, thank you so much for stepping up to the plate and supplying this car so our students can get the well-rounded education they need. It’s not all about textbooks. A lot of it has to be hands on,” he said.

Superintendent Marcus Chambers emphasized the importance of community sponsors and partnerships in education. “Step One is the epitome of that partnership and we’re blessed to have a number of partners,” he said, highlighting the significance of career and technical education in supporting local industries.

Chambers went on to explain that while core subjects like English, math, science, and social studies remain important, education is evolving to include a stronger focus on career and technical education. 

• The school district currently offers 19 different programs designed to support local industries and provide students with marketable skills they can use after graduating from high school.

“They’re learning skills and trades that they can take beyond high school. They will have marketable skills and go straight into the community, give back and make a good wage,” Chambers said, praising the efforts of Principal Victoria Hayden, Instructor Damon Welch, and the automotive program at Crestview High School.

He also pointed out the success of former Crestview High School students, highlighting a former automotive student who was in attendance this morning and now works for Step One.

“Our automotive program here at Crestview High School is second to none,” he said.

Automotive Instructor Damon Welch noted that the donation was the result of a two to three-year effort, with the last year being crucial in getting corporate approval.

“This is a blessing from Step One for us. We just want to thank them once again,” he said, adding that Step One not only supports the program with donations but also hires graduates from the automotive program.

Luke Golden, Sales Manager at Ford Crestview, emphasized the importance of building and mentoring relationships in the automotive industry. He stressed that the donation of the car is part of a long-term commitment to support the growth and development of the students in the automotive program.

• “The biggest thing isn’t donating the car, it’s actually building and mentoring those relationships,” Golden said, acknowledging the crucial role played by Damon Welch in establishing and maintaining the partnership between Step One Automotive and Crestview High School.

Golden expressed his hope that this donation would serve as a catalyst for continued collaboration and support in the years to come. “We’re hoping that we can keep this door open to not only grow this year but continuously in years ahead to mold the young minds to have a great career,” he said.