WEATHER

Okaloosa school start time delayed 1 hour on Thursday morning due to storm

While we are on the subject of weather, the Okaloosa County School District has delayed school start time by one hour on Thursday.

To ensure safe transportation for the earliest bus routes, the OCSD will be delaying the school start time for students at all schools by one hour. 

The student start time for all schools will be adjusted due to the availability of bus transportation. 

• Schools will release at their regular release times. 
• Students who ride a school bus should arrive to the bus stop one hour later than normal. 

ESE students who are picked up at their residence will be picked up one hour later.

Parents who drop their students off at school should do so one hour later tomorrow morning.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

‘Torch Run’ for Special Olympics makes its way through Okaloosa County

On Wednesday morning, the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida completed the portion of the run through Okaloosa County.

Each year, over 5,000 officers carry the torch on a 1500-mile relay through 67 counties in Florida to the Opening Ceremony of the annual State Summer Games. 

“From runners to walkers, from law enforcement to public safety, we were glad to see not only city departments, but departments and citizens county-wide join in,” wrote the City of Crestview in a press release. 

• The leg of the run through Crestview began at Publix at Northcrest, traveled down Industrial Drive, and ended at Crestview Police Department.
• The south county leg through Fort Walton Beach began at Publix at at the corner of Racetrack Road and traveled south on Eglin Pkwy, ending at The Landing Park.

The intrastate torch relay began at the end of March and will culminate at the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics Florida State Games in May.

Click here to watch a short video of them running in front of our studio.

REMINDER

American Airlines at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport is hiring, and offers free travel!

Quick reminder that American Airlines at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach airport is back with another hiring event.

• It is happening today, March 31st, at 9am at the Holiday Inn Resort in Fort Walton Beach, FL. 

“Piedmont Airlines is offering positions at the VPS Airport that include free flights on the American Airlines Network, said Nicholas Calo, Recruiter for Piedmont Airlines. “This would be a great opportunity for young adults to experience a positive work environment as well benefits of seeing the world on a budget.”

💰 Part-time starting pay: $16.00/hour

Here is a quick look at some of the positions:

• Ramp agent
• Gate agent
• Cross-trained agent

Best of all…you get to travel for free! Enjoy American Airlines industry-best, no-cost travel within a few weeks of hire.

• Immediate family members also fly for free.
• See the world with your parents, spouse, domestic partner or registered guest, children or stepchildren.

Click here to learn more about today’s event

PUBLIC SAFETY

Numerous rental management agencies have canceled reservations for Destin ‘Takeover Parties’

On Wednesday morning, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office announced that following Monday’s press conference in regards to advertisements of Destin and Crab Island “takeovers”, numerous rental management agencies have now canceled reservations for those promoters. 

“This community has spoken, they will not tolerate the type of behavior that will bring in those who aim to destroy our beautiful home and the family atmosphere we have created,” wrote the WCSO. “Thank you for your willingness to step in and weed out those who take advantage of our rental companies and homeowners.”

Background: Earlier this week, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, addressed concerns over promoted “Destin Takeover” events and incoming crowds during Atlanta’s Spring Break week. 

• Following the recent incidences in Panama City Beach over the weekend with similar “take over parties”, concerns arose in Okaloosa & Walton County as flyers for a Crab Island Takeover began circulating social media. 
• The promoted parties list April 9 and April 22-24th as the current dates. 

According to Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson, Jr., both his department along with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office were well aware of the planned “take over” events. 

• “We’re aware of it and we’re going to put pressure on those events,” he said.

Go deeper: Panama City Beach law enforcement says 75 guns were seized and 161 people were arrested during a Spring Break weekend, according to WEAR TV.

HOME RULE

Crestview Officials receive Florida League of Cities Home Rule Heroes Award

The Florida League of Cities, celebrating its 100th anniversary as the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, recently recognized Crestview City Manager Tim Bolduc, Mayor JB Whitten, and Councilman Shannon Hayes with a 2022 Home Rule Hero Award for their hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2022 Legislative Session.

• Bolduc worked throughout session to promote local voices making local choices, protect the Home Rule powers of Florida’s municipalities, and advance the League’s legislative agenda.

“On behalf of the League and its legislative team, we’re very proud to present this year’s Home Rule Hero Awards to a deserving group of municipal leaders,” FLC Director of Legislative Affairs Casey Cook said. “These local officials were constantly engaged and actively advocating for their communities throughout the 2022 Legislative Session. They’re heroes for Home Rule and we thank them for their efforts.”

Home Rule is the ability of a city to address local problems with local solutions with minimal state interference. Home Rule Hero Award recipients are local government officials, both elected and non-elected, who consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the legislature and help give a local perspective on an issue.

“I believe that the strongest form of government is the government closest to home,” Mr. Bolduc said. “We always want to make sure that we have access to our leaders closest to us because their decisions make the greatest impact on our lives.”

LOOKING AHEAD

Eglin to conduct flight and boat operations next week

Residents may experience aircraft noise next week when the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group conducts flight and boat operations in the Gulf of Mexico, April 4-7.

Each day, fighter aircraft will release munitions between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. approximately 20 nautical miles south of Destin over the Gulf of Mexico. 

• The test will be conducted within a cleared range safety area which includes boat surveillance in the gulf. 
• Notices to mariners will be issued prior to missions.
• In addition, flyers will be handed out at the local marina.

These operations are part of the 53rd Wing’s Weapon System Evaluation Program.