TOGETHER WITH
Good morning!
The use of golf carts as a mode of transportation is ever-increasing in our local area. In Downtown Fort Walton Beach, residents in the Elliot Point neighborhood regularly take their golf carts to downtown events, Publix, Parlor Donuts, etc.
Now, there is a new local company that specializes in custom golf carts for those of you who wish to ride in a bit of style.
Yesterday, I got to hangout with the owners of Big Bad Carts in Fort Walton Beach (who are also friends of mine) as they showed me their current fleet of custom golf carts and talked about what sets them apart from competitors.
EARTH DAY
Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge hosting Earth Day Celebration
On April 16th, the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge will hold their annual Earth Day celebration. This day celebrates sustainability for the planet, nature, and wildlife.
The Earth Day celebration will happen regardless of the weather and will have various areas set up to learn about:
- Marine mammals
- Recycling
- Wildlife Rehabilitation
- Citizen Assistance
Other activities such as arts and crafts and interactions with ambassadors of the refuge will be available, along with meeting the wildlife’s Gopher Tortoise named “Landlord”.
- Special event admission is $5 for each person, children 2 and under are always free.
The celebration will start at 9:00 am on April 16th and end at 3:00 pm, with timed demonstrations occurring every half hour.
Additional information can be found on the event page through ECWR’s Facebook.
Questions about the day of the event can be sent to ECWR’s Educator at Mikaela@emeraldcoastwildliferefuge.org
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PUBLIC SAFETY
Fort Walton Beach Police Chief addresses recent shootings
During Tuesday’s city council meeting, Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage discussed the recent string shootings that have occurred.
According to Bage, the FWBPD does not believe these shootings are random, but rather disputes between groups of individuals that have turned more violent. (Last week’s shooting at Coasters was the exception.)
- “We think a lot of these issues tie in between what goes on in Sylvania Heights, in the Crestview area and some of the areas that surround the city of Fort Walton Beach,” he said.
The incident on the Cinco Bayou bridge, which happened a few months ago, saw a shooting occur involving multiple vehicles. Although no details are being released yet, police are confident that they’ve identified possible subjects in the exchange.
- Additionally, three separate shootings occurred all within the same day.
- One off Lovejoy Road
One off Racetrack Road (12 minutes later) - One off Hollywood Blvd
“A lot of the shootings boil down to some type of underlining incident,” said Bage. “There’s probably some type of mitigation that needs to go on amongst not just with the police department or in public safety, but with different public advocacy groups to really talk about alternatives to violence, especially in the younger community.”
In addition to calling on advocacy groups to assist the younger community, another major help has been the investment into the new license plate readers.
The license plate readers have helped the police department when working with cases. Bage said that some of the leads in the most recent cases have been generated by the license plate readers.
Other strategies the FWBPD has been implementing include:
- High visibility patrols, and pro-active policing.
- Strengthening the bond between police and the community.
- Acting as a general deterrent by keeping consistent patrols.
Bage says that one of the biggest tools the FWBPD has at their disposal is the help of the community. He stressed the importance of citizen communication with them to help solve these crimes.
“We really need people to come forward if something is going on in their neighborhood,” he said. “Sometimes it’s that smallest tip when someone speaks up that will solve the biggest crime for us. If you see something say something.”
BEACH SAFETY
Drowning in Destin
On Thursday afternoon, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office reported that the body of a 61-year old Birmingham, Alabama visitor was recovered from the surf after being pulled out in rough waters off Destin’s East Jetty.
- According to the OCSO, first responders received a call about a distressed swimmer around 4 p.m.
- The man’s body was recovered approximately 35 minutes later.
Following the severe storm that recently swept through the area, double red flags were flying on Thursday indicating that the water was closed to the public.
OKALOOSA SCHOOLS
Okaloosa County School Board approves new administrators
On March 28, the Okaloosa County School Board approved the following new administrators:
- Victor Mann, Assistant Principal at Fort Walton Beach High School
- Jon Williams, Principal at the Okaloosa Technical College
- Jerral Horton, Assistant Principal of Career and Technical Education
Victor Mann is a proud product of Okaloosa Schools. He attended Valparaiso Elementary School, Ruckel Middle School, and Niceville High School, graduating in 2001.
- After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Troy University and working in corrections for a year, Victor changed career paths to education where he began coaching and substituting in 2009.
- In 2010, he served as a one-on-one aide before obtaining his first teaching job at Shoal River Middle School in 2011.
In 2012, he transferred to Niceville High School where he spent seven years teaching American Government, U.S. History, and World History as well as coaching football and soccer. After earning his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida, Mann left Niceville High School and took a Dean of Students position at Baker School in 2019.
- In 2020, he was named an Assistant Principal at Baker School.
Jon Williams, also a proud product of Okaloosa County Schools, attended Kenwood Elementary School, Pryor Middle School, and graduated from Ft. Walton Beach High School.
- He then attended The University of West Florida, earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and his master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Later, at Florida State University, he earned a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy.
Williams has served in several roles in Okaloosa Schools and is passionate about all areas of education. He is especially passionate about career technical programs, like the ones at OTC, that deliver post-secondary training and meaningful career opportunities within our local workforce to all types of students.
Jerral Horton is in her 35th year as an educator. Having earned her bachelor’s at Florida State and her master’s at West Alabama, she is certified in General Science, Biology, Chemistry, School Counseling, Educational Leadership, and School Principal.
Horton was a classroom science teacher for 24 years, a school counselor for 5 years, and is currently in her 6th year as an Assistant Principal at Niceville High School.
- She has served in a variety of capacities during her career – everything from classroom teacher to guidance counselor to coach.
In January of this year, she was recognized by the Board as Okaloosa County’s Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year. Horton’s wide swath of experiences in scheduling, transitions, processes, relationship-building, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) make her an ideal candidate for this position.
THE WEEKENDER
A few things to do this weekend
April 1, 2022 – Spring Into Health 5K – $25.00 – View
April 1, 2022 – Sip N’ Stroll Gallery Night at J.Leon Gallery – View
April 2, 2022 – Downtown FWB Art Walk – Free – View
April 2, 2022 – Abram’s Park Cleanup – Free – View
April 2, 2022 – Step One Automotive Hosts the Saving with Soul Adoption Event – Free – View
April 2, 2022 – 2022 Outdoor Adventure Expo – Free – View
April 2, 2022 – 7th Anniversary & Gallery Day April 2nd – View
April 2, 2022 – Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Home Runs for Heroes kickball game – Free – View
April 2, 2022 – Gnomes in Clay at Artful Things Niceville – $37.50 – View
April 2, 2022 – BBQ Cook Off – $12 – $30 – View
April 2, 2022 – The Art of Batik and Silk painting with Jessica – $75 – View
April 3, 2022 – 2022 Outdoor Adventure Expo – Free – View
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Friday!
p.s. What did you think of this morning’s newsletter? Hit the reply button and let me know!
