SCHOOL

Okaloosa Superintendent announces $8,000 Florida Prepaid College Scholarship

Okaloosa County School District’s Superintendent, Marcus Chambers, announced today that the district will offer an $8,000 Florida Prepaid College Scholarship to a senior attending a public high school in the district who intends to pursue a career in education. 

• This opportunity comes as the district seeks to encourage and support students who are passionate about the field of education.

To qualify for the scholarship, students must be a senior attending a public high school in the Okaloosa County School District and pursuing a career in education. Additionally, students must meet the basic requirements to hold a Florida Prepaid College Plan.

Applications for the scholarship will be available beginning Friday, March 31, 2023, and are due no later than 11:59 pm on Sunday, April 30, 2023. Students are encouraged to apply early to ensure that they have enough time to gather all necessary documentation.

To apply, students must fill out the digital application in its entirety and submit a current transcript, SAT/ACT/PSAT scores, a completed District form MIS 4217 with Community Service Hours, and a video essay in .MP4, .M4V, .MOV, or .WMV file format explaining why they have chosen to pursue a career in education. 

• The video should be no longer than two minutes.

It’s important to note that students should have all required documentation and application elements (video essay) collected and accessible while completing the application. Students will not be able to save and come back to their application, as it will need to be completed and submitted in the same session. 

• All required documentation and application elements must be submitted as outlined in the instructions provided by the deadline, or the application will be disqualified.

The Florida Prepaid Superintendent Scholarship Recipient will be notified on Friday, May 12, 2023. Students are encouraged to keep an eye on their email inboxes and to regularly check their spam folders to ensure that they don’t miss the notification.

Click here to apply!

Questions concerning the scholarship application process should be directed to Hilary DeMers via e-mail at hilary.demers@okaloosaschools.com.

COASTAL RESOURCES

Okaloosa needs volunteers for Earth Day Cleanup

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism and Saltwater Restaurants are gearing up for the upcoming Earth Day Cleanup on Saturday, April 29, 2023, from 8-10 a.m. Volunteers from businesses, government agencies, communities and families are all welcome to attend. Register here.

The goal of the event is to remove as much trash and debris as possible from local beaches, and there are multiple locations where volunteers of all ages can participate. The cleanup will be held at several locations, including:

• The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island
• The Crab Trap/James Lee Park
• The Surf Hut
• Norriego Point
• Clement Taylor Park
• Henderson Beach State Park

“Keeping our environment clean is a priority we should all adopt,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin. “We are thankful for so many partners in this effort and look forward to celebrating the successes of this and future projects.”

Last year, volunteers collected 1,000 pounds of garbage and over 8,000 cigarette butts during the International Coastal Cleanup, according to the county. Marine debris is a significant problem for our local ecosystem and causes health problems for seabirds and coastal marine life. This collaborative effort will allow us to keep our beaches pristine and help wildlife thrive.

“The Earth Day Cleanup is a great way to bring the community together and do good for the environment,” said Jessica Valek, Coastal Resource Coordinator, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism. “Removing trash and debris not only protects the environment but also the health of our communities and local wildlife. Although the Earth Day Cleanup is held only once a year, we should treat every day like Earth Day to ensure future generations have a clean and safe home.”

Participants will receive an event t-shirt (limited quantities, first come, first served), and a post-cleanup breakfast will be available free of charge at The Boardwalk, The Crab Trap, and The Surf Hut locations.

• Volunteers are asked to bring their own bucket, mesh bag, gloves, and grabbers to collect trash. They should dress appropriately for the weather and bring water and sunscreen.

This year’s Earth Day Cleanup will feature a fun new addition—the Keep Florida Beautiful BeBot. The BeBot is a solar-powered beach cleaning robot that sifts small pieces of debris from the surface layers of sand. The BeBot was donated to Keep Florida Beautiful by Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Foundation and is being hosted for this event by the Keep Okaloosa Beautiful affiliate.

To register for the event, click here.

TRAFFIC

Okaloosa and Walton County Traffic Advisory

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Okaloosa and Walton counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Okaloosa County:                                  

State Road (S.R.) 20 (John Sims Parkway) Resurfacing Project – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts the week of Sunday, April 2:

• Intermittent temporary east and westbound outside daytime lane closures on John Sims Parkway, from Edge Avenue to west of the Rocky Bayou Bridge, Monday, April 3 through Friday, April 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  These closures are required to deliver concrete for sidewalk, curb and gutter construction.

• Intermittent east and westbound nighttime lane closures on S.R. 20, from Edge Avenue to west of the Rocky Bayou Bridge, Sunday, April 2 through Thursday, April 6, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. These closures are required for median milling, median widening, and sidewalk construction.

S.R. 85 Resurfacing from John Sims Parkway to College Boulevard – Drivers will encounter intermittent, north and southbound outside lane closures Monday, April 3 through Thursday, April 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for sidewalk repair and construction.

Brooks Bridge Replacement Project – Drivers may experience the following traffic impacts Sunday, April 2 through Thursday, April 6, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform utility work:

• U.S. 98 east and westbound alternating and intermittent lane closures between Perry Avenue and Pier Road.

• Santa Rosa Boulevard east and westbound alternating lane closures from east of Amberjack Drive to Ross Marler Park.

• Intermittent shoulder closures on Brooks Street, between Perry Avenue and Florida Blanca Place, and on Business Access Road.

S.R. 85 Improvements from S.R. 123 to Hospital Drive – The week of Monday, April 3, drivers will encounter following intermittent, temporary single-lane closures on S.R.85 north and southbound, between Antioch Road and Hospital Drive, between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. One travel lane will remain open at all times and access to private property and driveways will be maintained. Signage and traffic flaggers will be on-site to direct traffic through the work zone.

U.S. 98 Bridge Rehabilitation over East Pass Bridge – Drivers may encounter intermittent single-lane closures on the U.S. 98 over East Pass (Marler) Bridge, eastbound structure (Fort Walton Beach to Destin), Monday, April 2 through Thursday, April 6 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. The existing 35 mph speed limit will be maintained during construction.

S.R. 85 (Eglin Parkway) Routine Utility Maintenance in Shalimar – Drivers may encounter intermittent single-lane closures Monday, April 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for routine utility maintenance.

Walton County:

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from Village Road to East of U.S. 331 – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts the week of Sunday, April 2:
  • Intermittent U.S. 98 east and westbound lane closures, Sunday, April 2 through Thursday, April 6 between 7:30 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving operations.
  • Temporary intermittent U.S. 98 east and westbound outside lane closures, from Village Road to Mack Bayou Road, Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to deliver concrete for sidewalk, curb and gutter construction.
  • Intermittent closures of the U.S. 98 east and westbound outside shoulders and turn lanes may be required as crews construct new sidewalks and widen existing turn lanes between Village Road and U.S. 331.

• S.R. 20 Turn Lane Construction at J. W. Hollington Road – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures the week of Sunday, April 2 for paving operations.

All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

GIVING BACK

Crestview community gears up for 3rd Annual ‘Keep Crestview Beautiful’ initiative

The City of Crestview has announced the launch of its 3rd annual Keep Crestview Beautiful clean-up initiative, which will take place from April 12 to April 26. 

• According to the city, it will provide manned dumpsters throughout the city for citizens to use free of charge. There will also be volunteer opportunities for community members to join the clean-up effort.

“The response from our community in previous years has been amazing,” said Mayor JB Whitten. “It speaks to our citizens’ love for our city, and we know we will have an even greater response this year.”

Over the past two years, Crestview has collected hundreds of tons of roadside debris, mattresses, tires, and old appliances. They have also had close to 500 hours of volunteer labor and participated in Habitat for Humanity builds and cemetery clean-ups. 

• City staff and volunteers have helped dozens of elderly and disabled citizens catch up on property maintenance. All this work has been done to keep Crestview beautiful, says the city. 

“Reducing blight is an important step in crime reduction,” said Police Chief Stephen McCosker. “When criminals see that our community is cared for, they know that our citizens will not tolerate crime or the perception of crime.”

The city has designated three locations where the dumpsters will be placed. These locations include:

• Old Spanish Trail Park on Stillwell Blvd
• Allen Park at 895 McClelland St.
• Wildhorse Dr. between 114 and 122 Wildhorse. 

Employees will be stationed at these locations from 9 am to 7 pm daily.

This year, the city is being more selective about what items people can bring to the dumpsites. Mattresses, tires, general household items, small appliances, and electronics are the items that will be accepted. However, hazardous materials such as paint, fluorescent lighting, chemicals, car batteries, construction debris, or yard waste will not be accepted.

The city reminds citizens that large appliance disposal, furniture disposal, and yard waste pickup are part of the weekly garbage service provided by Waste Pro. For more information on the refuse service, citizens can visit the city’s website or call 850.682.1560.

If citizens need to dispose of hazardous waste such as paint, chemicals, or car batteries, they can do so at Okaloosa County’s drop-off site located at 1759 S. Ferdon Blvd. For more information, citizens can visit https://myokaloosa.com/pw/environmental/hazardous-waste or call 850.301.2013.

For those interested in volunteering or if they know of individuals who could use assistance, they are encouraged to contact the Crestview Police Department at 850.682.3544 ext. 7.

MILITARY

Local Green Beret seeks community support in fight to walk again

Anthony Luciano, a Green Beret, Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, is on a long journey to recovery after a tragic accident left him paralyzed from the neck down last year. 

• According to his wife, Emily, Anthony has already made significant progress, but there are still challenges ahead as the family seeks support for uninsured therapies that could further aid his recovery.

Anthony’s accident occurred in April 2022, while he was assisting a friend with tree removal on their property. As Emily recounts, the trunk of the last tree twisted unexpectedly and fell on Anthony as he attempted to escape to safety. The accident caused a spinal cord compression and impingement at C3-C6, a burst fracture at T9, two brain contusions, several broken ribs, a pneumothorax, and a shattered femoral head.

Following multiple surgeries and months of recovery, Anthony, also known as “Lucky,” is now back home with his wife and their three young sons, the youngest of whom was born during his rehabilitation. With a combination of faith, determination, and hard work, Anthony has exceeded doctors’ expectations and regained movement in all four limbs. He can even take steps with assistance, though he still relies on help from others for most tasks due to limited hand and arm function.

Looking forward, the family is hopeful about new treatment opportunities that could become available this summer. These alternative therapies, which are not covered by insurance, could potentially help Anthony regain his independence and dignity. 

• One such treatment that has already shown promising results is his ongoing therapy with spinal cord injury rehab specialist and physiotherapist Daniel West. 

West, known for his unconventional but successful methods, has gained social media fame for helping his patients walk again after spinal cord injuries. Unfortunately, these sessions with West are also not covered by insurance, but the family believes the potential benefits are worth the expense.

Emily shares her optimism and gratitude for the support they have received so far. She mentions several upcoming treatments that could be game-changers for Anthony’s recovery, attributing their progress to the prayers and encouragement from their community. 

• She envisions a future where Anthony can once again enjoy the simple things in life, like wrestling with their children and carrying them across the yard.

To help cover the costs of these uninsured therapies, Anthony’s sister, Samantha Vail, has created a GoFundMe page with a goal of raising $75,000. She emphasizes that 100% of the proceeds will go directly towards Anthony’s uninsured treatments, and any excess funds will be donated to military nonprofits that have supported the family throughout the past year. 

• Both Anthony and Emily are grateful for any and all support, recognizing the significant impact it will have on Anthony’s recovery and their family’s future.

Samantha’s appeal for help highlights the sacrifices Anthony has made for his country during his 17-year military career, which includes five combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, totaling over 30 months, as well as multiple deployments to South and Central America. By sharing their story, the family hopes to rally the local community around Anthony, acknowledging the role that collective support can play in his ongoing journey towards healing and independence.

The road ahead may be long and challenging, but with the help of groundbreaking therapies and unwavering support, Anthony and his family remain hopeful that they can reclaim the simple joys they once had. 

To help the Luciano family on their road to recovery, you can donate directly to their GoFundMe page by clicking here.