PUBLIC SAFETY

Person dies in balcony fall at Destin Condo during Spring Break, investigation ongoing

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a fatal balcony fall that took place in the early morning hours of April 4, 2023, at a condominium located on 500 Gulf Shore Drive in Destin.

According to the authorities, a person staying at a neighboring condo noticed a body outside the building’s entryway and promptly alerted emergency services at approximately 4:08 a.m. Unfortunately, the individual was found deceased when first responders arrived on the scene.

At present, the investigation is ongoing, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is working to confirm additional information regarding the incident. 

• While the exact cause of the fatality is still under investigation, alcohol is suspected to have played a role.

COMING SOON

7 Brew Coffee Company coming soon to Crestview

On Tuesday, April 4th, Crestview welcomed the arrival of a new 7 Brew Coffee Company location at 2541 S. Ferdon Blvd, as a sky-crane hoisted the building into place.

• On-site to show their support were Narissa Jenkins, CEO and founder of Healing Hoof Steps, and her staff. In a commitment to local charities and community support, 7 Brew donated $1,500 to Healing Hoof Steps.

According to Zac Cockman, director of franchisees for 7 Brew, the company’s mission is to “cultivate kindness and joy with every drink” and they are excited to bring their energy to Crestview. Cockman expressed pride in partnering with Healing Hoof Steps to support their mission of passionately impacting the community with innovative techniques and horse engagement for the betterment of the Crestview area.

Healing Hoof Steps is a non-profit organization that employs licensed, EAGALA certified therapists and horses to assist individuals with a variety of mental health issues, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and domestic violence. Jenkins expressed gratitude for 7 Brew’s generous donation, saying they were excited to have the company join Crestview’s growing community.

The staff at 7 Brew focused on sharing their values, mission statement, and goals, which align closely with their decision to donate to Healing Hoof Steps. Bridgette Grigsby of the 7 Brew Culture team and Cockman both emphasized their desire to create a positive impact in people’s lives through small gestures, like serving a morning coffee.

• 7 Brew told Get The Coast they aim to create a genuinely positive work environment for their employees. Grigsby stated that their goal is to give employees a job they look forward to, while Cockman added they want to bring happiness to everyday workers.
• The 7 Brew Crestview stand is looking to add 50 jobs to the area.

Starting with only eight locations in Rogers, Arkansas just two years ago, 7 Brew now boasts over 70 shops, with the Crestview location being number 76. They prioritize high-quality customer service and low wait times to spread positivity. A unique aspect of 7 Brew is the absence of a drive-through speaker, fostering genuine interaction and conversation between staff and customers.

The 7 Brew drive-through features large windows, allowing customers to watch their drinks being made. A walk-up option is also available for those who prefer to skip the drive-through. 7 Brew’s menu includes a wide range of options, from home-crafted energy drinks to Italian soda-style fizz selections, as well as classics like cappuccinos, mochas, and lattes.

The new 7 Brew location in Crestview is set to open its doors in early May of 2023. Interested applicants can visit 7crew.7brewcareers.com to apply for a position.

HEALTH+WELLNESS

Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic offers innovative PiezoWave Therapy to aid in pain relief and tissue healing

Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic, under the guidance of Dr. Scott Smith and Dr. Logan Gates, offers a treatment option for patients suffering from various musculoskeletal issues. Known as PiezoWave therapy, this innovative approach to pain relief and tissue healing aims to break up scar tissue and enhance blood flow, providing a non-invasive alternative to traditional methods such as cortisone injections.

According to Dr. Smith, the PiezoWave is an acoustic compression device that generates sound waves to create a shockwave. This shockwave penetrates the tissue, breaking up scar tissue and promoting blood flow, which in turn aids in faster tissue healing and pain relief. 

• The PiezoWave therapy is suitable for treating conditions like tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, shoulder issues, rotator cuff problems, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, and other areas with built-up scar tissue or adhesions.

Dr. Gates explains that the PiezoWave device functions by electrifying Piezo crystals, which then collide to produce a sound wave or shockwave. This technology is similar to the devices used for breaking up kidney stones. When the sound wave meets resistance in the tissue, it applies pressure to break up scar tissue, adhesions, or dysfunctional tissue. 

• The therapy is tailored to individual pain levels, hovering around a 6 out of 10 on a personal pain scale, to ensure patient comfort and efficacy.

Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic typically prescribes a treatment plan of six sessions, with two visits per week for three weeks. During the first half of the week, the treatment is followed by the application of a penetrating cream, while the second half of the week involves kinesio taping after the therapy.

Dr. Smith highlighted a case in which a patient experienced pain and dysfunction around the sacroiliac (SI) joint, a common area for dysfunction. The PiezoWave therapy effectively broke up the inflammatory chemicals in the SI joint, alleviating the patient’s discomfort.

According to Dr. Gates, PiezoWave therapy can be beneficial for patients with shoulder and rotator cuff issues, as it can penetrate deep into the shoulder, breaking up adhesions in frozen shoulders and other rotator cuff problems. Dr. Smith believes that the therapy can be an alternative treatment for conditions typically addressed with dry needling or cortisone injections.

While chiropractic care is often associated with spinal treatments, Dr. Smith emphasizes that the PiezoWave is a versatile treatment option for shoulder dysfunction, elbow, wrist, feet, knee, and hip issues. 

“If you have any pain or loss of range of motion in your extremities, come and see if this is a treatment option for you,” said Dr. Smith.

For more information about PiezoWave therapy at Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Scott Smith or Dr. Logan Gates, contact the clinic today.

SCHOOL

Fort Walton Beach High School Teacher named as finalist for prestigious national award

On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, Okaloosa Superintendent of Schools Marcus Chambers announced that a local educator, Mrs. Jacqueline Sheffield, has been named one of three finalists for the State of Florida’s Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

• This prestigious award is the highest national honor for teachers in the fields of mathematics, science, and computer science.

Since 1983, more than 4,700 educators have been recognized for their outstanding contributions in the classroom and to their profession. Awardees serve as role models for their colleagues, inspirations to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.

Mrs. Sheffield, a Fort Walton Beach High School (FWBHS) alumna, has been teaching at her alma mater for over twenty years. Known for her dedication to student success, she continually pushes her students to excel and serves as an outstanding mentor to her fellow teachers.

Superintendent Chambers made a surprise visit to Mrs. Sheffield’s classroom to recognize her achievement and present her with a District Challenge Coin. In his statement, Chambers expressed his pride in Mrs. Sheffield’s accomplishments and highlighted the importance of the award, which honors teachers who possess deep subject matter knowledge and the ability to inspire and enable their students to succeed.

• “She has always been an excellent educator and mentor to fellow teachers, and I’m proud that she is a finalist for this award,” he said.

The winners of the PAEMST award will be announced later this summer by the state. If Mrs. Sheffield claims the top honor, she will represent Florida on the national stage, joining an esteemed group of teachers recognized for their excellence in mathematics and science education.

• “It is a great honor, and I know Mrs. Sheffield is a great candidate to represent the state nationally,” added Chambers.

Side note: Mrs. Sheffield was my homeroom teacher during my time at Fort Walton Beach High School. As someone who struggled with math, she was always willing to look at the assignments and offer help during homeroom, after school or even study hall. Congrats to Mrs. Sheffield!!

PUBLIC SAFETY

Three packages of cocaine worth more than $100,000 wash ashore in Walton County

On April 3, 2023, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to three separate locations on the beach after suspicious packages were found washed ashore. 

• The packages were discovered by beachgoers who quickly notified authorities.

The first package was found on Scenic Gulf Drive in Miramar Beach, according to the WCSO. The beachgoer found a clear Ziploc bag that appeared to contain some type of narcotics. Upon confiscation, the package was later tested and confirmed to be cocaine. 

The second package was found on Gulfview Heights beach access, where a caller reported a suspicious package that appeared to be a brick of cocaine. The package was black in color and wrapped in a bio bag with a logo sticker on the outside. The package was confiscated and taken to the South Walton substation for testing. 

The third package was found at Grayton Beach State Park, where deputies found another brick of cocaine wrapped with a different logo. This package was also taken into evidence for testing and destruction.

• In total, the WCSO says this is more that $100,000 in cocaine that washed ashore.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is accustomed to responding to calls for suspicious items found on the beach, such as ordnance, drugs, or other unusual items that wash ashore from the Gulf. The authorities have urged residents and visitors to immediately call (850)-892-8111 and avoid attempting to retrieve or open these items, as they can be dangerous.

In response to these incidents, the Coast Guard has been notified, and the VICE/Narcotics Unit is actively investigating these cases. The authorities have not released any information regarding the origin of these packages or how they ended up on the Walton County beaches. 

This is not the first time Walton County beaches have been in the news for the discovery of suspicious items. In 2022, a group of beachgoers discovered an unexploded ordnance on the beach, prompting a response from the authorities.

COMING SOON

New ‘state-of-the-art’ 122-slip marina breaks ground on Okaloosa Island

Okaloosa Island will be home to a new state-of-the-art marina featuring 122 slips, with construction of the dock already underway by Okaloosa Island Prime Prop LLC.

• The 50,496 square-foot dock, which will be situated at 1350 Miracle Strip Parkway, has already received approval from the local, state and federal authorities, and is just under 1,000 feet from the seawall.

Before the current marina project took shape, the original vision for the development included plans for a Hilton resort on Okaloosa Island. Joe Winkeler, Development Representative, shared that the initial concept was for a 450-room Hilton hotel on the Bay. The property was acquired by the original group in 2004, and state and federal permits for building the marina were obtained in 2008/2009.

However, the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Financial Crisis, followed by the global pandemic, forced the plans for the hotel to be put on hold. “With the Gulf Coast oil spill and then COVID, the timing wasn’t right,” Winkeler explained. 

In 2014, a revised plan emerged, proposing a smaller 193-room hotel on the Bay, a 100-room condo, and a 15,000 square-foot mixed-use building, which included a restaurant, a bar, and upland support facilities like a marina store, offices, and laundry for wet slip owners.

• While the development team hasn’t finalized the specifics for the upland area, the current focus is on constructing the marina and its associated upland facilities.

The dock will feature 122 slips spread across five docks, providing ample space for a wide range of boat sizes. Winkeler notes that the marina has been configured so as not to require dredging and to protect existing seagrass beds. The interior of the marina will consist of docks ranging from 35-80 feet in length, two fuel docks, and multiple webcams for owners to view their boats and the marina. It will also include 1,300 linear feet of flexible dockage inside the marina basin. 

Construction work commenced on February 27, 2023, after the permit was issued on February 24, 2023. The permit was applied for on February 15, 2023. The marina project is expected to cost $6,000,000. 

• The DEP permit application was initially prepared and processed in 2008/2009, and was approved by the Governor and Cabinet (Board of Trustees) within 14 months of submission. 

Winkeler explains that the dock structure is scheduled for completion in November or December 2023, while the plan for the upland area is expected to be finalized at the end of the first quarter of 2024. The facility is slated to include a fuel farm for diesel and regular gas, a yet-to-be-named local restaurant, and will be open to the public. Winkeler added, “We haven’t decided on a name or what the theme will be yet, but we do know it will be a boater-friendly local’s type of restaurant.”

The new dock aims to attract a diverse clientele, including those traveling along the coast, fishing tournament participants, boat show attendees, and local community members. Winkeler also mentioned that there will be dedicated slips for the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Marine Unit  and the Okaloosa Island Fire Department.

Graham Fountain, Governmental Affairs/Community Liaison Consultant, believes the marina will bring several benefits to the area, including much-needed dock slippage and dry dock space. 

• “For our area, this marina is going to mean several things,” said Fountain. “The amenities, restaurant, and future development plans are expected to create local job opportunities, particularly for young people in high school or college. That’s the upside for the community that will also bring a nice facelift to that area of Okaloosa Island.”

As the project continues to move forward, Get The Coast will provide an update on the latest developments.