TOGETHER WITH
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MILITARY
Eglin AFB to require 100% ID Checks for base access starting in May
The 96th Security Forces Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base will begin conducting 100 percent identification checks for all individuals accessing the installation starting in May.
- Visitors without a Department of Defense (DOD) issued ID card will be required to obtain a visitor pass.
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Geraghty, 96th Test Wing commander, stated, “Our current security and information environment requires us to make this policy change. We’re committed to safeguarding Eglin’s vital national resources.”
Visitor passes can be sponsored by uniformed service members, their dependents over the age of 16, DOD employees, and retirees. These passes will be available at the East Gate and West Gate visitor control centers (VCCs) until the new Air Force Armament Museum VCC opens in May.
- To minimize traffic congestion at the gates, individuals are encouraged to start obtaining their visitor passes now.
Passes are good for up to 60 days, according to Eglin. However, if a visitor pass is required for more than 60 days, a commander’s approval is needed and can then be issued for up to a year except for retirees.
Retirees will need to renew their visitor’s pass every 60 days. Passes should be shredded or turned back into the VCC when no longer needed.
In addition to visitor passes, individuals can also process their REAL IDs into the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) at the VCCs. DBIDS is a networked database system designed to easily verify access authorization for individuals entering military installations.
Registering a REAL ID in DBIDS will help alleviate gate congestion if an ID card holder forgets their card at home or in a CAC reader. Retirees can also use their registered REAL ID to access the base if they lose their military ID or if it has expired.
For further information regarding the new access procedures, contact the 96th Test Wing Public Affairs Office at 850-882-3931.
SPONSORED
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Shop for your new or used vehicle at any participating dealer and get on site financing with Eglin Federal Credit Union. Members can also apply at eglinfcu.org/auto or by visiting a branch.
Eglin Federal Credit Union. Where Members Matter Most.
THINGS TO DO
Free Outdoor Adventure Expo at Destin Commons on April 6-7
Cumulus Media is hosting the Outdoor Adventure Expo, a free event showcasing a wide range of outdoor leisure activities and equipment, at Destin Commons on Saturday, April 6th and Sunday, April 7th.
- The expo aims to cater to individuals and families looking to explore the outdoors by wheels, water, or even from the comfort of their homes.
The two-day event will feature over 20 exhibitors, including renowned names such as Legendary Marine, Gulf Coast Boating Center, Captain’s Choice Boats, RV Connections, Adventure Marina, EccoMotors, Two Georges Marina, Elite Jeeps, Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson, KM Cycle & Marine, and Big Gus Tractor & Equipment.
- Attendees will have the opportunity to get “up close and personal” with a variety of items and services designed to enhance their leisure time experiences.
In addition to the impressive lineup of exhibitors, the Outdoor Adventure Expo will also offer valuable advice for water safety, tips for those looking to sharpen their outdoor adventure skills, and recommendations for improving home and outdoor spaces.
The expo will be open to the public at Destin Commons on Saturday, April 6th from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Sunday, April 7th from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
For more information about the event, interested individuals can visit DestinOutdoorExpo.com or contact Cumulus Media at 850-243-2323.
THINGS TO DO
Northwest Florida High School Students to race electric vehicles at Five Flags Speedway
High school students from across Northwest Florida will put their engineering skills to the test as they race their newly built electric vehicles at Five Flags Speedway this Saturday, April 6.
- The event, part of the Electrathon America program, is sponsored by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), which donated the EV-build kits to the participating schools.
The students, representing Crestview High School, West Florida High School, Navarre High School, and Pensacola High School, have spent the last several months designing and fabricating their electric vehicles. The objective is to create the most efficient vehicle that can travel the longest distance on a single charge.
FPL’s support of the Electrathon America program aims to provide students in Northwest Florida with the opportunity to apply their creativity in a practical setting while encouraging teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
- By learning electric car building skills, students are expected to develop a greater interest in STEM-related fields, which will help support the continued growth of electric vehicles, according to FPL. It is estimated that one in three cars on the road will be electric by 2027.
Northwest Florida has seen a steady influx of electric vehicles in the market, with a 34% increase in the number of electric and plug-in vehicles compared to last year. FPL says that more than 6,600 electric vehicles have been registered in the region since January.
The race will take place at Five Flags Speedway located at 7451 Pine Forest Road, Pensacola, FL 32526. The race is scheduled to start at 9:30 AM on Saturday, April 6.
GIVING BACK
Crestview announces 4th Annual Spring Clean-Up initiative
The City of Crestview is gearing up for its fourth annual Keep Crestview Beautiful clean-up initiative, which will take place from April 19 to April 28.
- The city will provide free manned dumpsters at various locations for citizens to dispose of unwanted items and offer volunteer opportunities for community members to join the clean-up effort.
Mayor JB Whitten emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “To encourage our citizens to ‘Choose the View,’ it is important to continue to make Crestview as attractive as possible. Our spring clean-up initiative is a great way for everyone to contribute.”
Over the past three years, the initiative has brought together more than 150 volunteers from various organizations and groups, including churches, non-profits, and individuals. Hundreds of tons of trash, including tires, mattresses, and small appliances, have been collected at the dumpster sites.
- City of Crestview employees also dedicate a day during the event to volunteer, assisting with projects such as roofing and painting Habitat for Humanity homes, beautifying cemeteries, and working with citizens in need.
“Over the past three years, it has been amazing to see employees, community leadership, and residents come together to keep Crestview beautiful,” said City Manager Tim Bolduc. “It’s easy for all of us to talk about things that should be done, but events like this allow us to put in the work and get some of those things done.”
Dumpster locations will be available at Old Spanish Trail Park on Stillwell Blvd, Allen Park at 895 McClelland St., and Wildhorse Dr. between 114 and 122 Wildhorse. Employees will be stationed at these locations from 9 am to 7 pm each day to assist citizens with disposing of items such as mattresses, tires, general household items, small appliances, and electronics.
- However, household trash, hazardous materials, construction debris, and yard waste will not be accepted.
Citizens are reminded that large appliance disposal, furniture disposal, and yard waste pick-up are part of the weekly garbage service provided by Adams Sanitation.
Residents needing to dispose of hazardous waste, such as paint, chemicals, or car batteries, can do so at Okaloosa County’s drop-off site located at 1759 S. Ferdon Blvd.
Individuals interested in volunteering or who know of others who could use assistance are encouraged to contact the Crestview Police Department at 850.682.3544, ext. 7.
THE WEEKENDER
A few things to do around town
April 5, 2024 – First Friday Coffee sponsored by FASTSIGNS – View
April 5, 2024 – A Day at the Spa – a Kimberbell Machine Embroidery Event – – 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
April 12, 2024 – Folk School Classes at Traditions Workshop – Make Tongs for your toolbox – $110 – View
April 12, 2024 – 37th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival – $85.00 – View
April 13, 2024 – Oh, Sew Fun – Beginning Sewing for ages 9 and up – $15 – View
April 13, 2024 – 37th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival – $85.00 – View
April 13, 2024 – Jacobe Turner Teen Center Bowling Tournament – View
April 13, 2024 – Next Step Sew Fun – $18 – View
April 13, 2024 – My Chemical Cocktail – $50 – View
April 14, 2024 – La Luna Children’s Boutique Mommy & Me Picnic Benefitting Caring & Sharing of South Walton – $100 – View
April 18, 2024 – Bubbly Baytowne – Free – View
April 18, 2024 – Sippin’ on the Sound – $30 – View
April 18, 2024 – Business After Hours sponsored by The VReality – View
April 18, 2024 – Concert in the Village: Black Jacket Symphony Presents Prince’s Purple Rain – View
WEATHER
Researchers predict ‘above-average’ 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Colorado State University hurricane researchers are forecasting an extremely active 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, predicting 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes in their initial outlook released Thursday.
The CSU Tropical Weather and Climate team cites record warm tropical and eastern subtropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures as a primary factor for their above-average forecast. The team expects these warm water temperatures to persist into the peak of the hurricane season from August to October, fueling hurricane development.
“Our analog seasons were all very active Atlantic hurricane seasons,” said Phil Klotzbach, senior research scientist at CSU and lead author of the report. “This highlights the somewhat lower levels of uncertainty that exist with this outlook relative to our typical early April outlook.”
- The team predicts that hurricane activity will be about 170% of the average season from 1991-2020. By comparison, the 2023 season was about 120% of average, with Hurricane Idalia causing $3.6 billion in damage and eight direct fatalities when it made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region.
In addition to the warm Atlantic waters, the likely transition from current El Niño conditions to La Niña conditions by the peak of the hurricane season is expected to reduce vertical wind shear, further favoring hurricane formation and intensification.
The CSU outlook also includes landfall probabilities, with a 62% chance of a major hurricane making landfall along the entire U.S. coastline (average is 43%), a 34% chance for the U.S. East Coast including Florida (average is 21%), and a 42% chance for the Gulf Coast (average is 27%).
The team cautions that it only takes one storm to make it an active season for coastal residents and urges proper precautions. CSU will issue forecast updates on June 11, July 9, and Aug. 6.
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