WEATHER

Okaloosa School District issues early release Wednesday due to severe weather

The Okaloosa County School District has announced an early release for Wednesday, April 10, 2024, following a briefing with County Emergency Management Officials regarding a storm system moving into the area.

• Schools will dismiss students one hour earlier than their normal dismissal times, and all after-school programs and extracurricular activities, including practices, games, tutoring, daycare and events, have been canceled.

According to Okaloosa Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox, the county remains at an Enhanced Risk level, with a Moderate Risk just west of Florida. All modes of severe weather are possible, including strong tornadoes of EF2 or better.

“This system is, for lack of a better term, ‘messy,’” Maddox said. “It is not forecast to move in a single, strong squall line and be done with – there will likely be complexes or clusters of storms with a squall line or two forming as storms coalesce.”

The best estimate for the timing of impacts to the area is a window from 4 PM to midnight. Rainfall in the 2-4″ range is likely, with isolated pockets of 6-8″ possible in areas where thunderstorms train.

• Flash flooding and minor riverine flooding is possible, with the Shoal River forecast to reach minor flood stage by Friday at 7 AM, though no structures are currently threatened.

Non-thunderstorm wind gusts of 40 MPH are likely, particularly between 4pm and midnight, but the strongest storms could pack 80 MPH winds if they develop. Winds should begin to die down after midnight, according to Maddox. There is also a potential for hail up to quarter-size in stronger storms, but tornadoes and strong winds remain the main threats. Surf build-up of 7-9 feet is possible, beginning to abate Thursday during the day.

Normal school operations will resume on Thursday, April 11.

NEWS

Okaloosa County announces 2024 Mosquito Control Schedule

The Okaloosa County Mosquito Control Program has released its schedule for adult mosquito population control treatment by broadcast spraying pesticide in 2024.

• The treatments will be conducted in the evening, starting one hour before sunset, and will be justified based on mosquito population surveillance data and other methods, as required by state law.

The schedule outlines specific areas to be treated on each day of the week, with maps provided for reference.

• North Okaloosa County will be treated on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, covering various regions including Crestview, Baker, Holt, and Laurel Hill.
• South Okaloosa County will also be treated on the same days, targeting areas such as Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, and Valparaiso.

In addition to the spraying schedule, Okaloosa County Mosquito Control and the Florida Department of Health urge the public to follow the “SWAT” personal mosquito protection protocol. This includes staying inside with screened doors and windows during peak mosquito biting times, wearing protective clothing, applying DEET-containing repellent, and turning over or eliminating standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs.

The county also recommends preventive measures such as draining standing water from various containers, maintaining swimming pools, and covering skin with clothing or repellent. Residents are advised to cover doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out of their homes.

Okaloosa County Mosquito Control operates an aggressive larviciding program, treating more than 1,500 sites regularly and using gambusia fish in over 750 ponds and standing water areas to control mosquito larvae. The county also reminds residents to vaccinate outdoor animals against mosquito-borne diseases, particularly horses against Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and dogs against heartworms.

For more information, residents can contact the Mosquito Control Division of Public Works at 651-7394 or 689-5772, or visit the county’s website at http://www.myokaloosa.com/pw/environmental/mosquito-control for maps of the spray schedule.

THINGS TO DO

Gulfarium announces “C.A.R.E. on the Coast” event to support Sea Turtle Conservation

This is brought you by Okaloosa Gas: Nature, beauty, natural living… Choose natural gas. Proud sponsor of the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park announced the inaugural “C.A.R.E. on the Coast” event, scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 3:30 PM.

• The event aims to support marine life conservation through the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center, the park’s non-profit arm dedicated to sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and release.

The C.A.R.E. on the Coast event will feature a family-friendly atmosphere with engaging activities for all ages. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a private dolphin presentation at the new Dolphin Oasis, a 1,000,000-gallon habitat showcasing the intelligence and beauty of dolphins.

Guests will gain an in-depth look at the operations of the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center and witness the efforts to save and rehabilitate sea turtles. The event will also showcase conservation-based vendors offering eco-friendly products and solutions.

• A silent auction and raffles will be held, with all proceeds directly benefiting the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center.

Tickets for the event are on sale now, with early registration encouraged. A 25% discount is available before May 1 using the promo code EARLYTURTLE.

Ticket Prices (with promo code EARLYTURTLE until May 1)

• Adult – $45
• Child – $26.25
• VIP – $75

Ticket Prices (without promo code and after May 1)

• Adult – $60
• Child – $35
• VIP – $100

The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center successfully treated over 130 sea turtles in 2023, with the average rehabilitation cost per turtle exceeding $20,000. The center focuses on conserving marine animals and their habitats, acting as a beacon for coastal conservation through rescue, rehabilitation, and public education.

FOOD+DRINK

Sandestin Resort launches artisanal Seltzers in partnership with Tin Roof Brewery

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort has collaborated with Tin Roof Brewery to introduce four new signature seltzers.

• The seltzers, designed to capture the essence of beach life and contemporary flavors, celebrate Sandestin’s 50 years.

The signature seltzer collection features four unique flavors:

• Island Serenity: A mix of coconut puree and hibiscus tea.
• Limeberry Bliss: Infused with real strawberries and a burst of lime.
• Mango Heatwave: Rich mango flavor with a hint of jalapeño.
• Sunset Citrus: Blood orange and pineapple, reminiscent of a tropical fruit punch tiki drink.

The new seltzers will be available across Sandestin’s dining establishments, from casual Tiki Bars to the luxurious settings of Hotel Effie. Guests can enjoy them as an addition to their meal or while relaxing by the beach or pool.

For more information about Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and the new signature seltzers, visit their website or contact the resort directly.

GIVING BACK

Eglin Federal Credit Union partners with Okaloosa School District to bring financial literacy to high schools

Eglin Federal Credit Union has teamed up with the Okaloosa County School District to provide financial literacy education to high school students. The initiative aims to empower young people with essential financial skills and knowledge.

On April 9, approximately 60 students from grades 9 through 12 participated in lessons facilitated by Neko Stubblefield, VP Membership and Community Development at Eglin Federal Credit Union, at Crestview High School.

• The personal financial literacy course covers a wide range of topics, from basic banking to retirement planning.

“Eglin Federal Credit Union is committed to the communities we serve by providing free financial education,” Stubblefield said. “By offering this course in local high schools, we aim to empower young people to develop healthy financial habits that will serve them throughout their lives.”

Superintendent Marcus Chambers emphasized the school district’s dedication to enriching students’ education and equipping them with essential life skills, including financial literacy.

• “The school district is grateful for the support of Eglin Federal Credit Union in facilitating financial education sessions to supplement the course curriculum, which will help students develop sound financial habits and achieve economic prosperity,” Chambers said.

The initiative comes in response to the Dorothy L. Hukill Financial Literacy Act, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on March 22, 2022. The act mandates that high school students complete a financial literacy course to qualify for a standard high school diploma, starting with students who enrolled in high school in the 2023-2024 school year.

THINGS TO DO

SOCKS to host “A Space Odyssey” Gala benefiting the feline-only shelter

Save Our Cats & Kittens (SOCKS) is hosting its annual Top Hats and Tails gala, themed “A Space Odyssey,” on April 13 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Bob Hope Village, 30 Holly Ave.

• The event aims to raise funds for the area’s feline-only shelter.

The evening will feature a catered dinner by the award-winning Knife’s Edge Catering, music and cat trivia by ACE50 Media, and a silent auction with items worth more than $12,000. Auction items include helicopter rides, local cruises, golf packages, and jewelry.

Attendees can also honor someone special by naming an elegantly inscribed star in the evening’s decorative sky and taking it home as a keepsake. General admission tickets are $75, while a table of eight costs $500. Stars can be purchased for $10 each.

Tickets for the event are available at www.saveourcatsandkittens.com/tickets, and stars can be purchased by clicking here. All proceeds from ticket sales will help support the shelter and the hundreds of cats it assists each year.

For more information, contact Nancy Schimmer at (850) 865-6866 or nancy@saveourcatsandkittens.com.

NEWS

Okaloosa County residents invited to FREE document shredding event

In celebration of Earth Day, Keep Okaloosa Beautiful and the City of Mary Esther are organizing a free Shred It Event for all Okaloosa County residents on April 20 from 10:30am-12:30pm.

• The event aims to provide a secure way for individuals to dispose of their unwanted personal documents.

The Shred It Event will take place at the old First Florida Bank located in front of the Santa Rosa Mall at 302 Mary Esther Blvd, Mary Esther, FL. Residents are encouraged to bring their personal documents for shredding, and there is no need to remove staples or rubber bands beforehand.

Shred It, the company responsible for the shredding process, uses a cross shredder that will turn the paper documents into confetti-like pieces, ensuring the confidentiality of the information.

Organizers of the event emphasize that this is strictly a paper document shredding event and request that participants refrain from bringing other items for disposal.

• Prohibited items include syringes, food, glass, cans, cardboard tubes, ink cartridges, toners, hanging folders, electrical items, hard drives, office supplies, nuts and bolts, batteries, and electronic devices.

Individuals interested in volunteering for the Shred It Event are encouraged to contact Kathy Hiemier via email at khiemier@myokaloosa.com.