COMING SOON

Underserved Okaloosa County communities to get broadband boost with 100+ miles of new fiber

The State of Florida has recently awarded $853,000 to a broadband provider (name not released at the time of this article) to expand internet access in the City of Laurel Hill, Unincorporated Deerland and Svea, and areas of Unincorporated Okaloosa County. 

• Governor Ron DeSantis announced this second round of awards through the Broadband Opportunity Program on April 10, 2023, as part of a larger $22 million investment aimed at expanding broadband access in Florida’s underserved communities.

This announcement comes after an earlier investment of $144 million, bringing Florida’s total investment in broadband expansion to $166 million, which impacts over 193,000 homes and businesses across 47 counties in the state.

Governor DeSantis stated, “Investing in reliable internet infrastructure strengthens local economies and opens up new opportunities for students, businesses, and families. I am happy to award this $22 million to support Florida’s small and rural communities, and I look forward to making more awards in the future that expand internet access to all Floridians.”

The Broadband Opportunity Program is administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and aims to fund the installation and deployment of broadband internet infrastructure in unserved communities. The program is designed to provide valuable access to telehealth, economic, educational, and workforce development opportunities, contributing to a brighter future for all Floridians.

In Laurel Hill, Unincorporated Deerland and Svea, and Unincorporated areas of Okaloosa County, the $853,000 grant will be used to add 103.5 miles of fiber optic cable to the existing network. This expansion will provide 831 unserved locations within Okaloosa County with symmetrical download and upload speeds of 1GB, significantly improving internet connectivity for these areas.

In addition to the Okaloosa County project, seven other projects have also been awarded funds through the Broadband Opportunity Program. These include:

• City of Live Oak ($5,000,000)
• City of Madison and Town of Lee ($5,000,000)
• Cities of Monticello and Perry; Unincorporated Lamont and Wacissa ($5,000,000)
• Unincorporated Allentown and Wallace; Chumukla and Pace ($3,353,384)
• City of Plant City; Unincorporated Balm, Keysville, Lithia, and Wimauma ($906,000)
• City of San Antonio, Land O Lakes and Shady Hills, and Unincorporated Pasco County ($2,003,815)
• City of Dade City, Crystal Springs, Dade City North, Lacoochee, Richland, Zephyrhills North, Zephyrhills South, and Unincorporated Pasco County ($578,531)

GIVING BACK

Local teachers and schools invited to apply for Cox Charities Education Grant

Local teachers and schools have an opportunity to receive a much-needed financial boost to their classroom programs, thanks to Cox Communications’ Charities Innovation in Education grants.

• Educators are urged to submit their applications before the deadline on Friday, April 21.

Cox employees contribute to the Cox Charities program throughout the year, with a portion of their paychecks going towards grants designed to support student learning. This year, the program aims to provide grants of up to $2,500 for projects focused on education, technology, and social well-being.

The roots of the Cox Charities program can be traced back to the company’s founder, who was a schoolteacher 125 years ago.

• “Our company was founded by a schoolteacher who had a passion to help teachers and students succeed in the classroom,” said David Deliman, market vice president of Cox Gulf Coast. “Today, the Cox family continues to support local educators as do our employees.”

The program is open to educators in both public and private schools located within Cox’s Gulf Coast footprint. Teachers can apply for the grants by visiting www.CoxCharitiesSER.org before April 21, 2023. Recipients will be announced, and funds distributed in May.

In addition to supporting local educators, Cox Charities also offers Community Investment grants for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The next grant cycle for these organizations will open in August as part of the “Give Where You Live” program, ensuring funds raised locally stay within the communities where Cox employees reside.

For more information about Cox Charities and the various grants offered, visit www.CoxCharitiesSER.org.

SPORTS

Choctaw High School launches first Boys Volleyball Team in Okaloosa

Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach has made history by becoming the first school west of Jacksonville to field all three volleyball sports teams: boys varsity volleyball, girls indoor volleyball, and girls beach volleyball. 

• According to Head Coach Andy Faulkner, the school has recently introduced the boys varsity volleyball team, which has already shown impressive results.

The boys team began training over the summer, with some players participating in the local Sharks Volleyball Club during the fall and getting the opportunity to play in a few club tournaments to learn the game prior to the high school season. The other half of the team started playing volleyball in February and is also coached by Jason Legg.

Coach Faulkner says that the team has had to travel to Jacksonville twice so far to participate in matches, as Jacksonville and Ocala are the nearest cities with teams. The team currently boasts a 4-2 record and ranks 7th in the state of Florida for Independents.

The boys team experienced their first trip on March 10 to Tocoi Creek High School in St. Augustine, Florida. Although they lost their inaugural match to Tocoi Creek 0-2, they bounced back to secure a 2-0 victory over Global Outreach Charter Academy (GOCA) for their first win in program history. 

• Their second trip to Jacksonville occurred on April 1st, when they competed in a tournament with seven teams and finished in 2nd place. Despite losing their first match to Forest High School 1-2, the team went on to defeat St. Augustine High School 2-0, Menendez High School 2-0, and Wekiva High School 2-0.

Faulkner announced that the team will be hosting their first home matches in a doubleheader on Friday, April 14, playing against St. Augustine at 5:30 pm and Bartram Trail at 7:00 pm. The team will face both schools again on Saturday, April 15, at 9 am and 11 am, before playing Forest at 1 pm. These matches will be the first boys volleyball matches west of Jacksonville.

Key contributors to the team’s success include senior Outside Hitter Aiden Waddy and Junior Middle Blocker Zach Peterson, who lead the team in kills. Freshman Leo Martinez-Vasquez has been a defensive standout, leading the team in digs. Senior Kyler Sharp, the team’s setter, leads in assists, while sophomore Jaicob Williams has the most aces, and Zach Peterson and Senior Ethan Brooks top the team in blocks.

As the program hopes for more teams to emerge between Tallahassee and Pensacola at the varsity level, Coach Faulkner expressed the team’s desire to compete in a district and participate in the playoffs. For now, they will continue to compete as an Independent in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA).

As a new program, the team has been operating on a zero budget, relying on fundraising and sponsors to cover trip expenses and officials for home matches. Those interested in supporting the team as a sponsor can reach out to Coach Faulkner at choctawvball@gmail.com.

MILITARY

‘Military Family Appreciation Day’ this Saturday at The Landing in Fort Walton Beach

The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce will host the Military Family Appreciation Day event on Saturday, April 15th, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Landing in downtown Fort Walton Beach – 139 SE Brooks Street.

Military Family Appreciation Day is a community event that aims to honor the brave service and sacrifices made by military families and veterans in our area. The event will feature:

• Live entertainment on the Eglin Federal Credit Union Stage.
• A free children’s play area.
• Veteran service organizations, including the USO, Healing Paws for Warriors, Food For Vets, and Homes for Heroes.
• In addition, attendees will enjoy complimentary on-site lunch from Sonny’s BBQ sponsored by Step One Automotive Group and Forever Warriors. 

“We are thrilled to host Military Family Appreciation Day and honor our local military families and veterans,” said Ted Corcoran, President/CEO of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. “This event is a great way for the community to show its support and appreciation for the sacrifices made by our service members and their families.”

For more information about Military Family Appreciation Day or to become a sponsor or volunteer, please contact the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce at (850) 244-8191 or www.fwbchamber.org.

THINGS TO DO

6th annual Craftathon beer festival returns to Downtown Fort Walton Beach

On Sunday, April 30, 2023, The Landing in downtown Fort Walton Beach will transform into a haven for beer enthusiasts as Craftathon returns!

• Entering its sixth year of festivities, Craftathon has seen tremendous growth since its inception. Last year, over 900 beer lovers came together to sip, sample, and savor an extraordinary lineup of craft brews, all while raising $10,000 for Fresh Start Florida. 
• This year, 100% of the proceeds will go to Emerald Coast Autism Center.

Craftathon co-founder Warren Bondi emphasized the unique nature of the event, saying, “We wanted to create our own thing that would be exciting, fun and different.” Craftathon, from the very beginning, focused on offering an unrivaled lineup of breweries and beverages.

Participating breweries are given two tasks: bring something unique and special for the attendees and send a knowledgeable representative to pour the beers. The result is a highly curated and immersive experience, where visitors can learn about the brewing process, flavor profiles, and history behind the beers they’re sipping.

“We wanted to do Craftathon for the right reasons,” Bondi said. “We didn’t have any monetary desire to do the event. It was more doing something for fun and we wanted to do it for a good cause.”

To that end, each year, Craftathon partners with a local non-profit organization, allowing them to set up a booth, sell water for $1, and educate attendees about their mission. Since its inception, Bondi estimates that Craftathon has donated well over $50,000 to various non-profits. 

• Alongside the main event – the beer – visitors can also enjoy food from local eateries, beer education features, and samples from the best home brewers in the region. It’s a full day of festivities, starting at 11:00 AM for VIP ticket holders, and continuing until 4:00 PM.

Though VIP tickets have already sold out, General Admission tickets are still available for $45.00. Each ticket includes entry from 12 PM – 4 PM, a 2023 Craftathon glass, boiled crawfish, an event tee, a swag bag, and of course, all the free samples one can safely consume.

Despite the two-year hiatus due to COVID, Bondi and his fellow event creators, Bobby Nabors and Rhys Sharp, have been amazed at the support and growth of Craftathon. “We obviously didn’t know how well it would grow over the years and to see it take off and have a life of its own has been a lot of fun,” he said.

• So, if you’re ready for a unique and immersive beer experience, head down to The Landing in Fort Walton Beach on April 30th for the 6th annual Craftathon.
• Click here for tickets.