SCHOOL

Okaloosa students lead the charge in Fentanyl Awareness Campaign set for May 7

The Youth Leadership Council, a group of Okaloosa County high school juniors and seniors, presented a recommendation to the Okaloosa School Board and Superintendent Marcus Chambers on Monday regarding a project to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl.

The council, which has been meeting regularly since May 2021 with the support of County Commissioner Mel Ponder and Superintendent Chambers, aims to bridge the gap between administrators and students by bringing forth important issues. The students present at the meeting were:

• Sophie Palm (Chair of the Youth Leadership Council) – Baker School
• Genesis Jimenez Chavez – Northwest Florida Collegiate High School
• Corbin LeMire – Niceville High School
• Miller Lindsley – Fort Walton Beach High School

This year, they have decided to focus on the growing fentanyl crisis.

“Fentanyl is an incredibly potent opioid that takes incredible precision to dose,” said Sophie Palm, a senior at Baker School and chair of the Youth Leadership Council. “The problem in today’s society is that it’s being laced into things when people don’t know it.”

The council’s goals for the project include raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl, starting a healthy dialogue about substance abuse in teens, offering resources and facts for education and recovery, and joining the established National Fentanyl Awareness Day campaign on May 7.

According to the CDC, fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 than any other cause, including heart disease, cancer, and all other accidents. Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal. 

• As Sophie Palm pointed out in her presentation, on March 11, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office released details of two separate fentanyl-related arrests in which they found eight grams of fentanyl in one of the incidents.

To observe National Fentanyl Awareness Day, the council proposes that each school participate by discussing the day during morning announcements, playing an informational video, encouraging students to wear purple, and distributing purple ribbons. 

• The council has also created a “One Pill Can Kill” poster to be displayed in high-traffic areas.

Superintendent Marcus Chambers expressed his appreciation for the awareness the council is bringing to the issue. “From marijuana to other pills, especially things that come from the street, where individuals think that they’re purchasing one thing and then the next thing you know, it’s something else,” he said. “When you talk to the Sheriff’s Office, they’re using Narcan nightly to revive people.”

Board member Tim Bryant also acknowledged the severity of the fentanyl crisis, particularly in Crestview. 

• “I know our chief of police made a presentation not too long ago and they had to use Narcan seven times in one week, so it’s close to home,” he said. “It starts with education, and I think students listen to other students better than they listen to us adults. So I think it’s commendable what you’re doing.”

“Drug use often starts at a young age, and that’s why we as the council think it is so vitally important to start educating on things like fentanyl, which is a new thing to be covered,” Palm said.

POLITICS

Fort Walton Beach City Council approves 3 charter amendments for November ballot

The Fort Walton Beach City Council approved three proposed charter amendments during their Tuesday meeting, which will now be placed on the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot. 

• The amendments, initially submitted by a group of citizens known as The FWB Watch Group, were certified by the Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections on March 21, 2021.

The first amendment, titled “COMPENSATION TO ELECTED OFFICIALS,” would prohibit any elected official from receiving compensation, including salaries or other financial benefits, for services rendered to the City. The amendment would still allow for reimbursement of expenses incurred while performing their duties.

The second amendment, “SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS,” would prohibit the City from levying special assessments against any real property unless a majority of the owners of record approve such assessments. This amendment came about due to the Fire Assessment Fee passed back in 2019.

• The City Council considered two versions of this amendment, with the recommended version removing the language “or if existing be re-imposed” to ensure future flexibility in securing public financing.

Here’s the approved language:

“No special assessments shall be levied by the City against any real property unless the procedures to make such levy are first invoked by a Petition (prepared by the City Manager, at the direction of the City Council upon a vote directing the City Manager to do so) presented to all of the owners of record of the real property to be assessed by such special assessment, and then after such circulation to the real property owners, said Petition is then submitted by the City Manager to the City Council bearing the bona fide signatures of the majority of the owners of record of the real property to be assessed by such special assessment, as of the date of such submissions.”

The third amendment, “LIMITATION ON BUDGET INCREASES,” aims to limit annual budget expenditures. The original version proposed by The FWB Watch Group would limit increases to no more than 3% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less, without voter approval. 

City staff prepared multiple versions of the amendment, addressing exceptions for emergencies, capital expenditures, grant-funded projects, debt service payments, and other factors. Here were the 4 options discussed.

• Option One (Watch Group Version): This version limits total annual budgeted expenditures, including capital expenditures and repayment of municipal debt, to an increase from the prior year’s expenditures by the lesser of 3% or the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). It includes 12 exemptions for emergency expenses, grant-funded projects, tourist development tax funds, self-supporting enterprise funds, and more.

• Option Two (City Staff Version): This version limits all budgeted operating expenditures to an increase from the prior year’s expenditures by the then-current Federal C.O.L.A. (Consumer Price Index) per annum, subject to certain exceptions.

• Option Three (Recommended City Staff Version): This version limits all budgeted operating expenditures to an increase from the prior year’s expenditures by 3% and the then-current Federal C.O.L.A. (Consumer Price Index) per annum, subject to certain exceptions.

• Option Four (City Staff Version): This version limits all budgeted operating expenditures to an increase from the prior year’s expenditures by 3% or the then-current Federal C.O.L.A. (Consumer Price Index) per annum, subject to certain exceptions.

After back-and-forth discussion, the council moved forward with Option One, the Watch Group version.

The City Council will now advertise the ordinances for First Reading at the next available Council Meeting. If approved by a majority of Fort Walton Beach voters in the November 5, 2024 General Election, the amendments will become effective immediately and be incorporated into the City Charter.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Okaloosa County maintains StormReady designation for over 20 years from NWS

The National Weather Service (NWS) has renewed Okaloosa County’s StormReady status, recognizing the County’s commitment to emergency preparedness through robust communications infrastructure and increased severe weather awareness.

• The County has held this designation since 2002.

“I am extremely proud that Okaloosa County remains at the highest level of storm readiness,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon. “While we cannot prevent natural disasters, it is important for all of us to be prepared so that we can react appropriately before, during and after a storm.”

To maintain the StormReady status, which is effective for four years, Okaloosa County demonstrated efficiency in Emergency Operations Planning, Coordination and Partnership Development, and Community Preparedness.

• The designation is approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NWS, and the local StormReady Advisory Board.

To be officially StormReady, a community must:

• Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center.
• Have more than one way to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts and to alert the public.
• Create a system that monitors weather conditions locally.
• Promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars.
• Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.

“Meeting the metrics defined by the National Weather Service for this recognition is a reflection on the hard work of the County’s Emergency Management team,” said Okaloosa County Director of Public Safety Patrick Maddox. “The fact that we pay attention and have plans and policies in place, ensures that we are as prepared as possible in the event of a disaster.”

SPORTS

Vikings claim first-ever Flag Football District Championship Title, defeating Choctaw 9-7

The Fort Walton Beach High School Vikings made history on Thursday night, securing their first-ever Flag Football District Championship title with a 9-7 victory over the previously undefeated Choctawhatchee Indians at Steve Riggs Stadium.

In a rematch of their March 7 meeting, where Choctaw emerged victorious with a 13-6 win, the Vikings sought redemption and delivered a stellar performance in front of their home crowd.

• The game kicked off at 7:30 pm, with the Vikings taking an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

The Vikings’ defense held strong, keeping the Indians scoreless through the first three quarters. In the third quarter, Fort Walton Beach added two more points to their tally, extending their lead to 9-0.

Choctaw mounted a comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, scoring seven points to close the gap. However, the Vikings’ denied the Indians any further scoring opportunities and secured the historic 9-7 victory.

PUBLIC SAFETY

14-year-old in Okaloosa County arrested for threatening to ‘blow up’ middle school

A 14-year-old former student of Davidson Middle School in Okaloosa County has been arrested and charged with making an electronic threat of a mass shooting or terrorist act (a second-degree felony).

• The suspect was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon at his residence.

According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), a School Resource Officer at Davidson Middle School received information from a student about an unknown number sending an electronic message threatening to blow up the school.

After investigating, deputies determined that the number belonged to former student, who is currently an Okaloosa online student.

• During questioning, the student admitted to deputies that he made the threat as a joke. However, the OCSO maintains a zero-tolerance policy for individuals making school threats.

“The Okaloosa County School District and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office have a zero-tolerance policy for any student posting inappropriate statements that threaten the school community,” said School District Officials on Thursday afternoon. “Regardless of whether such behavior is a hoax or not, it is unacceptable, criminal and will not be tolerated. Students must understand that threats of violence are never considered a joke or a prank.”

Get The Coast does not publish the names of minors.

THE WEEKENDER

A few things to do around town

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 – FWBHS Cheerleading 3rd Annual Food Truck Festival & Car Show – View

April 13, 2024 – Touch-A-Truck 2024 – View

April 13, 2024 – Folk School Classes at Traditions Workshop – Introduction to Blacksmithing – $90 – 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

GIVING BACK

Parker Destin donates rare Doolittle Raiders memorabilia to Northwest Florida State College

On Wednesday, April 10, 2024, Parker Destin, a 6th-generation Floridian and passionate collector of historical artifacts, donated three rare Doolittle Raiders memorabilia pieces to Northwest Florida State College in Niceville. 

• The items will be displayed in the college’s existing Doolittle Raiders Exhibit at Raider Arena which has 750 items in the permanent collection.
• The Doolittle Raider Exhibit was opened in 2013 during the April anniversary – with three Raiders present for ceremonies.

Destin, alongside Rep. Patt Maney and Northwest Florida State College President Dr. Devin Stephenson, officially presented the college with a first edition copy of “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo” signed by the Raiders, a child’s trading card of Jimmy Doolittle from 1934, and a rare promotional poster for the book’s serialization in Collier’s magazine.

• The signed first edition copy of “30 Seconds Over Tokyo” is Captain Ted Lawson’s firsthand account of the raid, with signatures from most of the Raiders, likely gathered during their 1992 reunion. 
• The child’s trading card of Jimmy Doolittle from 1934 showcases Doolittle’s pre-raid celebrity status as an aviation pioneer, having been included in cigarette packs and gum packages. 
• The promotional poster for the book’s serialization in Collier’s magazine is a rare survivor, as these posters were meant to be torn down and discarded after the serialization ended.

Destin, who has been collecting Northwest Florida historical documents and artifacts for over 20 years, expressed his enthusiasm for sharing his collection with the public. 

“After 20 years, I think I’ve come to the understanding that a lot of these items are going to be best in institutions like Northwest Florida State College that are going to take care of it in perpetuity so that everyone from around this community can understand their own history and hopefully have a deeper connection to it,” he said.

According to Rep. Patt Maney, the exhibit plays a significant role in educating young people about the bravery and sacrifice of the Doolittle Raiders in this military-focused community. 

Maney emphasized that the raid over Tokyo provided a much-needed morale boost for the United States, showing the Japanese that their homeland was vulnerable. He also noted that the volunteers who flew the bombers knew the chances of returning were slim, yet they still stepped up to serve their country. 

• “Young people today need to know that the nation again may call on them not just to do their part, but like these guys [Raiders], do more than their part,” Maney added.

Dr. Devin Stephenson expressed gratitude for the donation and its importance to the college, stating that while there are many Raider teams across the country, there is only one Doolittle Raider team, and they are special to Northwest Florida State College. 

“Anytime we can get memorabilia like this, for us to celebrate the great legacy that we’re really standing on the shoulders of, is so important,” Stephenson said. He publicly thanked Destin for his gift, acknowledging that the college has captured many things in their museum, but this donation is particularly special to them.

The Doolittle Raiders Exhibit at Northwest Florida State College serves as a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the WWII aviators who trained at Eglin Field for the daring 1942 air attack on the Japanese Islands.

The raid provided a significant morale boost for the United States and is considered by many historians to be a critical factor in the Japanese defeat at the Battle of Midway, a turning point in the Pacific War.

Click here to see more pictures of the items