NEWS

NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson selected to lead Florida Polytechnic University

Dr. Devin Stephenson, the current President of Northwest Florida State College, has been selected as the next President of Florida Polytechnic University (Lakeland, FL), according to a statement from Lori Kelley, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Northwest Florida State College.

• The announcement followed a vote by the Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees during a public meeting on Monday, April 15.

In her statement, Kelley praised Dr. Stephenson’s visionary leadership over the past eight years, which has profoundly impacted the institution.

“His dedication and strategic insight have not only enhanced our academic offerings but have also strengthened the College’s relationship with the greater Panhandle community, setting a high bar for institutional excellence,” Kelley said.

During his tenure at Northwest Florida State College, Dr. Stephenson has overseen an era of significant growth and achievement. His leadership has been instrumental in preparing students for success in their future endeavors.

• Kelley expressed gratitude for Dr. Stephenson’s commitment and leadership, stating, “We are excited to see him bring his transformative vision to Florida Polytechnic University.”

The Board of Trustees at Northwest Florida State College will share details regarding the search process for Dr. Stephenson’s successor in due course. In the meantime, the College says they remain committed to their mission of excellence and innovation in higher education.

Stephenson was one of five finalists selected by the University’s Presidential Search Committee, and who visited campus recently for interviews with the Board of Trustees and forums with students and employees. 

• “Through diligent effort and collaborative engagement, we have identified Dr. G. Devin Stephenson as the candidate who best embodies Florida Poly’s vision and values,” Cliff Otto, chair of the Board of Trustees, said. “His exceptional qualifications, unwavering dedication to education, and visionary leadership make him the perfect fit for our institution. I’m confident that under Stephenson’s guidance, Florida Poly will continue to thrive, empowering students in STEM disciplines and shaping a promising future for generations to come.”

During Stephenson’s tenure at Northwest Florida State College, the Foundation’s assets have increased to over $63 million, grant acquisitions have surpassed $66 million, and enhanced legislative appropriations have exceeded $40 million.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Niceville Police to crack down on speeding in 3-day operation this month

The Niceville Police Department has announced the launch of “Operation Save The Day,” a new initiative aimed at reducing speeding and aggressive driving on local roadways.

• The operation will take place from Wednesday, April 24, through Friday, April 26, 2024, between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm.

According to the Niceville Police Department, the focus of the increased enforcement efforts will be on State Road 20 between Rocky Bayou Dr and Government Ave. This stretch of road has been identified as a high-risk area for traffic accidents and aggressive driving incidents.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring road safety and reducing traffic accidents, the Niceville Police Department is announcing Operation Save The Day,” the department stated in a press release. “We urge all community members to support Operation Save The Day by adhering to posted speed limits and exercising patience while driving.”

The police department also encourages residents to report any instances of dangerous or reckless behavior on the road, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in maintaining safe roadways.

TRAFFIC

Crestview’s Main Street Revitalization Project progresses with new road closures

The City of Crestview’s Main Street Revitalization Project began on Monday, April 15, leading to road closures from Industrial Drive to Woodruff Avenue E that will remain in effect until further notice.

• During the construction period, the existing roadways, landscapes, and brick pavers will be removed as part of the revitalization efforts.

However, access to the intersections of Industrial Drive and Woodruff Avenue E will remain open throughout the project.

Despite the road closures, sidewalks and front entrances to businesses within the affected area will continue to be accessible to the public. The City of Crestview has provided a map detailing detour information for residents and visitors navigating the area during the construction.

• The $7.2 million downtown revitalization project aims to improve roadways, sidewalks and lighting along Main Street between U.S. Highway 90 and Industrial Drive. Plans also call for 91 new parking spaces, widened sidewalks, crosswalks, benches, bicycle parking and other upgrades to make the area more pedestrian friendly.

Residents and visitors are advised to plan their routes accordingly and allow extra travel time due to the detours and potential traffic delays in the area.

NEWS

Fort Walton Beach launches new App for reporting non-emergency issues

The City of Fort Walton Beach has introduced a new mobile app, SeeClickFix, that allows residents to report various non-emergency concerns and problems around the city.

• The app aims to streamline the process of addressing issues such as potholes, abandoned vehicles, crime, vandalism, flooding, trash pickup, and problems with city parks and playgrounds.

Using the app is simple: open the app, take a picture of the problem, select the appropriate category, write a brief description, and submit. The app utilizes the phone’s GPS to automatically record the location of the issue, ensuring that the request is routed to the appropriate department for a prompt response.

• Residents who wish to receive updates on their submitted requests can create a personal SeeClickFix account.

For those who prefer not to use the mobile app, the city also offers a desktop version of SeeClickFix. Users can access the web portal and manually enter the location of the issue on the provided map.

The SeeClickFix app is available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, while the desktop version can be accessed through the city’s website.

The City of Fort Walton Beach encourages its residents to download and start using SeeClickFix to help maintain and improve the community.

THINGS TO DO

2024 Summer Camp Guide

Summer will be here before we know it and we just launched our 2024 Summer Camp Guide – the ultimate showcase for all the amazing summer camps in our area!

• This guide is still growing but you can already get a jumpstart on seeing what summer activities are right for your child.

Is your business putting on a camp this summer? This is for you!

By securing your spot in our guide, you’ll gain exposure to parents and guardians actively seeking the perfect summer activities for their children. It’s your chance to shine and show what makes your camp truly special!

• Don’t miss this opportunity to fill your camp with smiling faces and create a summer they’ll never forget!

Fill out the form here to explore our paid listing options and secure your spot in our “Summer Camp Guide” today!

Let’s make this the best summer ever, together!

TRAFFIC

Okaloosa and Walton Counties Traffic Advisory

Okaloosa County:

• Brooks Bridge Replacement Project – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Sunday, April 14 through Thursday, April 18, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for utility work and construction activities:
  • U.S. 98 alternating intermittent lane closures between Ferry Road and Pier Road.
  • Santa Rosa Boulevard alternating lane closures from east of Amberjack Drive to Ross Marler Park.

• Mid-Bay Bridge Rehabilitation Project – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on the Mid-Bay Bridge, Monday, April 15 through Thursday, April 18, from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. for construction activities.

• State Road (S.R.) 85 Resurfacing from north of Commerce Drive to Bill Lundy Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent S.R. 85 single lane closures for milling and paving operations between:
  • Airport Road and Butler Road, Monday, April 15 through Friday, April 19, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Commerce Drive and Butler Road, Sunday, April 14 through Thursday, April 18 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
  • Butler Road and Bill Lundy Road, Sunday, April 14 through Saturday, April 20, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

• S.R. 85 Improvements from S.R. 123 to U.S. 90 – Drivers may encounter intermittent S.R. 85 southbound outside lane closures, from Edney Avenue to I-10, Monday, April 15 through Thursday, April 18, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for utility work.

• Mary Esther Boulevard (S.R. 393) Resurfacing from U.S. 98 to Beal Parkway (S.R. 189) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Mary Esther Boulevard, for milling and paving operations at the following locations and times:
  • Sunday, April 14 through Thursday, April 18, from U.S. 98 to Hollywood Boulevard, between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
  • Sunday, April 14 through Saturday, April 20, from Hollywood Boulevard to Beal Parkway, between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.

• S.R. 285 Resurfacing from S.R. 20 to S.R. 293 – Drivers may experience intermittent S.R. 285 lane closures, between John Sims Parkway (S.R. 20) and S.R. 293, Sunday, April 14 through Thursday, April 18, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. for crews to complete worklist items.

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from Josie Road to Florida Place Southeast – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 98 lane closures, between Josie Road in Mary Esther and Florida Place Southeast in Fort Walton Beach, Sunday, April 14 through Thursday, April 18, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for concrete work.

• Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing from west of Yellow River to east of Shoal River – I-10 drivers will encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures between mile markers 51 and 52, Sunday, April 14 through Thursday, April 18 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Crews will be striping and installing concrete barrier walls.

Walton County:

• U.S. 98 Widening from Mack Bayou Road to County Road (C.R.) 30A – Drivers may encounter intermittent, alternating lane closures, Sunday, April 14 through Thursday, April 18, from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations and signalization work at the following locations:
  • U.S. 98 between Mack Bayou Road and C.R. 30A.
  • Mack Bayou Road between U.S. 98 and Mack Bayou Loop.
  • Goldsby Road between U.S. 98 and Commercial Parkway

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from east of U.S. 331 to Peach Creek – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 98 lane closures, Sunday, April 14 through Thursday, April 18, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations.

NEWS

Destin City Council appoints Louis Zunguze as new City Manager

The Destin City Council unanimously voted to appoint Louis Zunguze as the new city manager during Monday night’s meeting.

• Zunguze has been serving as the interim city manager for the past few months and previously held the position of Community Development Director for the city.

The decision comes after the city parted ways with former city manager Lance Johnson on January 2, 2024. Johnson had served in the role since 2018 after initially being hired by Destin in January 2003.

The city council had passed a resolution in January to set up a process for hiring a new city manager. A selection committee, appointed by each city council member, reviewed over 50 resumes and conducted interviews with shortlisted candidates.

• The committee forwarded three candidates to the city council for further consideration: Mike Castro, Kevin Calper, and Louis Zunguze.

Councilman Jim Bagby praised the committee’s work and the qualifications of the candidates. He moved to authorize the city attorney and HR director to negotiate with Zunguze, stating, “I normally favor the internal candidate just because I believe we ought to grow our own.”

Councilwoman Teresa Hebert seconded the motion, expressing her agreement with Bagby and other council members. She commended Zunguze’s performance in handling tricky situations while serving as interim city manager.

Councilman Dewey Destin, who has served on the council for 7 different terms, noted that Zunguze and the other two candidates were the most qualified he had seen during his tenure. He supported the motion, acknowledging Zunguze’s advantage of having been “in the trenches” with the city.

Upon his appointment, Zunguze expressed his heartfelt thanks to the selection committee and the city council for trusting him with the responsibility.

• I just want to send my heartfelt thanks to the committee that went through the process and also the city council for trusting me with this responsibility,” he said. “To the members of the public, I commit to listen to you. To give you all the opportunity to share your concerns, your aspirations, so that we can help you acquire the quality of living that you aspire to. Thank you so much for the responsibility.”