MILITARY

Hurlburt Field to perform planned detonations on EOD range on April 20

On Thursday, April 20, 2023, the 823rd REDHORSE squadron will conduct their monthly explosive demolition training between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Hurlburt Field Range.

• During the training, nearby residents may hear loud noise or feel the vibrations associated with the demolition charge detonations that are planned to occur periodically throughout the day.

REDHORSE officials advise if the humidity is high or if there is cloud coverage, the effects can seem louder and closer than on clear days.

PROMOTED BY OKALOOSA GAS

Niceville High School Girls Soccer Team crowned FHSAA 6A Girls Soccer Academic Champions

In a display of outstanding academic and athletic prowess, the Niceville High School Girls Soccer team has been named the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) 6A Girls Soccer Academic Team Champion…again!

• This prestigious recognition is awarded to the team with the highest unweighted GPA among all FHSAA member senior high schools in their respective classification, reflecting the athletes’ commitment to excellence both on and off the field.

The FHSAA Academic Team Champion program aims to celebrate the teamwork and dedication of student-athletes, not just in their sports, but in their education as well. Each year, the program honors the top team in each of the Association’s sanctioned and recognized sports across all classifications. To qualify for nomination, a team must have an average unweighted GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

This year, the Niceville High School Girls Soccer team clinched the title with an impressive cumulative team GPA of 3.833, edging out Buchholz (Gainesville) with a GPA of 3.819 and Pace with a GPA of 3.764.

• The Girls soccer team also won the title last year with a 3.848 GPA.

The exceptional student-athletes contributing to this achievement are:

• Taylor Kerle
• Jezlyn Nelson
• Michelle Melancon
• Katelyn Tomaschko
• Audrey Russell
• Brynn Buelow
• Bailey Howell
• Aynzlie Nelson
• Estella Pippy
• Sophia Edwards
• Airiana Jerz
• Braelyn Franklin
• Haley Sposato
• Olivia Travis
• Isabella Huston
• Paige Klosterman
• Stacie Hernandez
• Natalie Larsen
• Cora Weinacker
• Marie Reid

Niceville Athletic Director Daniel Griffin praised the team’s achievements both on and off the field. “It’s no secret that we love our student athletes here at Niceville,” Griffin said. “Last week, we got to honor our ladies soccer team for their off the field accomplishments. They represent themselves, their school, and their community with class. Go Eagles!”

The Niceville community is proud of the accomplishments of these young women, who have demonstrated the importance of balancing academic success with athletic prowess. 

“Many Okaloosa Gas District employees are graduates and/or have family members currently attending classes at Niceville High School,” said Jenni Brunson, Public Relations Specialist at Okaloosa Gas. “We continually recognize and support the tradition of academic excellence within the Okaloosa County School District and are proud of this extraordinary Lady Eagles Soccer Team.”

Congratulations to the Niceville High School Girls Soccer team for being named the FHSAA 6A Girls Soccer Academic Team Champion!

MILITARY

Hurlburt Field to open Gator Lakes Golf Club to the general public beginning April 21

Beginning April 21, 2023, the Gator Lakes Golf Club located on Hurlburt Field is set to open its doors to the general public. 

• This Air Force Services Facility offers an 18-hole golf course with views of the Hurlburt Field flightline, a covered driving range, a pro shop, and the Oasis Café that serves breakfast and lunch items.

Gator Lakes is also one of the first golf courses in the Emerald Coast to offer Toptracer – a revolutionary technology used by the PGA to track ball flight path and improve one’s game with metric tracking located at the covered driving range.

• And now, you don’t have to be a member of the military to enjoy these facilities.

To access the Gator Lakes Golf Course and its amenities, interested individuals must register on the website and complete an affidavit at the top of the page. After filling and printing the form, they need to take it to the Hurlburt Visitor Control Center, located at the Main Entrance to Hurlburt Field, where they will undergo a basic background check and receive an installation access card that’s valid for six months.

Once you have your access ID, you can use the East Gate to enter the base and present your card at the entry control point to gain access to the golf club. 

For those who are wondering about prices and operating times, head to the Gator Lakes website, or call (850) 881-2251.

FROM THE STATE

Rep. Maney’s bill to protect defense attorneys in courtrooms passes unanimously

Last week, the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill (SB) 384, State Representative Patt Maney’s initiative to protect criminal defense attorneys and public defenders against violent acts in the courtroom.

The bill will upgrade the penalties for those found guilty of assaulting certain courtroom personnel, and Maney suggests that these changes could include additional bailiffs or security officers in the courtroom, along with changes to the layout of the courtroom to protect against violence.

• The move comes in response to the attack on defense attorney Eric Atria by his client Obadiah Dillard. Dillard reportedly punched Atria on the left side of his head, fracturing his skull.

Under current law, individuals who commit acts of violence against certain professionals, including law enforcement officers, correctional officers, assistant and state attorneys, justices, and judges, may face increased penalties. However, defense attorneys are not included among the group of professionals whose protection is enhanced by this law.

Maney, a former judge in Okaloosa County, said he has had juveniles, who turned out to be very violent, need 2-3 bailiffs to get control of the situation. He also notes that some defendants may choose to be violent as a way to intimidate courtroom personnel or disrupt proceedings.

• “An attack on any courtroom personnel is an attack on our entire criminal justice system. This legislation corrects the injustice of leaving our defense attorneys and public defenders vulnerable to violence in our courtrooms,” said State Representative Patt Maney. “Both Florida’s House and Senate unanimously stood up this week and resolutely affirmed that our courts will be safe places to conduct the people’s business. No more ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ cards for beating up your lawyer.”  

SB 384 is now heading to the Governor’s desk for his review and signature.  

THINGS TO DO

Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival & Torchlight Parade returns to Fort Walton Beach, May 19-22

The 67th Annual Billy Bowlegs Torchlight Parade is back in Fort Walton Beach, and it promises to be a weekend filled with fun, entertainment, and plenty of pirate-themed festivities.

• The Torchlight Parade, sponsored by Step One Automotive Group, will take place on Monday, May 22nd, 2023, starting at 7:00 p.m. 
• The parade will travel down Eglin Parkway from First Street to Hughes Avenue, and is expected to be a dazzling display of lights and music.

But the Torchlight Parade is just one of the many events taking place during the 67th Annual Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival.

The weekend kicks off with the Skirmish on Friday, May 19th, where Captain Billy Bowlegs and his Honor Guard will try to land on Fort Walton Beach Landing. The Mayor and the Fort Walton Beach Police Department are ready to arrest Captain Billy if he attempts to land, but the pirate captain is not one to back down easily.

On Saturday, May 20th, Captain Billy and his Krewe will return, along with visiting Krewes from across the county, for the final battle to take over the city. 

• The Mayor will unleash a secret weapon to stop Captain Billy, but it will be no match for the pirate captain’s forces. The Krewe will take over the city and celebrate their victory throughout the weekend.

The highlight of the festival is the Torchlight Parade on Monday night,where Captain Billy and his Krewe of pirates will march down the streets to celebrate their victory over Fort Walton Beach. 

• To enter the parade, interested parties can download the entry form on the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce website.

With live music, entertainment, fireworks, and plenty of food and drink available throughout the weekend, the 67th Annual Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival promises to be a swashbuckling good time. 

So put on your eye patch, grab your sword, and join the fun in Fort Walton Beach.

COMING SOON

Chick-fil-A expands in Fort Walton Beach with plans for second location underway

Fort Walton Beach is buzzing with excitement as plans for a new Chick-fil-A location are underway. The popular fast-food chain is planning to open a restaurant at 122 Eglin Parkway NE, adding to the already award-winning Chick-fil-A on Beal Parkway in the area.

• The $5 million project includes a 5,000 sqft building, 65 parking spaces, bike racks, outdoor seating and a double drive-thru lane. 

Positioned directly north of Buffalo’s Reef, across from Uptown Station,patrons will have access to the restaurant parking lot via both Eglin Parkway and Carson Drive. Chick-fil-A’s groundbreaking ceremony is set for May 8, 2023, and weather permitted, construction should be complete around September or October of the same year.

Franchise owner Matthew Sexton has grand plans for this second location, working tirelessly to maintain the same culture, vision, and purpose as the flagship Chick-fil-A on Beal Parkway. 

That restaurant, celebrating its 20th anniversary, is a testament to the long-standing success of the fast-food chain in Fort Walton Beach. Sexton reminisces, “I don’t know where the time went…” when thinking back on the journey that began 32 years ago.

• He started with Chick-fil-A in Panama City before moving to the area and running the Santa Rosa Mall location. Now in his 25th year as an owner, Sexton says he has never been more fired up and passionate about what he gets to do every single day.

View design layout

1 culture, 2 locations

The addition of this second restaurant has been a long time coming. The Beal Parkway location currently serves 5,000 people per day, and with the new Eglin Parkway location, they will be able to reach even more members of the Fort Walton Beach community, along with Okaloosa Island. 

He emphasizes the importance of maintaining that personal touch and culture, stating, “Everything revolves around culture. When the culture is strong, everything seems to fall in place.”

For Sexton, the new restaurant means one culture, two locations. To hear him talk about the second location, you can tell it’s not just a one-liner. 

• “It’s a promise. It’s a commitment. It’s a goal,” he said. “And believe me, opening up a 5,000 square foot restaurant has all of the painstaking tasks that you can imagine with getting it off the ground. However, what we love about having one franchise owner for multiple locations is that one culture, that one vision, that one purpose, and that one mission statement.”

With the expansion, the team will grow from 120 to upwards of 275 team members. Sexton has carefully built up a leadership structure with the goal of replicating the same successful team dynamics at both locations. 

Sexton’s Beal Parkway location is the biggest Chick-fil-A in the region and ranks third in the state of Florida. However, he and his team are not just focused on the numbers. Sexton explains that each and every day they prioritize the trust and culture built within the community, creating an emotional connection with their customers. 

He believes that the success of his Chick-fil-A franchise stems from this commitment, even in the early hours of the morning. 

• “We have humans out there in the drive-thru beginning at 6:00am,” he explains. “There’s no speaker box.”

The new restaurant will feature a smaller footprint, focusing on mobile users that reflects Corporate’s plan for future brick-and-mortar locations for the next 8 to 10 years. It will also not include a playground, something that has become less and less prevalent since COVID.

With the groundbreaking ceremony next month, Sexton and his team are excited for what’s to come. When asked how he would split his time, he said, “I know me. I know we will get that new restaurant up and running, but I don’t want the community to feel like we didn’t replicate what we have here on Beal. So, if I’m working here in the morning, I’ll be over on Eglin in the afternoon.”

As the excitement builds around the new Chick-fil-A restaurant in Fort Walton Beach, one thing is certain: the strong culture, vision, and purpose that define the Beal Parkway location will be ingrained in the new Eglin Parkway establishment. Sexton says their word for the year is “bulletproof.”

• “We’re going to make this place bulletproof,” he said. “It’s all part of the vision and how we can impact that community, and create a deeper reach.”

“Look at God and look at how the residents of Fort Walton Beach have shown up for us,” he added. “I’m humbled to be able to serve this community.”

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