COASTAL RESOURCES

Another rare Kemp’s ridley sea turtle spotted nesting on Destin-Fort Walton beaches

In a win for local wildlife conservation, a second Kemp’s ridley sea turtle has nested on the beaches of Destin-Fort Walton Beach this season. The rare and endangered species was spotted by beachgoers on Tuesday morning.

According to Jessica Valek, Okaloosa Coastal Resources Coordinator, the turtle was reported around 9 a.m., but had already returned to the water by the time the team arrived on the scene. However, witnesses described the turtle as quite large, and upon inspecting the nesting site, Valek confirmed it had all the characteristics of a Kemp’s ridley nest.

• “Kemp ridleys tend to be a lot lighter, weight-wise, than our loggerheads,” explained Valek. “When I saw the crawl, I noticed that not a lot of sand was disturbed. 

Valek asked the beachgoers if they had any photos and videos of the sea turtle and they did. The patrol team was able to confirm that it was another Kemp’s ridley nest.

• “I saw videos of her digging her egg chamber and laying her eggs, so it is for sure a Kemp’s ridley nest,” Valek said.

That makes two nests so far for Destin-Fort Walton Beach this sea turtle nesting season and both of them happen to be Kemp’s ridleys. Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are the most endangered species of sea turtle and do not typically nest on the beaches of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

While it is unclear if this turtle is the same individual that nested a few weeks ago, Valek believes they are likely different based on some distinguishing characteristics. The nesting site has been marked off and will be monitored daily by the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Sea Turtle Patrol.

The DFWB Sea Turtle Patrol reminds the public to maintain clean, flat, and dark beaches to support sea turtle conservation. If you encounter a nesting sea turtle, please call the Sea Turtle Hotline at 850-461-2885 or the FWC Wildlife Hotline at 888-404-3922. Red turtle-friendly flashlights are available at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Welcome Center on Okaloosa Island.

All survey, nest marking, and monitoring activities are conducted under Marine Turtle Permit #251.

NEWS

Appellate court panel featuring Niceville grad Judge Lori Rowe to hear local cases in Okaloosa

The First District Court of Appeal of Florida will convene at the Okaloosa Courthouse Annex in Fort Walton Beach on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, to hear oral arguments on two local cases.

• The three-judge panel, led by Chief Judge Timothy Osterhaus, includes Judge Lori Rowe, a Niceville High School graduate, and Judge Robert Long.

Judge Rowe assumed office on September 15, 2009. Her current term ends on January 2, 2029. She ran for re-election for judge of the Florida 1st District Court of Appeal. She won in the retention election on November 8, 2022.

The panel, headquartered in Tallahassee, periodically travels to each judicial circuit once a year, alternating between counties within the circuit. The First Judicial Circuit encompasses Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties.

On Tuesday night, judges from each county and lawyers from Okaloosa County gathered to welcome the appellate judges, clerks, staff, and marshal.

During the welcome event, First Judicial Circuit Chief Judge John Miller was honored with the annual Judge T. Patt Maney Service award, recognizing his leadership during the Covid pandemic and last year’s ransomware attack.

• Former Okaloosa County Judge and current Representative Patt Maney was present to congratulate Chief Judge Miller on his achievement.

The oral arguments scheduled for Wednesday will provide an opportunity for the appellate court to hear and consider the merits of the two local cases.

NEWS

Okaloosa NAACP seeking justice in shooting death of Airman Roger Fortson

The Okaloosa County Branch of the NAACP and the Florida State Conference are calling for swift action and transparency in the investigation of the shooting death of Senior Airman Roger Fortson by an Okaloosa County Sheriff Deputy on May 3, 2024.

“We offer our sincere condolences to the family of Airman Fortson, who by all accounts was an American hero,” said Sabu Williams, President of the Okaloosa County Branch NAACP. “I am grateful to have met his mother and other family members and express the condolences of our community to them personally.”

Williams also commented on the body cam footage of the incident, saying, “after viewing the body cam video it is abundantly clear the deputy who was responding to a simple disturbance call, had no justifiable reason to shoot Airman Fortson. The fact is, no disturbance was taking place. Yet, in less than four seconds after Airman Fortson opened the door, the deputy opened fire and he killed Airman Fortson.”

In light of this incident, the Okaloosa County Branch NAACP and the Florida State Conference NAACP are demanding the following:

• A full, independent and transparent investigation of the killing of Senior Airman Fortson be conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
• The United States Department of Justice conduct a full and transparent investigation into the killing of Airman Fortson.
• All related body cam footage, audio, and digital communications, including any 911 calls be released publicly​.
• The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s office release the disciplinary records of the officer involved in the killing of Airman Roger Fortson.
• A series of community engagement sessions be held with the County Sheriff’s office.
• Access to review reports on the use of force, use of lethal force complaints, disciplinary actions, termination records, and lawsuits connected to the Okaloosa County Sheriff within the past 10 years.
• All Police Departments in the State of Florida commit to training its officers in methods of de-escalation and other alternatives to the use of force.

The local, state, and national NAACP organizations say they remain engaged in the case and are in contact with multiple entities around the country. They believe that justice for the Fortson family begins with the arrest and formal filing of felony charges against the officer involved in the shooting death of Airman Roger Fortson.

OP-ED

CEO praises Fort Walton-Destin Hospital ‘extraordinary team’ during National Hospital Week

HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is celebrating National Hospital Week, honoring its dedicated healthcare team and their contributions to the community. 

• In an open letter, Chief Executive Officer Zach McCluskey recognized the hospital’s team for their exceptional care and commitment.

“This week marks a truly special occasion at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital!” McCluskey wrote. “I’m honored to lead the charge in recognizing the extraordinary team that forms the backbone of our community’s healthcare.”

With a history spanning 50 years, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has expanded its services to meet the region’s evolving needs. The hospital has earned national recognition for quality and safety, including the Healthgrades’ Patient Safety Excellence Award™ for the past three years and America’s 100 Best Hospitals™ awards for orthopedic surgery, prostate surgery, and spine surgery. 

• The hospital has received a four-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons has also awarded the hospital high marks for its cardiac surgery program.

“These accolades are a reflection of the dedication our team pours into their work each day,” McCluskey wrote. “I’m honored to work alongside so many professionals whose efforts significantly enhance the experiences of those who trust us with their care. Every member of our team is dedicated to ongoing improvement, striving to elevate every aspect of our organization.”

McCluskey emphasized the hospital’s role as a key economic contributor and one of the largest employers in the community. He highlighted the hospital’s commitment to fostering a supportive workplace where excellence thrives, benefiting both patients and staff.

“For five decades, our efforts have been and continue to be focused on you – our neighbors, our friends, our family members,” McCluskey stated. “It is our highest honor to care for our community, and I invite you to join me in applauding our hospital team for their focus on excellence in patient care!”

As National Hospital Week continues, McCluskey says HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital remains dedicated to its mission of providing high-quality healthcare to the community.

COASTAL RESOURCES

Play the ‘Lionfish Guessing Game’ and you could win $1,000

Guess the total number of lionfish that will be captured during the Emerald Coast Open MAIN event (May 17-18, 2024) without going over and you will win $1,000.

Last year, 19,560 lionfish were removed during the main event.

• Anyone can guess.
• Deadline to enter is May 16, 2024 at 11:59pm (CST)
• Only one entry per person
• Must be 18 years old
• Tie goes to the individual that submitted their guess first
• Do not need to be present to win

SUBMIT YOUR GUESS HERE –> https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ECO2024

THINGS TO DO

Okaloosa County Schools to offer CTE summer camps for students

The Okaloosa County School District is set to host a series of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Summer Camps for rising 5th and 8th graders in June.

• The camps aim to inspire young students to explore various CTE career fields and gain hands-on experience in a range of disciplines.

According to a press release from the school district, campers will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of options, including building trades, welding, bio-medical, web and app design, and coding.

The camps will be run by experienced Okaloosa County teachers and will take place at several schools across the district, including Choctawhatchee High School, Crestview High School, Fort Walton High School, Davidson Middle School, and Shoal River Middle School.

Interested students can sign up for the camps using a QR code provided for each specific camp. The camps will run from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Thursday, and all necessary materials, supplies, and snacks will be provided to participants.

• Parents of participating students will be responsible for coordinating transportation to and from the camps. Confirmation of a student’s acceptance into their chosen camp will be sent via email to their parents.

For more information about the CTE Summer Camps, interested individuals can visit the Okaloosa County School District’s website.

THINGS TO DO

Shalimar United Methodist Church to host “Starry Starry Night” benefit dinner and auction

Shalimar United Methodist Church is set to host “Starry Starry Night,” a benefit dinner and auction, on Friday, May 17th, 2024, from 6 PM to 9 PM.

• The event aims to raise funds for various local missions supported by the church, including a bread house that feeds the homeless in Shalimar every week, Children in Crisis, and many of their 80 missionary projects.

The event will feature a dinner catered by Culinary Catering 365. Attendees will have the option to choose between chicken and beef for their meal. In addition to the dinner, there will be both silent and live auctions, with higher-ticket items being auctioned off during the live auction.

• One notable item up for auction is a truck donated by a member of the community.

Tickets for the event are priced at $40 each, while tables can be purchased for $350. Those interested in attending can purchase tickets on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings in the FLC Lobby of the church.

This is the second time Shalimar United Methodist Church has hosted this event, with the previous one taking place a couple of years ago and proving to be successful. The church hopes to reinvest the funds raised from the event back into the community through their various missions and outreach programs.

In addition to the dinner and auctions, attendees can expect an evening filled with games and entertainment, making it an enjoyable night out for all while supporting a worthy cause.

Click here to purchase tickets

THINGS TO DO

68th Annual Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival set to invade Fort Walton Beach – May 16-20

The 68th Annual Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival is set to take over Fort Walton Beach from May 16-20, 2024. The family-friendly, pirate-themed celebration will feature a variety of events and activities throughout the weekend.

The festivities begin on Thursday evening with a Pre-Invasion pirate meet and greet from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Ferry Road SE, between Burrito del Sol and Parlor Doughnuts. Downtown Fort Walton Beach will also host a Little Scallywag Pirate Walk for aspiring young pirates to collect treasure from local businesses.

The official festival starts at 5 p.m. Friday evening at the Fort Walton Beach Landing, with vendors, food trucks, and live music by The Midnight Shepherds. At approximately 7 p.m., Captain Billy Bowlegs is expected to engage in a brief skirmish with Mayor Dick Rynearson.

• The evening will conclude with a fireworks show over Santa Rosa Sound at 8:45 p.m.

On Saturday, the festival resumes at 10 a.m. at the Fort Walton Beach Landing, featuring more vendors, food trucks, and live music. The highlight of the day will be Captain Billy’s return with his pirate crew to storm the city around 3:30 p.m. and celebrate with locals until 7 p.m.

The festival will conclude on Monday evening with the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber’s Torchlight Parade up Eglin Parkway, starting at 7 p.m.

• The parade will showcase more than 100 floats and participants, with Captain Billy and the entire Krewe of Bowlegs aboard their five floats, anchoring the parade to celebrate their 68th annual capture of Fort Walton Beach.

For a complete schedule of events, visit billybowlegsfestival.com.