GIVING BACK

Drive-Thru Food Giveaway happening May 18 at Northwest Florida Fairgrounds

Destin Harvest, Feeding the Gulf Coast, and the Northwest Florida Fair Association are collaborating to host a food giveaway event on Saturday, May 18th at the NWFL Fairgrounds.

• The event aims to provide free food to those in need within the community.

Feeding the Gulf Coast will be delivering a semi-truck loaded with 20,000 pounds of assorted produce, which volunteers will distribute to vehicles passing through the loop in the back parking lot of the fairgrounds.

• The food giveaway will commence at 8:30 am on Saturday morning and will continue until all the food has been distributed.

“People are really struggling, and access to free foods can mean the difference of a rent or mortgage payment, filling a prescription, utilities being paid, and many other costly basic needs,” wrote Destin Harvest on social media.

The event organizers are seeking volunteers to assist with handing out the food. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Chris at chris@destinharvest.org.

Destin Harvest, a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between food surplus and local hunger, has been actively supporting the community. In April alone, the organization delivered over 173,000 pounds of food at no cost to 39 feeding programs in Okaloosa and Walton County, bringing the year-to-date total to 645,773 pounds.

• In 2023, Destin Harvest’s refrigerated trucks connected 1.59 million pounds of food to those in need.

The food giveaway event will take place at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds, located at 1958 Lewis Turner Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547.

SCHOOL

Superintendent Marcus Chambers sheds light on school closure, delay process due to weather

During an Okaloosa County School Board workshop meeting on Monday, Superintendent Marcus Chambers addressed the district’s decision-making process regarding school cancellations, delays, and early releases due to severe weather.

Last Friday, the district delayed start times by three hours in anticipation of severe weather, with North End schools ultimately being canceled for the day after the storm caused damage and power outages.

• In April, schools dismissed two hours early to ensure students and employees had sufficient time to arrive home safely.

Chambers emphasized that the district does not make decisions based solely on weather apps but instead consults with Patrick Maddox, Okaloosa Public Safety Director, who is in contact with experts at the National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama.

Chambers said that the district considers the entire county when making weather-related decisions, not just specific regions.

• “Every decision is made based on the safety of our students, our teachers, our support professionals, our administrators and our district staff,” Chambers said.

The district communicates with various stakeholders, including the military, unions, and community organizations, to ensure everyone is on the same page, according to Chambers. They also use a communication system called “Thrillshare” to send out information to the school district and families, although a recent glitch caused messages to be sent multiple times.

Deputy Superintendent Steve Horton explained that the district builds additional time into school schedules to absorb potential disruptions without falling under the minimum requirements for seat time and funding. If necessary, the district can petition the state for forgiveness or adjust the calendar.

Board Member Tim Bryant expressed appreciation for the Superintendent’s courage in making these decisions and his willingness to explain the process to the community.

• “When we get that call from you, I know you’ve thought long and hard about it along with your team,” Bryant said.

Chambers emphasized that the decision-making process is a team effort and that the district is prepared to make adjustments if weather conditions change throughout the day.

NEWS

Okaloosa County Sheriff responds to NAACP demands in Airman Roger Fortson shooting case

In response to the recent demands made by the NAACP Okaloosa Branch regarding the shooting death of Senior Airman Roger Fortson, Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden has issued a statement acknowledging the concerns raised and reaffirming his commitment to transparency and accountability in the ongoing investigation.

Sheriff Aden confirmed that he has been in close communication with the NAACP Okaloosa Branch, U.S. Air Force leadership at Hurlburt Field, elected officials, and other community partners since the incident occurred.

• The Sheriff’s office invited local NAACP leadership to privately view the available body-worn camera footage related to the case.

Currently, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is conducting a criminal investigation into the shooting. The Sheriff stated that requests for documentation related to the investigation are exempt under Florida Statute Chapter 119.071, as they are part of an active criminal investigation.

• However, Sheriff Aden says his office remains closely connected with FDLE regarding the progress of the investigation.

In a meeting with the NAACP and Hurlburt Field leadership, Sheriff Aden emphasized his commitment to doing what is right and assured the community of his firm commitment to transparency and accountability.

“For our part, we wish to assure the NAACP Okaloosa Branch, its stakeholders, and our community of our firm commitment to transparency and accountability,” he said.”

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s office has asked for patience as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and State Attorney’s office conduct a thorough review of the facts in the case. The Sheriff says his office continues to pray for Mr. Fortson and his family during this difficult time.

SCHOOL

Okaloosa County schools take part in Mental Health Awareness Month

The Okaloosa County School District will be observing Mental Health Awareness Month throughout May by engaging in activities focused on promoting mental wellness and providing resources to students, staff, and school communities.

• The district aims to foster conversations about mental health at home and empower teachers, engage parents, and address stigma surrounding mental health issues.

In a press release, the district emphasized that mental health is not merely the absence of illness but rather a state of thriving and resilience. By promoting mental wellness and providing resources, the district hopes to pave the way for a brighter, more compassionate future, especially for children.

For the 2023-2024 school year, the Student Services Department and mental health providers have developed a monthly “Mental Health Matters” focus.

• Each month, the mental health team, along with school administration, faculty, staff, and students, will concentrate on one specific component of mental wellness and practice self-care activities and resources to develop that area of focus.

The Okaloosa County School District encourages anyone in need of mental health assistance to refer to their list of OCSD Counseling Resources for support.

GIVING BACK

Step One Subaru Fort Walton Beach donates $26,000 to local dog rescue

Step One Subaru Fort Walton Beach has donated $26,676 to Save Underdogs as part of Subaru of America’s annual Share the Love Event, the dealership announced Monday.

• The Share the Love Event is a charitable initiative by Subaru of America where $250 from every new Subaru purchased or leased is donated to a choice of charitable partners.

Save Underdogs, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing and finding loving homes for underprivileged dogs, was the Fort Walton Beach beneficiary of this program.

Save Underdogs works to provide care, rehabilitation, and adoption services to dogs facing adversity. The donation from Step One Subaru Fort Walton Beach will directly support their efforts to rescue and rehome underprivileged dogs in the area.

For more information about Step One Subaru Fort Walton Beach and their commitment to the community, visit https://www.steponeautomotive.com.

A MESSAGE FROM PEADEN

Tips to keep your pipes flowing smoothly

Stay Hydrated: Just like us, pipes need water to function correctly. Make sure to run water regularly in unused drains to prevent buildup and keep things moving smoothly.

Watch What Goes Down: Avoid pouring grease, oil, or coffee grounds down the drain. These can solidify and cause clogs. Use filters to catch food scraps in the kitchen sink and hair in the bathroom.

Regular Maintenance: Schedule routine inspections and maintenance for your plumbing system. Catching minor issues early can prevent costly repairs and keep your pipes in tip-top shape.

• Remember, a little prevention goes a long way! And if you ever encounter a plumbing problem, don’t hesitate to contact Peaden!

PUBLIC SAFETY

Okaloosa Health Department issues water quality health advisory for four local parks

The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) has issued a water quality advisory for four local parks due to elevated levels of Enterococcus bacteria.

• The affected locations include Clement E. Taylor Park, James Lee Park, Lincoln Park, and Rocky Bayou State Park.

According to the advisory, tests completed on May 13, 2024, indicate that the water quality at these parks does not meet the recreational water quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria recommended by the Florida Department of Health.

As a result, DOH-Okaloosa advises against any water-related activities at these locations due to an increased risk of illness in swimmers.

The advisories were issued after sampling conducted during regular water quality monitoring showed that the level of bacteria exceeds the level established by state guidelines. The affected parks are located in Destin, Valparaiso, and Niceville.

The water quality advisory will remain in effect until bacteria levels are below the accepted health level. Test results are available at FloridaHealth.gov/HealthyBeaches. For more information, the public can call 850-833-9247 or visit www.HealthyOkaloosa.com.

PUBLIC SAFETY

HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital raises awareness of shallow diving dangers with new signage

HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has launched a new beach safety and injury prevention campaign in collaboration with their trauma department to raise awareness about the dangers of shallow diving in the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area.

• As part of the initiative, new “Think before you dive” signs have been added to existing waterway signage around the area earlier this month. 

The hospital is also working with local hotels, including the Holiday Inn Resort Fort Walton Beach and Hilton Garden Inn Fort Walton Beach, to place magnet versions of these signs in rooms to further promote safety and awareness.

Dr. Matthew Johnson, medical director of the trauma center at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, stated that one of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries they treat is from individuals diving off boats into the shallow waters around Crab Island in Destin.

• “The water is so shallow at Crab Island but we see cases where people will dive-in head first. We end up with a lot of quadriplegic patients,” Dr. Johnson said. “I implore people to think before they dive. The consequences are life changing.”

The hospital’s efforts aim to educate visitors and residents about the potential risks associated with diving into shallow waters and encourage them to prioritize their safety while enjoying the area’s beautiful beaches and waterways.