FOOD+DRINK

Post 20 Sushi set to open in Niceville, honoring founder Michael Ledford’s legacy

Post 20 Sushi is set to open its doors in Niceville on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

• The establishment aims to honor the vision of its late founder, Michael Ledford, whose passion for sushi and the community left a lasting impact.

Ledford had dreamed of creating a welcoming space where friends and families could gather to enjoy expertly crafted sushi and spirited libations. His family and business partner, Justin Trotter, are now bringing this vision to life, committed to preserving Ledford’s passion for culinary arts.

• “We are thrilled to be opening the doors of Post 20,” said Loren Ledford. “The people of Niceville opened their hearts to our family and we hope to serve them for years to come. Thank you for your support of Michael and the entire Post 20 team. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!”

Situated on Niceville’s serene waterfront, Post 20 Sushi boasts a modern sushi bar where guests can savor both traditional and innovative dishes prepared by skilled chefs. The menu promises a delightful array of flavors, ensuring there is something to satisfy every palate.

Post 20 Sushi will operate from 4 PM to 9 PM, Tuesday through Saturday, and will be closed on Sundays and Mondays. The restaurant encourages patrons to follow its social media accounts for sneak peeks and to engage with the excitement building within the community.

Post 20 Sushi serves as a tribute to Michael Ledford’s vision and his impact on the Niceville community. With its scenic location and focus on high-quality sushi, Post 20 Sushi aims to provide a unique dining experience that fosters connection and celebration among its guests.

Post 20 is located at 306 Bayshore Drive, Niceville, FL.

MILITARY

Col. Patrick Dierig: “Senior Airman Fortson was a man of Honor, Integrity, and Courage”

On Friday, May 17, 2024, hundreds of Air Commandos from Hurlburt Field gathered in Atlanta, Georgia, to celebrate the life of Senior Airman Roger Fortson, a teammate, friend, and fellow Air Commando. 

• The celebration of life ceremony was held at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.

Col. Patrick Dierig, 1st Special Operations Wing commander, spoke about Fortson during the ceremony. He thanked Fortson’s family and friends for the opportunity to honor “a great young man” and expressed that the Air Force family was grieving with them.

Col. Dierig described Fortson as “a man of honor, integrity, and courage,” stating that he lived the Air Force core values of service, integrity, and excellence, not because of his military training, but because of the way he was raised by his family. 

• “We would love to take credit for making him great, but the truth is, he was great before he came to us,” Dierig said. “The Air Force, we merely polished a diamond that you forged.”

Dierig highlighted Fortson’s combat experience, noting that he was a combat veteran who had served in Iraq and Syria as a member of the AC-130 gunship community. For his efforts, Fortson was awarded the Air Medal with a combat device in 2023. Many of Fortson’s squadron mates from the 73rd Special Operations Squadron and the 4th Special Operations Squadron were present at the ceremony.

Col. Dierig shared a personal story about his first encounter with Fortson, recalling the young Airman’s infectious smile and welcoming demeanor.

“I first met Senior Airman Fortson after I arrived at the base as a wing commander, and I tried to sneak quietly into my old squadron, his squadron, the 4th SOS, where he happened to be at the door,” recalled Col. Dierig. “And before words were spoken, we locked eyes. And he had that infectious smile and he welcomed me back home without a word spoken. And that was Roger: kind, confident. A smile that can light up the room.”

He emphasized that Air Commandos wanted Fortson on their team not only because of his skills as an aviator but also because of his character.

• Quoting the inscription on the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., Col. Dierig likened Fortson to a “stone of hope,” saying, “Senior Airman Fortson is a stone of hope. His Air Force legacy is a stone of hope. He inspired us. He will continue to inspire us.”

Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, AFSOC Commander, also spoke at the ceremony, expressing his grief and the collective sorrow of the Air Commandos worldwide. “To the Fortson family, on behalf of 21,750 Air Commandos throughout the globe defending our great nation, we are grieving with you,” he said.

Lt. Gen. Bauernfeind emphasized the importance of Fortson’s service in defending the nation and compared him to the “giants” upon whose shoulders the Air Force stands. “Unfortunately, Senior Airman Fortson was taken away from us too soon,” he said. “But know, as we move forward, Senior Airman Fortson will always be in our lives. He will always be in our hearts.”

Col. Dierig concluded his remarks with a pledge: “We will be better because of him. I will be a better Airman. We will be better Airmen because of Senior Airman Fortson. He was respected as an Airman. He was loved as a person, and we will never forget him.”

The officer-involved shooting of Senior Airman Roger Fortson on May 3, 2024, is part of an ongoing investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office.

Fortson’s family and their attorneys have called for transparency and a thorough investigation into the use of deadly force.

MILITARY

Hurlburt Field honors Senior Airman Roger Fortson in memorial service

Hundreds of Airmen, friends, teammates, and family members gathered at the Freedom Hanger on May 20, 2024, to pay tribute to Senior Airman Roger Fortson during a memorial service, remembering his dedication, selflessness, and service to the gunship and Team Hurlburt community.

• The service featured several teammates sharing messages and memories, highlighting Fortson’s impact on those who knew him.

Lt. Col. Kaelin Thistlewood, commander of the 4th Special Operations Squadron, addressed Fortson’s family directly, saying, “I can only hope that amidst this pain you can find comfort in the contributions that your son gave and how he is remembered in the military and flying community. His legacy of bravery, his fellowship and friendship and his service will forever be cherished and may bring some measure of peace knowing the impact that he had on all of us here today.”

During the service, Thistlewood posthumously awarded Fortson the Air and Space Commendation Medal for meritorious service while assigned as a special missions aviator with the 4th SOS and presented the medal to Fortson’s mother, Chantemekki Fortson, and father, Roger Wilburn Sr.

Capt. Malcom Lee, an AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship evaluator pilot with the 4th SOS, described Fortson as exceptional in every aspect of his life, from athletics to academics and his role as a special missions aviator.

• “Roger is exceptional … because even in this tragic event that divided a nation he has managed to bond together our community, our Air Force, and people all around the globe through love,” said Lee.

Following the service, Fortson’s visiting family members toured an AC-130J to better understand his role as a special missions aviator.

According to Senior Airman Collin Courtney, a fellow SMA with the 4th SOS, it was a job he was made to do. Courtney recalled how quickly Fortson absorbed knowledge during training, noting that he was always a fast learner.

During a proficiency check-ride flight, Fortson’s confidence was evident when he grabbed a fire extinguisher from the aircraft wall and handed it to an evaluator.

• “The evaluator then gave him back a very confused look,” said Courtney. “Roger without missing a beat said, ‘You’re going to need this because I’m going to be on fire answering these questions today.”’

COASTAL RESOURCES

Record-breaking lionfish caught during Emerald Coast Open despite bad weather conditions

The Emerald Coast Open (ECO) 2024, the world’s largest lionfish tournament, concluded with impressive numbers and a new record for the largest lionfish caught, despite facing adverse weather conditions. 

• The event, which took place in Destin, included a pre-tournament, main event, Restaurant Week, and a festival, all dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the removal of lionfish from local waters.

Although the area experienced inclement weather on Friday and Saturday, impacting the divers’ ability to hunt lionfish during the main event, the tournament participants persevered and managed to remove a total of 11,844 lionfish. 

• The pre-tournament, which ran from February 1st to May 16th, accounted for 4,433 lionfish, while the main tournament, held on May 17th and 18th, added another 7,411 to the total.

Alex Fogg, Coastal Resources Manager for Okaloosa County and event organizer, praised the participants’ resilience and dedication. 

“The Emerald Coast Open 2024 faced its share of challenges with the weather, but our divers and volunteers showed incredible resilience and adaptability,” Fogg remarked. “Despite the storms, they remained focused on our mission (and prizes) to combat invasive lionfish and protect our native ecosystem. The fact that we not only removed a substantial number of lionfish but also set a new record for the largest lionfish caught is a great testament to the dedication and skill of our community.”

The tournament saw a new record for the largest lionfish caught, with team “Deep Water Mafia EL GATO NEGRO” bringing in a massive 475mm (18.70 inches) specimen. This impressive catch surpassed the previous record and highlighted the ongoing growth and maturation of the lionfish population in the region. This lionfish also tied the gulf of Mexico record and was only 2mm (0.08 inches) shy of the world record! 

Restaurant Week, which featured local restaurants showcasing lionfish dishes and educated customers about the impact of this invasive species, crowned La Paz as the winner for the second consecutive year. 

The Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Festival at HarborWalk Village offered various activities and attractions for attendees, including conservation vendors, lionfish jewelry and art, and educational experiences for kids and families.

• The “Guess the Lionfish” competition, where participants estimated the total number of lionfish that would be removed during the event, was won by Kyle Corbitt, who guessed 7,001.

In the most lionfish removed category, VJL Seafood took the top spot with an impressive 1,776 lionfish, followed by Rubber Duck with 1,716 and Slightly Deeper Mobsters with 806. The pre-tournament winners, Bob Brown (590 lionfish), Tim Shivers (510), and Brandon Hust (287), also made top picks at the prize table, which featured over $65,000 worth of gear.

The 2024 Emerald Coast Open showcased the unwavering commitment of the community in the battle against invasive lionfish, even in the face of challenging weather conditions. As the event continues to evolve and grow, organizers and participants remain dedicated to protecting the native ecosystem and promoting conservation efforts along Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

TRAFFIC

EC Rider to provide direct connections between Fort Walton Beach and Destin

On Monday, May 20, 2024, Okaloosa County’s bus service, EC Rider, will implement a service modification for Destin Route 30 to provide direct public transportation connections between Fort Walton Beach and Destin.

• The changes aim to improve frequency and service to stops along the route.

The modified Destin Route 30 will operate an hourly service between Elder Service, Publix in Fort Walton Beach, Publix at Shoppes at Paradise Pointe (FWB), and Target/Winn Dixie in Destin.

• The route will also provide a connection from Destin to Okaloosa Island Boardwalk, connecting with Destin Route 30 and Okaloosa Route 20 at the top of each hour.

The changes will increase the frequency of service between Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island, as well as Okaloosa Route 20. Additionally, Destin Route 30 will connect with Destin Route 32 at Winn Dixie in 98 Palm Plaza at the bottom of each hour.

The service modification aims to provide local service within Destin to key destinations, including Target, Winn Dixie, and Destin Harbor. The improved connectivity and frequency are expected to benefit residents and visitors who rely on public transportation in the area, according to the county.

BUSINESS

Local production company Lensea Film contributed to IMAX documentary “The Blue Angels”

Northwest Florida-based production company Lensea Film provided crew and gear support during the filming of the new IMAX release, “The Blue Angels.”

• The documentary, directed by Paul Crowder and shot by director of photography Jessica Young, features never-before-seen footage chronicling a year with the Blue Angels, from team selection through training and the show season.

Several local crew members from the NWFL production community contributed to the film, including:

• Destyn Patera (2nd unit DP, gaffer, camera operator)
• Austin Owens (production assistant)
• Sean Peterson (production sound mixer)
• Jared Cramblet (production assistant)
• Chris Vargas (gaffer)
• David Cooke (digital imaging technician)
• Lani Thomas (production assistant)
• Liam Dunaway (gaffer)
• Marvin Holdman (production sound mixer)
• Leah Holcomb (production assistant)

“Working with Lensea has been such a wonderful experience,” said Bridget Topp, co-producer of the film. “Each one of the team members are exceptional in their field and have been such a pleasure to work with. They are an organized and cohesive team that if I could, I would bring on every project.”

Destyn Patera, founder of Lensea Film, expressed pride in the local crew’s ability to work alongside industry professionals.

• “As locals who were hired to support some of the film industry’s best technicians, we’re immensely proud and recognize the deeper significance of that message,” Patera said. “There’s a community in the panhandle of Florida that has helped cultivate skills that can stand toe to toe with some of the best.”

Patera also emphasized the growing potential for the film industry in the region.

“There’s a litany of new filmmakers coming on the scene here every day, and this type of project shows the possibilities of sustaining a career in this field and in this part of the world. We’re very optimistic about the future of film here and look forward to doing everything we can to contribute to the future of film in the Florida panhandle.”

“The Blue Angels” can be seen in theaters nationwide over the next week and will be available on Amazon Prime starting May 23. It is currently available at the AMC theater in Destin Commons locally.

Watch trailer

NEWS

Cessna aircraft makes emergency beach landing in Walton County

A Cessna aircraft made an emergency landing on the beach near Beach Drive East in Miramar Beach on Monday afternoon, according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.

The pilot reported engine failure through Eglin Tower before landing the plane on the beach. Authorities confirmed that there were no injuries reported on the beach or among those on board the aircraft.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office stated that they would provide updates as more information becomes available.