SCHOOL

Okaloosa students raise $23,000 for ‘Change for Children’ campaign

Students from schools across Okaloosa County came together to raise funds for the annual “Change for Children” campaign. The campaign, aimed at supporting Children in Crisis (CIC), Inc., saw students collecting spare change to provide assistance to abused, neglected, and abandoned children in the community.

Children in Crisis (CIC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers homes and support to vulnerable children, ensuring they are kept safe and siblings are not separated.

• Since its inception in 2007, the Change for Children Campaign has been instrumental in generating funds within the Okaloosa County school system.
• These funds are used to provide essential resources like food, clothing, and school supplies for the children residing in the Children in Crisis Neighborhood.

This campaign goes beyond just raising funds; it also aims to instill a sense of compassion and the importance of helping others in students’ hearts. By participating in the Change for Children Campaign, students gain valuable life lessons about the significance of giving back to the community and helping those less fortunate than themselves.

The school sponsors play a vital role in organizing creative and engaging activities to collect change throughout the campaign. These activities often take the form of talent shows, class competitions, and even the opportunity to pie the principal! The retired teacher chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, an honorary educational sorority, facilitates and supports this initiative.

This year, students from nineteen schools in Okaloosa County rallied together and brought in their change to support the mission of Children in Crisis. Their efforts culminated in an impressive total amount of nearly $23,000 raised collectively.

Among the participating schools, several stood out for their outstanding fundraising achievements.

• Destin Elementary – $1,587.21
• Ruckel Middle – $8,000.00
• Choctawhatchee High – $1,897.00
• Southside Primary – $3,169.67

ART+CULTURE

Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries announce national call for art

The Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College has announced that the 31st Annual Emerald Coast National Juried Exhibition Call for Art is now open.

“What began as a regional show has evolved into far-reaching exciting programming of a range of art by emerging to established artists reflecting what creatives are doing today,” wrote the MKAC in a press release. “A show that people travel to see and a program that locals look forward to all year!”

The MKAC typically receives a few hundred applications from working artists who work in contemporary, experimental, and classical mediums, styles, and techniques. This year’s ECN will be guest juried by the award-winning scholar, curator, and Professor Dr. Maria Elena Buszek of the College of Arts & Media, University of Colorado.

The exhibition is an open call without a theme. All mediums and styles are welcome. Best in Show wins $1,000 and a solo exhibition in 2024 during ECN 32.

• Artists will exhibit in the expansive 1500-square-foot McIlroy Gallery, with an opening reception at 6:00 p.m. on August 31, 2023.

MKAC galleries is a teaching adjunct to Northwest Florida State College students and communities. It occupies over 7,000 square feet and holds a collection of over 4,500 artworks and artifacts, valued at $6 million. The galleries are always free and open to the public.

Apply Here or email artgalleries@nwfsc.edu for an application.

• Application Deadline: July 1, 2023
• Application Fee: $30

TRAFFIC

Okaloosa and Walton County Traffic Advisory

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Okaloosa and Walton counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Okaloosa County:                                  

• State Road (S.R.) 20 (John Sims Parkway) Resurfacing Project – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts Tuesday, May 30 through Friday, June 2:
  • Intermittent temporary east and westbound outside daytime lane closures on John Sims Parkway, from Edge Avenue to west of the Rocky Bayou Bridge, Tuesday, May 30 through Friday, June 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for concrete for sidewalk, curb and gutter construction.
  • Intermittent east and westbound nighttime lane closures on S.R. 20, from Edge Avenue to west of the Rocky Bayou Bridge, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., for median milling, median widening, and sidewalk construction.

• S.R. 85 Resurfacing from John Sims Parkway to College Boulevard – Drivers can expect nighttime intermittent single-lane closures on S.R. 85 north and southbound, Tuesday, May 30 through Friday, June 2, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.  for paving operations. One lane will remain open in each direction at all times.

• Brooks Bridge Replacement Project – Drivers may experience traffic disruptions Tuesday, May 30 through Thursday, June 1, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for the following construction activities:
  • U.S. 98 eastbound outside lane closures, between Santa Rosa Boulevard and the Brooks Bridge approach on Okaloosa Island, to allow crews to construct temporary widening at this location.
  • U.S. 98 east and westbound alternating and intermittent lane closures between Perry Avenue and Pier Road for utility work.
  • Santa Rosa Boulevard east and westbound alternating lane closures from east of Amberjack Drive to Ross Marler Park for utility work.
  • Intermittent shoulder closures on Brooks Street, between Perry Avenue and Florida Blanca Place, and on Business Access Road for utility work.

• S.R. 85 Improvements from S.R. 123 to Hospital Drive – This week, crews will require temporary, intermittent single-lane closures, Tuesday, May 30 through Friday, June 2, for maintenance of shoulder drop-offs and to place sod. These lane closures will be limited to the following locations and times:
  • S.R. 85 northbound single-lane closures, between S.R. 123 and Shoal River Bridge, will only occur between 8 p.m. and 2 p.m.
  • S.R. 85 southbound single-lane closures, between Shoal River Bridge and S.R. 123, will only occur between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

• U.S. 98 Bridge Rehabilitation over East Pass Bridge – Drivers may encounter intermittent single-lane closures on U.S. 98 over East Pass (Marler) Bridge, westbound structure (Destin to Fort Walton Beach), Tuesday, May 30 through Thursday, June 1, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. The existing 35 mph speed limit will be maintained during construction.

Walton County:

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from Village Road to East of U.S. 331 – Drivers may encounter the following traffic impacts Tuesday, May 30 through Thursday, June 1:
  • Intermittent U.S. 98 east and westbound lane closures between 7:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving operations.
  • Intermittent closures of the U.S. 98 east and westbound outside shoulders and turn lanes may be required as crews construct new sidewalks and widen existing turn lanes between Village Road and U.S. 331.
  • Temporary intermittent U.S. 98 east and westbound outside lane closures, from Village Road to Mack Bayou Road, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to deliver concrete for sidewalk, curb and gutter construction.

• U.S. 98 Widening from Mack Bayou Road to County Road (C.R.) 30A – Drivers may encounter intermittent single-lane closures for the U.S. 98 east and westbound travel lanes, from West Hewitt Road to C.R. 30A, Tuesday, May 30 through Thursday, June 1 between 7:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. These closures are required to prepare for a slight shift of the U.S. 98 east and westbound travel lanes toward the outside of the roadway.

• S.R. 20 Turn Lane Construction at J. W. Hollington Road – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, May 30 through Friday, June 2 for paving operations.

• Interstate 10 Resurfacing from East of U.S.331 to East of County Road 183 Overpass – Drivers will encounter intermittent eastbound daytime lane closures Tuesday, May 30 through Thursday, June 1 for paving operations.

• U.S. 98 Routine Utility Maintenance from Driftwood Road to Ellis Road, Miramar Beach – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, May 30 through Thursday, June 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for storm hardening operations.

• U.S. 98 Routine Utility Maintenance West of Hidden Dunes Drive – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Tuesday, May 30 through Thursday, June 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for storm hardening operations.

All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Okaloosa County readies for Hurricane Season with comprehensive Guide and Alerts

Okaloosa County is urging its residents to prepare for the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season, starting June 1, 2023, by making resources available to ensure safety and readiness.

The County has released the 2023 Hurricane Guide, an comprehensive document housing vital information like crucial phone numbers, evacuation zones, checklists, and other storm-related information.

While supplies last, physical copies will be available at:

• All six area libraries in the Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative
• Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce
• Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce
• Niceville-Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce
• Destin Chamber of Commerce
• Crestview City Hall
• Okaloosa County Extension Office at 3098 Airport Road in Crestview
• The two offices of Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners at 1250 Eglin Parkway, Suite 100 in Shalimar and 302 N. Wilson Street, Suite 302 in Crestview.

Those preferring a digital format can access and download the guide online.

In addition to the Hurricane Guide, the County also recommends signing up for Alert Okaloosa, an emergency notification system providing up-to-the-minute communications during emergencies. Residents can register online at AlertOkaloosa.com or simply by texting “OKALOOSAFL” to 888777.

For further information and resources, the County directs residents to their comprehensive online resource page at https://myokaloosa.com/ps/emergency-management. This includes the digital Hurricane Guide.

PUBLIC SAFETY

2023 Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday

The 2023 Florida Emergency Sales Tax Holiday kicked off on May 27 and will run until June 9, and then again from August 26 to September 8. This state initiative provides an opportunity for consumers to purchase necessary disaster preparedness supplies, without the usual sales tax.

The list of eligible items includes everything you’d need to weather a storm. From flashlights and lanterns to radios, tarps, and ground anchors, you’ll be able to stock up on essential gear. Additionally, items such as reusable ice, coolers, portable power banks, batteries, and fuel tanks are included.

• Keeping safety in mind, the tax holiday also covers vital protective equipment, including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors. Furthermore, to ensure power supply during emergencies, generators are on the tax-free list.

However, be aware that there are some restrictions. Generators must be priced at $3,000 or less, and smoke detectors shouldn’t exceed a cost of $70 to qualify for the tax break. Also note, the sales tax holiday will not extend to purchases made within a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment, or airport.

View the full list here.

BUSINESS

Long-time pediatrician, Dr. Douglas Rigby, set to retire after 42 years

For over 40 years, Dr. Douglas Rigby has been caring for Fort Walton Beach area children and helping their parents navigate the ups and downs of parenthood. The special bond that he has with families is truly unique and spans three generations. 

In celebration of that bond and Dr. Rigby’s service to the community, White-Wilson Medical Center is inviting all to join them for a Retirement Celebration on Wednesday, May 31.

• The family-friendly celebration will take place at White-Wilson’s Fort Walton Beach campus, 1005 Mar Walt Drive from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The celebration will feature light refreshments, as well as the opportunity for community members including patients of all ages, families, colleagues and friends to personally express their appreciation to Dr. Rigby. All are welcome to stop by to thank him and wish him well in his retirement.

“Dr. Rigby has been a prominent and influential presence since he started his medical career here at White-Wilson,” said the medical group’s CEO Alan Gieseman. “His exceptional clinical ability, compassion and his outgoing personality are unmatched and something so many physicians who have followed in his footsteps strive to achieve. His retirement will be a great loss for us, but we are excited to have the opportunity to bring our community together to express our gratitude.”

Dr. Rigby began working at White-Wilson in 1981 and has since established himself as a renowned pediatrician and leader. He served as President of the White-Wilson Board of Directors for 20 years and has been named “Best Pediatric Practice on the Emerald Coast” and “Best Pediatrician in Destin.” 

• “He has certainly made a lasting impact on our organization and community,” Gieseman continued. “He is more than just a colleague; he is a mentor and friend to me and so many others. He is going to be missed, but I can’t think of anyone more deserving of a fulfilling retirement.”