SCHOOL

Okaloosa Technical College ranks 55th in 2024 National Cyber League Cyber Power Ranking

Okaloosa Technical College (OTC) has achieved an impressive ranking in the 2024 National Cyber League (NCL) Cyber Power Ranking, placing 55th in the nation.

• The NCL Competition, which concluded its Spring 2024 season, saw participation from students representing all 50 states, with a total of 7,412 college-level competitors.

OTC had 29 students competing in the event, and several standout players performed exceptionally well in the individual competition. Joseph “Joey” Markey and Hardy Davis both earned Diamond Rankings and challenge coins, placing 67th and 219th, respectively. Daniel Kraus also made a strong showing, placing 901st and earning a Platinum Ranking.

“The challenges are an excellent way of reinforcing and demonstrating the practical application of cybersecurity that students are learning within the classroom,” emphasized Daniel Sligar, the cybersecurity instructor for OTC. “Students are not just learning theoretical concepts, but can demonstrate their mastery of different cybersecurity skills through the completion of real-world tasks they will encounter in different fields of cybersecurity once they enter the workforce.”

During the 2.5-day competition, students tackled cybersecurity challenges of varying difficulties across nine domains: Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), Cryptography, Log Analysis, Network Traffic Analysis, Forensics, Password Cracking, Web Application Exploitation, Reverse Engineering, Scanning & Reconnaissance.

Jon Williams, Director of OTC, stated, “This is a testament to the quality and relevance of the education provided at OTC, and we are proud to share this accomplishment with our community.”

• Superintendent Marcus Chambers added, “This is a remarkable accomplishment for our students who participated and the staff at Okaloosa Technical College. Their commitment and success serve as a model for others in cybersecurity, inspiring admiration and setting a high standard for excellence.”

The NCL Cyber Power Rankings measure students’ abilities to work individually and as a team in performing a wide range of cybersecurity tasks.

THINGS TO DO

Preston Hood Chevrolet and Sunset Vettes to host Corvette car show in Fort Walton Beach

Preston Hood Chevrolet and Sunset Vettes of Northwest Florida are set to host the annual Celebration of Corvette Car Show on Saturday, June 1, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

• The free event, which will take place at the Preston Hood Chevrolet showroom in Fort Walton Beach, FL, will showcase various Corvette models spanning multiple decades.

Attendees will have the opportunity to admire the iconic American sports cars and participate in the festivities. Awards will be given in several categories, including People’s Choice, Dealer’s Choice, Best Engine, Best Paint, and Best Interior. As a grand prize, Preston Hood Chevrolet will be offering a complimentary set of tires for any Corvette year or model.

• Registration to participate in the car show is free, and interested Corvette owners can visit SunsetVettes.net to learn more about the event and register.

The Celebration of Corvette Car Show is a result of the longstanding relationship between Sunset Vettes and Preston Hood Chevrolet. Each year, the dealership hosts the event on their new car lot, providing door prizes and a special grand prize to participants.

Sunset Vettes, founded in 2010, is a club dedicated to bringing together Corvette enthusiasts in the area who seek a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy their shared passion for the iconic sports car. The club prides itself on its laid-back approach, with the only rule being “there are no rules.”

For more information about the Celebration of Corvette Car Show or to register for the event, visit SunsetVettes.net.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Early morning fire at Marina Bay Resort in Fort Walton Beach

A structure fire broke out at the Marina Bay Resort, located at 80 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, in the early hours of the morning.

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department responded to the scene at approximately 3:52 a.m., along with members of the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department Engine 6, Okaloosa Island Professional Firefighters Engine 4, and Okaloosa County EMS Medic 7.

• According to the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department, the fire was successfully extinguished, and no injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage to the Marina Bay Resort have not been disclosed at this time.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Okaloosa County to remove organic storm debris from May 10 storms

In response to the storms that struck the area on May 10, causing damage to homes and toppling trees, Okaloosa County announced it will begin removing organic and vegetative storm debris from County-maintained roads starting Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

• This service goes beyond the normal offerings provided by the County.

The debris removal process is expected to take approximately one week, and residents are urged to remain patient as Public Works crews work to collect the debris.

The County’s Road maintenance crews will be performing the work, as the level of damage experienced in parts of Okaloosa County did not necessitate a local declaration of emergency that would have activated a debris contractor following major events such as hurricanes.

Although Okaloosa County was included in the Governor’s state of emergency declaration in Executive Order 24-95, additional steps, including input from multiple agencies and a federal “major disaster” declaration, must be taken before funding is provided for assistance to local governments, individuals, and small businesses. Certain damage assessment thresholds must also be met for these programs to be considered at the state and federal levels, according to the county.

Residents serviced by Waste Management (WM) can have their yard waste collected as part of their regular service collection days. WM requires yard trash that cannot be containerized in bags or cans to be less than 4 inches in diameter, no longer than 6 feet in length, and placed in bundles, piles, or stacks weighing no more than 50 pounds.

For debris along state-designated roadways, such as U.S. Highway 90, State Road 4, and State Road 189, residents should contact the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to coordinate removal.

• Debris along private roadways will need to be contracted by the roadway owner directly with a contractor capable of providing debris removal services.

TOURISM

Northwest Florida tourism to get boost from $10.5 million Triumph Gulf Coast grant

The Triumph Gulf Coast Board has unanimously approved a $10.5 million grant to VISIT FLORIDA, aiming to benefit all eight counties impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

• The grant will fund a three-year initiative to enhance marketing efforts and promote the diverse tourism offerings in Bay, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Wakulla Counties.

The expanded promotional effort, led by VISIT FLORIDA, seeks to reach new audiences and raise awareness of the year-round adventures available in the region. By promoting visitation outside of the peak summer season, the initiative aims to add resilience to the region’s tourism industry and extend seasonal employment.

“While perhaps best known for its beautiful beaches, Northwest Florida is also home to a wide array of unique waterways, beautiful state parks, and protected nature preserves,” said Dana Young, VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO. “We are grateful to the Triumph Gulf Coast Board for their support in recognizing the value that tourism brings to the region, and excited to start implementing this innovative program that will introduce visitors to new experiences they may not have otherwise considered.”

The project builds upon the recent success of Northwest Florida Beaches’ “Adventure within Reach” campaign, which drove demand among families seeking new outdoor adventures such as charter fishing, diving, snorkeling, paddling, and hiking.

• With the support of the Northwest Florida Tourism Council, local tourism boards, and the Board of County Commissioners in all eight counties, the funds will directly impact marketing efforts.

“An investment of this magnitude presents an exciting opportunity for the tourism industry to make a lasting, transformational impact on our community,” said Darien Schaefer, President & CEO of Visit Pensacola and Northwest Florida Tourism Council Chair. “The result of the ‘Adventure within Reach’ campaign goes beyond a marketing campaign. This significant expansion will generate new product demand for our small businesses, creating an environment where adventure careers can thrive and entrepreneurs can innovate.”

Triumph Gulf Coast Board Chair David Bear emphasized the importance of tourism in driving the economy of Northwest Florida, praising the individual counties for their efforts in promoting and developing tourism within their respective communities.

“Through this grant to VISIT FLORIDA, Triumph is pleased to support a unified, regional effort to enhance and expand the impact of our tourism promotion,” Bear said.

ICYMI

News you might have missed

• The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved sending a letter and summary document to Brig. Gen. Jeffrey T. Geraghty on Tuesday, outlining priority uses for 12 orphan parcels on Eglin Air Force Base and authorizing county staff to evaluate options for a comprehensive master plan. Read full story

• Guardianship is a legal process that removes an individual’s constitutional rights to manage their own personal, medical, or financial affairs due to incapacity from disability or age. It is often misunderstood or pursued for the wrong reasons according to local attorney Whitney Smith. Read what she has to say

• Earlier this month, Okaloosa County’s bus service, EC Rider, implemented 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. Read full details.

• The Niceville Police Department has introduced a new Prescription Drug Collection Mailbox, providing a safe and responsible way for residents to dispose of old or unwanted prescription drugs. The mailbox, located in the department’s lobby, was donated by the City of Niceville Public Works staff and has been beautifully refurbished by students from Rocky Bayou Christian School. Read the full story.

GIVING BACK

Trauma survivors reunite with life-saving medical teams at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital

In a heartfelt celebration of life and resilience, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital held its first annual Trauma Survivors Day on Friday, May 24, 2024. The event brought together patients, healthcare professionals, and first responders who played pivotal roles in saving lives and facilitating recovery.

The day began at 11 a.m. with the arrival of guests, followed by an opening address from CEO Zach McCluskey, who acknowledged the significance of the event and the journey that both trauma survivors and their families have undergone. 

• “It’s really inspiring to think about just how talented our team is,” McCluskey said, expressing gratitude to the dedicated healthcare professionals who have worked tirelessly to provide care during traumatic events. “But as clinicians, we recognize that the skill of our team only goes so far. It takes a lot of resiliency on behalf of our patients so kudos to you for fighting through when it was hard.”

Dr. Matthew Johnson, the hospital’s Trauma Director, emphasized the importance of the event, noting that the trauma team saw over 2,400 cases last year. “This [event] is why we’re here. That’s why we do what we do. It’s for you guys and to see you back in society being completely functional, that’s what drives us to do what we do,” Dr. Johnson said.

Randi Lippy, the Trauma Outreach & Injury Prevention Coordinator, discussed the ongoing support for recovering trauma patients through their Trauma Survivor Network program. 

• “Know that you’re not alone in your journey. You have this team of folks here to support you and you have the Survivor Network,” Lippy said, highlighting the hospital’s commitment to both physical and mental healing.

Among the survivors was Olivia Day, a recent graduate of Niceville High School, who shared her experience and the road to recovery following a severe car accident on March 18th. 

“I was on my way home, and I don’t remember much of the accident,” Day recounted. “I flew into the ditch. I was the only one in the car, and the car flipped. I was ejected.”

Day suffered a grade five liver laceration, a broken humerus, and a completely torn knee. Dr. Matthew Johnson was one of the doctors who worked tirelessly to save her life. “Dr. Johnson did my internal work, so with my liver, and he stopped the bleeding,” Day explained, expressing her gratitude for the care she received.

• Despite the severity of her injuries, Day’s recovery has been remarkable. “I’ve been completely taken care of here. The doctors have been extraordinary with the recovery.”

Day’s presence at the Trauma Survivors Day event held a special significance for her. “It means a lot to see people who have gone through similar situations that can understand,” she said. “It feels really special to be here for the first celebration of this and to meet the people that I don’t remember, like first responders. To be able to see them and talk to them, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.”

When asked about her advice for others going through traumatic experiences, Day emphasized the importance of self-care and finding inner peace. Looking towards the future, Day is excited to embrace new opportunities and share her story with others. 

As the day came to a close, a ceremony was held featuring survivor gifts, a butterfly release, and a garden dedication. The symbolism of the red tulip, chosen by the Survivor Network, was particularly poignant. “This flower, the red tulip, represents you, survivors. It represents resilience, rebirth, and new beginnings,” Lippy said.