PUBLIC SAFETY

Fort Walton Beach Police Department competes for $15,000 K9 Grant, needs your help

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department’s K9 unit, consisting of two canines named Bane and Odin, is in the running for a grant opportunity from Aftermath, a provider of trauma cleaning and biohazard remediation.

• The grant, totaling $15,000, aims to support K9 agencies across the nation. The winner will be determined through a voting system, where the agency with the highest number of votes will claim the coveted prize.

Sheila Mercier, crime scene investigator with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department, took the initiative to enter the department into the Aftermath grant contest. Mercier highlighted that while the grant will not be utilized to introduce an additional K9, it will instead be dedicated to addressing the current needs of the department’s K9s.

“We need equipment. For example, a new bite suit because our bite suit is gone,” she said. “They just need a lot of stuff and food is a big expense.”

Voting can be done through Aftermath’s official website, as well as their Facebook page and Instagram account. Every device is allowed to vote once every 24 hours, so community members can lend their support multiple times leading up to the June 5th deadline.

• To learn more about the Aftermath K9 Grant and show your support for the Fort Walton Beach Police Department’s K9 unit, please visit Aftermath’s official website at https://www.aftermath.com/k9-grant.

BUSINESS

Bit-Wizards shares how to protect your business’ data as hurricane season approaches

As the calendar flips over to June, locals along the Florida Panhandle know what is coming: the start of hurricane season. Businesses across Northwest Florida, small and large, brace themselves for the potential storms that may roll in from the Gulf of Mexico. 

• For those wondering about the best way to safeguard their businesses against these natural calamities, one local IT wizard has some words of wisdom.

Jason Monroe, Director of Solution Consulting at Bit-Wizards, the award-winning software development and IT company headquartered in Fort Walton Beach, advises businesses to put data protection at the forefront of their hurricane preparedness checklist.

“Imagine a hurricane barreling towards us,” says Monroe, “What’s the first thing you do to protect your business?” His response is swift and assertive: ensure your data is backed up and your business is secured.

According to Monroe, cloud services are currently the optimum choice for data protection. These virtual storage systems provide the most efficient safeguard against potential hurricane-related physical damage or power outages.

However, Monroe acknowledges that some businesses might have reservations about embracing cloud technology, either due to cost or data security concerns. In such cases, an external hard drive can act as a physical fortress for critical business data. But, he warns, timing is everything when it comes to data backup.

“You want to get that backup started at least three days out,” added Monroe. As he explains, the process can be time-consuming, especially for businesses dealing with large volumes of data. Additionally, business owners who run physical servers need to make certain these systems are elevated off the ground or portable enough to evacuate, if necessary.

The good news? If you’re a Bit-Wizards client, you’re already a step ahead. “If you’re a Bit-Wizard’s client, you don’t have to worry about this. We’ve already taken care of it for you,” added Monroe.

• If you’re not yet a Bit-Wizards client, their Managed IT Services can help with cloud-based business continuity and disaster recovery.

As we enter this hurricane season, it’s important to remember that while we can’t control the weather, along with where a hurricane makes landfall, we can control how we prepare for it. Modern technology, like cloud services, can be a lifeline, not only for keeping businesses afloat during the storms but also assisting in a smoother recovery process afterward. 

As for Bit-Wizards, their team is ready for the hurricane season, standing by to help local businesses weather the stormy season with a little more peace of mind.

A MESSAGE FROM OKALOOSA GAS

Okaloosa Gas is reminding residents to have their generators checked this hurricane season

With forecasters at the NOAA NWS Climate Prediction Center predicting a near-normal Atlantic Hurricane Season, hurricane preparedness remains important.

• The 2023 hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.

NOAA is forecasting a likely range of 12 to 17 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 5 to 9 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 1 to 4 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). 

For residents or business owners with natural gas generators, getting them checked before the season is important to ensure the generator will work if a hurricane or storm outage occurs.

Okaloosa Gas recommends annual servicing so you don’t go without power.

“A generator requires oil and a working I battery,” said Eddie Springle, VP of Marketing for Okaloosa Gas District. “You want to make sure the battery is charged and the generator is going to start when you need it most. You also need to check that the fuel filters are changed, along with spark plugs.”

The benefits of a natural gas generator is that you don’t have to worry about fuel. Even during a storm outage, natural gas will power the generator. 

“If you have a generator with a transfer switch, the generator should run a self-test once per week,” said Springle.

Springle says while Okaloosa Gas doesn’t do the servicing and maintenance on generators, he recommends changing the oil once per year (or every 200 hours) and having the battery checked annually. 

“If there is a hurricane, you do not want to make the mistake of waiting until the last minute to realize your battery is dead,” he added. “You may not use it, but you still need to maintain it for when you do need it.”

• For servicing, Okaloosa Gas advises residents to get on a maintenance schedule with either Ronco Generators or Casey Electric.

What if you don’t have natural gas?

If you have an all-electric home, but you want a whole-house generator, it might be possible if there’s a gas line already in your neighborhood. You can request an availability check by clicking here.

“The biggest thing to remember is to have your generator checked,” said Springle. We suggest you do it in May or June, since that’s the start of hurricane season, so you have 6 months of no worries.”

Learn more about how natural gas can help you before, during and after a storm.

THINGS TO DO

Art Walk returns to Downtown Fort Walton Beach this Saturday

Art Walk is proudly sponsored by Artesano Boutique in Downtown Fort Walton Beach. Artesano is an artisan shop featuring beautiful handmade work from along the Gulf Coast since 2010.

Downtown Fort Walton Beach is once again set to showcase the city’s vibrant art scene with another Art Walk night. 

• The event offers residents and visitors a unique opportunity to explore the work of talented local artists while enjoying a fun-filled evening of shopping, dining, and entertainment.

The Art Walk is scheduled from 5pm to 8pm on the following dates:

• June 3, 2023
• September 2, 2023
• October 7, 2023
• November 4, 2023

Attendees can expect an immersive experience as they shop, sip, and stroll along the beautiful storefronts of Downtown Fort Walton Beach’s Arts & Entertainment District. In addition to the captivating artwork, event-goers can plan on dinner and drinks at one of the area’s many inviting dining establishments.

This year, the Art Walk is introducing an exciting change to the event layout. Artists will now be lined up on both sides of Highway 98, allowing for even more exposure and accessibility to their creations. This will also help avoid the construction taking place downtown.

Although the display will not span the entire length of downtown, it will stretch from around Cowhead and spread eastward until Ferry Road. Artists will also be stationed across the street in front of the Fort Walton Beach Library, ensuring that visitors can access all the incredible talent the city has to offer. 

• A conveniently located crosswalk at this location will facilitate easy and safe access for attendees..

The 2023 Art Walk in downtown Fort Walton Beach promises an unforgettable series of events that will bring the community together to celebrate local talent and culture. With its inviting atmosphere and diverse range of art, dining, and entertainment options, this year’s Art Walk is a must-attend affair for art enthusiasts, shoppers, and foodies alike. 

Mark your calendars and come join in the festivities as Downtown Fort Walton Beach comes alive with color, creativity, and excitement.

For map details, click here.

THE WEEKENDER

A few things to do around town

June 1, 2023 – STEAM Machine: June 1 – July 27 – View

June 1, 2023 – Fly Guy Thursday – View

June 1, 2023 – Concerts in the Village: Gotta Groove Band – View

June 2, 2023 – Creature Features: June 1 – September 2 – View

June 4, 2023 – Scallywag Sunday – free – View

June 5, 2023 – Pirate Show  – Free – View

June 5, 2023 – Bingo – $20 – View

June 5, 2023 – Movie Monday – View

June 6, 2023 – Boomin Tuesday – – View

June 6, 2023 – Movies On The Beach: “THE MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINES” – Free – View

June 7, 2023 – C.A.R.E.ing for Turtles – $15 – View

June 8, 2023 – Fly Guy Thursday – View

June 8, 2023 – Concerts in the Village: Adam Ezra Group – View

June 9, 2023 – Creature Features: June 1 – September 2 – View

June 9, 2023 – Johnny Ocean Photography Featured Artist Show at Maxine Orange Gallery – View

June 9, 2023 – Free Community Gospel Concert – Free – View

June 10, 2023 – Top Hats & Tails: The ACATemy Awards presented by SOCKS – $65.00 – View

COASTAL RESOURCES

Okaloosa deploys 46 new Prefabricated Artificial Reef modules off Destin-FWB

The Okaloosa Coastal Resource Team successfully deployed 46 prefabricated artificial reef modules on Monday, May 29, 2023. Situated 15-18 nautical miles southeast of Destin’s East Pass, the 4 patch reef sites are the newest addition to the growing artificial reef program in Okaloosa County.

• “The project is not only about diversification of marine habitats but is also a step towards providing an array of opportunities for the locals and tourists alike,” said Alex Fogg, Coastal Resource Manager for Okaloosa County.

Consisting of one 15ft tall and 45 eight feet tall modules, the patch reefs have been strategically placed within the Large Area Artificial Reef Site A (LAARS A) permitted area off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach. These modules, manufactured from clean, durable concrete and limestone, have been placed at depths ranging from 110 to 141 feet, according to Fogg.

Fogg reiterated the significance of this initiative, stating, “Not only are we fostering new habitats for marine life, but we’re also providing a means for people to experience these resources in a responsible and sustainable manner by spreading out fishing effort while also reducing potential conflicts between users.” 

The project, funded jointly by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Okaloosa County, amounted to a total of $120,000. The FWC provided a $60,000 grant through its Artificial Reef Construction & Monitoring program, which was matched by the county using tourism tax dollars.

• “These reefs have a positive economic effect on the region by drawing in anglers and divers of all ages and skill levels from around the globe, bolstering local businesses like dive shops and charter boats,” continued Fogg.

Walter Marine/Reefmaker was selected for the construction and deployment of the reef modules. The vessel MARANATHA II  conducted the deployment in a single day, creating a bustling underwater environment for marine species and a unique playground for SCUBA enthusiasts.

This deployment comes on the heels of the Coastal Resource Team deploying 38 prefabricated artificial reef modules earlier this month, enriching the already diverse marine habitats and promoting sustainable tourism. 

With another successful deployment under their belt, Fogg continues to dive into his 5-year artificial reef plan: “We are committed to expanding this program, transforming the local marine landscape, and benefiting our community both economically and ecologically.”

The coordinates for all of these artificial reefs are posted on Visit Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s website.