NEWS

Niceville Public Library celebrates 50 years of service

The Niceville Public Library is commemorating its 50th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its history of serving the community.

• The library first opened its doors on June 8, 1974, and has since played an essential role in fostering community, learning, and engagement for the residents of Niceville.

Sheila Bishop, who has been the director of the Niceville Public Library for over 40 years, expressed her gratitude and pride in being part of the library’s journey.

“I am so honored to be part of a wonderful team celebrating 50 years of library service to our community with a tradition of exceptional customer service and the unwavering support of our city leadership and devoted library patrons,” Bishop said. “It truly takes a village. Thank you, Niceville!”

To commemorate this significant milestone, the library will host a two-day celebration event on Friday, June 7th, and Saturday, June 8th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Niceville Public Library remains committed to serving the community and providing a space for learning, growth, and engagement as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

SCHOOL

Fort Walton Beach High School students win national video competition

Three students from Fort Walton Beach High School (FWBHS) have won the 2024 Teen PSA Contest Technical Category with their video “Poison.”

• Maverick Hendley, Michael Dixon, and Kiera Stover created the winning submission, which will be entered into the After-School Film Institute’s Film Festival in Miami in January 2025.

“This award is my first bit of recognition, and the experience I learned from making this video and being in this contest was my first step to true acknowledgment and experience in this industry,” said Hendley. “I wish now to learn more and get better.”

FWBHS Digital Video Instructor Ivan McMillin expressed his pride in the students’ achievement, stating, “Winning the National TEEN PSA Technical Video Award is a testament to the impact of our school’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. It not only showcases our student’s talent and commitment to film but also reflects the high standards and effectiveness of our CTE program.”

The KinderVision Foundation, a 501c-3 nonprofit organization established in 1991, sponsors the Teen PSA Program: Peer-to-Peer Prevention Education, which aims to empower children and teens through peer-to-peer education to prevent victimization.

Superintendent Marcus Chambers commended the students, their instructor, and the school community.

• “This achievement is a testament to the commitment and dedication of the students, their instructor, and the entire school community,” he said. “It’s a moment of pride for FWBHS and a reminder of the importance of nurturing young talent and providing them with avenues to excel.”

FWBHS has submitted entries for this competition since 2013 and has won State awards twice, but “Poison” is the first National award the school has received. The 2024 competition marks the first year the Technical Category has been included.

For more information about the Teen PSA program and to view the video “Poison,” visit https://teenpsa.org/.

POLITICS

Here’s a look at the candidates who have pre-filed for 2024 Okaloosa County elections

As of May 30th, several candidates have pre-filed to run in the 2024 Okaloosa County elections for various positions, including County Commissioner, School Board, and City Council seats in Crestview and Destin.

In the race for County Commissioner, District 1, Paul Mixon (incumbent) and De’Carlo Garcia have pre-filed. 

• The District 3 seat (currently filled by Nathan Boyles) has drawn five candidates so far: Andrew Rencich, Sherri Cox, Wade Merritt, Keri Pitzer, and Heath Rominger. 
• Drew Palmer and Mary Anne Windes have pre-filed for the District 5 seat (currently filled by Mel Ponder).

For the School Board, District 2, Dewey Parker Destin and David Schmidt have been heavy on the campaign trail. 

In Crestview, the City Council Group 1 race includes Shannon D Hayes and Frederick Butts, while Erik Register, April Rencich, and Brandon Kenneth Frost have pre-filed for the Group 2 seat.

The Destin City Council race has attracted five candidates: Mike Jones, John Stephens (incumbent), Kevin Schmidt (incumbent), Teresa Hebert (incumbent), and Rodney Braden.

The qualifying period for the 2024 election will run from noon on June 10 to noon on June 14, 2024. The Primary Election is scheduled for August 20, 2024, and the General Election will take place on November 5, 2024.

Residents are encouraged to visit GoVote Okaloosa for more information about the upcoming election and how to register to vote.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Fort Walton Beach woman found guilty of murdering 5-month-old son, sentenced to life in prison

A Fort Walton Beach woman was found guilty Wednesday of first-degree premeditated murder in the shooting death of her 5-month-old son and sentenced to life in prison.

• Maria Rodriguez-Barnes, 35, was convicted of killing her infant son, Jaxxon Rodriguez-Barnes, in the parking lot of The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island on March 25, 2020.

According to testimony, Rodriguez-Barnes drove her son to The Boardwalk parking lot on Okaloosa Island, the same location where her husband, Richard Barnes, had proposed to her, on the morning of the shooting. She then called Barnes and told him, “I’m sorry for what I’m about to do,” before ending the call.

• Moments later, Rodriguez-Barnes shot her son once in the chest as he sat strapped in the backseat of her truck. She then shot herself in the torso.

Prosecutors alleged that Rodriguez-Barnes killed her son in response to Barnes telling her that their relationship was over. Assistant State Attorney Michelle Sandler argued that the defendant shot her son as a way to get back at her husband.

• “She took the only thing from their relationship that was precious, that was the physical representation of their relationship,” Sandler said. “And because it was actually over, he said, ‘I’m done’. She decided to kill her son.”

Workers at The Boardwalk called 911 around 8:30 a.m. after seeing Rodriguez-Barnes outside her vehicle. Deputies found Jaxxon slumped over in the truck’s backseat with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A search of the truck revealed a 9mm handgun, shell casings, and handwritten notes, according to Assistant State Attorney Michelle Sandler. In one note addressed to her parents, Rodriguez-Barnes wrote, “I’m so sorry for taking Jaxxon with me. But this is my final and only option.”

In her closing argument, Sandler pointed to the handwritten notes, text messages, and the location of the shooting as evidence of premeditation.

• “There is no statement that shows premeditation more and shows planning more than that,” Sandler said. “I’m sorry for what I’m about to do.”

Defense attorney Jason McKinney acknowledged that Rodriguez-Barnes caused her son’s death but argued the state had not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that she made a conscious decision to kill at the time of the shooting.

“Whether or not this is first-degree premeditated murder really goes to the question of premeditation,” McKinney said. “And because that question arises, that is a doubt. That doubt is reasonable.”

In her rebuttal, Sandler said the evidence showed Rodriguez-Barnes “killing after consciously deciding to do so.”

• “That is a conscious decision to put a 5-month-old infant in the back of a truck, put a gun up to his side, and pull the trigger…,” she said.

The jury found Rodriguez-Barnes guilty as charged. Circuit Judge John T. Brown sentenced her to life in prison.

ICYMI

Top news from this week you might have missed

• CLOSED BEACH AREA: Following the recent announcement of increased patrols to enforce trespass violations on the Santa Rosa Island Closed Test Area, Eglin Air Force Base has now raised the fines for unauthorized entry into the restricted area. As of May 31, 2024, the minimum fine for a first-time trespassing offense has been increased from $65 to $250. Read the full story

• TRAUMA PATIENTS REUNITED: In a heartfelt celebration of life and resilience, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital held its first annual Trauma Survivors Day. The event brought together patients, healthcare professionals, and first responders who played pivotal roles in saving lives and facilitating recovery. Read the full story

• HOME AND GARDEN: Nestled in the heart of Shalimar, Florida, Wildwood Garden Shoppe & Nursery has blossomed into a captivating botanical destination under the nurturing care of owners Aaron and Amanda Rippert. The husband-and-wife team acquired the once run-down property in 2021, transforming it into a thriving family-owned boutique nursery, gift shop, and event venue. Read the full story

• EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: FAMU and NWFSC signed a 2+4 Articulation Agreement, allowing NWFSC students to seamlessly transition into FAMU’s PharmD program at the Durell Peaden Jr. Rural Pharmacy Education Campus, addressing housing challenges and providing new opportunities. Read the full story

• KILLER WHALES: A charter boat based in Destin, Florida, captured stunning video footage of a pod of orcas swimming in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday evening. The crew of the Charter Boat Lady Em spotted the killer whales heading south in the Desoto Canyon, a rare sighting in the area. Watch the video!

• LOCAL TEACHER HEADS TO OPEN: Jon Olson, a teacher at Ruckel Middle School and golf coach, has qualified for the 44th U.S. Senior Open Championship after a stellar performance at the qualifying event held on Thursday, May 30, at Wynlakes Golf & Country Club in Montgomery, Alabama. Read the full story

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THINGS TO DO

Krewe of Bowlegs prepares to unmask new Capt. Billy Bowlegs 69

The Krewe of Bowlegs in Fort Walton Beach is preparing to unmask the new Capt. Billy Bowlegs 69 (LXIX) this weekend during their annual Pageant and formal Ball, marking the 69th year of the organization.

• The event will also bid farewell to the outgoing 68th Krewe.

The Krewe of Bowlegs has a rich history dating back to 1955 when Nathan Fleet, a downtown Fort Walton Beach retail merchant, was chosen as the first Captain Billy Bowlegs. Fleet reigned over the Festival and led the pirate “raids,” sparking enthusiasm throughout the Fort Walton Beach business community.

• The original 1957 Bowlegs Festival souvenir program lists the original Krewe membership as 75 men.

The recent Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival Weekend, held in May, was a resounding success despite some initial weather challenges.

“The weekend did start out with some bad weather, but it opened up around one o’clock and was perfect,” said Capt. Billy Bowlegs 69. “The rest of the day we had a huge turnout. The crowd really showed up in support Saturday. Monday night’s parade had more people than I’ve seen in years come out.”

This weekend, the Krewe will host a Coronation Pageant at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College, where the new Capt. Billy Bowlegs 69, along with his Queen, First Mate, Mistress, ten Honor Guard couples, and Children of the Court, will be unmasked. Following the pageant, a private formal Ball will be held for Krewe members and honored guests.

Capt. Billy Bowlegs 69, who has been a member of the Krewe for a while, expressed excitement for the upcoming year.

• “We’re still working on a lot of the plan for my year, but we’re looking forward to an exciting year in our community,” he said. “I have a lot of past experience that I’ll be able to pull from to make sure that all of our events – local and out of town events – that we represent Fort Walton Beach well.”

The Krewe of Bowlegs has a long-standing tradition of engaging with the community, often visiting schools for book readings and attending FWB Chamber events.

“Who doesn’t like Pirates, right? Again, we’ve been doing this for a long time. 69 years,” noted Capt. Billy Bowlegs 69. “We go to a lot of the local schools. We do a lot of book readings with the children and that just keeps the piracy alive here in our community.”