TRAVEL

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport joins fight against Human Trafficking with new awareness campaign

On Thursday, June 8, 2023, the Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women (OCCSW) and the OCSW Foundation came together at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport to shed light on the issue of human trafficking and to introduce their latest prevention efforts. 

• The OCCSW representatives—Mitzi Henley, Trisha Graham, Christie Pratt, and Kelley Fuller—were present at the morning presentation.

The focal point of the event was the presentation of 70 Human Trafficking “Awareness and Help” decals to Airport Director Tracy Stage and Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel. The decals are set to be placed on the back of bathroom stall doors throughout the airport, with the aim of raising awareness about this grave societal issue, especially concerning women and children. 

In November 2021, the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners supported an effort to raise awareness to end human trafficking in our area with a proclamation that supported educating the public on spotting the warning signs of human trafficking and reporting it to the authorities.

• The Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women led a series of meetings with stakeholders from various Okaloosa County women’s organizations and subject matter experts, including the Executive Director of the Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking to discuss ways to fight human trafficking locally.

At that time, Florida ranked third in the nation in the number of calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Industries commonly targeted by human traffickers are located in Okaloosa County as well as along Interstate 10, which has been used as a corridor for human trafficking.

The new decals at the airport provide crucial information for those who encounter someone in need of assistance and serve as a reminder that human trafficking, involving forced labor, sexual slavery, or commercial exploitation, is something we all must continue to battle.

Tracy Stage, the airport director, expressed his gratitude towards Mitzi Henley, who initially brought the issue of human trafficking to Commissioner Ketchel’s attention. Stage emphasized the importance of addressing human trafficking in Okaloosa County, stating, “We are proud to support the OCCSW and the effort to combat human trafficking.” 

• The decals, he explained, would be placed on every stall door in every restroom throughout the airport’s concourses. Stage commended Commissioner Ketchel for spearheading the initiative and collaborating with Mitzi Henley and the OCCSW in designing the stickers, underscoring the airport’s pride in supporting this crucial effort.

Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel highlighted Mitzi Henley’s leadership in tackling this critical policy issue during her tenure as the head of the Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women. Ketchel emphasized the significance of combating human trafficking, which predominantly affects women and children, while also acknowledging its impact on men. 

She mentioned that all involved parties had undergone training to recognize and respond to human trafficking situations, becoming certified in the state of Florida. 

The decision to use decals and place them on restroom doors across the airport was a joint effort between Henley, Ketchel, and Stage. Additionally, the airport broadcasts regular announcements, ensuring that visitors are informed about the appropriate numbers to call for assistance. 

• “The hope is that we will be able to help at least one person, if not many people,” added Ketchel.

Mitzi Henley expressed her gratitude to everyone who supported the OCCSW’s efforts in combating human trafficking, highlighting the example set by the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport and hoping that the decals would extend throughout the entire county.

The OCCSW and the OCSW Foundation are encouraging local businesses and community members to purchase these decals to support the initiative. The decals are available through the OCSW, and interested individuals can visit FloridaAllianceEndHT.com to educate their families or email theocsw@gmail.com to acquire the decals. 

• “The OCCSW would like to extend their appreciation to local businesses that have donated to facilitate the design and production of these decals, contributing to the fight against human trafficking in Okaloosa County,” added Henley.

FROM THE STATE

Congressman Matt Gaetz to present Legislative Update tonight

Congressman Matt Gaetz will be at Scott’s Outdoors in Jay, Florida, on Friday, June 9th, from 5:30 PM – 7:00 pm, where he will be giving updates on what’s happening in Washington, D.C. and in Florida’s First Congressional District. 

• Scott’s Outdoors is located at 3898 Highway 4, Jay, FL 32565

If you have any questions about this event, please contact his office at (850) 479-1183, or reach out to Jenna.Hasz@mail.house.gov.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Fort Walton Beach Police Department warns residents of new scam

Local authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant as a phone scammer, going by the name of Brian Ortega, has been targeting citizens in the area.

• The scammer claims to be affiliated with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and employs a spoof account number, disguising it as the legitimate Fort Walton Beach Police dispatch number (850-833-9546).

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department issued a warning about this fraudulent activity, stating that the scam involves demanding money from unsuspecting victims or threatening arrest if payment is not made.

“Please be aware law enforcement will never contact you by phone and request that you pay any amount of money,” wrote the Fort Walton Beach Police Department in a press release.

The FWBPD emphasized that if residents suspect they are being targeted by a scammer, the best course of action is to immediately end the call and contact their local law enforcement agency.

PARKS+REC

Crestview’s Twin Hills Park celebrates grand opening of 6 new pickleball courts

On Saturday, June 3, 2023, the City of Crestview celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated sports facility at Twin Hills Park, which now features new basketball and tennis courts, along with 6 new pickleball courts. 

• The project, spearheaded by Chuck Powell, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, aimed to address the deteriorating condition of the courts and meet the growing demand for pickleball in the community.

Powell, who has been with the city for over three decades, explained the need for the renovation: “The courts had gotten into bad shape. Our maintenance crews with the city tried to maintain them as best as we could, but then it got to the point that we needed to do something.” 

• In 2020-21, he included the renovation of the courts at Twin Hills Park into his budget proposal.

Initially, the plan was to renovate one full-size basketball court, a tennis court, and add two pickleball courts where the previous tennis courts were located. However, the popularity of pickleball prompted a change in the project scope. Powell elaborated, “Once we got started on the project, a friend of mine that’s really active in the pickleball community came to me and said he thinks we have room to put more than just two courts out there.

Taking advantage of the available space, the team measured and adjusted the layout to accommodate six regulation-size pickleball courts, which he says is large enough to host tournaments. The renovations included the installation of new fencing and the complete refurbishment of all the courts. 

• “We had our ribbon cutting on Saturday and there was a great turnout,” he added. “There were people there playing on three of the courts as well as people learning and playing pickleball for the first time.”

Crestview has seen a growing pickleball community, with the first two courts being constructed at Blackwater Golf Course in late 2021, early 2022. Powell says since opening the new courts at Twin Hills Park, there have been people out there playing pickleball every day.

In terms of the cost and duration of the project, Powell said that they remained under budget, with a total cost of $41,000. The renovation work took approximately five months, starting in January and finishing up in May.

Reflecting on the completed project, Powell says he is very pleased with the final result.

“People were going out to this court before we renovated it and playing pickleball on the old tennis court. I knew we were doing the right thing because I was seeing people out there playing, even before we even started.”

The revamped sports facility at Twin Hills Park provides Crestview residents with improved basketball and tennis courts, as well as a robust offering for the growing pickleball community. With the addition of six regulation-size pickleball courts, the park now has the capacity to host tournaments and cater to players of all skill levels. 

The park is open from 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily, and there are lights. It is located at 100 Hathaway St S, Crestview, FL 32539

COMING SOON

Shalimar Pointe Golf Club reopening after extensive $1.7 million renovation project

The highly-anticipated reopening of the Shalimar Pointe Golf Club is just around the corner, following an extensive $1.7 million renovation project that spanned over a year. The club is set to reopen to the public on Father’s Day weekend, June 16th. 

• Tee times can be booked in advance starting June 9th through the club’s website at www.shalimarpointe.com or by calling 850-651-1416.

The Finger-Dye designed 18-hole, 6,765-yard, par 72 course now features brand new TifEagle Bermuda greens. The renovation also included upgrading the irrigation system, revamping the bunkers with fresh sand, restoring cart paths for smoother navigation, and adding tee boxes to accommodate varying levels of expertise.

A new fleet of golf carts is now available along with new Callaway rental clubs. Additionally, Shalimar Pointe Golf Club has launched a membership program with no initiation fee.

Jacob Hill, the General Manager and Head Professional of Shalimar Pointe Golf Club, expressed his excitement about the renovation and its positive impact on the course.

• “This renovation has been an extensive process. It’s fantastic seeing the results of this renovation come to fruition with incredible greens and great turf conditions,” he said. “I believe we’ve taken the first step toward making Shalimar Pointe Golf Club one of the top courses in the panhandle. Club members and the golfing public have eagerly anticipated this re-opening and will be very pleased with the great golf experience when they play Shalimar Pointe.”

Dr. Barbara Palmgren, a board member for the Preserve Shalimar Pointe, LLC, shed light on the necessity of the renovation. “It was an old course, and we were having irrigation issues. So when you come back to play Shalimar Pointe, you’re going to see a beautiful green course,” she explained.

Palmgren further highlighted some of the remarkable features added during the renovation. “We put in some brand new bunkers that are beautifully shaped. Not that you want to get into them when you play the game, but sometimes you do,” she laughed. Additionally, the removal of certain trees has improved the overall aesthetics and playability of the course, creating a more open and enjoyable experience for golfers.

The reopening of Shalimar Pointe Golf Club holds great significance for the community, as expressed by Palmgren. “We’re so excited. We are absolutely thrilled. We’ve been waiting for so long and we have missed our golf course. To be able to actually get back out there and hit a golf ball down the fairway and to land on a green, it’s just a wonderful feeling,” she shared. 

In addition to welcoming members back, Shalimar Pointe is eager to invite the public to experience the renovated course. The club prides itself on its welcoming atmosphere, and the fact that golfers of all ages and skill levels can enjoy the challenging layout.

As part of the reopening, Shalimar Pointe has unveiled new rates for daily play and memberships. Daily rates, which include 18 holes with a cart, are:

• $69 plus tax before noon
• $59 plus tax after noon
• $39 plus tax for twilight play (after 2:30 PM)
• $45 plus tax for 9-hole play

For more information and to book tee times, visit www.shalimarpointe.com or call 850-651-1416.