MILITARY

Residents may experience night time aircraft noise

Residents may experience aircraft noise June 20 – 22 and June 26 – 29 when the 58th Fighter Squadron conducts night flying operations in the area.

Each day F-35 fighter aircraft will conduct missions between 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., according to Eglin Air Force Base.

• Night flying is required for training operations.

BEACH

FWC: Black bear’s Gulf swim near Destin, Florida not as ‘unusual’ as it seems

A surprising sight captivated beachgoers on Sunday as a black bear took an unexpected swim in the Gulf of Mexico near the Silver Dunes condominium. Several witnesses managed to capture the rare moment on video, which quickly went viral. 

• As questions arose about the bear’s presence in the Gulf, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) shed light on the situation.

In the footage, the small bear can be seen swimming through the Gulf waters before eventually making its way to shore, emerging unharmed. The bear drew a crowd as it swiftly maneuvered past beach chairs and headed towards the protective dunes.

Many were left wondering why a bear would venture into the Gulf in the first place. FWC addressed this curiosity, explaining that while it is rare to witness a bear swimming near a busy beach, black bears are actually adept swimmers.

• “It actually isn’t unusual to hear of black bears swimming in the Gulf, on their way to barrier islands in search of food (will swim for food!),” wrote FWC.

The agency added that at this time of year, young bears between the ages of 1 ½ and 2 ½ are dispersing from their mothers’ territories, sometimes ending up in unexpected locations like a city park or a crowded beach.

The FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline, reachable at 888-404-FWCC (3922), emphasized the importance of giving bears plenty of space and avoiding any attempts to approach or feed them. In most cases, the bears will move along on their own.

While the video footage provided a fascinating glimpse into the bear’s aquatic adventure, it also highlighted the need to respect wildlife and maintain a safe distance. 

FWC encourages anyone who feels threatened by a bear, encounters a sick or injured bear, discovers a deceased or orphaned bear, or witnesses someone harming or intentionally feeding bears to contact their Wildlife Alert Hotline.

MILITARY

DeSantis awards more than $1.4 Million to support Northwest Florida military communities

On Monday, June 12, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis announced more than $6.1 million in awards to military communities through the Defense Infrastructure Grant Program, the Defense Reinvestment Grant Program, and the Florida Defense Support Task Force Grant Program. 

• These programs provide grants to military communities to support infrastructure projects, economic diversification efforts, and military community relations.
• More than $1.4 million is being spread across Northwest Florida.

“I am proud to continue making investments that strengthen Florida’s military communities and support our military families,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “With these grant awards, we are upholding our commitments to military and veteran families and supporting the critical missions of our state’s military installations.”

The Defense Infrastructure Grant Program supports local infrastructure projects deemed to have an impact on the military value of installations within the state. Projects funded under this program include transportation, utilities, housing, security and projects that protect military installations from encroachment. 

• Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners received $500,000 to facilitate a Joint Land Use Acquisition to protect Naval Air Station Whiting Field and its outlying fields from incompatible land use encroachment, enabling the base to continue its current operations and expand its military operations in the future.

The Defense Reinvestment Grant Program supports community-based activities that protect existing military installations. These grants are awarded to economic development organizations that represent a local government with a military installation that could be adversely affected by federal actions. 

• Bay Defense Alliance ($70,800) – to aid in continued Hurricane Michael rebuilding efforts, assisting Tyndall Air Force Base and Naval Support Activity Panama City with community support and partnerships as the base implements new aircraft programs.
• One Okaloosa Economic Development Council ($125,000) – to create plans, presentations, and analyses relating to tri-county military priorities, industry diversification and retention, produce entrepreneur start-up videos, the identification of specific skills and competency needs, as well as Tri-County Community Partnership Initiatives.
• Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners ($125,000) – to maintain and improve relationships between military installations and the community, improve total county impact and direct defense spending, and assist with identifying grant opportunities.

The Florida Defense Support Task Force (Task Force) was created in 2011 with the mission to make recommendations to preserve and protect military installations, support the state’s position in research and development related to military missions and contracting, and improve the state’s military-friendly environment for service members, military families, veterans, and businesses that bring military and defense-related jobs to the state. 

• Emerald Coast Regional Council ($182,600) – to build upon partnership agreements among the military installations in the Emerald Coast region and their surrounding communities to allow military installations to partner with local and state governments and provide a wide variety of services.
• University of West Florida ($460,000) – to develop, field, and verify the prototype system and control network on the Avon Park Air Force Range to show proof of concept for the Beta Test of the Florida Advanced Training Range.

GIVING BACK

‘Sip and Splash’ event raises $84,000 for Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation

The Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation recently held their Second Annual Sip and Splash: An Aquatic Affair event and raised $84,000.

The charity event, sponsored by Tim Smith Acura, took place on Saturday, May 20 at the Taj Renee Community Aquatic Center, located at 4345 Commons Drive West in Destin. For the second year, the pool facility, which usually hosts swim lessons and swim meets, was transformed into an elegant event space.

Over 250 guests were greeted upon arrival with complimentary valet and a glass of prosecco before entering the event. The evening kicked off with a cocktail hour featuring hand rolled sushi by Camille’s at Crystal Beach’s Yoshie Eddings, live music, and a live painting by Maxine Orange.

• Attendees also had the opportunity to explore the extensive silent auction and make their bids on a plethora of items including vacations in Colorado, Idaho, Alabama, and Okaloosa Island, along with jewelry, gift cards, gift baskets, artwork and much more.

All funds raised through ticket sales, sponsorship, and the silent auction go directly back to the foundation to help fund the operation costs, upgrade equipment, and provide resources for the numerous aquatic programs at the three community pools they manage. This includes the:

• Taj Renee Community Aquatic Center in Destin
• Bernie R. Lefebvre Aquatic Center in Fort Walton Beach
• ROC Pool in Crestview

Following cocktail hour, patrons enjoyed an intimate five-course dinner prepared and served by local chefs and restaurants. The lineup of culinary talent this year included:

• Chef Christopher Holbrook of Signature Catering of 30A
• Chef William Sutterfield of Austons on 98
• Chef Mikey Smart of Cabana Café
• Chef Jim Shirah of Dewey Destin’s Harborside
• Chef Richard McCord of Marrow Private Chefs 

Pazzo Italiano and Chef Alfonso Dibonito were also on site with their mobile pizza oven firing fresh, personal pizzas and serving them to each table throughout the evening. Each of the chef’s unique courses was perfectly paired with craft cocktails.

In between courses, the Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation honored some of their own members by inducting them into the Okaloosa County Swim and Dive Hall of Fame, an organization formed to recognize excellence by local coaches, athletes, and volunteers. The 2023 inductees included Pam Braseth, Jack and Blondie Lippert, Tonya Rasor Nacimento, Ross Spock, and Len Strom. 

“We are thrilled that our second annual event received the same support as the first one. We are looking forward to planning for next year and making it grow even more,” said Kathi Heapy, co-founder of ECFF. “It is wonderful that the aquatics community is gaining connections to our overall communities. The future is bright and opportunities for growth and improvement are increasing as leaders see the value of aquatics to our community.” 

TRAFFIC

$9.2 million construction project underway for two intersections on Racetrack Road in Fort Walton Beach

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has embarked on a $9.2 million construction project to enhance the Mar Walt Drive and Denton Boulevard Intersections on Racetrack Road. 

• These improvements, which began June 5, 2023, are aimed at improving traffic flow and safety at these key intersections in Fort Walton Beach, according to FDOT.

At the Mar Walt Drive intersection, several changes are in the works to enhance efficiency and safety. The first improvement begins westbound on Racetrack Road. A right turn lane will be added from Racetrack Road, turning north onto Mar Walt Drive.

• The second improvement will eliminate the existing median opening located just east of the Mar Walt Drive Intersection. Traffic moving eastbound will advance through the Mar Walt Drive Intersection and can return westbound by making a U-turn at Richpien Road.
• The third improvement is a dedicated opening for westbound traffic that will be added on Racetrack Road, east of the intersection. This will allow westbound traffic to make a left turn into the Winrock Plaza.

The Denton Boulevard intersection will also undergo enhancements as part of these projects. Right-turn lanes will be added in all four directions, as well as adjusting the left-turn lanes to provide better sight distance for motorists turning left from Racetrack Road onto Denton Boulevard. 

Along with the roadway improvements, the projects also include signal replacements, minor drainage enhancements, and upgrades to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The construction for these enhancements will span approximately 0.246 miles along Racetrack Road with a timeline of 300 days. Motorists are advised to exercise caution and adhere to any temporary traffic diversions or speed limit adjustments implemented during the construction period.

Click here to see a video explanation of the project along with graphics of the final plan.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Crestview Police Officers’ patriotic act captured on video as they rescue fallen American flag

Following a strong storm that blew through the Crestview area on Monday evening, a few law enforcement officers noticed that the American Flag at the Okaloosa County Courthouse had fallen to the ground.

• The Crestview Police Department Officers were Jonathan Sprague, Tyler Culbertson, and Benjamin Gross.

According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, video captured the Officers carefully removing the flag and folding it perfectly before taking it to the safety of the Police Station. They had no idea that video was capturing them as they performed this patriotic act.

“Always do the right thing, even when no one is watching,” wrote the OCSO. “Thanks to each of you for your service and we send our utmost respect from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office!”