TRAVEL

900 teenagers from Texas play an epic quidditch-inspired game in Fort Walton Beach

On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, approximately 900 teenagers clad in vibrant t-shirts arrived at a City of Fort Walton Beach recreation field to compete in a game that combined elements of ultimate frisbee and quidditch, played on inflatable hopper balls. 

• These teenagers, from grades 7th through 12th, were accompanied by around 200 adult volunteer chaperones. They all belonged to a youth group visiting from Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas.

According to the City of Fort Walton Beach, Prestonwood Church has been organizing its annual “Beach Camp” in the area for the past five years. 

This highly anticipated event provides an opportunity for the youth to enjoy our area’s stunning beaches, engage in fellowship and bible study within smaller groups, and attend services at the First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach. 

• The week-long excursion will conclude on Friday when the group embarks on their journey back home, utilizing more than 20 charter coach buses.

Talking about their time in Fort Walton Beach, Nextgen Pastor Jason Mick from Prestonwood Church expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome they received. “The beaches are beautiful; the people are friendly; everyone we’ve worked with has been so gracious,” Mick shared. “We always feel welcome here.”

Click here to see pictures and video

TRAFFIC

Crews begin constructing temporary work trestles for the Brooks Bridge Replacement Project

Construction crews have begun constructing the temporary work trestles for the Brooks Bridge Replacement Project over the Santa Rosa Sound in Fort Walton Beach.

First reported in early May, these work trestles will be used as temporary platforms to support cranes and materials during the construction of both new bridge structures. Extending from each shoreline to the new center piers, these trestles provide an alternative to crane-mounted barges, eliminating the need for environmentally harmful dredging.

• To construct a strong foundation for the work trestle, steel piles are driven into the ground with the “vibratory hammer” shown in this photo, according to FDOT. 

Next, crews will construct the work trestle bridge platform. According to FDOT, the temporary trestle will provide access for cranes and heavy equipment to reconstruct the bridge without the use of barges.

Throughout the construction period, the current Brooks Bridge will maintain its four lanes (two eastbound and two westbound) to ensure smooth traffic flow. The $171-million replacement project aims to increase the capacity of the bridge by constructing two new, parallel bridges, totaling six travel lanes. 

• This marks a significant expansion from the current four-lane bridge, which has been serving the community since its opening in 1966.

FDOT estimates that the Brooks Bridge replacement project will reach completion by summer 2027, bringing increased capacity and improved infrastructure to the region while minimizing environmental impact.

A MESSAGE FROM FLEET, SMITH & FREEMAN

Top 10 title defects to watch out for in Florida

Attorney Michelle Freeman, of Fleet, Smith & Freeman in Shalimar, Florida, sheds light on 10 common title defects that can pose challenges for property buyers in the state of Florida. These defects can lead to complications during property transactions and require additional steps to resolve. The top 10 defects include:

1. Unsatisfied mortgages or unreleased liens: Mortgages not properly recorded can cause problems during bank mergers or mortgage transfers.
2. Outstanding liens or unknown encumbrances: Unresolved liens, such as mechanic’s liens, require locating contractors to sign necessary documents.
3. Errors in prior deeds: Incorrect legal descriptions are a common error, necessitating quiet title actions to clarify ownership interests.
4. Restrictive covenants: Certain associations may have restrictions on property use, which must be addressed for a clear title transfer.
5. Outstanding real estate taxes: Unpaid taxes can result in the sale of the property, causing issues for the rightful owner.
6. Errors in the public record: Divorce decrees may incorrectly describe property allocations, requiring cooperation from both parties to rectify.
7. Illegal or “wild” deeds: Improperly transferred deeds due to errors in legal descriptions or lot numbers may require quiet title actions.
8. Missing heirs: Identifying and locating heirs becomes crucial when a property owner passes away.
9. Forgeries or fraudulent transfers: Elderly property owners may fall victim to fraudulent transfers, requiring extensive efforts to reclaim ownership.
10. Boundary or survey disputes: Discrepancies in property boundaries or surveys need to be resolved through communication or agreements with neighbors.

Freeman emphasizes the importance of working with a law firm during closing transactions to handle these issues efficiently. For more information on title defects and assistance, readers can contact Fleet, Smith & Freeman at 850-651-4006 or visit their website at https://www.fleetsmithlaw.com.

To read the full article and explore each topic in depth, click here.

POLITICS

Okaloosa School Board Member Tim Bryant selected as President-Elect of Florida School Boards Association

Okaloosa County School Board Member Tim Bryant has been elected as President-Elect for the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) for the 2023-2024 term. The FSBA, a nonprofit corporation representing elected school boards in Florida, has been advocating for education in the state since 1930. 

• As President-Elect, Bryant will play a crucial role in advancing the organization’s mission of increasing student achievement through effective school board leadership and advocacy for public education.

Bryant’s journey towards this leadership position began when he attended the “new school board member training” organized by the FSBA, where he learned about the roles, responsibilities, and opportunities for leadership within the association. His involvement grew further as he was appointed as the legislative liaison for the FSBA, representing Okaloosa County. 

• Bryant has been serving in this capacity for the past five years, and he expressed his enjoyment of the leadership aspect, particularly as he represents his county and receives support from his fellow board members.

One significant aspect of Bryant’s role within the FSBA involves traveling throughout the state. He frequently travels to Tampa, Orlando, Gainesville, Crystal River, and Fort Myers on FSBA business. Bryant says this exposure allows him to network and build connections with other school board members across the state.

“With the Sunshine laws, I can’t freely talk to my fellow board members about items we’re possibly gonna vote on,” Bryant explained. “With this organization, I have built up a network of school board members who I can reach out to and talk about certain situations and how their board might have handled it. So it gives me an opportunity to network with other board members and brainstorm.”

Bryant’s journey to becoming President-Elect involved a rigorous process. Initially, he submitted his name for an open Treasurer position, which led to his initial appointment to the executive committee. In February of this year, he put his name forward for the positions of Vice President and President-Elect. The nominating committee, comprising school board members from across the state, interviewed Bryant, eventually recommending him for the President-Elect role. His appointment as President-Elect was unanimous.

As President-Elect, Bryant’s role will primarily involve supporting the current president. He will act as a stand-in when necessary and attend committee meetings and other functions. 

Superintendent Marcus Chambers commended Bryant’s interaction with other school board members and superintendents, noting his high level of respect within the educational community. 

• “When you watch Mr. Bryant interact with other school board members and other superintendents, he’s very well respected,” said Chambers during a board meeting. “When people would congratulate him, he would send those congratulations to Okaloosa and to his colleagues here on the school board. I think that’s a testament to the type of person he is and the leader that he is.”

Bryant will become the second person from Okaloosa County to lead the FSBA. Barbara Moore, a former Okaloosa County School Board member, served as the FSBA president in 1986.

Looking ahead, Bryant expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming school year in Okaloosa County, citing the positive initiatives presented by Superintendent Chambers and his staff. 

“I’m so excited for our school district. We have so many good things going on, and I’m just excited to continue what Mr. Chambers and his staff have presented to us,” he added. “I’m really looking forward to a great school year. I’m also looking forward to the opportunity of, once again, being able to advocate for all of us on the board through the Florida School Board Association.”

COASTAL RESOURCES

Loggerhead Sea Turtle surprises Okaloosa County with rare daytime nesting on beach

On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, an uncommon event unfolded on an Okaloosa County beach as a loggerhead sea turtle emerged from the Gulf of Mexico to nest during the morning daylight hours. 

• The rare occurrence was witnessed by a member of the Coastal Resource Team, who was already on the beach conducting routine surveys for sea turtle nests in the area.

“I was surveying on Okaloosa Island when I got a call from a member of our Parks Department,” explained Jessica Valek, Okaloosa Coastal Resource Coordinator. “They were in a section of beach that had already been surveyed this morning when this sea turtle came up onto that section of the beach. We all went back to that location. She was on the beach for roughly an hour, dug a hole, and laid her eggs. Once she finished, she quickly returned to the water.”

This daytime nesting behavior is considered rare, as sea turtles typically choose the cover of darkness to reduce the chances of disturbance. Valek confirmed this, saying, “Sea turtles typically nest in the middle of the night when there is less chance of disturbance. However, this sea turtle came up as the sun was rising.”

The Coastal Resource Team, along with other permitted personnel, swiftly marked off the nest with stakes, flagging tape, and a sea turtle nest sign. They will diligently monitor the nest every day, looking for signs of potential threats such as predators (mainly ghost crabs) or submersion due to waves.

When the nest eventually hatches, Valek will evaluate its success rate by carefully examining the number of eggs that hatched. This analysis helps determine if any factors affected the hatchling’s survival.

• “After every nest hatches, we’ll evaluate the nest, pull all the eggs up, and count how many eggs were in the nest and how many hatched,” explained Valek. “If a lower percentage hatches, we’re able to infer why that nest may not have been so successful.”

To ensure the protection of nesting sea turtles and their offspring, Valek says that anyone who comes across a nesting sea turtle or a turtle on the beach, should keep a safe, respectful distance of at least 50 feet. You should also refrain from using any sort of flash photography and be quiet, as sea turtles are spooked very easily..

• In case of a sea turtle sighting or any concerns, individuals are encouraged to call the FWC Wildlife Hotline at 1-888-404-3922 for assistance.
• It’s worth noting that touching or handling a sea turtle is also illegal.

So far this sea turtle nesting season, Okaloosa County has seen two nests within the survey area monitored by the Coastal Resource Team. This monitoring and survey work is permitted through the Marine Turtle Program by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission under MTP-23-033. This kind of work can only be conducted by permitted and authorized personnel.

Expressing enthusiasm about the early success of the season, Valek shared, “It’s only the first half of June, and we already have two nests. We have a lot of nesting time left to go, so we’re hoping for a good amount more before we get too late into the season. The first half of the season is the nesting portion, while the second half focuses on hatching. We’re hoping to see nests being laid all the way up until August.”

• For those interested in learning more about sea turtles and contributing to their conservation, the Gulfarium CARE Center on Okaloosa Island hosts weekly Turtle Talk events called “C.A.R.E.ing for Turtles” every Wednesday. These talks provide valuable information on sea turtles and how the community can support their well-being.

As sea turtle nesting season continues from May 1st to October 31st, it’s crucial for residents and visitors alike to be mindful of these sea creatures, giving them the space they need to carry out their natural nesting behaviors. By taking simple steps like using turtle-friendly flashlights and avoiding white lights on the beach at night, everyone can contribute to the preservation of sea turtles and the thriving ecosystem they inhabit.

You can get a FREE turtle-friendly red flashlight by visiting the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Welcome Center on Okaloosa Island.

Click here to see pics and video from yesterday