WEATHER

Heat advisory issued for Okaloosa County

A heat advisory will be in effect Monday, June 24, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for portions of Northwest Florida, as the heat index is expected to reach 108-110 degrees.

The National Weather Service warns that prolonged exposure to these conditions can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses.

• Residents are advised to take precautions, including drinking plenty of fluids, staying in air-conditioned spaces, avoiding direct sun exposure, and checking on relatives and neighbors.

“Heat index values in the 105°-115° range are possible Monday,” said Okaloosa Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox. “Air temps plus excessive humidity will elevate the ‘feels-like’ temps into that range.”

Maddox emphasized the importance of safety measures for those who must be outdoors. “If working or recreating outdoors, take appropriate rest periods, dress for the weather and hydrate,” he advised. He also urged residents to familiarize themselves with the symptoms of heat illness to recognize it in themselves and others.

While the heat is the primary concern, Maddox noted that pop-up thunderstorms are possible throughout the week. “Some may get strong and loud, but widespread severe weather is not expected at this time,” he said.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed about weather conditions and follow safety guidelines to protect themselves from the extreme heat.

FROM THE STATE

Governor DeSantis appoints Superintendent Marcus Chambers to FHSAA Board of Directors

Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Marcus Chambers, Okaloosa County’s superintendent of schools, to the Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors, the governor’s office announced today.

Chambers, who has over 26 years of experience in education, expressed gratitude for the appointment.

“I personally want to thank Governor Ron DeSantis for appointing me to the Florida High School Athletic Association Board of Directors,” Chambers said.

Reflecting on his relationship with sports, Chambers added, “Throughout my youth and now as an adult, sports have been an integral part of my life. Growing up, I spent countless hours playing various sports, which taught me the values of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. These experiences have profoundly shaped who I am today.”

Chambers currently serves as chairman of the Florida School Labor Relations Service Board of Directors. He is also a member of several educational organizations, including the Florida Association of District School Superintendents and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

• The appointment comes shortly after Chambers secured another four-year term as superintendent, running unopposed in the upcoming election.

Throughout his career, Chambers has received several accolades, including the First Year Teacher of the Year Award for Ruckel Middle School in 1999, the Okaloosa County Reading Leader of the Year Award in 2010, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Achievement Award in 2013.

“As an adult, I have had the privilege of coaching numerous students, witnessing firsthand the positive impact sports can have on young lives,” Chambers said. “It is a tremendous honor to continue this journey where I can contribute to fostering a vibrant and inclusive sports environment for Florida’s high school athletes.”

The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

GIVING BACK

Free food distribution planned at Old Spanish Trail Amphitheater in Crestview

The City of Crestview has joined forces with Destin Harvest, Feeding the Gulf Coast, and The Property Group 850 to organize a food giveaway event at the Old Spanish Trail Amphitheater.

Scheduled for Saturday, July 6, at 8:30 a.m., the event will feature an 18-wheeler semi-truck filled with a variety of food items, including produce, meat, non-perishables, and baked goods. Volunteers will distribute these items to participants who arrive in vehicles.

• The food distribution will take place at 205 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview, FL 32539, and will continue until all the food has been given out.

City officials encourage residents who know individuals who could benefit from receiving free food to inform them about the event.

The food giveaway is a collaborative effort aimed at supporting community members in need.

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TRAFFIC

Okaloosa and Walton Counties Traffic Advisory

Okaloosa County:

• Brooks Bridge Replacement Project – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Sunday, June 23 through Thursday, June 27 between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for utility work and construction activities:
  • U.S. 98 alternating lane closures between Ferry Road and Pier Road.
  • Santa Rosa Boulevard alternating lane closures from east of Amberjack Drive to Ross Marler Park.

• Mid-Bay Bridge Rehabilitation Project – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on the Mid-Bay Bridge, Sunday, June 23 through Thursday, June 27 from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. for construction activities.

• State Road (S.R.) 85 Improvements from S.R. 123 to Hospital Drive – Drivers may encounter intermittent S.R. 85 lane closures, between Interstate 10 (I-10) and Hospital Drive, Sunday, June 23 through Thursday, June 27 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for signalization work.

• Mary Esther Boulevard (S.R. 393) Resurfacing from U.S. 98 to Beal Parkway (S.R. 189) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Mary Esther Boulevard, for concrete work and milling and paving operations at the following locations and times:
  • Sunday, June 23 through Thursday, June 27, from U.S. 98 to Hollywood Boulevard, between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
  • Sunday, June 23 through Saturday, June 29, from Hollywood Boulevard to Beal Parkway, between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.

• S.R. 85 Resurfacing from north of Commerce Drive to Bill Lundy Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent S.R. 85 single-lane closures for crews to place thermoplastic striping between:
  • Airport Road and Butler Road, Monday, June 24 through Friday, June 28 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Commerce Drive and Butler Road, Sunday, June 23 through Thursday, June 27 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
  • Butler Road and Bill Lundy Road, Sunday, June 23 through Saturday, June 29 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from Josie Road to Florida Place Southeast – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 98 lane closures, between Josie Road in Mary Esther and Florida Place Southeast in Fort Walton Beach, Sunday, June 23 through Thursday, June 27 between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for concrete work and milling and paving operations.

• I-10 Resurfacing from west of Yellow River to east of Shoal River – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures between mile markers 50 and 58, beginning at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 23 through 6 a.m. Friday, June 28. Construction crews will be paving and replacing the guardrail along the interstate.

• U.S. 98 Routine Underground Utility Maintenance from Calhoun Avenue to Henderson Beach Road in Destin – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, June 24 through Friday, Aug. 30 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. install conduit and fiber underground.

Walton County:

• U.S. 98 Widening from Mack Bayou Road to County Road (C.R.) 30A – Drivers may encounter intermittent, temporary single-lane closures on U.S. 98 near the C.R. 30A intersection, Sunday, June 23 through Thursday, June 27, between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. for crews to place thermoplastic striping.

FROM THE STATE

Okaloosa County secures $13.3 million in state budget for local projects

Okaloosa County is set to receive $13,345,517 in state funding for various local projects, as part of Florida’s newly signed $116.5 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.

The largest allocation, $8,570,517, will go towards remodeling the First Responder & Public Safety Training Center at Northwest Florida State College. This renovation will significantly enhance training facilities for state and local first responders in the region.

• The project includes upgrades to classrooms, tactical training rooms, emergency medical simulation spaces, and search and rescue practice areas, allowing for more realistic training scenarios.

Okaloosa County will receive $1,500,000 for stormwater improvements in the Lloyd Street and Mayflower area of Fort Walton Beach. The project aims to address issues with aged stormwater infrastructure and an ineffective outfall. It will increase stormwater capacity and install a hydrodynamic separator to improve water quality discharging into Cinco Bayou.

The City of Destin secured $1,000,000 for the Four Prong Lake Emergency Outfall Project. This crucial funding will help prevent flooding in private residences near the lake, which has no natural outlet for stormwater runoff.

A $325,000 allocation will support the Okaloosa-Walton Mental Health and Substance Abuse Pre-Trial Diversion Program. This initiative aims to redirect certain individuals away from incarceration, offering services such as needs assessment, case management, substance use treatment, and relapse prevention.

The First Judicial Circuit will receive $250,000 for a Judicial Cyber-Resilience Initiative. This project will create a robust data backup solution to protect critical court data from potential ransomware attacks.

One Hopeful Place, a local homeless shelter, will get $200,000 for a demolition project to expand its housing capacity. The funds will allow for the removal of concrete wastewater treatment clarifiers, freeing up five acres for additional shelters and affordable housing.

The Forever Warriors Foundation will receive $150,000 to support various aspects of military life and community engagement in areas around Hurlburt, Duke Field, and Eglin. The initiative will cover recruitment and retention resiliency, well-being support, and family support programs.

Lastly, the City of Destin will receive $100,000 for a Harbor Channel Dredge Project. This funding will help alleviate boat traffic issues and address depth concerns within portions of the existing 100-foot-wide Army Corps of Engineers channel.

These allocations represent significant investments in Okaloosa County’s infrastructure, public safety, social services, and community development, addressing a wide range of local needs and priorities.