TRAFFIC

Nighttime lane closure planned for Interstate 10 Westbound this week in Crestview

The inside lane of I-10 westbound will be closed between mile markers 55 and 52 from 8 p.m. Thursday, June 29 until 6 a.m. Friday, June 30 in Crestview. 

• The lane closure will allow crews to shift both westbound travel lanes slightly to the south so work can continue on the new I-10/Antioch Road interchange (future Exit 53). 
• The speed limit on this segment of I-10 will remain 60 mph. Law enforcement personnel and directional signage will be positioned to safely assist drivers through the work zone, according to FDOT.

The $73 million construction effort is adding a new I-10 interchange 2.6-miles west of State Road (S.R.) 85 and east of the County Road (C.R.) 4 overpass (Antioch Road). Also included in the effort is widening Antioch Road to four lanes between Arena Road and P.J. Adams Parkway.  

The new I-10 interchange will be signed “Exit 53” and provide an alternative route for the heavily-traveled S.R. 85 corridor. In addition to relieving traffic congestion, the new interchange will improve Okaloosa County evacuation and emergency access routes and enhance regional economic development opportunities. 

• The interchange construction is tentatively estimated for completion in mid-2026.

All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather, according to FDOT. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

A MESSAGE FROM COX

How to beat the ‘summer slide’ while school is out, and still enjoy the summer break

As summer break continues for students across the Gulf Coast, Cox Communications wants to make sure your student doesn’t ‘lose everything’ they just learned over the course of the last nine months.  

• Cox Gulf Coast Market Vice President David Deliman explains that while summer vacation brings relief from exams and testing, it is also crucial for students to continue their learning journey during this time. He stressed the importance of maintaining a connection to the internet as an effective tool to combat the “summer slide.”

“Having your child connected to the internet is one easy way to eliminate the ‘summer slide.’ Deliman shared. “There are many ways to disguise internet learning as fun. Introducing kids to educational online games and activities is always a good way to stimulate the mind when the heat index makes playing outdoors miserable.”

By engaging with educational online content and finding blogs or websites aligned with their interests, Deliman says that children can enhance their reading and comprehension skills while enjoying the summer break. He is encouraging parents to have their children read blogs out loud to family members, further improving their abilities.

While the benefits of internet access are evident, Deliman acknowledged that internet adoption remains a challenge, particularly for low-income families. To address this issue, Cox Communications offers a range of low-cost internet plans and collaborates with community partners to raise awareness of initiatives that bridge the digital divide.

• Deliman highlighted Cox’s Connect2Compete program, which has successfully connected thousands of Gulf Coast households with school-age children since its launch in 2013. 
• Through this program, families receive internet service for less than $10 per month, ensuring affordability for those in need.

Expanding on this success, Cox introduced ConnectAssist in 2021 to support qualifying low-income households that do not include students. Additionally, Cox is a participating partner in the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides a $30 per month subsidy for eligible customers, reducing the monthly broadband bill to $0 for some households.

To qualify for the ACP discount, families can meet various criteria, such as participating in the National School Lunch Program, SNAP, TANF, federal public housing, LIHEAP, WIC, Head Start, Tribal programs, or receiving a Pell Grant for the current academic year. Other eligible customers include Medicaid recipients, those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), veterans’ pension and survivors’ benefits, and individuals with income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

“Getting connected is just the beginning,” said Deliman. “Many first-time internet users lack the digital literacy skills necessary to make the most of their internet connection.”

• To help bridge this gap, Cox offers free digital literacy training and resources through the Cox Digital Academy. Spanish-language resources are also available and range from computer and internet basics to educational games for students of all ages.  

If you or someone you know could benefit from these offerings, visit www.cox.com/digitalequity so that the only sliding your family is doing this summer is at the park or the pool.

SPORTS

Phil Dorn bids farewell as Athletic Director at Destin High School

After serving as the Athletic Director at Destin High School for two years, Phil Dorn will be departing from his position as his contract comes to an end on June 30th, 2023. The decision was made by the Destin High School Governing Board on June 12 to not renew his contract, and comes on the heels of the school navigating financial issues and internal conflicts as the 2022-23 school year came to an end.

• On May 23, 2023, the governing board approved a new Executive Director role that includes being the Athletic Director too. According to Board President Denise Fountain, Destin High School does not have an Athletic Director salary allowance in the 2023-2024 budget.

Dorn, in a letter addressed to Destin High Athletic Coaches, Boosters, and the school community, expressed his gratitude and reflected on the achievements made during his tenure. He acknowledged the challenges faced when he was initially hired in May 2021 but emphasized the collective effort and dedication that brought about the successful establishment of 25 sports at Destin High School.

Among the accomplishments highlighted in Dorn’s letter were the initiation of 13 boys’ teams and 12 girls’ teams, and generating over $1.2 million in athletic revenue from 2021 to 2023. Dorn also recognized the collaborative efforts of the Destin community, which provided practice and competition facilities for all teams, ensuring full team schedules and the introduction of Destin High Athletic Jackets, Letters, and Pins Awards.

Under Dorn’s leadership, Destin High School attained provisional membership in the Florida High School Athletic Association. The partnership with HCA Hospitals allowed for the provision of an athletic trainer, an athletic training room, and sports medicine supplies. The school also established a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning room for all students.

• On top of that, annual fundraisers such as the 5K Run, Celebrity Luncheon, and Golf Tournament were started, in addition to starting the first-ever Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle at the school. 
• Dorn says he also ensured all systems were in place for athletic compliance, including policies, paperwork, discipline procedures, equipment ordering, fundraising, awards, and financial documentation.

Through all of these dedicated efforts, Dorn said they were able to make not only Okaloosa County aware of their 25 sports programs, but made the entire state of Florida aware too.

Moving forward, the responsibilities of the Athletic Director will be incorporated into the new Executive Director role, as approved by the Destin High School Governing Board last month. The Executive Director will also be responsible for planning and directing interscholastic athletic activities, according to the job description.

In the interim, Dorn says in his letter that Principal Christine Cruickshank will serve as the go-to person for all athletics-related matters. Cruickshank will also assume the role of the FHSAA Representative and the sole administrator responsible for Home Campus compliance, according to Dorn.

As his tenure concludes, Dorn expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work with the Destin community and the successful establishment of high school sports at Destin High School. He attributed the achievements to “God’s Grace, elbow grease, and the coming together of all of us.”

NEWS

City of Niceville invites residents to sendoff event honoring retiring City Manager Lannie Corbin

The City of Niceville has announced an event to honor the retirement of Mr. Lannie Corbin, the esteemed City Manager who has dedicated an impressive 52 years of service to the community.

• The retirement send-off aims to celebrate Mr. Corbin’s remarkable career and provide an opportunity for the community to share in this significant milestone.

Taking place at the Senior Center, located at 201 Campbell Drive in Niceville, the event invites all citizens to join in a meet and greet with Mr. Corbin. From July 24 to July 28, between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m., residents are encouraged to visit and enjoy a cup of coffee while connecting with fellow citizens and extending well wishes to the retiring City Manager.

“Feel free to bring along friends and family – everyone is welcome to join in this celebration,” said Julie Mooney, Senior Center Manager. “Your presence at this event would be greatly appreciated as we honor Mr. Corbin and recognize his outstanding commitment to the City of Niceville.”

Mark your calendars and be sure not to miss this unique opportunity to honor Mr. Corbin’s dedicated service to the City of Niceville.

NEWS

Two shelter dogs finally find ‘forever homes’ after nearly 600 days at Alaqua Animal Refuge

Meet Red and Gunner, two resilient shelter dogs who have finally found their forever homes after enduring lengthy stays at the Alaqua Animal Refuge in Freeport, Florida. 

• Red, who waited 593 days, and Gunner, who waited for 582 days, captured the hearts of the Refuge staff and volunteers during their time there. 

Their stories highlight the challenges faced by larger dogs in shelters, often leading to their overlooked status despite their lovable nature, according to Alaqua.

Red and Gunner arrived at the refuge with tales of abandonment and a longing for a place to call home. Despite their charm and personalities, these two dogs faced extended stays due to common biases against larger dogs.

“Gunner’s size and being a black dog over 100 pounds were factors that often caused him to be overlooked,” said Ashley Englehart, a staff trainer at Alaqua. “However, among the staff and volunteers, he was an absolute favorite and just a big goofball, full of love and playfulness.”

Despite the passing days, the team at Alaqua showered Red and Gunner with love, care, and attention and continued their efforts to find them loving homes through social media campaigns, community events, and collaborations with local businesses.

• That’s when fate happened, on separate occasions, for the dogs who found their forever homes. The staff and volunteers lined up along the sidewalk to celebrate their freedom walks out of the refuge doors.

Red’s and Gunner’s journeys are a reminder of the countless shelter animals patiently awaiting their second chance. Through stories like this one of Red and Gunner, Alaqua Animal Refuge hopes to inspire the community to consider opening their hearts and homes to shelter animals in need.

For those interested in adopting a shelter pet like Red or Gunner or supporting Alaqua Animal Refuge’s mission to provide care and find forever homes for animals in need, please visit their website at www.alaqua.org or contact Alaqua Animal Refuge at 850-880-6399.