GIVING BACK

Choctaw Indians celebrate beloved local legend Fred Pitts on his 89th birthday

Choctawhatchee High School alumni, current students, and staff came together on Tuesday to celebrate the 89th birthday of local legend Mr. Fred Pitts. The event, organized by Gareth Stearns and School Board Member Linda Evanchyk, aimed to honor Mr. Pitts, who has been facing health challenges and is currently under Hospice care.

The festivities took place at the Pitts residence, where a large crowd of Big Green Indians gathered to show their appreciation for a man who has played multiple roles in the community over the years. The event kicked off with a group of alumni and staff boarding a bus provided by the Okaloosa County School District, which departed around 10:30 am and made its way to the Pitts residence.

One of the organizers, Gareth Stearns, spoke passionately about Mr. Pitts, describing him as a local legend and a central figure in the community.

• “If there were a Mount Rushmore in Okaloosa County, this man would be on top of it,” Stearns remarked. He further highlighted Mr. Pitts’ various contributions, including his involvement in water ski shows on Okaloosa Island, his coaching role with the baseball team, his position as a drivers-ed teacher, and his renowned status as the “voice of the stylemarchers.”

Upon arrival at the Pitts residence, the crowd formed a heartwarming surprise for the birthday honoree. In the front yard, they arranged themselves to spell out “Happy Birthday”. The Indianettes had already decorated the yard, adding an extra touch of festivity to the occasion.

The performances and speeches took place in the front yard, which served as an impromptu stage for the event. The attendees sang a heartfelt rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Mr. Pitts, who watched the celebration from his front window. The atmosphere was filled with love and appreciation as friends, acquaintances, and admirers expressed their heartfelt sentiments for a beloved local figure.

Reflecting on the event, Mr. Pitts himself expressed his gratitude to everyone present, saying, “There are no words to say I love you and I do love you, to all of you folks here. The ones that know me and the ones that don’t know me. Thank you very much.”

• He concluded his remarks with a lighthearted note, jokingly asking, “Thank you for coming and uh, where’s my cake?”

Fred Pitts, with his involvement in baseball, drivers-ed instruction, and his iconic role as the “voice of the stylemarchers,” has left an indelible mark on the community. The outpouring of support and celebration on his 89th birthday showcased the deep appreciation and respect that the community holds for this local legend.

• His contributions and dedication have made a lasting impact, and his birthday celebration served as a fitting tribute to a man who has touched the lives of many.

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PUBLIC SAFETY

Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office implements next-gen 911 technology for faster emergency response

On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office announced the deployment of new 9-1-1 call-routing technology that uses the wireless caller’s location to route calls and reduce 9-1-1 call processing time.

• The technology also enables call takers to more quickly relay accurate details on 9-1-1 caller location to first responders, so they reach community members in need faster, according to the OCSO

“We received a five-year 9-1-1 Florida state grant to modernize our 9-1-1 infrastructure in the County,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff’ Eric Aden “We’re thrilled that our next generation 9-1-1 call routing system from Motorola Solutions is now in place. We’re improving our ability to save lives in Okaloosa County by shaving seconds off our emergency response.”

Historically, 9-1-1 calls have been routed using the location of the wireless carrier tower that the caller is connected to. If that tower is outside of the caller’s immediate area, they’re often connected to a public safety answering point (PSAP) that does not have the ability to dispatch local resources to respond, requiring a call transfer to the appropriate PSAP.

• The OCSO says that each call transfer can add an average of 40 seconds in wait time – a long time for callers reporting emergency situations like a cardiac arrest or a building engulfed in flames.

Okaloosa deployed Motorola Solutions’ NENA i3 compliant next generation call routing service, which uses the caller’s location to deliver the 9-1-1 call to the correct PSAP. The County also uses Motorola Solutions’ VESTA 9-1-1 call handling software to process 9-1-1 calls.

“We’re invested in improving critical infrastructure that can enhance the safety and security of the Okaloosa County community,” said Trey Goodwin, Chairman of the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners. “We were proud to partner with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office to complete and secure the state grant that made the County’s upgrade to next generation 9-1-1 technology possible. This is one more way we’re making community resources more accessible to better serve our residents.”

In 2022, Okaloosa processed 115,000 9-1-1 calls in the County across six PSAPs, an average of 315 calls per day. A total of 57 telecommunicators field these calls and dispatch police, fire and medical first responders to the scene.

• Its primary PSAP is located at the Emergency Operating Center in Niceville, and it operates five additional PSAPs across Eglin Air Force Base, Crestview, Niceville, Valparaiso and Fort Walton Beach.

SCHOOL

Local students gain automotive skills in summer program at Crestview High School

This week, a group of incoming 5th graders in Okaloosa County are participating in the Summer Automotive Program at Crestview High School.

• Led by Damon Welch, the Automotive Instructor at Crestview High School, these students are diving into the automotive world and gaining valuable skills.

Welch describes the summer program as an opportunity to provide the students with a baseline knowledge of the automotive industry and spark their interest. He highlights the current struggle of the automotive industry in attracting young technicians.

“Not a lot of people realize that you can go to a tech school and make a good living,” Welch explains. He shared success stories of former students who graduated from Crestview High School’s automotive program and are now earning impressive salaries.

• “One of them is a Ford technician making over $100,000 per year. Another one is a Dodge service writer. She’s making over $90,000 a year,” Welch said.

The Summer Automotive Program is not only about providing knowledge but also giving back to the community and expanding the school’s programs. For Welch, the summer program is his favorite because he takes joy in seeing the students’ faces light up when they understand the concepts and principles behind automotive work.

Throughout the week, the students are engaged in various activities to develop their skills. They started by rebuilding small Honda engines, tearing it down to the bare block. When they are finished, they will have built them back to where they are fully operational. The students will also learn how to do oil changes, tire changes, and even wire up a headlight assembly that mimics the operation inside a car.

Welch highlighted the long-term impact of the summer program. Even though the students are still several years away from high school, the exposure to the automotive program plants a seed in their minds.

• He explains, “They may not think about it in 7th grade, but in 8th grade, whenever they get that registration form for high school, they’re going to think back to how much fun they had in automotive, culinary, or robotics.”
• He believes that such experiences leave a lasting impression on the students, influencing their future decisions.

As the week progresses, the incoming fifth graders are not only acquiring automotive skills but also gaining insight into potential career paths. The Summer Automotive Program and support it receives from the Okaloosa County School District serves as a bridge between curiosity and knowledge, opening doors for these young students and paving the way for their future success.

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EDUCATION

Senator Doug Broxson Receives NWFSC’s AIM Award

Northwest Florida State College presented the Advancing Institutional Mission (AIM) Award to Senator Doug Broxson for his dedicated efforts in appropriating funds for the College and helping expand educational and workforce opportunities in Northwest Florida.

Since 2016, Senator Broxson has served Florida’s District 1 which includes Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties. Senator Broxson’s commitment to education has resulted in Northwest Florida State College receiving $250,000 in recurring appropriations over the past year in support of high-quality career and technical education. 

The College established the AIM Award in 2021 to recognize individuals and organizations for successfully advancing the institution to a place of prominence in the region. Senator Broxson is the fifth individual to date to receive this award.

“It was a privilege to award Senator Broxson with our highest honor, the AIM Award,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “Senator Broxson is a model for servant leadership in our region and we are grateful for his advocacy and support of Northwest Florida State College.”

PUBLIC SAFETY

Former NFL and Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett identified as drowning victim in Destin

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent drowning that claimed the life of 35-year-old Ryan Mallett of Arkansas in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday afternoon.

• First responders were called to the beach behind 775 Gulf Shore Drive in Destin around 2:12 p.m., according to the report.

According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, a group of people in the water near the second sandbar had reportedly been struggling to make their way back to shore.

One of the individuals, Mallett, went under and lifeguards say he was not breathing when he was pulled out. According to the OSCO, lifesaving measures were immediately undertaken but he was pronounced deceased at the Destin Emergency Room.

Mallett, born on June 5, 1988, was an accomplished quarterback whose collegiate career flourished at Arkansas before he took the leap to the professional realm. In 2011, Mallett was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the NFL Draft. He also played for the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens. 

• Most recently, Mallett served as the head football coach at White Hall High School in White Hall, Arkansas.

“It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Coach Ryan Mallett,” wrote White Hall School District on Tuesday night. “Coach Mallett was a beloved coach and educator. We ask that you remember his family, team, students, fellow coaches, and the White Hall School District staff in your prayers.”