COASTAL RESOURCES

Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center releases four rehabilitated sea turtles

The Gulfarium’s C.A.R.E. Center successfully released four rehabilitated sea turtles on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at Inlet Beach, Florida. 

“It is always so rewarding when we release sea turtles back into the Gulf,” said Patrick Berry, Director of the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center. “All species of sea turtle are endangered so we are passionate about doing everything we can to help these animals. I am proud of our team and their commitment to give sea turtles second chances.”

All of the rehabilitated sea turtles arrived at the C.A.R.E. Center after being accidently hooked by fishermen at local fishing piers. 

Silvia, a juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtle weighing just 7lbs, was foul hooked in the right front flipper by a circle hook at Navarre Beach Fishing Pier on April 5th, 2022. Intake radiographs revealed no internal hooks but her stay at the C.A.R.E. Center was lengthened by an increased white blood cell count, indicating an infection. After a round of antibiotics, Silvia was cleared for release.

Next to head into the Gulf of Mexico was Bjorndal, a sub-adult loggerhead weighing 112lbs, who was foul-hooked with a J-hook in the left front flipper on June 22nd. Clear radiographs and bloodwork meant that it was a short stay at the center for this turtle. 

Foster, an adult female Kemp’s ridley weighing 67lbs was also released. Foster was foul hooked in the right front flipper on June 24th, 2022, at Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier. Even though Foster has a large “L” shaped carapace wound, it was completely healed prior to arrival at the C.A.R.E. Center and did not require any medical treatment.

The final turtle to head down the beach back into the Gulf of Mexico was sub-adult loggerhead, Brinkley. Brinkley was hooked in the mouth with two treble hooks. Upon arrival to the center on June 22nd, both hooks were successfully removed with mild sedation. Following a quick healing period, this loggerhead was cleared for release. 

• According to the C.A.R.E. Center, if you accidentally hook a sea turtle while you are fishing, please do not cut the line. Report it to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission immediately at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922) to receive direction on what to do.  

SCHOOLS

Okaloosa schools will return to paid meal service

The Okaloosa County School District will be returning to a paid meal service for Breakfast and Lunch for the 2022-2023 school year. It is extremely important that all families apply (or re-apply) for free or reduced meal service, even if you do not think you would qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Beginning August 1st, the online application to apply for Free or Reduced Meal Services should be available. Paper applications should also be available from your child’s school around the same time.

• Any family that applied last year (2021-2022) and was approved for Free or Reduced Meal Services will have a 30-day carryover at the beginning of this school year, according to the OCSD.

If approved, your child will receive meals including breakfast and lunch for free or at a reduced price. This designation will also make your child eligible for discounted college applications and college entrance exam fees.

For the school district, it determines school funding discounts on internet and technology and gives schools access to certain grants. Only one application is needed per household, and it needs to be completed annually.

• Student breakfast: $1:80
• Reduced breakfast: $0:30

• Student lunch: $2:70
• Reduced breakfast: $0:40

• Milk: $0:65

• Adult breakfast: $2:25
• Adult lunch: $4:00

COLLEGE

FL Representative Patt Maney receives NWFSC’s AIM Award

Northwest Florida State College presented the Advancing Institutional Mission (AIM) Award to FL Representative Patt Maney for his efforts in appropriating funds for the College and helping expand the educational opportunities in Northwest Florida. 

In 2021, Rep. Maney’s efforts resulted in the College receiving approximately $800,000 in grants for various educational initiatives and programs. He has continued to support NWFSC this year as he appropriated:

• $11 million for the Gallimore Center for Healthcare Education on the College’s Niceville campus.
• $500,000 for the Aviation Center of Excellence.
• $790,906 for the Nursing Education program.
• $7.5 million+ for deferred maintenance. 

The College established the AIM Award in 2021 in an effort to recognize individuals and organizations for successfully advancing the institution to a place of prominence in the region. Rep. Maney is the fourth individual to date to receive this award. 

“Representative Maney exemplifies what it means to be a part of the Raider family,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “His dedication to providing students with the highest quality education, training, and resources has been undeniable, and we are beyond grateful for his continued support as we have worked toward advancing this region’s workforce and providing our students with the education and training they need to succeed.”

MILITARY

Eglin Air Force Base test pilot returns to take command

On June 20, 2022, the 96th Test Wing welcomed its new commander during a change of command ceremony.

• Brig. Gen. Scott Cain passed the guidon to the wing’s new leader, Brig. Gen. Jeff Geraghty. The wing also bid farewell to Cain, who leaves for Ohio and Air Force Materiel Command.

The presiding officer and former 96th TW commander, Maj. Gen. Evan Dertien, Air Force Test Center commander, spoke about the diversity and complexity of the wing’s missions before speaking about its new leader.

• “You are ready, and I have full confidence you will continue the legacy of the 96th TW,” said Dertien. “The test wing’s motto is ‘it’s always the hour.’ Today that remains truer than ever as we continue to sharpen our nation’s sword and shield and prepare for its future endeavors.”

As a senior pilot with more than 1,750 flight hours, Geraghty is no stranger to the 96th TW’s mission. The 24-year veteran was both an F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon test pilot as well as a flight commander within the 40th Flight Test Squadron here.

“This is a dream job,” said Geraghty. “It’s a great honor to return to Eglin Air Force Base, 15 years after our first assignment here. I look forward to serving you in the various missions you perform. I will look to empower and learn from you, as well as work and thrive with you.”

Geraghty received his commission from the Air Force Academy in 1997. His career accomplishments include becoming a Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellow at Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and piloting an F-15 during Operations Northern Watch, Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.

The new general, frocked to the new rank just before the change of command ceremony, comes to Eglin after serving as the Arnold Engineering Development Complex commander.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Training round for grenade launcher found in storage unit

On Thursday, June 30, 2022, several streets around Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters in Shalimar were temporarily blocked while they investigated a possible “unexploded ordnance.”

• Apparently, an individual found the item in question in a storage unit.
• They then brought the item to the OCSO because they weren’t sure if it was an unexploded ordnance.

“We’re not taking any chances,” wrote the OCSO. “We’re having it checked out by the experts.”

Eglin’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) was called in to assist. It was determined that the item was a military training practice round that gets fired out of a grenade launcher.

POLITICS

Candidate Forum on July 7, Okaloosa County Commissioner and School Board candidates face off

The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, along with the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors and Building Industry Association of Okaloosa/Walton County, will host an Okaloosa County Election Candidate Forum on July 7th at the FWB Auditorium.

For the past 20 years, the FWB Chamber has played a vital role in presenting all candidates for upcoming elections to the community prior to Election Day. 

This year will be no different as the candidates for the upcoming Okaloosa County Commissioner District 2, School Board District 1, School Board District 3, and School Board District 5 all come together for a meet-and-greet and Q&A. 

“A lot of folks have seen the names, they might see the signs, they might see advertisement, but they never have actually laid eyes on the candidate,” said Ted Corcoran, President/CEO of the FWB Chamber. “We always like to schedule a meet-and-greet time where that candidate could just say hello and meet residents.”

• Following the meet-and-greet portion of the night, two selected moderators will ask the candidates a series of questions related to their campaign. 

Corcoran knows that just like a national debate, having candidate forums at the local level is just as crucial. 

👉 Importance of local candidate forums

“People don’t realize how important is it to know who you’re voting for,” said Corcoran. “Whether it’s for the school board or the county commission, there are only five individuals on the board. Three of those five people, both at the county commission level or at the school board level, could make a decision that could influence our entire county for 50 years.”

Corcoran says that having a chance to meet the candidates and learn a little bit about them before voting is very important. 

“I think we had about a 78% turnout in Okaloosa County for the Presidential election,” he added. “For the 2020 Primary, we had 30% voter turnout.”

• The 2020 Primary included voting for the Superintendent of School, County Commissioners and School Board Members. 

“We give them the forum to hear the candidates and actually meet them, versus just basing their decision on social media and a sign in someone’s front yard,” said Corcoran.

It should come as no surprise that putting on Candidate Forums like the one on July 7th isn’t exactly a money-making event for the FWB Chamber. In fact, it doesn’t produce any money. The goal each election cycle is to break-even on the event costs. 

“It’s part of our mission as a community development organization,” explained Corcoran. “We have the capabilities of setting up these Forums and the bandwidth to promote it. They are also unbiased and not tied to a specific political party.”

👥 Who is participating

For the July 7th Forum, every single candidate in the County Commissioner and School Board race has confirmed their attendance. Here’s who we have:

County Commissioner District 2

• Matt Turpin ($73,067 raised)
• Carolyn Ketchel (incumbent)($176,045 raised)
• CareySue Beasley ($60,860 raised)

School Board District 1

• Lamar White (incumbent) ($22,324 raised)
• Jerry Buckman ($13,770 raised)

School Board District 3 

• Linda Evanchyk (incumbent)($9,600 raised)
• Darrel Barnhill ($4,050 raised)

School Board District 5

• Diane Kelley (incumbent)($4,500 raised)
• Cara Marion ($3,000 raised)

📺 How to watch

Interested voters can choose to attend in-person or watch the livestream from Crestview Community Television. Here’s the breakdown of the evening:

• 5:00PM – 5:30PM: Candidate Meet and Greet
• 5:30PM: Welcome
• 5:40PM – 6:40PM: Q&A with all Okaloosa County School Board Candidates Districts 1, 3, and 5
• 6:45PM – 7:45PM (Approximate): Okaloosa County Commissioner Candidates District 2