PUBLIC SAFETY

Okaloosa Watersport Operators release ‘pontoon safety’ video ahead of peak boating season

The Okaloosa County Watersports Coalition (OCWOC) has released the final installment of its three-part boaters education series, focusing on the safe operation of pontoon boats in local waters.

• The nearly 10-minute video, released on Friday, June 21, 2023, aims to educate rental operators, locals, and tourists on responsible boating practices and navigation of Okaloosa County’s waterways.

Narrated by local film producer and Travel Channel host Shane Reynolds, the video emphasizes courtesy, caution, and good judgment for an enjoyable and safe boating experience.

The comprehensive guide covers a range of topics, including rental requirements, pontoon boat orientation, anchoring techniques at popular spots like Crab Island, weather preparedness, and the dangers of boating under the influence.

The video outlines Coast Guard regulations, stipulating that renters must be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license. Drivers are required to provide photo identification and maintain a copy of the lease agreement throughout the rental period.

• Detailed instructions on essential safety equipment and procedures are provided. The importance of properly worn life jackets is stressed, particularly for non-swimmers and weak swimmers. Children under six are required to wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets at all times while the vessel is in operation.

Special attention is given to navigating the sometimes challenging waters of Okaloosa County, particularly around Crab Island and the East Pass. The video warns of strong currents in these areas and advises assessing water depth and current strength before allowing passengers to enter the water.

The critical issue of boating under the influence is addressed, with the video emphasizing that drinking or drug use while operating a boat is strictly prohibited and a serious violation of Florida law with severe consequences.

Several local organizations collaborated on the creation of this safety video, including the City of Destin, Okaloosa County Tourist Development, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. City of Destin Councilman and Florida Boating Advisory Councilman John Stephens also contributed to the project.

• The OCWOC plans to distribute the video to rental operators in Okaloosa County and local government entities. They are encouraging locals and businesses to share the resource with their families and guests.

This release marks the completion of the coalition’s three-part boaters education series. However, the OCWOC is not resting on its laurels. The organization has recently partnered with HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital to promote their “Think before you dive” campaign. See story here.

Looking ahead, the coalition is considering expanding its educational efforts. John Stephens, owner of Luther’s in Destin and a representative from OCWOC, stated that while they have finished the three-part series, they would like to continue creating safety videos on topics such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and beach safety.

• The coalition notes that additional funding will be necessary to produce these future educational resources.

The OCWOC encourages anyone interested in getting involved with their initiatives to visit their website at https://boatokaloosa.org/ for more information.

As the summer boating season continues to heat up, this new educational resource aims to enhance safety on Okaloosa County’s waterways. The video concludes with an invitation for viewers to visit the Emerald Coast and explore the area’s natural beauty, always with safety in mind.

Click here to watch the video

SCHOOL

Okaloosa School District maintains top 10 ranking in Florida

The Okaloosa County School District has once again secured a spot among the top 10 school districts in Florida, according to recently released state assessment results.

The Florida Department of Education published the results of the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) and End of Course Exams on Monday, July 1, 2024.

• A combined analysis of all test results placed Okaloosa Schools 10th overall out of 67 districts in the state for the 2023-24 school year.

The district excelled in several areas, ranking in the top six statewide for 5th, 7th, and 8th grade Reading, as well as 7th and 8th grade Mathematics, and 8th grade Science. Middle school performance was particularly strong, with Okaloosa students ranking 3rd in Math, 4th in Science, and 6th in English Language Arts (ELA) at the middle school level.

Superintendent Marcus Chambers praised the efforts of students, teachers, staff, and administrators.

• “Our students and schools have overcome obstacles, met challenges head-on, and persevered to achieve academic success and for that, I am extremely proud,” Chambers said. He added that while the consistent top ranking is a source of pride, plans are already in place to address areas needing improvement at both school and district levels.

The assessments cover ELA for grades 3-10, Mathematics for grades 3-8, Algebra, Geometry, Science for grades 5 and 8, Biology, Civics, and US History. These results, along with other academic indicators, will be used to determine school grades, which are expected to be released in August.

For more detailed information on the assessment results, the Florida Department of Education has made them available on their website.

NEWS

Col. Allison Black receives DAR’s Margaret Corbin Award in Washington D.C.

Col. Allison Black received the prestigious Margaret Corbin Award from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) on Saturday night, June 29, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

• The award, presented during DAR’s Continental Congress, honors women in all branches of the military for distinguished service. It pays tribute to Revolutionary War heroine Margaret Corbin, who manned her husband’s cannon after he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Fort Washington in 1776.

Col. Black, known as “the Angel of Death,” was recognized for her remarkable role during the battle for Kunduz, Afghanistan in late 2001. As a 1st Lieutenant, Black played a significant part in the first battlefields following the 9/11 attacks, establishing a legacy in Air Force and special warfare history.

• Okaloosa Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel, who serves as the Florida State Chair for National Defense for DAR and is a member of the Choctawhatchee Bay DAR, was present at the ceremony.

The DAR, founded on October 11, 1890, and incorporated by an Act of Congress in 1896, focuses on historic preservation, education, and patriotism. With 190,000 members across 3,000 chapters in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and several international locations, the organization has inducted more than one million women since its inception.

Okaloosa County is home to Veterans Park on Okaloosa Island. The park, unveiled in 2021, features life-sized bronze statues of eight women who served in combat during various U.S. military conflicts, including Margaret Corbin, the namesake of the award Col. Black received.

Recently, on June 12, 2024, Col. Black served as the keynote speaker at Okaloosa County’s 2nd Annual Women Veterans Day ceremony held at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center. The event aimed to celebrate and recognize the service of women who have served in the U.S. military.

A MESSAGE FROM STEP ONE

Mobile breast ultrasound screenings offered at Subaru Fort Walton Beach

Step One Subaru Fort Walton Beach is partnering with HerScan to provide mobile breast ultrasound screenings on July 11.

• The event, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., aims to offer women fast, affordable, and convenient breast cancer screenings. It will take place at the Step One Subaru dealership located at 916 Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women, and early detection is crucial for effective treatment. Unlike traditional mammograms, ultrasounds can detect cancer in women with dense breast tissue and do not use radiation.

The screenings provided by HerScan are designed to be a safe and painless alternative to mammograms. The company’s mission is to make advanced breast ultrasound screenings more accessible.

• Appointments are required for the screenings and can be made online through HerScan’s registration website. The dealership encourages all women to take advantage of this opportunity.

“Step One Subaru Fort Walton Beach is committed to the health and well-being of our community,” the company said in a press release. “By partnering with HerScan, we aim to provide a crucial service that could save lives. We look forward to seeing you on July 11 and supporting our community’s health together.”

MILITARY

Lt. Gen. Michael Conley takes command of Air Force Special Operations at Hurlburt Field

Lt. Gen. Michael Conley assumed command of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) during a ceremony Tuesday at Hurlburt Field.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin presided over the ceremony in the Freedom Hangar, where Conley took the guidon from Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind. Gen. Bryan P. Fenton, Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, also attended the Change of Command event.

• Bauernfeind will go on to serve as the Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Conley previously served as the Director of Operations for Headquarters AFSOC. In this role, he was responsible for implementing and directing operational command policy for AFSOC’s worldwide special operations units, overseeing 20,800 personnel, approximately 300 aircraft and $17 billion in assets.

His prior experience includes serving as the vice commander for AFSOC’s 27th Special Operations Wing and the commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing.

AFSOC’s mission is to present combat-ready forces to conduct and support global special operations missions. The command is composed of highly trained, rapidly deployable Airmen who conduct a wide range of global special operations.

• These missions include precision application of firepower, infiltration, exfiltration, resupply and refueling of special operations forces’ operational elements.

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TRAFFIC

Highway 98 traffic to shift near Brooks Bridge on Okaloosa Island

A traffic shift on U.S. Highway 98 near Brooks Bridge is set to begin the week of July 8 as part of the ongoing Brooks Bridge Replacement Project.

The U.S. 98 travel lanes between Brooks Bridge and Pier Road on Okaloosa Island will be shifted south onto temporary lanes. This change will create space for construction crews to build the new westbound Brooks Bridge structure. Two travel lanes will remain open in each direction during this phase of the project.

• Drivers should be aware that intermittent lane closures on U.S. 98 from Ferry Road to Pier Road may occur between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.

The $171 million Brooks Bridge Replacement Project aims to increase capacity from the current four-lane bridge to six travel lanes. The project includes the construction of two new, parallel bridges to replace the existing structure, which opened in 1966.

Weather permitting, the project is estimated to be completed by summer 2027. Officials remind drivers to use caution when traveling through the work zone, especially at night, and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

All construction activities are subject to weather conditions and may be delayed or rescheduled in case of inclement weather.