BUSINESS

FPL grant boosts Okaloosa program for Special Operators’ civilian transition

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) has awarded a grant to The Honor Foundation (THF), supporting U.S. Special Operations Forces in their transition to civilian life. 

• The grant is part of a $50,000 initiative by FPL to support six nonprofits across Northwest Florida through the NextEra Energy Foundation.

THF, who has a branch in Okaloosa County, provides a Veteran transition program specifically tailored for special operators. Since its inception a decade ago, more than 2,500 individuals have graduated from the program.

Marc Tirres, THF Eglin director of programs and a graduate of the transition program, highlighted the challenges faced by special operators as they leave military service. Tirres, a former Air Force special operator, is now director of programs for the institution that helped him transition into civilian life.

• “When that time comes for special operators to hang up their uniform and transition into the civilian sector, many of them struggle with redefining their identity and finding a new purpose in this next chapter,” Tirres said. “Support from organizations like FPL are vital to providing the tools and skills needed for a successful transition.”

The program has assisted special operators of all ranks. Jimmy Cleckler, a Special Tactics Officer retiring in Spring 2025, credited the program with helping him acquire new skills for civilian life.

“This program not only helped me immensely but also provided crucial information for my family’s adjustment to civilian life,” Cleckler said.

Col. Allison Black, former 1st SOW Commander, also shared her experience with the program. After serving for over 32 years, Black found the transition to the corporate world overwhelming.

• “The Honor Foundation was the perfect program to help me navigate these pressures and fears … and transition with confidence,” Black said.

J.T. Young, FPL Northwest region VP and general manager, expressed the company’s commitment to supporting such initiatives. “At FPL, we are honored to support all of these remarkable nonprofits that lend a hand to lift up those in need, and provide life-changing opportunities,” Young said.

The grant to THF is part of FPL’s broader effort to address diverse community needs in Northwest Florida, with a focus on areas such as education, food insecurity, senior citizen support, and child advocacy.

PUBLIC SAFETY

FWC: Blue Angels Weekend sees zero ‘significant’ boating accidents

The annual Pensacola Beach Blue Angels Air Show concluded without any significant boating accidents, despite thousands of spectators viewing the event from the water, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

FWC reported that only two minor boating incidents occurred during the four-day event from July 10-13, 2024. FWC officers, working in collaboration with local law enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard, conducted heightened patrols throughout the air show.

• “Blue Angels Weekend is a much-anticipated tradition for so many people in our area,” said Maj. Robby Creech, FWC Northwest Regional Commander. “I am proud of the dedication and commitment shown by the officers in our region, our local law enforcement partners and FWC officers from outside our area who volunteered to take time away from their lives and their family to travel here to protect the boating public and provide a safe environment for everyone to enjoy.”

During the event, law enforcement say they focused on identifying boating safety violations and impairment. As a result, 14 vessel operators were removed from the water for boating under the influence (BUI).

The FWC emphasized the importance of boating safety, reminding the public that remaining sober and alert, wearing a life jacket, and taking a boating education course are key to ensuring a safe experience on the water.

To report dangerous boating activity, the public can submit anonymous tips by texting 847411 (Tip411) with the keyword “FWC” followed by the location and information about the violation. Alternatively, they can call 888-404-FWCC (3922).

THINGS TO DO

Fall lineup announced for Concerts at the Landing in Downtown Fort Walton Beach

The Landing in Fort Walton Beach is set to host its Fall Series 2024 Concerts, bringing a diverse lineup of musical acts to the popular waterfront venue every Friday evening from September through October.

• The eight-week series kicks off Sept. 6 and concludes Oct. 25. Concerts will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. each Friday at 139 Brooks St. SE.

The lineup features a mix of genres, including country, rock, pop, and Americana. The full schedule is as follows:

• Sept. 6 – JoJo Bee – Country/Rock
• Sept. 13 – Below Alabama – Country
• Sept. 20 – One False Move – Classic Rock/80s
• Sept. 27 – Zack Miller Band – Country/Rock
• Oct. 4 – Modern Eldorados – Americana/Classics
• Oct. 11 – The Story of Us (Taylor Swift Tribute featuring Emily Bass) – Pop
• Oct. 18 – Identity Crisis – Classic Rock
• Oct. 25 – Still Standing (Elton John Tribute) – Pop/Rock

The concert series is presented in association with the City of Fort Walton Beach, 102.1 The Wave and Dan Collins Entertainment.

BEACH

Seven sea turtles released after rehabilitation at Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center

The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center successfully released seven rehabilitated sea turtles back into the Gulf of Mexico on July 18, 2024. The release took place at Topsail Hill State Preserve, drawing hundreds of spectators including locals, tourists, sea turtle advocates, and university students.

• The released turtles included five Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles and two loggerheads, all of which had been treated for various injuries at the center. Most of the turtles had been accidentally hooked by fishermen at local piers.

Cressida and Riley, both adult female Kemp’s Ridleys, had short stays at the center after being hooked in their flippers on July 13. Agatha, another adult female Kemp’s Ridley, and Athena, a subadult, were also treated for fishing hook injuries.

Pomory, a subadult loggerhead, faced a more challenging recovery. Hooked in the jaw and intestines, Pomory required two months of care, including treatment for anemia.

Damon, a subadult loggerhead weighing 120 pounds, was hooked in the mouth by a shore fisherman at Topsail Hill State Park. After the hook was removed, Damon was cleared for release.

One turtle, Lime II, a subadult loggerhead, was making her second visit to the center. After being released last year, Lime returned for additional care following a July 3 hooking incident at Navarre Beach Fishing Pier.

The C.A.R.E. Center, part of the Gulfarium CARE Foundation, a non-profit organization, focuses on marine animal rescue and rehabilitation. The center reminds the public to report any sea turtles in distress to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC.

POLICE BLOTTER

Man charged with sexual assault of 14-year-old girl in Fort Walton Beach

A 20-year-old Honduran man in the United States illegally has been charged with sexual battery on a 14-year-old girl, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday.

• Kevin Mauricio Escobar Munoz was arrested and booked into the Okaloosa County Jail following an investigation by the sheriff’s office.

According to authorities, the victim reported waking up in her Fort Walton Beach home around 7 a.m. on April 21 to find an unknown Hispanic male sexually assaulting her.

• The victim told investigators the assailant covered her mouth with his hand and spoke Spanish. After the assault, she said he hugged her and possibly left through the back door.

A subsequent medical examination of the victim showed positive findings for sexual abuse. On July 11, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement reported that a male DNA profile matching the sample from the victim’s sexual assault kit belonged to Escobar Munoz.

Investigators discovered that Escobar Munoz was living within one mile of the victim’s residence. In addition to the sexual battery charge, he faces a charge of burglary with battery for allegedly forcing entry into the victim’s home.

The Department of Homeland Security reported that Escobar Munoz had been previously deported in September 2022.

BUSINESS

Flag raising ceremony, Flyover marks grand opening of Freedom Tech Center in Fort Walton Beach

One of Florida’s tallest flagpoles now stands as a symbol of freedom and community spirit in Fort Walton Beach, following a grand opening ceremony for the Freedom Tech Center on Thursday.

The Jay Odom Group hosted the event at 1900 Lewis Turner Boulevard, featuring a flag raising ceremony, flyover, and reception at the newly-built Home2 Suites by Hilton on the property. 

• Community members and local officials gathered on the center’s large green lawn to watch as the Eglin Air Force Base Color Guard raised a massive American flag measuring 70 feet by 110 feet on a 200-foot-tall flagpole.

Florida Department of Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly and developer Jay Odom delivered remarks during the ceremony, highlighting the significance of the project for the local community and its ties to the military presence in the area.

The Freedom Tech Center is a 52-acre mixed-use development operating under a long-term enhanced use lease program with the Air Force. The project aims to redefine the work-live-play concept in Fort Walton Beach, offering hotels, luxury apartments, venues, and plans for Class A office spaces and multiple restaurant sites.

Secretary Kelly, speaking on behalf of Governor Ron DeSantis, emphasized the importance of military-based communities to Florida’s economy and identity.

• “Our military-based communities are actually our second largest industry,” Kelly said. “Not a lot of people realize this. Our second largest industry in the state of Florida is now military and defense. It actually surpassed agriculture.”

Kelly highlighted the state’s 20 major military installations, over 66,000 active duty personnel, and 1.4 million veterans, noting that the military and defense sector creates almost a million jobs around the state.

“There’s no part of Florida where jobs, the livelihood, the quality of living, what we appreciate about our state — there’s no part of the state that’s not connected to our base communities,” Kelly added.

The secretary praised the Freedom Tech Center as a symbol of the unique relationship between the military, job creation, and quality of life in Florida. He expressed enthusiasm for the project’s potential to drive economic growth and enhance the community’s appeal.

• “I only look forward to seeing how this community is going to continue to grow and prosper, the jobs you’re going to create, and the kind of quality of life that you’re going to add to here in Okaloosa County,” Kelly said.

Developer Jay Odom, the visionary behind the Freedom Tech Center, shared his journey in bringing the project to fruition. Odom, a lifelong resident of the area who grew up in Shalimar, reflected on his childhood experiences near Eglin Air Force Base and how they shaped his understanding of freedom and the military’s role in preserving it.

“When you’re young, you don’t understand what freedom is,” Odom said. “You have it, you enjoy it, you play, you go to school, you participate in sports, you go on vacation. You have lots of freedom. But when you’re young, you don’t understand what freedom is and what it takes to provide and maintain freedom.”

Odom described the Freedom Tech Center as a “centerpiece of the community” and envisioned it becoming the “epicenter of the region for living, working, playing, and eating.” The flag, he says, is a beacon of freedom. He emphasized the project’s potential to create a self-contained environment where residents can live, work, and enjoy entertainment without leaving the development.

• The developer highlighted the collaborative effort required to bring the project to life, praising the support from various stakeholders including the Air Force, the city of Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County, and the state of Florida.

“It’s been a long road, but you can see today that we’re coming to fruition on the project,” Odom said. “There will be a stage and we’ll have all kinds of outdoor events and things for the public and for our residents that live here, people that work here, people that come from out of town to stay here, can all enjoy entertainment and things that we can provide here.”

Odom emphasized the importance of local involvement in the project, stating his preference for community-focused development over outside investors primarily motivated by profit. He praised the Air Force for its foresight in making the 52-acre property available for development and recognized the rarity of such an opportunity in the area.

“Having lived here my whole life, knowing the market, and that there is no land of this size available anywhere in this community, I knew immediately the rare opportunity this presented to be painted as a masterpiece on a blank canvas,” Odom said.

The ceremony began with an invocation by Okaloosa County Commissioner Mel Ponder, who read from Psalm 20 and offered a prayer blessing the project, its developers, and the military community.

Following the flag raising by the Eglin Color Guard, attendees witnessed a flyover, adding to the patriotic atmosphere of the event. Odom described the emotional impact of these elements coming together.

• “To see what we just saw, the emotional flag raising by the honor guard, this beautiful flag flying over our heads, the National Anthem and the war planes of yesteryear streaking over — it’s hard not to be proud to be an American today,” Odom said.

The developer also took a moment to express gratitude to the military personnel and their families for their service and sacrifices.

“Without the incredible support of the military, and the sacrifices that the military family makes for us, every day, all the time, I cannot thank them enough for their service and their sacrifice,” Odom said. “It gives everybody the ability to be free, to have freedom, and continue to have freedom. It’s a fight to have freedom. If you don’t defend it, you won’t have it.”

The Freedom Tech Center’s grand opening marks a significant milestone in the development of Fort Walton Beach and the surrounding area. With its mix of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, the project aims to create a vibrant community hub that honors the region’s strong military ties while fostering economic growth and enhancing quality of life for residents and visitors alike.