COMING SOON

Burlington set to open at Crestview Commons on July 28

Burlington Stores, Inc. has announced the grand opening of its new location in Crestview, Florida. With this addition, Burlington now boasts 95 stores in the state. 

The grand opening of Burlington in Crestview is scheduled for July 28, 2023, at Crestview Commons, located at 2680 S. Ferdon Blvd. The store will operate from Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 11 PM, and on Sundays, from 9 AM to 10 PM.

“Our goal is to continue to offer communities low prices on brand name merchandise for the entire family and home,” said Michael O’Sullivan, CEO of Burlington Stores. “We’re continuing to expand our footprint across the country and are excited to be opening a new store in Crestview. We look forward to giving local customers the chance to discover big savings on a wide range of products.”

To celebrate the grand opening, Burlington has planned exciting giveaways for its early customers. 

On Friday and Saturday, July 28th and 29th, the first 100 customers aged 18 and above will receive a Burlington WOW! Buck. Scratch off the WOW! Buck to reveal a prize amount that can be used toward their purchase, offering a chance for even bigger savings. 

• Then, on Sunday, July 30th, customers will have the opportunity to receive a free Burlington canvas tote, while supplies last, with no purchase necessary.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Okaloosa Deputies apprehend alleged armed suspect hiding in shed in Fort Walton Beach

An intense search for an armed suspect put area school’s Summer Programs into lockdown on Wednesday before the man was captured by law enforcement.

The situation unfolded around 11 a.m. when Okaloosa County deputies and K-9 units responded to the area of Denton Blvd. and Racetrack Rd. following reports of a potentially armed male suspect fleeing on foot in the vicinity, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO).

• The suspect was described as wearing blue pants with no shirt and believed to be carrying a handgun, prompting concern from law enforcement.

As a precaution, nearby schools including the Boys and Girls Club, Pryor Middle School, Choctaw High School and Liza Jackson implemented lockdown and lockout protocols due to their ongoing summer school programs.

Multiple deputies, K-9 units from the OCSO and Okaloosa Correctional Institution, and Fort Walton Beach police officers were involved in the search for the suspect.

Around 1:45 p.m., the OCSO reported that the armed suspect had been located and taken into custody after being found hiding in a shed at the Capri Commons Mobile Home Park on Carlos Dr.

• The circumstances leading up to the initial incident remain under investigation by OCSO investigators.

NOW OPEN

Eglin Federal Credit Union opens new location in DeFuniak Springs

On Tuesday, July 18, 2023, Eglin Federal Credit Union held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its DeFuniak Springs ATM/Video Teller Drive-thru located at 677 Highway 90. The first phase of this site is now open. A full-service branch will open at this location later in 2024.

Members have the ability to speak with a live teller over two-way video during regular business hours. Video Tellers are available Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. These personalized tellers assist members with deposits, withdrawals, transfers, payments and questions. 

• Video Teller ITMs also operate as ATMs 24/7 using an EFCU ATM or Debit card.
• Watch this video to learn how to cash a check at Video Teller ITM. 

“We are excited to be here and to be able to offer convenient services to our members in DeFuniak Springs,” Eglin Federal Credit Union President/CEO Jerry Williams said. “We are happy we can now offer affordable products, excellent services and many financial wellness resources to an expanded membership base in DeFuniak Springs.”

Membership is open to those who live, work, worship, attend school and volunteer in seven geographic locations in Walton County. Go to eglinfcu.org/eligibility then select “Geographic Location” and enter your address. 

• Must be 18 or older to join online. To learn more about the many benefits of membership go to eglinfcu.org/benefits.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Sting Operation results in 6 arrests for unlicensed contracting by Okaloosa Deputies

In a joint effort to crack down on unlicensed contractor activity, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office partnered with Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to conduct a two-day sting operation. 

• The operation, which took place on March 1st and 2nd, aimed to identify and apprehend individuals engaging in contracting businesses without the required licenses.

DBPR had been actively researching unlicensed contractors who were advertising services that demand a state license. Undercover investigators from DBPR posed as homeowners seeking estimates for various construction projects. Contractors who agreed to provide estimates were then evaluated to determine their compliance with licensing regulations.

As a result of the investigation, six unlicensed contractors in the area are now facing charges. The collaboration between law enforcement and the Okaloosa County Department of Growth Management proved instrumental in the success of the operation.

Okaloosa Sheriff Eric Aden emphasized the importance of hiring licensed and insured contractors, especially during the ongoing 2023 hurricane season. 

• “It’s imperative the public realize how critical it is to make sure anyone they hire to do repairs around their home is licensed and insured,” he said. “It only takes a few minutes to check online and be sure you are taking the right steps to protect your property and your finances from unlicensed contractors who are violating the law.”

Among those apprehended in the sting operation were Daemond Keith Powers, Samuel Murat Welshans, David Kuenzel, Christopher Edward Carroll, Robert Newton Carroll, and William Christopher Strickland. These individuals were found to be engaging in contracting businesses without the necessary licenses, resulting in charges being brought against them.

Jason Carducci, President of the Building Industry Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties, praised the efforts of the DBPR and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department in combating illegal contracting. He highlighted the risks associated with hiring unlicensed contractors and encouraged individuals to research contractors before hiring or giving them deposits.

• “There’s a bunch of illegal activity that happens both locally and nationwide,” he said. “Most people are under the impression that a handyman can do this work, and they might be correct in many instances. But just because they can do it, does not mean that are licensed or insured properly to do it.”

Go deeper: Click here to see what each person was arrested for.

REAL ESTATE

Destin Council approves purchase of 1 Harbor Blvd. property for $9 Million for ‘public purpose’

On Monday, July 17, the Destin City Council unanimously voted to approve the purchase of the vacant property at 1 Harbor Boulevard (next to the Marler Bridge) for $9 million. 

• The decision comes after weeks of negotiations with BK of Destin Inc., who initially purchased the 2-acre property, previously occupied by a tattoo shop, for $5,500,000 in June 2022.

The council’s approval follows a counteroffer from the seller, who stood firm on a minimum price of $9 million. “We had given them a final offer of $8.5 million,” said City Attorney Kim Kopp. “They’ve come back and said $9 million is the absolute lowest they would go.”

Councilmember Teresa Hebert made the motion to approve the purchase of the property for public purpose, emphasizing the importance of acquiring this particular piece of land. Council-member Dewey Destin agreed.

“I can’t imagine what would be more of a public purpose than this piece of property,” expressed Destin. “This will be the most important public purpose we’ve done in the CRA. With this acquisition, we’re actually adding a parcel of property that has just tremendous value for the public purpose that we want to achieve, which is to preserve that view and preserve that piece of property.”

Councilmember Jim Bagby shared his perspective on the broader implications of the acquisition, suggesting that he would like to see the city’s future Town Center make its home on the property. 

• “The town center goes back to where it was 20 years ago before the Emerald Grande was built,” he said. “Where we have the library in that area..the community center, the museum in that area. We have the substation with the fire department in that area. And that becomes our town center.”

The most recent appraised value of the parcel was $8.2 million, according to Kopp. The average of the two appraisals was $8 million. Despite agreeing to acquire it for $9 million, the council was confident that the long-term benefits and preservation of the scenic view justified the investment.

During the meeting, it was clarified that the purchase of 1 Harbor Boulevard will not result in the property being sold off or transformed into a condominium complex or commercial establishment. Instead, it will be utilized for a public purpose, although the specifics have yet to be determined. 

With the upcoming acquisition of 1 Harbor Boulevard, the city takes a significant step towards reclaiming the entrance to the city and ensuring a lasting legacy for its residents and visitors alike.

Click here to see pictures of the property