SCHOOL

Okaloosa County School Board honors Dr. Diane Kelley for decades of service

The Okaloosa County School Board recognized Dr. Diane Kelley for her extensive service to the district during a workshop on Monday, July 22, 2024. 

• Superintendent Marcus Chambers and board members praised Kelley’s contributions as she prepares to transition to her new role as principal of Destin High School.

Chambers presented Kelley with a plaque commemorating her years of service, which spanned roles including teacher, assistant principal, principal, district office staff, and board member.

• The plaque read, “In grateful recognition of your dedicated service, Dr. Diane Kelley, as a member of the Okaloosa County School Board from 2018 to 2024. Your commitment, leadership and vision have shaped the future of our students and our community.”

“Dr. Kelley absolutely has a heart for children and she has a heart for employees. She has a heart for public education,” Chambers said. He emphasized Kelley’s unique perspective, noting that she started as an elementary student in the district, continuing through middle school and graduating from an Okaloosa County high school.

The Superintendent highlighted Kelley’s work throughout the county, including the north end, central area, and south end. “She is a source of wisdom and she is a source of knowledge, particularly in the curriculum and instruction area and when it comes to administrator improvements,” Chambers added.

Board member Linda Evanchyk, who joined the board alongside Kelley in 2018, praised her colleague’s expertise. “When we were on the election circuit, it was amazing because I listened to her and I learned then her depth of knowledge,” Evanchyk said. “When Diane Kelley speaks, I listen because every time she says something, I learn something.”

• Tim Bryant, who sat beside Kelley for six years on the board, commended her leadership and positive demeanor. “The one thing that has always stood out about you is your smile. You have a wonderful smile and you bring just a peace when people see you,” Bryant remarked.
• Dr. Lamar White described Kelley as dedicated and dependable, calling her “a highly decorated member of this school district.” He added, “You have been dedicated without fail to the mission of this school district.”

Kelley, who has worked in the district since 1979, expressed gratitude for the opportunities she’s had. “Just to think that I had just a thimble full of an influence has been so important to me,” she said. Kelley reflected on her career, mentioning that she had worked with eight superintendents, starting with Max Bruner who hired her.

The recognition marks Kelley’s final board meeting before assuming her new position at Destin High School, a charter school. Destin High School announced Kelley as its new principal during an executive board meeting on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

• Kelley, first elected to the school board in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, filed her resignation letter with an effective end-date of August 1. Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Brett Hinely to fill her seat on the Okaloosa County School Board, effective August 2, 2024.

As she concluded her remarks, Kelley invited her colleagues to visit her at Destin High School, asking for “just a few months to get integrated.” She noted, “We have a lot of construction going on, a lot of change and growth out there.”

GIVING BACK

FPL partners with Girl Scouts for solar oven STEM experiment in Fort Walton Beach

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) teamed up with the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council in Northwest Florida for a day of STEM activities, featuring a solar oven experiment, on Friday, June 28, at the University of West Florida Emerald Coast campus.

• The event focused on renewable energy education for Girl Scouts in grades 4-8. Participants constructed solar ovens and used them to make s’mores, combining hands-on learning with a classic scouting treat.

Local female engineers from FPL were on hand to guide the scouts through the solar oven building process, providing both technical expertise and inspiration for potential careers in STEM fields.

Aryn Hightower, an FPL associate engineer from Pensacola, shared her experience at the event. 

• “Volunteering at the Girl Scouts’ STEM Camp allowed me to witness the next generation of girls being inspired to follow their dreams,” Hightower said. “While our goal was to teach them about the possibilities of the future, I hope they will ultimately teach us how to achieve even greater heights than we ever imagined.”

The young participants expressed enthusiasm for the activities. “FPL’s activity was really fun! I enjoyed learning about solar energy and building the solar oven. The s’mores were delicious,” said Isla P., one of the Girl Scouts in attendance.

To further support STEM initiatives, FPL presented the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council in Northwest Florida with a $5,000 check. The company aims to inspire future female leaders and innovators through hands-on experiences and exposure to real-life role models.

This event is part of FPL’s efforts to encourage young women to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

TRAFFIC

20-year-old man dies after SUV crashes into tree on I-10 in Okaloosa

A single-vehicle crash on Interstate 10 in Okaloosa County has resulted in the death of a 20-year-old man from DeFuniak Springs.

• The Florida Highway Patrol reports that on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at approximately 8:30 a.m., an SUV traveling westbound near mile marker 60 lost control and veered off the roadway.

The vehicle collided with a tree, with the driver becoming entrapped as the SUV wrapped around the tree. FHP noted that the driver was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Emergency responders closed the westbound lanes of I-10 at approximately 8:46 a.m. to allow for rescue operations, including the landing of a Life Flight helicopter. The interstate was reopened to traffic at 11:17am.

• Despite emergency efforts, the man succumbed to his injuries. Authorities have notified his next of kin.

In a separate incident during the same timeframe, emergency services responded to another medical emergency at mile marker 64 westbound. This unrelated event also required air transport via a second Life Flight unit.

The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash.

A MESSAGE FROM DIANA HEALTH

Diana Health: Revolutionizing women’s healthcare in Fort Walton Beach

Diana Health offers women’s healthcare focused on the whole woman – addressing physical, mental, and social healthcare needs.

• Led by medical director Dr. Michael Hennessey and a provider team of physicians, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants, Diana Health’s services include end-to-end maternity care, Labor & Delivery services, preconception and family planning, along with comprehensive, full-scope Gynecological care.

Located adjacent to HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, the Diana Health care program is designed to empower women to make the best health choices for themselves and their families, providing information, tools, and support every step of the way. And, when you visit in person, you’ll be welcomed with a calm and comfortable practice space to make you feel at home.

Diana Health is in-network with most major insurance plans, including Medicaid and TriCare. New patients are welcome and can book an appointment – even prior to 10 weeks of pregnancy if desired – within one week in most cases.

Call to schedule an appointment at (850) 243-2229 or learn more and book online.

TRAFFIC

State Road 85 resurfacing project concludes in Okaloosa County

The Florida Department of Transportation has completed a $6.7 million project to mill and resurface S.R. 85 from north of Commerce Drive to Bill Lundy Road (County Road 85A) in Okaloosa County

Additional improvements for the five-mile segment of S.R. 85 include:

• Sidewalk improvements.
• Signalization upgrades.
• Drainage enhancements including new curb and gutter.

TRAFFIC

FDOT highlights congestion hotspot at Brooks Bridge ‘book-end’ in Fort Walton Beach

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has issued a reminder about ongoing traffic patterns and congestion near the Brooks Bridge construction zone in downtown Fort Walton Beach.

• The intersection of U.S. 98 and Perry Avenue, described as a “book-end” for the bridge, remains a significant point of congestion, especially for visitors accessing downtown Fort Walton Beach and motorists headed eastbound toward Destin.

FDOT reiterated the current traffic configurations in place:

• Brooks Street operates as a one-way road from Florida Blanca Place to Perry Avenue, directing traffic toward downtown.
• U.S. 98 travel lanes are shifted south to accommodate the new westbound bridge construction. 
• Northbound Perry Avenue is reduced to one lane south of U.S. 98, serving all thru-, right- and left-turn movements at the intersection.

With increased summer traffic, the area is particularly prone to congestion on weekends. FDOT advises drivers to seek alternate routes during peak travel times to reduce backups on northbound Perry Avenue at U.S. 98.

The current configuration at the U.S. 98 and Perry Avenue intersection will remain while the new westbound bridge is under construction. Future plans include adding a right-turn lane from northbound Perry Avenue to eastbound U.S. 98 after the westbound bridge is completed.

The $171 million Brooks Bridge replacement project, which will increase capacity from four to six travel lanes, is estimated for completion in summer 2027.

NEWS

Okaloosa sets tentative property tax rates, unchanged for eighth year

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved holding the line on property tax rates for the eighth consecutive year during a special meeting Tuesday.

• County Administrator John Hofstad presented the proposed millage rates for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to the board. 

The property tax millage rate will remain at 3.8308 mills, while the Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) millage for unincorporated parks and related services will stay at 0.299 mills.

“We have made a commitment over the last decade to hold the line on property taxes in Okaloosa County and are very proud of that,” Hofstad said. “We keep our tax burden low for our residents here in Okaloosa County.”

The approved property tax rate is expected to generate approximately $111 million in revenue, with an estimated collection of $105,407,768 based on a 95% collection rate. This represents a 7.4-7.5% increase in ad valorem tax revenue for the coming year, primarily due to rising property values, according to Hofstad.

• The MSTU millage is projected to bring in about $3.9 million, with an estimated collection of $3,751,806. These funds support unincorporated county parks and the stormwater division of public works.

Hofstad noted that the county’s property values have nearly doubled over the past decade, driving increases in the budget to support various county needs. Despite this growth, Okaloosa County maintains one of the lowest millage rates compared to benchmark and neighboring counties.

The board’s approval sets these rates as the maximum for the upcoming fiscal year. Any increase would require unanimous board support, while decreases are still possible.

Final budget hearings are scheduled for September 3 at 5:01 p.m. in the Crestview courthouse and September 17 at 5:01 p.m. in the county administration building. The county is preparing a $650 million budget for the next fiscal year.