THINGS TO DO

Broadway star to headline Sinfonia Gulf Coast benefit concert at Hilton Sandestin

Tony Award-winning Broadway, film and TV star Alysha Umphress will headline Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s Cabaret at Seagar’s on Tuesday, Sept. 17, in a one-night-only fundraiser at Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood in the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa.

• The evening begins with a champagne reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by a multi-course dinner curated by executive chef Fleetwood Covington and a live performance by Umphress.

“Sinfonia’s Cabaret at Seagar’s has become a season highlight and transports patrons to a New York city cabaret club a la Café Carlyle,” said Demetrius Fuller, Sinfonia Music & Artistic Director. “We are honored to present one of Broadway’s brightest in Alysha Umphress.”

Umphress, a New York-based award-winning vocalist, Broadway star and television actress, has appeared in several Broadway shows, including “On the Town,” for which she received a Tony nomination, and “American Idiot,” which won a Grammy Award. Her television credits include roles in “American Horror Story: Delicate,” “Chicago Med,” and “Blue Bloods,” among others.

• As a vocalist, Umphress has performed with orchestras worldwide and at numerous New York venues such as Birdland, Joe’s Pub, and The Carlyle.

Tickets for the event start at $395 per person and include valet service, dinner, wine, gratuity, and the live performance. Proceeds will benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast and its music education and community engagement initiatives throughout Northwest Florida.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or call the box office at (850) 460-8800.

GIVING BACK

Air Force Enlisted Village resident recognized for dedication, commitment to senior community

Helga Howard, a resident of Air Force Enlisted Village (AFEV) in Shalimar, has been recognized as the 2024 Volunteer of the Year by LeadingAge Southeast at their 61st Annual Convention and Exposition in Orlando.

• Howard, who moved to Bob Hope Village in 2016, was honored for her dedication to volunteering and enhancing the lives of older adults in her community. Her recognition came alongside other individuals and organizations commended for their service.

“We are honored to commend and recognize this year’s outstanding award recipients,” said LeadingAge Southeast President & CEO Steve Bahmer. “Their unwavering dedication, innovative approaches, and tireless efforts in serving older adults exemplify the highest standards of excellence in our field.”

Since moving to Bob Hope Village, Howard has embraced numerous volunteer roles, including front desk receptionist, resident council representative, and Wii bowling leader. She also volunteers at the general stores at Bob Hope Village and Hawthorn House, as well as the Dolores Hope All Faiths Chapel.

• “I needed a purpose in my life,” Howard said. “Volunteering has brought me joy. It’s fun, makes me happy, and makes others happy. Often, it puts a smile on other people’s faces. Making people smile is my motto.”

Bobbi Jo Dominguez, Director of Bob Hope Village, praised Howard’s impact on the community. “Helga is a cherished member of our community who selflessly dedicates her time to various roles,” Dominguez said. “Her commitment and generosity uplifts everyone around her, and she makes a profound impact on our community’s spirit and well-being.”

In addition to her volunteer work, Howard creates greeting cards for residents and staff. She also maintains an active lifestyle, riding a bike for an hour daily and greeting passersby with a smile and a wave.

Dominguez highlighted Howard’s enduring enthusiasm for volunteering, describing her as “a natural leader with a heart of gold and a passion for helping others.”

• She added, “Many people would become bored volunteering for the same organization year after year and day after day, but Helga brings renewed enthusiasm to each season’s event planning with her positive, can-do attitude.”

The LeadingAge Southeast award recognizes Howard’s significant contributions to improving the quality of life for those she serves at the Air Force Enlisted Village.

A MESSAGE FROM COX

Cox named fastest U.S. broadband provider by HighSpeedInternet.com

Cox has been ranked as the fastest internet service provider in the United States, according to HighSpeedInternet.com’s 2024 annual review.

• The review, which analyzed average download speeds throughout 2023, found that Cox delivered speeds of 238 Mbps across the country, surpassing its closest competitor by 10 Mbps.

David Deliman, Cox Gulf Coast market vice president, emphasized the importance of fast fiber-powered broadband as consumers add more connected devices to their homes.

“Validating our capabilities with a respected third-party partner reinforces our message to customers that we can deliver the fiber-powered reliable speeds they need now and well into the future,” Deliman said.

Cox reported investing nearly $12 billion in network upgrades from 2014 to 2023. The company stated that all of its markets are currently powered by fiber, with plans to expand fiber-to-the-home services across its footprint in coming years.

According to Cox, all of its customers now have access to gigabit speeds, with approximately half having access to multi-gigabit speeds. In 2023, the company increased download speeds for most customers, doubling its most popular tier from 250 to 500 Mbps at no additional cost.

• “Our Speed Test sets the standard for millions of Americans seeking greater insight into their internet connection. With millions of tests conducted in our 2024 Annual Review, HighSpeedInternet.com has the unique capability to examine speeds for internet users from coast to coast,” said Manuel Delgado, Managing Director at HighSpeedInternet.com. “As technologies and ISP infrastructures improve, it is impressive to see Cox emerge as the fastest broadband provider in the U.S. this year in our comprehensive analysis.”

Consumers interested in measuring their internet speeds can use the tool available on HighSpeedInternet.com’s website or download their speed testing app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

POLICE BLOTTER

4 arrested after Okaloosa Drug Task Force serves warrant at Destin home

Four men were arrested Tuesday morning as authorities executed a narcotics and explosives search warrant at a residence in Destin, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

The Multi-Agency Drug Task Force, assisted by the Special Response Team, carried out the operation at 702 Whippoorwill Lane. During the search, investigators discovered narcotics paraphernalia and evidence related to a separate ongoing criminal investigation.

• Richard Welch Jr., 24, faces charges of resisting the execution of a search warrant and an out-of-county warrant.
• Joseph Warren, 31, was charged with resisting the execution of a search warrant.
• Russell Wilkes, 49, and Richard Mandolini, 53, were both charged with possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Agency Drug Task Force includes members from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Crestview Police Department, Fort Walton Beach Police Department, and Niceville Police Department.

The sheriff’s office acknowledged assistance from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms in carrying out the operation.

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.

NEWS

NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP: Fort Walton Beach will pick up your unwanted household items in August

The City of Fort Walton Beach is set to hold its August Neighborhood Clean-Up event, offering residents a free opportunity to dispose of large household items.

• Throughout August, trash collection crews will pick up unwanted household items such as furniture, appliances, and mattresses at no charge. These items, typically too large for normal trash collections, can be placed on the curb for removal.

Residents are asked to position items away from fire hydrants and other above-ground utilities. Pick-ups will occur on regularly scheduled yard waste collection days.

The city has waived the usual 4 cubic yard limit per household for the duration of the event, allowing for increased disposal of large items.

• However, the clean-up does not accept all materials. Construction and demolition debris, concrete, bricks, glass, tires, and hazardous materials are explicitly excluded from the collection.

For additional information, residents can contact the Sanitation Division at 850-833-9655 or visit the city’s website. Click here to see the Yard Waste Schedule map.

PLEASE NOTE: This service is available only to City of Fort Walton Beach residential trash customers, not commercial accounts or South Okaloosa County residents living outside the city limits.

A MESSAGE FROM PEADEN

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EDUCATION

Okaloosa School District maintains ‘A’ rating from the state for 2023-24 academic year

Join us as we celebrate Education Month, sponsored by Youth Village Inc. We will explore local school district updates, back-to-school preparations, and innovative educational initiatives. Discover how our community is shaping the future of learning.

For the ninth year in a row, the Okaloosa County School District has maintained its “A” grade for the 2023-24 school year, according to school grades released Wednesday by the Florida Department of Education.

• The district earned 772 out of 1200 possible points, achieving 64% of the total possible points under a new grading scale approved by the State Board of Education.

Of the 38 graded schools in Okaloosa County, 15 received an “A” grade, 16 received a “B” grade, and 5 received a “C” grade. Two schools (Destin High School and Richbourg) received an “I” (Incomplete) grade.

The fifteen schools in Okaloosa who earned “A” grades this year: 

• Addie R. Lewis School
• Antioch Elementary School
• Bluewater Elementary School
• C. W. Ruckel Middle School
• Collegiate High School at Northwest Florida State College
• Destin Elementary School
• Destin Middle School
• Florosa Elementary School
• James E Plew Elementary School
• Liza Jackson Preparatory School
• Lula J. Edge Elementary School
• Niceville Senior High School
• Northwest Florida Ballet Academie
• Okaloosa STEMM Center
• Shoal River Middle School

Several schools showed improvement from the previous year’s informational baseline grades. Meigs Middle School and Bruner Middle School advanced from a “C” to a “B,” while Shoal River Middle School and Lewis School improved from “B” to “A” grades.

Top-performing schools in the district included Okaloosa STEMM Center, earning 86% of possible points, Northwest Florida Ballet Academie with 87%, and Collegiate High School at Northwest Florida State College with 82%.

• The district’s lowest-performing graded schools were Wright Elementary School and Longwood Elementary School, both earning 45% of possible points and receiving “C” grades.

Okaloosa Schools demonstrated strong performance in key academic areas. The district scored 60 in English Language Arts Achievement, 67 in Mathematics Achievement, and 65 in Science Achievement. The district also reported a strong graduation rate of 88% and a college and career acceleration rate of 63%.

The new grading scale approved for the 2023-24 school year sets different standards for elementary schools compared to middle, high, and combination schools. For elementary schools, an “A” grade requires 62% or more of total points, while middle, high, and combination schools need 64% or more for an “A” grade.

“Once again, the Okaloosa County School District has earned an A rating from the Florida Department of Education, a testament to the unwavering dedication and hard work of our students, teachers, staff, and administrators,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers on Wednesday afternoon. “I am incredibly proud of their efforts that consistently place our district among the best in the state of Florida. Okaloosa is one of only three districts in Florida to have earned an A every year grades were issued since 2014, which is a remarkable achievement that highlights our commitment to excellence.”

Click here to see the grades of each Okaloosa School

Additionally, neighboring school districts also demonstrated strong performance.

• Walton County School District achieved an “A” grade, scoring 839 out of 1200 points (70%). The district excelled particularly in Mathematics Achievement with a score of 73.
• Santa Rosa County School District also maintained an “A” grade, earning 791 out of 1200 points (66%).