EDUCATION

Okaloosa County schools prepare young learners with Kindergarten Kickstart

The Okaloosa County School District is easing the transition to kindergarten for hundreds of young students through its “Kindergarten Kickstart” program, offered at ten Title I schools.

• 340 incoming kindergarteners participated in the program from July 22-25, which allowed them to familiarize themselves with their new school environment before the full student body arrives.

The initiative, funded by the Title I District Initiative, took place at Baker School, Bob Sikes, Edwins, Elliott Point, Kenwood, Laurel Hill, Longwood, Northwood, Riverside, and Wright Elementary Schools.

Superintendent Marcus Chambers highlighted the program’s growth and importance.

“We initiated the Kindergarten Kickstart program several years ago at just one school. It has grown into a robust program offered at several schools across our district,” Chambers said. “This initiative gives our pre-K students a crucial head start, allowing them to get ready to meet their teachers, understand the processes, and gain awareness of their new environment.”

The program aims to help students become familiar with the campus, learn resilience strategies, and understand daily routines. Each participant received a school success kit containing a Summer Express Learning book, Scholastic school readiness literature, and school supplies.

• The district also provided complimentary breakfast and transportation for attendees.

Chambers expressed gratitude to the staff involved, saying, “I appreciate the teachers and administrators who ran the program at their schools and our Title I Department for making this program successful.”

The Okaloosa County School District says that successful transitions from preschool to kindergarten depend on strong connections between schools and families, as well as between preschool and kindergarten teachers. The Kindergarten Kickstart program is one of several activities the district offers to support this crucial transition and help ensure a smooth start to students’ formal education.

EDUCATION

Florida’s back-to-school tax holiday to begin July 29

This story is brought you by Youth Village in Fort Walton Beach. Their mission is to provide a safe place, a fun place, a learning place, a place for kids where people care. Learn More

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Friday that the state’s annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday will run for two weeks, from July 29 to August 11.

• The tax holiday aims to help families save money on essential items for the upcoming school year, including school supplies, clothing, and electronics.

“I am proud to announce the return of the annual Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday,” DeSantis said. “Our great financial standing means we can give money back to the taxpayers through various forms of toll and tax relief.”

During the holiday, shoppers can purchase qualifying items without paying sales tax. These include school supplies selling for $50 or less per item, such as binders, notebooks, pens, pencils, and lunch boxes.

Learning aids priced at $30 or less per item, including interactive books, jigsaw puzzles, and educational toys, will also be tax-free. Clothing and footwear selling for $100 or less per item, such as backpacks, pants, shoes, shirts, and sweaters, are included in the holiday.

• Additionally, personal computers and related accessories for noncommercial home or personal use, selling for $1,500 or less per item, will be exempt from sales tax. This category includes laptops, flash drives, printers, and headphones.

The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday coincides with the ongoing Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday, which runs through July 31. The Freedom Summer holiday covers items such as fishing supplies, outdoor recreation equipment, and admission to state parks and museums.

For more information and a complete list of qualifying items, residents can visit the Florida Department of Revenue’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday website.

PUBLIC SAFETY

HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital warns of heat exhaustion dangers

As Florida faces elevated-to-significant threats of excessive heat, local hospitals are preparing for an increase in patients suffering from heat-related illnesses.

• Dr. Erik Petersen, a board-certified emergency medicine physician at HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital in Niceville, warns that high humidity combined with rising air temperatures can create dangerously hot conditions.

“We tend to set aside the dangers of heat when we don’t hear about extreme or record-breaking temperatures, but with high humidity, the heat index can sneak up on people and have just as big an impact,” Petersen said.

The heat index, or “feels-like” temperature, is a combination of humidity and air temperature. According to Petersen, certain groups are particularly vulnerable to high heat index levels, including the elderly, young children, those with chronic illnesses or pre-existing conditions, outdoor workers, and pregnant women.

• “Older adults retain more heat and their cardiovascular systems often have a harder time compensating, while children tend to take longer to sweat and acclimate to an elevated heat index,” Petersen explained.

To stay safe in the heat, Petersen advises wearing lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing. He also recommends staying in air-conditioned spaces during the hottest parts of the day, taking frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas when outside, and applying sunscreen to prevent sunburn, which can affect the body’s ability to cool itself.

Medical professionals urge prompt action for symptoms of heat exhaustion, such as heavy sweating, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, or muscle cramps. HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital recommends moving affected individuals to cooler locations, preferably air-conditioned spaces, drinking water, and taking cool baths to reduce body temperature.

• If symptoms worsen or don’t improve quickly, seeking immediate medical attention is advised.

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

Street resurfacing projects to begin in Fort Walton Beach

The City of Fort Walton Beach announced that street resurfacing projects will commence on Monday, July 29, as part of the General Street Resurfacing Project. The work, scheduled to continue through Friday, August 16, will be carried out by utilities contractor James David Site Prep.

• Multiple areas within the city will undergo milling and resurfacing. The project will begin on Hudson Drive NW between Moriarty Street NW and Fliva Avenue NW before moving on to other locations.

Other areas slated for resurfacing include:

• Sotir Street NW between Memorial Parkway NW and Bayou Woods Drive NW
• Bayou Woods Drive NW between Sotir Street NW and Baker Avenue NW
• Staff Drive NE between Ferry Road NE and 221 Staff Drive NE
• Ferry Road SE between Hollywood Boulevard NE and Perry Avenue SE
• The newly constructed Pickle Ball court at Ferry Park

City officials emphasized that all activities are weather-dependent and dates may be adjusted accordingly.

Residents along the affected streets will receive letters before work begins in their area. The city requests that all vehicles and obstructions be removed from the roads between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the milling and resurfacing work.

• To accommodate the construction, Solid Waste pickup has been scheduled for early morning. Residents are asked to set out their trash cans the night before their scheduled pickup day.

The city warned that there is a possibility of tack, an asphalt bonding material, being present on the road during the resurfacing process. Residents are advised to avoid the resurfacing area if possible to prevent potential transfer to vehicles.

“We would like to thank you for your patience and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” the city statement read.

For questions or concerns, residents can contact Utilities Operation Manager James Valandingham at 850-833-9613 or jdvalandingham@fwb.org.

TRAFFIC

Okaloosa and Walton Counties Traffic Advisory

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Okaloosa and Walton counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Okaloosa County:

• Brooks Bridge Replacement Project – Drivers may encounter the following traffic disruptions, Sunday, July 28 through Thursday, Aug. 1, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for utility work and construction activities:
  • U.S. 98 alternating lane closures between Ferry Road and Pier Road.
  • Santa Rosa Boulevard alternating lane closures from east of Amberjack Drive to Ross Marler Park.
• Mid-Bay Bridge Rehabilitation Project – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on the Mid-Bay Bridge, Monday, July 29 through Thursday, Aug. 1, from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. for construction activities.
• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from Josie Road to Florida Place Southeast – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 98 lane closures, between Josie Road in Mary Esther and Florida Place Southeast in Fort Walton Beach, Sunday, July 28 through Thursday, Aug. 1 between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
• Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing from west of Yellow River to east of Shoal River – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures between mile markers 50 and 58 from 7 p.m. Sunday, July 28 until 6 a.m. Friday, Aug. 2 for paving operations.
• State Road (S.R.) 189 Intersection Improvements Drivers may encounter intermittent S.R. 189 lane closures and traffic signal interruptions at Pelham Road and Lewis Street, Sunday, July 28 through Thursday, Aug. 1 between 6:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for signalization work. Law enforcement will be on site to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
• Mary Esther Boulevard (S.R. 393) Resurfacing from U.S. 98 to Beal Parkway (S.R. 189) – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures on Mary Esther Boulevard for crews to place thermoplastic striping and perform traffic signalization work at the following locations and times:
  • Sunday, July 28 through Thursday, Aug. 1 from U.S. 98 to Hollywood Boulevard between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
  • Sunday, July 28 through Saturday, Aug. 3 from Hollywood Boulevard to Beal Parkway between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
• U.S. 98 Tree Trimming Operations near Kerwood Road in Mary Esther – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 29 and Tuesday, July 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for tree trimming operations.
• U.S. 98 Routine Maintenance near Beach Drive in Destin – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, July 29 from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine maintenance.

Walton County:

• U.S. 331 Intersection Improvements from South of I-10 to U.S. 90 – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, July 28 through Thursday, Aug. 1 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for construction activities.
• U.S. 331 Turn Lane Operations in DeFuniak Springs – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, July 28 through Friday, Aug. 2 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for construction activities.

FISHING

Destin named top fishing spot in Florida

A new study has crowned Destin as the best fishing destination in Florida, outranking 201 other towns across the state.

The study, conducted by FishingBooker, the leading site for booking fishing trips in the U.S., evaluated Florida’s fishing spots based on six criteria. Destin emerged as the clear winner, scoring 59 out of a possible 60 points.

• Panama City Beach secured the second spot with 53 points, while St. Petersburg and Islamorada tied for third place with 51 points each.

Destin’s top ranking was attributed to its perfect scores in five out of six categories: number of available fishing charters, average recommended score, number of guides with the Angler’s Choice Award, number of bookings, and minimum price of a fishing trip.

The study’s findings were derived from FishingBooker’s internal data, gathered from over 100,000 fishing trips in the past year, according to the company. The research criteria included factors such as the number of available fishing charters, average review scores, and the presence of award-winning guides.

• Following Destin, Panama City Beach, St. Petersburg, and Islamorada, the top 12 list of Florida fishing spots also includes Key West, St. Augustine, Marathon, Naples, Crystal River, Cape Coral, Pensacola, and Key Largo.

FishingBooker, which has been facilitating fishing trips since 2013, currently offers over 47,000 fishing experiences in more than 2,200 destinations worldwide.