NEWS

VIDEO: Trash catches fire in back of Fort Walton Beach garbage truck

On Friday morning, an unexpected incident occurred when a City of Fort Walton Beach garbage truck caught fire while on its regular route. The incident took place on Marnan Drive off Lewis Turner Blvd., but luckily, no injuries were reported.

According to Public Works Director Daniel Payne, the truck involved in the incident was a commercial front-loading vehicle responsible for collecting dumpsters from various locations in the city. As the truck was en route back to the transfer station after completing its routine pickups, the onboard cameras detected smoke and flames emanating from the load it was carrying.

“When our drivers noticed the smoke and flames in the back of the truck, they immediately followed protocol,” explained Payne. “Their first priority was to find a safe location away from buildings, power lines, and other structures. They then promptly dumped the contents of the truck onto the street and contacted the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department.”

The swift response of the garbage truck driver and adherence to safety procedures allowed the firefighters to arrive promptly at the scene and extinguish the flames. Once the fire was under control and deemed safe, city workers used knuckle booms and other trucks to clear the waste from the road and transport it to the Transfer Station for further disposal.

Surprisingly, this kind of incident is not as uncommon as you might think. Payne says that these types of situations happen around once or twice a year. When asked about the typical culprits behind garbage truck fires, he stated that there are several factors that can lead to these fires. 

• “During barbecue season, people often dispose of ashes or hot coals unknowingly into their dumpsters,” he said. “Additionally, materials like gas, batteries, and cigarette butts can also cause fires in the garbage.”

To prevent similar incidents in the future, Payne emphasized the importance of being mindful about what people dispose of in their dumpsters. He advised, “If you have ashes or coals from a cookout, make sure they are thoroughly wetted down or completely extinguished before disposal. Never toss any cigarette butts, batteries, or gas-related items into the dumpster. These items can pose a significant fire hazard.”

To ensure proper and safe disposal of hazardous waste materials, Payne urged residents to utilize the county’s Hazmat Center on Ready Avenue in Fort Walton Beach. “They accept all types of hazardous materials, including batteries and gas, and dispose of them correctly.”

Click here to watch the video

BUSINESS

30A taps industry veteran Gary John as new CEO & Partner

After being in the driver’s seat for nearly 17 years, Mike Ragsdale, Founder of The 30A Company, has announced Gary John as the new Chief Executive Officer. Ragsdale will now serve as 30A’s Chief Creative Officer.

• Gary John is a seasoned executive who moved his family to South Walton several years ago.

“I’ve been searching for the best way to get deeply involved with our local community, and I can’t think of a better way than helping take the 30A brand to the next level,” said John. “We love our home, and I’m very honored to be able to help grow and elevate the 30A® and Beach Happy® brands.”

Prior to becoming 30A’s new CEO and Partner, Gary founded Good Influence Group, a venture development company that develops new products, brands, and business ventures with top social media influencers, best-selling music artists, and household names in professional sports.

Gary’s extensive expertise in product development, brand awareness, revenue growth, audience growth, mass market reach, and omni-channel initiatives is an ideal fit for 30A’s next chapter.

• “I will always cherish and respect the history of the 30A brand and our beautiful community,” said Gary. “We will continue to grow the 30A brand and business in the community, and work to bring the 30A brand experience to other markets and opportunities as well. It’s such an iconic brand that started with a sticker. There’s so much more to it now.”

He said part of the company’s mission is to share happy stories from the beach, in the hope that the company can inspire others to live the life they’ve imagined.

“30A is a lifestyle – it’s that happy place we all dream of when we need to unwind, unplug, and celebrate life,” he said. “We want you to have access to this even when you’re not on 30A. Mike and his team have created an extraordinary brand and business foundation. Now the fun really begins.”

GIVING BACK

“Cram The Van” school supply drive happening at Uptown Station

Help the Emerald Coast Association of Realtor’s Community Military Outreach Committee (CMOC)  “Cram the Van” to help local elementary school students!

• Help teachers and students have the best, stress-free school year possible by picking up the supplies listed below and dropping them off at Uptown Station on Thursday, August 3, from 11am – 5pm.

Supplies List:

Paper: Lined paper, copy paper, construction paper, spiral notebooks, composition books, index cards.

General Supplies: Blue or black pens, #2 pencils, colored pencils, erasers, crayons, pencil sharpeners, pencil cases, markers, highlighters, dry-erase markers, report covers, pocket folders, rulers, protractors, glue sticks, scissors.

Classroom Staples: calculators, staples, staplers, paper clips.

Things you can never have too much of: Tissues, sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer, paper towels, gloves, back packs!

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 experience traffic disruptions Sunday, July 30 through Thursday, Aug. 3, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for utility relocation work in the following locations:
  • U.S. 98 east and westbound alternating and intermittent lane closures between Perry Avenue and Pier Road. 
  • Santa Rosa Boulevard east and westbound alternating lane closures from east of Amberjack Drive to Ross Marler Park. 
  • Intermittent shoulder closures on Brooks Street, between Perry Avenue and Florida Blanca Place, and on Business Access Road.

• State Road (S.R.) 188 (Racetrack Road) at Delton Boulevard – Drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures between Racetrack Road and Bob Sykes Boulevard. These closures will remain in place, except to local traffic, through Saturday, Aug. 5 to complete the installation of drainage systems.  Drivers will also encounter alternating day and nighttime lane closures on Racetrack Road between Beal Parkway and Eglin Parkway through Wednesday, Aug. 9.  Crews will be working to install drainage improvements and left turn lanes.

• U.S. 98 Bridge Rehabilitation over East Pass Bridge – Drivers may encounter intermittent single-lane closures on U.S. 98 over East Pass (Marler) Bridge, eastbound structure (Fort Walton Beach to Destin), Sunday, July 30 through Thursday, Aug. 3, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. The existing 35 mph speed limit will be maintained during construction.

• U.S. 98 Improvements from Josie Road to Florida Place Southeast- Drivers may encounter temporary U.S. 98 east and westbound lane closures from Josie Road to Mary Esther Boulevard, Sunday, July 30 through Thursday, Aug. 3, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for roadway reconstruction.

Walton County:

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from Village Road to east of U.S. 331 – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 98 east and westbound lane closures, Sunday, July 30 through Thursday, Aug. 3, between 7:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. These closures are required for crews to place thermoplastic striping and complete worklist items.

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from east of U.S. 331 to Peach Creek – Drivers may experience the following traffic disruptions the week of Sunday, July 30:
  • Nighttime intermittent U.S. 98 east and westbound lane closures, between U.S. 331 and Peach Creek, Sunday, July 30 through Thursday, Aug. 3, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for milling and paving operations.
  • Daytime intermittent turn lane and shoulder closures Monday, July 31 through Friday, Aug. 4, between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., to construct a new right-turn lane to access Blakely Drew Boulevard and widen existing turn lanes between U.S. 331 and Peach Creek.

• U.S. 331 Routine Maintenance Between Clyde B. Wells Bridge and Chat Holley Road – Drivers will encounter intermittent southbound lane closures Monday, July 31 through Thursday, Aug. 3 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for sidewalk repair.

• I-10 Resurfacing from east of U.S. 331 to east of County Road 183 Overpass – Drivers will encounter intermittent westbound and eastbound daytime lane closures Monday, July 31 through Thursday, Aug. 3 for paving operations.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

ICYMI

Catch up on news from our partners

• Peaden shares tips on how to keep drain lines clean and avoid HVAC breakdowns in Summer heat

• The benefits of using natural gas and its impact on the environment

• Eglin Federal Credit Union and Okaloosa Saves partner in the Teach a Child to Save Campaign

• Cox expanding ‘ultra-fast’ internet service into Valparaiso & Deerland, donates $25,000 to STEMM Academy

• Is public Wi-Fi secure? Bit-Wizards shares top tips for data protection on-the-go

• Top 10 title defects to watch out for before you buy property in Florida

• Top 10 estate planning mistakes parents frequently make (and how to avoid them)

• Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic offers innovative PiezoWave Therapy to aid in pain relief and tissue healing

MILITARY

Special Operations Command will remain at Hurlburt Field following relocation concerns

In the wake of last week’s reports on the potential relocation of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) from Okaloosa County, Senator Rick Scott issued a statement on Friday confirming that the Special Operations Command will remain at Hurlburt Field.

During the past week, Senator Scott, along with fellow Florida Senator Marco Rubio and Northwest Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, had been seeking information from Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall regarding “programmatic basing actions” that could involve moving some members of AFSOC away from Hurlburt Field.

In the statement, Senator Scott expressed his relief after a conversation with Secretary Kendall, during which he was informed that the Air Force Special Operations Command would continue its strong presence at Hurlburt Field.

• The base has been home to the Special Operations Command since 1990.

The announcement clarified that approximately 600 of the nearly 9,000 service members stationed at Hurlburt Field will be relocated to Davis-Monthan Air Base in Arizona within the next five years. Their primary objective will be to establish the 492nd Special Operations Wing (SOW) at the Arizona base.

Senator Scott emphasized the significance of Hurlburt Field, stating, “It’s clearly the best place in the nation to train the most lethal military force possible, and for our military members and their families to live.”

• “The quality of life for our service members and families in Florida, especially in Okaloosa County and the Florida Panhandle, is unmatched,” he said. “These communities are known for going above and beyond to support and welcome our military community, provide opportunities for their family members and ensure their children have access to the best education possible.”

“Our service members want to be stationed in Florida,” Senator Scott added. “and I’ll fight like hell to make sure they don’t lose that opportunity.”