COASTAL RESOURCES

‘Summer Clean Up’ scuba diving event set to take place at the Okaloosa Island Pier

The Summer cleanup dive event is back at the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier on Saturday, August 5, 2023. This event, put on by Visit Destin-Fort Walton Beach, The Gulfarium and the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier, is geared towards experienced scuba divers and aims to remove fishing line and debris from the pier pilings and seafloor, helping to preserve our coastal environment. 

• This is also the only opportunity the public has to dive the pier as it is usually off limits.

To participate, divers must bring their certification cards with them, sign up on the registration page ahead of the event and sign a liability waiver. The event will begin with a check-in at 6:00 a.m., followed by a safety meeting at 6:30 a.m. Once the briefing is complete, divers will hit the water at 7:00am to start the cleanup.

“Getting to dive the Okaloosa Island pier is a very unique opportunity that most people may never get to do,” said Jessica Valek, Okaloosa Coastal Resource Coordinator. “It’s a really cool experience to dive the pier and see what kind of life is living on it. We can see marine life from up above, but it’s really special to get to see it down below.”

Divers will have to bring their own gear, air tank, and cutting utensils, and will use mesh bags provided by the organizers to collect the debris. After the dive, all participants will be required to check-out.

• “These dive cleanup events play a crucial role in preserving our local marine ecosystem,” says Alex Fogg, Coastal Resource Manager for Okaloosa County. “By removing debris, especially fishing lines, from the pier pilings and seafloor, we’re not only keeping our waters clean but also protecting marine life from entanglement and other dangers.”

For land dwellers, a beach cleanup, hosted by Divers Down Pollution Project, Eco Clean Marine and Erase the Trace Okaloosa, will simultaneously be taking place. Participants will meet at 7:00 a.m. behind Angler’s Beachside Grill. Buckets, gloves, and water will be provided. No registration is required for the beach cleanup.

The Spring cleanup back in April attracted 50 divers from all over the region, removing almost 100 lbs. of debris. 

“With each fishing line and piece of debris we remove, we’re not only cleaning our waters but also providing a safer habitat for marine species,” added Fogg. “With the continued help from our dive community, we can make a lasting impact and ensure the preservation of our coastal environment for generations to come.”

If you are interested in participating in this event, simply click here to register. 

BUSINESS

Bit-Wizards Named to Top 100 Best Companies List

For the 14th year in a row, Bit-Wizards was named one of Florida’s Best Companies To Work For in 2023. The annual Best Companies To Work For In Florida list, featured in the August issue of Florida Trend magazine, ranks 100 companies in small, medium, and large employer categories.

• After a couple of years of tremendous growth, Bit-Wizards moved from the Small to Midsized category in 2022. Coming in at #4, this is the second consecutive year that Bit-Wizards has secured a spot in the top five. 

“Bit-Wizards is honored to have placed in the top 5 in the medium-size category,” said Jenni Hunt, Director of Human Resources. “We strive daily to create a space where our Wizards are well cared for and provided with the best technology and benefits there are to offer. We have grown tremendously within the last year by increasing our staff by 21% while maintaining a culture of inclusiveness and camaraderie.”

To participate, companies or government entities were required to have at least 15 workers in Florida and to be in operation for at least one year. Companies that chose to participate underwent an evaluation of their workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics.

• The process also included a survey to measure employee satisfaction. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. 

Congrats!

MILITARY

Okaloosa Darter removed from Endangered Species List following 30 year conservation effort

After over 30 years of conservation efforts, the Okaloosa Darter was officially removed from the federal endangered species list during a ceremony held Wednesday morning at Anderson Pond on Eglin Air Force Base. 

• The event, hosted by 96th Civil Engineer Group Commander Jeremiah Hammill, brought together leadership from Eglin Air Force Base, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and other partners to celebrate the recovery of the small, two-inch fish found only in the streams of Walton and Okaloosa Counties.  

“This is an amazing event this morning as we celebrate a 30 year effort to recover the Okaloosa Darter and its fragile habitat,” said Dr. Dale Marks, Vice Director of the 96th Test Wing, in his opening remarks to the crowd. 

Marks explained that the darter was originally listed as endangered in 1973 due to threats like sedimentation, erosion, pollution, habitat fragmentation and habitat loss. 

“Since the early 90s, extensive habitat restoration efforts have reduced erosion into streams, removed barriers to fish passage, and reconnected streams so the fish could move freely. And thanks to these and many other actions, the darter population has recovered and is now thriving,” Marks said.

Much of the credit for the darter’s dramatic population increase goes to Eglin’s Natural Resource Management team and their partnerships, according to Marks. “The recovery of the darter demonstrates the strength and importance of these valued partnerships, and we at Eglin could not do what we do without the support of these partners, including our community leaders, conservation groups, and partners in this place that we call home.”

Dr. Ravi Chaudhary, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy Installations and Environment, traveled to speak at the event. In his remarks, he echoed the importance of collaboration in recovering the almost-extinct fish. 

• “I’m here to say thank you to the entire team for your grit, stamina, tireless research, partnering across agencies and across decades, and for keeping this journey alive,” Chaudhary said.

In 1973, when the darter was first listed as endangered, very little was known about the fish and its habitat needs. But extensive research and population monitoring over the decades provided important insights that could be applied to management strategies.

The conservation efforts have paid off. Chaudhary shared that the population of Okaloosa Darters has now reached over 600,000 across its small streams, a dramatic 400-fold increase from its lowest point decades ago. 

Click here to continue reading

THE WEEKENDER

A few things to do around town

August 3, 2023 – Creature Features – View

August 3, 2023 – Teachers and School Administrators Soundscape Show – View

August 3, 2023 – Thirsty Thursdays with BT Turner at Rick’s on the Island! – View

August 3, 2023 – Fly Guy Thursday – View

August 4, 2023 – Chemistry Corner – View

August 4, 2023 – First FRYday outLOUD yoga JAM – View

August 4, 2023 – Billy Garrett Live @ Twisted Grape Cafe & Wine Bar! – View

August 5, 2023 – Island Pier & Beach Cleanup – Free – View

August 5, 2023 – Repticon Ft. Walton Beach Reptile & Exotic Animal Show – $4 – $16 – View

August 5, 2023 – Donnie Morgan Live @ Twisted Grape Cafe & Wine Bar – View

August 6, 2023 – Hope and Restoration – Free – View

August 6, 2023 – Scallywag Sunday – free – View

August 9, 2023 – Wednesday Night Concert Series at The Village of Baytowne Wharf – Free – View

August 9, 2023 – Okaloosa Island Fireworks Shows – Free – View

NEWS

Okaloosa approves local municipal projects funded by tourist tax dollars

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners has approved the expenditure plans submitted by local municipalities for their allocation of 12.5% of collected tourist development taxes for fiscal year 2024.

• This funding comes from an agreement made in March 2022 that provides cities and towns across the county a share of bed tax revenue to support local tourism infrastructure projects. 

The municipalities worked closely with county staff to ensure their proposals align with promoting tourism, as required by state statute and the county’s Tourist Development Plan. The funds are dispersed on a reimbursement basis upon receipt of invoices and documentation. Unused funds can rollover for up to 6 years before reverting back to the county.

Town of Cinco Bayou:

• Glenwood Park Nature Expansion – Multi-year expansion of nature trails and boardwalks in Glenwood Park ($55,000)
• Sea Way Boat Launch Upgrades – Multi-year upgrades to boat launch facilities to improve usability and safety ($133,065)

City of Crestview:

• Brookmeade Park Improvements – Expand skate park, add RC track observation deck, concession stand, RV parking ($656,365)

City of Destin:

• Beach & Boardwalk Operations – Maintain and operate beach parks, trails and harbor boardwalk ($700,000)
• Advance Funding – Year 2 of 10-year agreement to pay back advanced funding for beach acquisition ($750,000)

City of Fort Walton Beach:

• Preston Hood Athletic Complex Expansion – Add multipurpose fields, concession stand, pickleball courts, exercise trail ($150,000)
• Concerts in the Park Series – Enhance free summer concert series ($20,000)
• Synthetic Turf at Athletic Complex – Install turf on baseball/softball infields to enable play after rain ($675,000)

City of Mary Esther:

• Misty Water Pier and Boat Ramp – Demolish and reconstruct fishing pier and gangway ($146,088)

City of Niceville:

• Community Aquatic Center Complex – Provide funds to construct new multipurpose aquatic center ($790,320)

City of Valparaiso:

• Carmichael Buggy Repair – Repair and restore historic horse-drawn carriage for display at museum ($5,000)

“I’m pleased to see this process working itself out,” said Commissioner Nathan Boyles. “Our municipal partners are pleased with the compromise and I want to thank staff for guiding the cities to make sure we have a good list of projects that provide tourism infrastructure across the county,” 

Commissioner Mel Ponder stated he liked the “flexibility it offers each city” while remaining statutorily confined as to what and how they can be spent.

• “You don’t have to spend the money in year one or year two. You have six years,” he said. “It allows communities like Shalimar or Laurel Hill or others that have not dedicated funds just yet to really build up and really make them very impactful, and maybe a little more purposeful, when it’s time for them to find a project.”

The cooperative allocation of tourist development tax funds enables municipalities to enrich their attractions while collaboratively enhancing Okaloosa County’s appeal as a vacation destination.

COMING SOON

Historic Brooks Street property to be redeveloped into new entertainment venue in Fort Walton Beach

Downtown Fort Walton Beach is set to lose one of its iconic waterfront buildings, but also gain an exciting new entertainment venue. 

• The property at 189 Brooks Street, most recently home to the longtime restaurant Giovanni’s One89, will soon be demolished after attempting to rehabilitate the nearly 100-year-old structure and bring it up to today’s required standards. 

Local entrepreneur Ben Merrell, who acquired the lease on the property in early 2022, had originally planned to remodel the old home portion of the building into rentals and open a commercial kitchen and bar. However, he soon realized the extent of problems with the aging building. 

“The more we did, the more we found. It was one of those situations that became a ‘money pit,’” Merrell said in an interview. After sinking over $100,000 into repairs, Merrell made the difficult decision to raze the dilapidated structure. “I went to [owner] Richard Tona and talked to him about knocking it down and he agreed,” Merrell explained. 

While the demolition will erase most of the existing building, Merrell plans to retain the newer section that housed the restaurant’s bar. 

“We’re actually going to try to keep the newest addition, which is what was their current bar,” he said. “There’ll be some pieces of this from the original building and we’ll see if we add to that as it goes on. But for now that’s a good start for us to have that structure in place.”

Merrell recognizes the property’s long history in downtown Fort Walton Beach.Parts of the original house structure date back to 1925 when it was transported to the site by barge. Over the decades it has been home to restaurants like Cafe Italia, White Sands Cafe, and most recently Giovanni’s One89. The waterfront venue has hosted countless weddings, parties and receptions through the years.

• “I know a lot of people have had memories here. People have gotten married here and had their wedding receptions here,” Merrell reflected. “It is tough to see it go in some ways, but exciting to see it become something new.”

One unique aspect of the property is that is has a basement. “Because I grew up in Florida, I thought the coolest thing was that it has a basement. Honestly, it was eerie down there.”

The demolition will make way for Merrell’s vision of creating an exciting new entertainment hub called Soundside. His plans include a tiki bar, areas for live music and other events, boat rentals, food trucks, and potentially a rooftop bar (longterm). 

The goal is to leverage the unbeatable waterfront location into a destination where both locals and visitors can gather day and night. He says he is also exploring golf cart parking for the adjoining neighborhood.

• “We want it to be a place where you can come in the afternoon or the evening and have a drink, hang out, whether we do music or trivia,” Merrell described. “We want it to be a place where stuff is happening, not just a bar, not just a boat rental place.”

Merrell expects the new Soundside to open in phases over the coming year, with the goal of being fully operational by next spring. As a longtime local (he and his wife Amber graduated from Choctaw), he aims to strike a balance between tourists and locals. “We definitely want to cater to both groups,” Merrell emphasized.

Click here to read more on the story and how this project fits into the downtown vision.