GIVING BACK

Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation adds two local children’s charities

Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation announced the addition of two new organizations to its lineup of supported Northwest Florida children’s charities.

• DCWAF’s Board of Directors has selected Point Washington Medical Clinic (PWMC) and the Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation to join 15 local children’s charities supported annually.

“Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation is thrilled to partner with Point Washington Medical Clinic and the Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation in the coming year,” DCWAF President Karah Fridley-Young said. “We see within these two worthy organizations the same drive to make a difference in the lives of children that exists in all of DCWAF’s partners, and we look forward to seeing their impact within our community for years to come.”

The Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation is one of the Emerald Coast’s newest nonprofits, created after local philanthropists Doug and Merrisa Ingram tragically lost their nine-year-old son last October.

• The Foundation will offer scholarships to teens who have been helped by one of DCWAF’s benefitting charities over the course of his or her life.

“While we lost Ellison way too early in his young life, with the additional funding from DCWAF, we will be able to see Ellison’s bright eyes and smile in the faces of all those who will benefit through the awarding of scholarships for continuing education opportunities,” Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation Board President Paul Barcus said. 

Point Washington Medical Clinic is a free primary care medical clinic that is operating as a pop-up clinic in Walton County. Currently in the process of building their first facility, the support provided by DCWAF will fund the clinic’s pediatric room. 

“The Point Washington Medical Clinic is so excited to be selected as a charity partner and become part of the DCWAF family,” PWMC Executive Director and Co-Founder Hillary Glenn said. “This is truly a major milestone for our organization and, most importantly, our patients. We are very grateful to everyone involved and look forward to the impact we will be able to make together for the children and families in our community.”

With the addition of Point Washington Medical Clinic and the Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation, Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation supports 17 Northwest Florida charities, all of which help children in need by providing services for a variety of critical needs such as homelessness, food insecurity, mental health, and more.

DCWAF will distribute over $3 million raised at the 17^th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction to its current 15 benefiting charities on Wednesday, August 31 at the Henderson Beach Resort.

The dates for the 18^th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family, the Foundation’s signature fundraising event, are set for April 28-29, 2023. Learn more at http://www.DCWAF.org.

ARTS+CULTURE

Emerald Coast Theatre Company celebrates 10-Year Anniversary

The Emerald Coast Theatre Company will celebrate their 10-year anniversary with a special event titled, “An Enchanted Evening: Celebrating a Decade of Dreams,” on Friday, September 16 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. 

• The non-profit theater company was founded by Nathanael and Anna Fisher in 2012 to inspire, educate, and entertain the Emerald Coast.  

Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on silent auction items featuring jewelry, gift baskets, hotel stays, and much more.

“We are so excited to celebrate our tenth season with everyone in the community who has supported us and inspired us along the way,” said Nathanael Fisher. 

All funds raised through ticket sales, donations, and silent auction purchases will go directly to ECTC and their continued mission to enrich and entertain the Emerald Coast community through professional and educational theatre.

When creating the company, the Fishers wanted a place to inspire, educate, and empower the community and artists of all ages. Their goal is to achieve the highest level of cultural excellence through collaboration, productions, and educational programs that promote lifelong learning and provide excellent, professional theatre in the Emerald Coast Community.

• This event commemorates their impact on the community and their decade of service, while simultaneously looking ahead to the future and their continued efforts to support, promote, and establish the Emerald Coast as a leader and proponent of the cultural arts. 

A limited number of tables of 10 are now on sale for $1,000 and can be purchased online at https://www.emeraldcoasttheatre.org.

FROM THE STATE

Governor Ron DeSantis encourages veterans to apply for Temporary Teaching Certificates

On Thursday, August 11, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the launch of a new webpage to help recruit qualified military veterans to join schools across the state.

On August 17^th, the State Board of Education will consider a rule to formally implement a program for veterans to receive a five-year temporary education certificate while they finish their bachelor’s degree, provided they meet certain criteria.

• This rule implements SB 896, which Governor DeSantis signed earlier this year after it received unanimous bipartisan support throughout the 2022 Session.

“Florida is the most veteran- and military-friendly state in the nation,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We also know that our veterans have talents and skills that they can offer our students. This new opportunity expands Florida’s existing programs that help our veterans take their talents to our schools, and it will help Florida remain a national leader in education.”

Military Veterans Certification Pathway 

The State Board of Education will consider a rule to allow military veterans to obtain a 5-year temporary teaching certificate without a bachelor’s degree, providing the following criteria are met:

• Minimum of 48 months of military service with an honorable/medical discharge;
• Minimum of 60 college credits with a 2.5 grade point average;
• Passing score on a Florida subject area examination;
• Employment in a Florida school district, including charter schools; and
• Cleared background screening. 

Per SB 896 (2022), which unanimously passed the Florida House and Senate, veterans who successfully obtain their 5-year temporary teaching certificate will be assigned a mentor teacher for a minimum of two years to support their classroom teaching endeavors. They must also earn their bachelor’s degree during the 5-year period to be eligible for a full professional certificate. Veterans utilizing this temporary certificate may not teach subject areas that require a master’s degree.  

The temporary certificate cannot be renewed once it expires, nor does it apply to military spouses or families. 

MILITARY

Lightning, Raptor night flights next week

Residents may experience aircraft noise August 15 – 18 when the 60th Fighter Squadron and the 43rd Fighter Squadron conduct night flying operations in the area.

• The 60th FS’s F-35 aircraft will conduct missions between 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. The 43rd FS’s F-22 aircraft will conduct missions between 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. to midnight.

These missions are a required part of training operations.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport employee charged for stealing more than $16,000 worth of luggage

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Airport Security Unit launched an investigation after they became aware of suspicious activity that ultimately led to the arrest of a Mary Esther man in connection with items stolen from luggage at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport.

• The 19-year old is an airline subcontractor, and is currently facing two counts of grand theft.

In July, a traveler reported that her luggage, containing items worth more than $1,600, had never arrived at her destination. It was listed as lost/stolen. She says an Apple Airtag in her suitcase last showed as active in the area of Kathy Court in Mary Esther.

Another traveler reported that more than $15,000 dollars in jewelry and other items had been taken from his luggage on August 9th.

During the course of the investigation, deputies had cross-referenced employees who lived in the vicinity of Kathy Court. OCSO Investigators made consensual contact with the young man yesterday at his home on Kathy Court. They were able to recover the items reported missing August 9th.

• The suspect also admitted rummaging through the first victim’s suitcase and removing an Apple Airtag, according to the OCSO. Her belongings have not been recovered.

“This arrest is an example of excellent teamwork by our Airport Security Unit, our Investigators, and the Airport to find the person responsible for these thefts and make sure he is held responsible,” said Sheriff Eric Aden.

WEATHER

Waterspout spotted near Destin

Yesterday’s weather got a bit rough, but it also led to tons of beachgoers (and boaters) getting the chance to see a waterspout near Destin, Florida.

The waterspout was reported around 12:45pm Thursday afternoon near the Jetty East Condominiums on Holiday Isle.

Click here to watch a collection of videos that captured the waterspout!