EDUCATION

Okaloosa Superintendent welcomes students back for new school 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.

Okaloosa County School District Superintendent Marcus Chambers penned a welcome letter to students and families as the 2024-2025 school year begins, setting a tone of optimism and collaboration for the months ahead.

• In his message, Chambers expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming academic year and emphasized the district’s commitment to creating a supportive learning environment for all students.

“Whether you’re returning students or new faces, we’re thrilled to have you as part of our Okaloosa County family,” Chambers wrote. “Having been an educator for over two decades, I understand the importance of creating a nurturing and supportive environment for our students.”

The Superintendent, drawing on his extensive experience in education and perspective as a parent, highlighted the district’s focus on academic excellence and positive behavior. He called for a collective effort to make the school year successful.

• “We have high expectations for behavior, respect, and academic achievement,” Chambers stated. “Let’s strive for excellence in everything we do. Remember, success is a team effort, and we’re all part of the same team!”

Chambers also mentioned the introduction of new curriculum elements for the school year, aiming to engage students across various interests and aptitudes.

“This year, we’re introducing exciting changes to our curriculum,” he explained. “From innovative STEM programs to enriching arts and humanities courses, there’s something for everyone. Get ready to explore, learn, and grow!”

The letter strongly encouraged both students and parents to stay connected with the school district throughout the year. Chambers provided his email address, chambersm@okaloosaschools.com, for direct communication and directed families to follow the district on social media and visit the official website at www.okaloosaschools.com for updates, events, and inspiring stories from schools.

Chambers concluded his message by thanking parents for their trust in the district’s educational mission and expressing hope for a successful school year ahead.

• “Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education,” he wrote. “Let’s make this school year one filled with joy, discovery, and achievement. Together, we’ll soar to new heights!”

BUSINESS

Okaloosa takes major step toward new Shoal River Ranch Water Reclamation Facility

Okaloosa County has taken a significant step toward expanding its wastewater treatment capacity by issuing an “Intent to Award” to J&P Construction Co. for the construction of the Shoal River Ranch Water Reclamation Facility (SRRWRF).

• The decision comes after J&P Construction was determined to be the lowest responsive bidder in a competitive sealed bid process.

“The need and demand for sewer services for north Okaloosa residents and businesses continues to grow,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon. “The plant is one of the keys for continued growth and development in the northern part of the County.”

The $40.8 million facility will be built on 20 acres of designated property at the Shoal River Ranch, located east of Crestview and south of U.S. Highway 90. The initial phase will have the capacity to process 1.25 million gallons of wastewater per day, with some components designed for higher capacity to allow for future expansion.

According to county officials, the SRRWRF will include state-of-the-art components, related infrastructure, on-site effluent disposal, and future public access reclaimed water for irrigation and industrial use. The project aims to allow new subdivisions in this area to use public sewer systems instead of septic tanks.

• The overall program also includes the construction of a site access road and extensions of water, sewer, and fiber lines.

Funding for the plant comes from multiple sources, including federal and state grants, as well as a state legislative appropriation.

County staff anticipates finalizing outside funding sources and executing a contract with J&P Construction this fall. Construction is expected to begin soon after, pending permits, with completion projected for late 2026.

Mixon emphasized the importance of the facility, stating, “It is needed for residential growth, additional affordable housing, and the development of industry and jobs at the Shoal River Ranch. We are excited to take this next step, which will provide a high level of sewer service with the latest technology, while also meeting future capacity needs.”

EDUCATION

Niceville Tutoring expands services, adds 22 educators to meet growing demand

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.

In less than a year since its inception, Niceville Tutoring has transformed from a one-woman operation to a thriving educational support service with a team of over 20 educators. 

• This rapid expansion reflects the growing demand for personalized academic assistance in the Emerald Coast area, serving students from kindergarten through college.

Rebecca Beard, the owner of Niceville Tutoring and a licensed Special Education K-12 teacher specializing in Math and Science, has quickly adapted her business model to meet the increasing needs of local families. 

“We have grown significantly since last school year,” Beard said, referring to the company’s growth since its initial launch. “I have a pretty large team of contractors that work with me now, and we cover kindergarten through college.”

The tutoring company has expanded its reach beyond Niceville, now serving students in Crestview, Freeport, Fort Walton Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, and DeFuniak Springs. This growth allows Niceville Tutoring to offer a wide range of services, including one-on-one tutoring, test preparation for various standardized tests, and specialized support for students with dyslexia and other exceptional needs.

One of the company’s key features is its certification as a Step Up provider. Step Up for Students is the governor’s school choice initiative that provides funding for tutoring services. 

• This certification has become increasingly relevant as the homeschooling community in the area grows, particularly among military families seeking educational continuity for their children. 

“It’s growing pretty fast,” Beard noted. “Especially with the military community, it’s becoming more popular with them to homeschool because it keeps the continuity for the kids.”

Niceville Tutoring’s team includes retired teachers, current educators seeking part-time work, and specialists in various subjects. This diverse group allows the company to match students with tutors who best fit their needs and learning styles. 

“That’s the beauty of having a bigger team,” Beard said. “We have so many kids with unique needs that we’re able to match them with the best fit because all of us have our comfort levels and our strengths and weaknesses.”

One of the tutors, Jeni Goldstein, a retired teacher, is able to work with students on Eglin Air Force Base, expanding the company’s reach to military families. This flexibility allows Niceville Tutoring to serve a wider range of students in various locations.

The company’s approach focuses on identifying and addressing individual student needs. “We spend a lot of time figuring out what is going on with the student,” Beard explained. “Why aren’t they scoring well? Why are their grades slipping? We try to find what the deficits are because normally we want to approach those deficits first before we make strides.”

• This personalized approach allows tutors to identify and address fundamental skills that may have been missed in a traditional classroom setting. 

“I have some kids that were struggling in math, even in elementary school. We found that one of the key deficits was that they did not know their times tables,” Beard said. “So we always spend time going back, making sure that they understand their times tables, and then go ahead and build on the harder concepts that they are learning.”

Niceville Tutoring offers specialized services such as Orton Gillingham groups for dyslexia intervention, led by certified instructors. Teresa Gee, an Orton Gillingham certified instructor, leads these groups, focusing on building phonemic awareness skills and improving decoding and encoding. 

• The company also provides support for students with various exceptional student education (ESE) needs, leveraging Beard’s background in Special Education.

As the new school year begins, Beard is positioning her company to meet the anticipated increase in demand. “I’m ready for the volume,” she said. The company has established relationships with local schools in Niceville and on Eglin Air Force Base and is looking to grow across the district. This connection with schools allows for better coordination between classroom teachers and tutors, ensuring a more comprehensive approach to each student’s education.

Beard, a mother of three young children herself, emphasizes flexibility for families using their services. “We don’t do contracts,” she said. “It’s completely at-will. If you like how it goes the first time, then let’s go ahead and continue. But if not, or if you need to work with someone else, then we can go ahead and pause.” This approach allows families to tailor the tutoring experience to their specific needs and schedules.

The company offers a variety of tutoring options to accommodate different learning needs and family situations. For elementary school children, they conduct two 30-minute sessions per week, covering homework, intervention on tough topics, and building math skills. For older students, they offer 55-minute sessions to help them stay focused and on task while addressing their weak spots.

Niceville Tutoring’s test prep services have also seen success. One parent commented, “Rebecca was wonderful in helping my daughter prepare for the ACT. Other review courses and study methods hadn’t impacted her score much. Rebecca’s one-on-one tailored help was just what was needed, and she was a pleasure to work with. We saw a 5 point improvement in her score!”

As Niceville Tutoring continues to expand, Beard remains committed to maintaining the quality of their services. 

• “My goal this school year is to be able to quickly match families with tutors,” she explained. “A lot of parents come to me needing help immediately so I want to get them paired with a tutor quickly.”

Looking to the future, Beard is optimistic about the company’s trajectory. With a growing team of qualified educators, expanding services, and a commitment to personalized learning, Niceville Tutoring is poised to continue meeting the educational needs of students across the Emerald Coast.

Click here to learn more about their services

POLICE BLOTTER

Two Crestview women arrested after meth lab reportedly found in vehicle

Two women from Crestview were arrested Friday after Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputies reportedly discovered an active methamphetamine lab in their vehicle during a traffic stop.

Deputies pulled over a 2021 Chevrolet Colorado for a traffic violation on Cedar Avenue near its intersection with Evergreen Avenue in Niceville. After establishing probable cause, a search of the vehicle revealed an active one-pot methamphetamine lab, along with other narcotics and drug paraphernalia, according to the report.

• The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Agency Drug Task Force was called to the scene to process the lab.

Carly E. Palucci, 35, has been charged with trafficking methamphetamine and possession of drug equipment. Tiffany D. Williams, 33, faces charges of two counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug equipment.

The 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.

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, Aug. 11 through Thursday, Aug. 15, 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, Aug. 12 through Thursday, Aug. 15, from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. for construction activities.

• Interstate 10 (I-10) Wilkerson Bluff Road Bridge Repairs –The inside lane of I-10 near the Wilkerson Bluff Road Bridge, from mile marker 48 to mile marker 51 will be closed from 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11 to 6 a.m. Friday, Aug. 16. The I-10 outside lanes will remain open.

• State Road (S.R.) 85 Improvements from S.R. 123 to Hospital Drive – Drivers may encounter intermittent S.R. 85 northbound lane closures, between I-10 and Hospital Drive, Sunday, Aug. 11 through Thursday, Aug. 15, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for signalization work.

• 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, Aug. 11 through Thursday, Aug. 15, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for signalization work and paving operations.

• 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, Aug. 11 through Thursday, Aug. 15, 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, Aug. 11 through Thursday, Aug. 15, from U.S. 98 to Hollywood Boulevard, between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
  • Sunday, Aug. 11 through Saturday, Aug. 17, from Hollywood Boulevard to Beal Parkway, between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.

Walton County:

• U.S. 331 Intersection Improvements from South of I-10 to U.S. 90 – Motorists may encounter intermittent lane closures Sunday, Aug. 11 through Thursday, Aug. 15 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for construction activities.

EVENTS

Drone show dazzles at Destin’s 40th birthday celebration

The City of Destin’s 40th Birthday Bash lit up the night sky Saturday with a spectacular drone show, marking the highlight of the evening’s festivities at HarborWalk Village.

• Three hundred drones illuminated the sky, forming various shapes, designs, and messages to commemorate the city’s four decades of incorporation.

The aerial display featured “Destin” and “Happy 40th Birthday” in lights, alongside images of sailboats, sharks, dolphins, the American flag, surfers, and a lighthouse.

The drone show, a first for the city, took place at 8:15 p.m. as part of a slate of activities that began at 5:30 p.m. with a confetti pop. The celebration also included live music, cupcakes, and a fire spinning performance by Autumn Lyfe to close out the evening.

Prior to the event, Tamara Young, City of Destin Public Information Director, had expressed enthusiasm for the celebration. “It’s one of those events where there should be something for everyone, no matter the age,” Young said. She also noted the recent recognition of Destin’s harbor as the second-best in the nation.

• To encourage community-wide participation, parking fees were waived for the evening at HarborWalk Village and all City-owned lots.

The birthday bash, which ran from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., also featured stilt walkers and live music by Tobacco Road, in addition to the drone show and fire spinning performance.