MILITARY

Hurlburt Field to perform planned detonations on EOD Range

The 823rd RED HORSE Squadron will be conducting explosive demolition training between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Aug. 15, 2024 at the Hurlburt Field Range.

• During the training, nearby residents may hear loud noise or feel the vibrations associated with the demolition charge detonations that are planned to occur periodically throughout the day.

Base officials advise if the humidity is high or if there is low cloud coverage, the effects can seem louder and closer than on clear days.

SCHOOL

Okaloosa School District to implement new state-mandated safety measures

The Okaloosa County School Board received an update on new school safety requirements at its August 12 meeting, as the district works to implement recently passed state legislation.

• Danny Dean, the district’s school safety specialist, outlined changes stemming from House Bill 1473, signed into law by Governor DeSantis on May 6. The bill focuses on tightening access control at schools and enhancing compliance requirements.

A key change requires all gates and access points to school campuses to be closed and locked when students are present, including during after-school activities. Exceptions are allowed for staffed entry points or those covered by shared use agreements.

“This is going to look different, especially after school hours,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “Picking up your child from practice may be different than before.”

The legislation also mandates that classroom doors remain closed and locked during instructional time. Dean noted this has already been district practice for several years.

In addition to access control measures, Dean highlighted changes to the Guardian program. The new legislation allows certified law enforcement officers who have recently retired to become school guardians without completing the full 144-hour training program. 

• “Law enforcement officers that still have their certification can become guardians without having to go through the complete 144 hours of training,” Dean explained.

There are also new requirements for safe school officers. Dean noted, “Our responsibility now in that contractual agreement that we have with the sheriff’s office is identifying who is responsible for maintaining the training records of those deputies.”

Board members expressed concerns about staffing and logistics, particularly for after-school events. “It’s going to be challenging,” said board member Linda Evanchyk. “We just don’t have the employees to cover those doors.”

Dean will provide quarterly compliance reports to the board, though some details may be withheld from public discussion for security reasons. Board member Tim Bryant suggested these reports might be best discussed in closed sessions.

The district conducted extensive reviews over the summer to determine which access points could be exempted from the new requirements. 

• “Every exemption that was done meant that somebody from our office had to go out, physically look at that door, provide a detailed description of that door, photograph that door, write a report on that door, do an exemption on that door, and then submit that door to the Department of Education in the database,” Dean explained.

John Spolski, Assistant Superintendent, added, “Mr. Dean and his staff completed those exemptions last week before school started just to be sure that we were all ready and buttoned up before we brought our students on campus.”

The District said they are working to balance safety needs with practical school operations. “Our administrators did a phenomenal job looking at this at a macro level for their campus,” Dean said. He noted that many principals were able to reduce the number of doors needing exemptions by adjusting student routes within schools.

The new law also requires annual instruction for students on the proper use of the FortifyFL reporting tool within the first five days of the school year. Dean explained that the district has created age-appropriate instructional materials for both elementary and secondary students.

• While acknowledging implementation challenges, board member Tim Bryant expressed optimism: “I truly believe that because of our leadership…we’ll be able to take this and make it work.”

Superintendent Chambers emphasized the district’s proactive approach to safety, noting they were “three years ahead of schedule” on implementing single-point entry and perimeter fencing due to a half-cent sales tax.

As the district moves forward with these new requirements, Chambers acknowledged that there may still be questions to be answered. “There’s probably more questions and answers, and some of that is to be expected with new legislation,” he said, emphasizing the importance of ongoing communication with families about the changes.

THINGS TO DO

Local high schools to battle it out for the ultimate ‘Spirit Stick’ at HarborWalk Pep-Rally in Destin

On Saturday, August 17, 2023, HarborWalk Village is hosting another community pep-rally in celebration of the 2024-2025 school year and to kick-off football season. 

• The second annual Hype on the Harbor will take place on the main stage in HarborWalk Village beginning at 5:00 PM. 
• The pep rally is free and open to the public and parking fees will be waived.

Schools in attendance for the event include:

• Destin High School
• Niceville High School
• Crestview High School
• Fort Walton Beach High School
• Choctawhatchee High School
• Baker School

Again this year, each school will compete in a Spirit Stick Competition throughout the event, and have a chance to show off their band, mascot, school spirit and more.

This year again includes a social media competition: The school logo with the most likes combined on Facebook + Instagram by Saturday at 5pm will win the social media portion. Click here for Facebook

• The school with the most hype will bring home a giant spirit stick.

Attendees at the event will have the opportunity to cheer on the students and individual schools.

POLICE BLOTTER

12-year-old student arrested for alleged threats at Saint Mary Catholic School

A 12-year-old student was arrested Monday on a felony charge after allegedly threatening to shoot another student and bring a gun to Saint Mary Catholic School the next day, according to the Fort Walton Beach Police Department.

• Fort Walton Beach police officers responded to the school at 110 Robinwood Drive SW at approximately 3:06 p.m. on August 12, 2024. School administrative staff reported the threats to the authorities.

Following an extensive investigation and after obtaining statements, police took the student into custody on a felony charge.

• Saint Mary Catholic School administrators have expelled the student in response to the incident.

The criminal investigation remains active and ongoing, according to the Fort Walton Beach Police Department. Authorities stated they have a zero-tolerance policy for threats or acts of physical violence on school grounds.

The police department is urging anyone with information about this incident or other related incidents to contact them at (850) 833-9546.

BUSINESS

HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital announces new Chief Operating Officer

HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has announced the appointment of Patrick McVey as chief operating officer.

McVey, whose new role was effective June 24, comes to the hospital with a distinguished background in healthcare management.

• Most recently, he served as regional vice president for HCA Healthcare’s North Florida and South Atlantic divisions, where he oversaw patient logistics including behavioral health, centralized patient placement, transfer center operations, and emergency medical services transport.

“Joining HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is an exciting opportunity for me. The strength of this community and the hospital’s commitment to excellence were major factors in my decision,” said Patrick McVey, COO of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. “I am eager to immerse myself in the work here, collaborate with our dedicated team, and drive meaningful impact for our patients and the community we serve.”

In his new role, McVey will lead the hospital’s operations with a focus on enhancing efficiency and patient care quality.

“Patrick’s proven leadership and extensive experience in healthcare management will be a tremendous asset to our hospital,” said Zach McCluskey, CEO of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. “We are confident that his strategic insight and dedication will drive our initiatives forward and support our commitment to providing high-quality care.”

PARKS+REC

Fort Walton Beach unveils plans for 13-court pickleball facility at Preston Hood Athletic Complex

The City of Fort Walton Beach is expanding its plans for the Preston Hood Athletic Complex to include a 13-court pickleball facility, City Manager Jeff Peters announced during a budget workshop on Monday.

• The pickleball addition, which includes eight covered courts and a stadium court, will be part of the larger expansion project for the complex located on Hollywood Boulevard. Peters told the city council that bids for the project would open on Tuesday, August 13.

“You can host a pretty good tournament if you have 12 pickleball courts,” Peters said. “This would be 13 with a stadium court and some bleachers.”

The pickleball complex was not initially part of the expansion plans for the 12-acre site, which the city decided to retain for recreational use in 2021 after considering other development proposals.

The expanded facility is expected to include four new multi-purpose fields, an expanded parking lot with 300-400 spaces, restrooms, a recreation building, and a pedestrian bridge connecting the north and south sides of the complex.

• Peters indicated he hopes to present bids to the council for consideration at the September 10 meeting. The city plans to use various funds, including the half-cent sales tax, to cover the project costs. 

The expansion aims to address the growing demand for recreational facilities in Fort Walton Beach. City officials view the expansion as an opportunity to enhance local recreational offerings while also positioning Fort Walton Beach to compete for sports tourism events with nearby cities.