COMMUNITY

Adult Tee-Ball: Fort Walton Beach Police vs. Community game!

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department will host its 2022 National Night Out on Tuesday, October 4th, 2022, from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at Chester Pruitt Park, 8 Harbeson Ave, Fort Walton Beach. 

• National Night Out is essentially a crime-prevention block party, where residents are encouraged to come out of their homes and interact with law enforcement to build a relationship of trust and understanding.  
• It is a free event.

Master Police Officer Traci Randolph has been with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department for 24 years and, minus a COVID cancellation, this event has occurred every year.  

“Last year we did a carnival theme with carnival-related vendors, refreshments, and several nonprofits promoting their businesses. This year will be an 80s theme,” said Randolph. “There will be a red carpet, and anyone who comes dressed in an 80s theme or as their favorite celebrity will get to walk the red carpet with introductions made by hosts Quanda and Shane Pace.”

Last year the event featured a First Responders vs. the Community kickball game, and the Community team won.  This year the game will be adult Tee-ball, First Responders vs the Community.  

• The community team is still being formed. Anyone who wants to participate can contact Officer Randolph at ZRandolph@FWB.org.

“The key component to this event is bridging the gap and building a partnership between police departments and communities, so our citizens aren’t fearful or afraid to engage with us,” says Officer Randolph. “FWB Police Chief Robert Bage is a very strong proponent for community engagement.“

Booths will be set up to educate residents about home security and crime prevention.  The city library will have a display of what services they have available, many of which are heavily underutilized.  

“It’s a wealth of information,” explains Officer Randolph. “Any customer-service-related business can set up a booth for advertising purposes.” Businesses who want to have a booth may contact Officer Randolph.

“It’s just a way to positively have fun together,” added Randolph. “We’re wanting to engage in a fun, family environment so come out on October 4th, 2022, from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at Chester Pruitt Park.”

WATER SAFETY

OCSO investigating apparent drowning near Destin Bridge

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent drowning after a woman was spotted floating in the water near Marler Bridge in Destin around 12:15pm on Wednesday, August 17, 2022.

Boaters pulled the woman up on their vessel, noticed she was not breathing and immediately began CPR, according to the OCSO.

The victim was taken to the Coast Guard Station for contact to be made with EMS, however she did not survive.

An autopsy will determine the exact cause of death.

PUBLIC SAFETY

FWB Fire Department celebrates their newest paramedics at Station 6

On Wednesday, August 17, 2022, the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department celebrated their newest paramedics at Station 6 with friends, family, and City and elected officials

With the addition of these new paramedics, half of the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department are now paramedics.

“We now have 20 paramedics within our department and we have even more firefighters beginning paramedic school,” said FWB Fire Chief Ken Perkins. “What an incredible thing to celebrate!”

According to Perkins, paramedic school is a year long commitment, filled with classes, tests, training, and long clinical hours (all while working full time!).

• “It’s not an easy feat, but with their determination and hard work, along with their loved ones’ support— these guys made it happen,” he added.

Fort Walton Beach City Fire Department plays a major role in providing pre-hospital medical care to area residents, says Perkins.

“To provide the best care possible, not only does our department train our personnel to be great firefighters, we also support and train them as Paramedics,” he said. “I am incredibly proud of the work these men have put forth to reach this milestone in their career.”

NEWS

Procession & End of Watch Ceremony for Niceville Police Department K9 Blue

The Niceville Police Department has scheduled a procession honoring K-9 Blue who passed during a traffic crash on Highway 85 on August 7th.

• The procession will take place on Thursday, August 25, 2022, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Emergency vehicles will depart from the area of Range Road, traveling west on Highway 20, turning right onto Partin Dr. and ending at the Niceville Community Center. Upon arriving at the Niceville Community Center, a private ceremony will be held for Niceville Police Department employees.

Following the procession, a public ‘End of Watch’ ceremony will take place on August 26th at the Northwest Florida State College Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville.

The End of Watch ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. with doors opening at 9:00 a.m. The ceremony is open to the public and will also be live streamed by WEAR Channel 3 for those that are unable to attend in person.

Traffic delays are to be expected during and after both events, please plan accordingly.

“Your actions and words have helped us cope and we can’t thank you enough,” said the Niceville Police Department in a statement. “Please continue to keep the department in your thoughts and know that we would love to have you join in celebrating the life and service of K9 Blue with us at the End of Watch ceremony.”

EVENT

HYPE ON THE HARBOR: Community pep-rally to kick-off school year featuring 5 Okaloosa High Schools

On Saturday, August 20, 2022, HarborWalk Village is hosting a community pep-rally in celebration of the 2022-2023 school year and to kick-off football season. 

• The first annual Hype on the Harbor is presented by Okaloosa County School District, and 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.

Schools in attendance for the event include:

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

Each school will be assigned a designated time to take the stage to represent their school’s spirit.

Attendees at the event will have the opportunity to cheer on the students and individual schools while listening to motivational speeches by coaches, band performances, cheer skits, and a contest between mascots. Local harbor restaurants will be grilling out tailgate style.

“Our community is an integral part of the Okaloosa County School District,” said Okaloosa County School District Superintendent Chambers. “Hype on the Harbor is an excellent opportunity for everyone in Okaloosa to come out and see the students they support. It is also a chance for our high school students to come together and celebrate the start of the school year while sharing their school spirit. I appreciate HarborWalk for hosting this fun event and know our students will put on a great show!”

“This pep rally is an opportunity for us as a community to show pride in our local students and thank the Okaloosa County School District for their continued support,” said HarborWalk Village VP of Sales and Marketing, Brittany Byrd. “We send best wishes to each student as they begin a new school year.”

Pep Rally Timeline:

• 5:00 PM: Opening Statements
• 5:05 – 5:30 PM: Fort Walton Beach High School
• 5:40 – 6:00 PM: Crestview High School
• 6:05 – 6:20 PM: Choctawhatchee High School
• 6:25 – 6:35 PM: Niceville High School
• 6:40 – 7:00 PM: Destin High School
• 7:15 PM: Closing Statements