POLITICS

Okaloosa County voters head to polls for primary elections

Okaloosa County residents are casting their ballots today in primary elections for several local positions. Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will remain open until 7 p.m., with voters required to visit their assigned polling places.

The ballot features contests for sheriff, multiple county commissioner seats, and a school board position. Here’s a breakdown of the races:

Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Election: See news coverage

• Eric Scott Aden
• Ron Livingston
• Edward Eddie Perillo

Board of County Commissioners: See news coverage

• District 1: De’Carlo Garcia and Paul Mixon
• District 3: Sherri Cox, Wade Albert Merritt, Keri Pitzer, Andrew Rencich, and Heath Rominger
• District 5: Drew Palmer and Mary Anne Windes

School Board Member District 2: See news coverage

• Dewey Parker Destin
• David Schmidt

Election officials remind voters that mail-in ballots cannot be accepted at polling places on Election Day. These ballots must be delivered directly to the Supervisor of Elections office to be counted.

For more information on Election Day and what to expect, click here.

EDUCATION

Okaloosa schools urge parents to stay connected through mobile apps

Join us this August 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.

As the school bells ring in a new academic year, the Okaloosa County School District is reminding parents that staying informed is just a tap away.

• In a news release issued Monday, district officials highlighted two mobile apps designed to keep families in the loop about everything from lunch menus to emergency notifications.

“Parents and guardians can easily access their student’s schedule, grades, and attendance by downloading the FOCUS App,” said Catherine Card, the district’s public information officer.

The FOCUS app serves as a digital backpack for student-specific information, allowing parents to track multiple children’s academic progress through a single account. From checking current schedules to reviewing report cards, the app aims to put vital information at parents’ fingertips.

For a broader view of district happenings, the OCSD Apptegy App offers a one-stop shop for school and district news, events, and important documents. The app also provides quick access to staff contact information and a calendar of events.

• “Both apps are available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play,” Card added.

For those seeking more information about the apps or other district matters, officials encourage visiting www.okaloosaschools.com.

As students settle into their new routines, the Okaloosa County School District hopes these digital resources will help families stay on top of the 2024-2025 school year, one notification at a time.

HOME AND GARDEN

Local contractor shares 9 common mistakes to avoid when building a home

Our Home and Garden section, proudly sponsored by Wildwood Garden Shoppe & Nursery, is your ultimate destination for creating a beautiful, functional, and thriving living space.

When it comes to building or remodeling a home, even the most well-intentioned homeowners can fall into costly pitfalls. Jason Carducci, owner of JP Carducci Inc. in Fort Walton Beach and current president of the Building Industry Association of Okaloosa-Walton Counties, shares his expertise on the nine most common mistakes consumers make in home construction and renovation projects.

With years of experience under his belt, Carducci offers valuable insights to help homeowners navigate the complex world of contracting and avoid expensive errors. Here’s a preview of the top mistakes to watch out for:

1. Misunderstanding “licensed and insured”: Carducci warns that a contractor’s claim of being “licensed and insured” doesn’t necessarily mean they’re state-qualified for building or remodeling. He advises homeowners to verify credentials carefully.
2. Purchasing cheap materials: While it’s tempting to cut costs, Carducci cautions against skimping on materials, especially for finish work like tile, flooring, and fixtures. He also highlights the importance of hiring skilled professionals for installation.
3. Choosing inappropriate materials: Selecting the wrong materials for specific areas can lead to significant problems down the line. Carducci emphasizes the importance of considering factors like moisture exposure when choosing materials for different spaces in your home.
4. Seeking estimates without plans: One of the biggest challenges contractors face is providing accurate estimates without detailed plans. Carducci stresses the importance of having a clear vision and detailed plans before requesting quotes.
5. Not comparing bids effectively: Even with plans in hand, Carducci recommends getting multiple bids and understanding how to compare them beyond just the bottom line.
6. Rushing the project: Unrealistic timelines often lead to compromises in quality and increased costs. Carducci advises patience in the renovation process to ensure the best results.
7. Misunderstanding contract types: Carducci advocates for cost-plus pricing contracts over fixed-price contracts, explaining the benefits of transparency and flexibility in the former.
8. Confusing handyman and contractor roles: Understanding the legal limitations of what handymen can do versus licensed contractors is crucial. Carducci warns of the potential lack of recourse when hiring handymen for work beyond their legal scope.
9. Inadequate project planning: Thorough planning before starting any construction or renovation project is essential for a smooth process and satisfactory results.

Carducci’s expert advice serves as a valuable guide for anyone considering home improvements or new construction in the area and beyond. By avoiding these common mistakes, homeowners can save time, money, and frustration in their construction projects.

For the full article, including detailed explanations and examples for each point, click here.

PUBLIC SAFETY

‘Saving futures’: Drug overdose support program expanded across Okaloosa County

In response to Okaloosa County’s high drug overdose rates, local law enforcement and health agencies have launched a new initiative aimed at supporting overdose survivors and connecting them with treatment resources.

• The Post Overdose Support Team (POST) program, which began as a pilot in Fort Walton Beach in June, has now expanded countywide. The initiative brings together law enforcement, emergency medical services, and behavioral health professionals to provide rapid intervention and support to individuals who have recently survived a drug overdose.

Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage, speaking in an interview about the program, highlighted the urgency of addressing the county’s drug crisis.

“Okaloosa County has a higher drug overdose rate than our surrounding counties,” Bage said. “Of the 67 counties in Florida, only seven have a fentanyl death rate of greater than 40 per 100,000 people. We have just over 200,000 people in Okaloosa County, and we had just over 80 fentanyl-related deaths last year.”

The POST program operates by sending a three-person team — consisting of a law enforcement officer, a community paramedic from Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and a clinician from Bridgeway Center — to visit individuals within 24 to 72 hours after they have experienced an overdose.

• “Between 24 and 72 hours is ideal,” Bage explained. “A lot of studies have shown that people are more receptive to receiving help or treatment during that golden window.”

Capt. Greg Cain of Okaloosa EMS reinforced the gravity of the situation that led to the program’s creation. “It’s a sobering moment when you realize you [Okaloosa County] have one of the highest overdose rates in the state of Florida,” Cain said. “So it was really important for us to make sure that we were able to address the issue. We felt it imperative that we go ahead and get involved in this program immediately.”

The team uses data provided by EMS to identify recent overdose cases within their designated geographic area. They then visit the locations, introduce themselves as the POST team, and offer support and resources.

EMS plays a vital role in the POST program, not only by providing data but also by leaving behind potentially life-saving resources. “Our ambulances are all stocked with what’s called a ‘saved your life’ kit,” Cain explained. These kits, left at residences where an overdose occurred, contain Narcan, instructions for its use, a guide for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation with a pocket mask, and a card with a QR code linking to substance addiction resources.

• “We try to convey to them that their life might have been saved by a reversal drug, but now the team wants to save their future,” Bage said. “We really want to break that cycle of addiction.”

One of the program’s key features is its ability to remove barriers to treatment. The Bridgeway clinician can immediately enroll individuals in various treatment programs, including medication-assisted treatment, faith-based treatments, and cognitive treatments.

“If they can’t sign you up right then and there, they’ll follow up with you later in the day or the next day and sign you up for the program,” Bage added.

The team also provides information about food insecurity, shelter, and mental health resources, recognizing that these issues often go hand-in-hand with drug addiction.

• For cases where no one answers the door, the team leaves behind a small postcard with information about drug addiction, food insecurity, and mental health resources. They distribute these cards throughout the neighborhood to reach anyone who might be struggling with these issues.

The program’s approach was influenced by data showing that a significant portion of overdose cases involve local residents. “Prior to probably four or five years ago, it was always looked at as an outsider problem,” Bage said, explaining it was thought of as tourists or homeless overdosing. “We really started looking at the stats. It changes year by year, but I would say between a 60-70 percent average over the last five years is a good target range for our local residents.”

For non-residents who experience an overdose while visiting the area, the team sends a postcard with local and national resources to their home address.

The POST program is part of a larger initiative called the Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Network in Okaloosa County. It’s a collaborative effort between Okaloosa County, Bridgeway Center, and the Okaloosa County Health Improvement Partnership.

• Funding for the program comes primarily from CORE dollars and opioid settlement money received by the county. 

While it’s still early to gauge the program’s long-term success, Bage reported some encouraging results from the pilot phase. “During the pilot program, they went to about 30 doors. They actually got a response at about half the doors and they were able to get six people enrolled into treatment programs that might not have been enrolled into a treatment program,” he said.

The program has set several metrics to measure its success, including reducing the fentanyl death rate from over 40 per 100,000 to about 38 per 100,000, reducing the number of overdose calls that EMS responds to, and making contact with 50 percent of people who overdose in Okaloosa County.

In addition to door-to-door outreach, the POST team plans to conduct pop-up events and participate in community gatherings to distribute information about treatment resources and Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses.

• “We’re really trying to get a lot of Narcan out into the community,” Bage explained. He added that businesses can obtain small red boxes containing Narcan from the health department to mount in their establishments, similar to automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

However, Bage emphasized that while Narcan is a crucial tool in saving lives, it’s not infallible. “Narcan is great. It’s like wearing your seatbelt in a car. It saves numerous lives, but Narcan doesn’t save every life,” he cautioned.

The police chief also highlighted the broader context of the drug crisis, noting the high levels of fentanyl contamination in the illicit drug supply. “The DEA puts it as high as 30 or 40 percent of all illicit drugs are laced with fentanyl,” Bage said.

To prepare for their role in the program, law enforcement officers receive a 90-minute training session covering the program’s goals, procedures, and their specific responsibilities. The primary role of law enforcement in the POST team is to provide legitimacy to the outreach effort and ensure the safety of the other team members.

• Bage sees the POST program as part of a holistic approach to tackling drug-related issues in the community. “We’d love to never make another drug arrest again,” he said. “If you have an addiction problem, we can provide a resource to break that addiction. Or by trying to cut off the drug supply coming into the community, we want to tackle it from all avenues.”

Bage highlighted the scale of the ongoing drug crisis. “If you look nationwide for about the last four years, there’s been over 100,000 overdose deaths. The majority of them, over 70 percent of them, are synthetic opioids, with the biggest one being fentanyl,” Bage said. 

As the POST program continues to roll out across Okaloosa County, officials hope that this targeted, multi-disciplinary approach will help reduce overdose deaths and connect more individuals with the support and treatment they need to overcome addiction.

“In today’s environment, one pill can kill,” Capt. Cain warned, echoing a slogan adopted from the DEA. “Everything’s laced with fentanyl. Fentanyl is our biggest problem.” 

As part of ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis and raise awareness, the Okaloosa County Health Improvement Partnership is hosting a free community event in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day. 

• The gathering, open to all community members, will take place at Crosspoint Church Fellowship Hall in Niceville on August 31, 2024. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. with a complimentary dinner, the program will run from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 

Attendees can expect free food, Narcan distribution, raffles, and access to community resources for substance use and addiction. Those interested in attending can RSVP at https://bit.ly/OkaloosaOverdoseAwareness2024.

For more information about the POST program or to access addiction resources, residents can contact the Fort Walton Beach Police Department or visit the Okaloosa County Health Department website.

A MESSAGE FROM DIANA HEALTH

Diana Health brings individualized, comprehensive women’s healthcare to Okaloosa and surrounding areas

The Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Niceville, and surrounding areas have a new option for elevated women’s healthcare with Diana Health. Diana Health offers women’s healthcare focused on the whole woman – addressing physical, mental, and social healthcare needs.

Led by medical director Dr. Michael Hennessey and a provider team of physicians, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants, Diana Health’s services include end-to-end maternity care, Labor & Delivery services, preconception and family planning, along with comprehensive, full-scope Gynecological care.

Diana Health is located adjacent to HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and has collaborated with them to provide 24/7 midwifery care to the labor and delivery floor. The Diana Health care program is designed to empower women to make the best health choices for themselves and their families, providing information, tools, and support every step of the way.

• And, when you visit in person, you’ll be welcomed with a calm and comfortable practice space to make you feel at home.

Diana Health is in-network with most major insurance plans, including Medicaid and TriCare. New patients are welcome and can book an appointment – even prior to 10 weeks of pregnancy if desired – within one week in most cases.

Call to schedule an appointment at (850) 243-2229 or learn more and book online here

HEALTH

HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital recognized for maternal care excellence

HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has received the 2022 Excellence for Maternal Care Award from the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.

• The hospital was among 31 facilities statewide recognized for their commitment to maternal health care and supporting positive outcomes for mothers and newborns.

The award specifically acknowledges hospitals that surpassed the Healthy People 2030 target goal of 23.6% for optimizing cesarean section rates among first-time mothers with low-risk pregnancies.

“We are immensely proud of the recognition our hospital and care teams have received for excellence in maternal care,” said Zach McCluskey, CEO of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. “This accolade reflects our unwavering commitment to improving the lives of mothers and newborns through innovative technology and a patient-focused approach to exceptional care.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 25.6% of total cesarean births in 2019 were among the NTSV (Nulliparous, Term, Singleton, Vertex) population.

• Nearly nine in 10 women who have a C-section with their first pregnancy undergo the procedure in subsequent pregnancies, increasing the risk of complications, according to the hospital.

HCA Florida Healthcare, which includes more than 650 affiliated sites of care across the state, delivers over 32,000 babies annually. The healthcare network employs evidence-based practices and advanced technology, such as wireless fetal monitoring, to promote safe and efficient deliveries.

“The exemplary performance of these hospitals demonstrates the commitment that HCA Florida Healthcare hospitals have to support mothers for successful births,” said Diana Moses, assistant vice president of women’s and children’s Services for HCA Healthcare. “The success of optimal NTSV C-section rates reflects the collaborative efforts of our nurses, providers and patients to realize the best outcome for mothers and babies.”

For more information about HCA Florida Healthcare’s labor and delivery services, visit their website.