NEWS

Destin to hold public workshop on draft Mobility Plan, includes upgrading roads, parking, and safety

The City of Destin will host a public workshop on Tuesday, August 29 to gather feedback on the city’s Draft Mobility Plan. The workshop, which begins at 5:30 p.m. at Destin City Hall Annex, will allow residents to review and provide input on 60 proposed transportation projects identified in the plan.

The Draft Mobility Plan aims to maintain and improve Destin’s transportation network through 2050. Goals include properly maintaining road capacity, addressing safety issues, and increasing options for walking and biking.

The 60 projects fall into several categories:

• The Cross Town Connector includes 7 projects to build a parallel roadway to U.S. Highway 98. This is intended to alleviate congestion for east-west travel.
• New Streets includes 7 proposed minor collectors and local streets to close gaps in the transportation system.
• Network Connectivity consists of 28 projects including bike lanes, sidewalks and paths to improve connectivity.
• Community Parking includes 4 projects like parking decks and lots to meet parking needs.
• Intersection Enhancements has 14 projects to address congestion and safety issues at intersections.

The city is seeking public input on how to prioritize the transportation projects. Residents will be able to provide feedback at the August 29 workshop.

Additionally, the city is developing a Mobility Fee that would help fund implementation of the Mobility Plan projects. The fee would apply to new development to mitigate impacts from growth. The draft fee structure will be prepared after the Mobility Plan is adopted.

BUSINESS

Crestview City Council selects Adams Sanitation for new garbage contract

The City of Crestview will have a new sanitation service provider beginning October 1, 2023. Adams Sanitation received a unanimous vote to provide garbage and refuse removal for citizens and businesses from the city council at the May 22 meeting. 

Earlier this year, the council decided to request proposals as the contract with WastePro will end on October 1. City staff received submissions from WastePro, Waste Management, Amwaste, and Adams Sanitation. 

A committee of six city staff and one resident used a weighted scoring system that included the collection service fee for residents at 30%, customer service at 25%, innovative approach at 15%, technical proposal at 10%, references at 10%, transition plan at 5%, and whether the company was women or minority-owned at 5%. 

• After scoring, Waste Management, Adams Sanitation, and WastePro were selected as the top three and invited to present in person, according to the city. After hearing presentations and deliberating, the committee submitted a recommendation for Adams Sanitation to the council. 

“Adams Sanitation has been aggressively working to meet the needs of the citizens of Crestview,” Public Services Director Mike Criddle said. “We are working closely with their transition team as we approach the October 1st start date.”

The City says that while Adams provides residential service at the lowest fee of the companies that submitted proposals, citizens will see up to an $11.03 increase for standard residential collection. Residents will begin seeing this increase on their November bill. 

“It’s vital for our residents to understand that even if the council decided to extend WastePro’s contract, there would be a price increase in the fall,” City Manager Tim Bolduc said. “I believe Adams will provide a level of service our citizens haven’t experienced in years with the lowest possible impact to their bank account.”   

Adams will begin delivering new trash carts in September. These will include a 96-gallon refuse cart and a 96-gallon cart for recyclables. They will start pickup on October 1. Additionally, the city says that most residents will not see a change in their pickup schedule. 

Adams Sanitation has provided a landing page for residents to visit with FAQs and helpful information, such as what types of trash are recyclable and what refuse is hazardous. They even have a live countdown for the start of service. 

• Citizens can find this page by visiting https://adamssanitation.com/crestview/. 
• They also have a free APP that goes live in September for residents to report issues, request a bulk pickup, determine how items should be disposed of, and set reminders for pickup days. 

“We are excited to begin serving the residents of our hometown,” Public Relations Manager Nat Mize said. “Our goal is to provide service to the community that will lead to a cleaner, tidier, and even more beautiful city.”

PUBLIC SAFETY

Three new firefighters join Fort Walton Beach Fire Department after intensive training

The Fort Walton Beach Fire Department welcomed three new firefighters last week after they completed an intensive week-long training program.

Caden Nimmo, Spencer Phillips and Ethan Roberts-Fischer finished their “Rookie Week” on Friday, undergoing hands-on drills to orient them to the department. The training included using air packs and radios, deploying ladders, forced entries into buildings, and simulated victim rescues in smoky conditions.

“Wednesday is focused on victim removal,” said Capt. Matt Baxley, who oversees the program. “We fill up the training tower with smoke and send them through the structure as a crew, looking for mannequins.”

The life-like mannequins, weighing about 200 pounds each, are hidden around the building. Trainees must find them while wearing full firefighting gear and breathing masks that limit visibility.

• “That smoke is really dense, and their flashlights reflect off the smoke,” Baxley said. “They can see their hands; that’s about it.”

The rookies also practiced deploying hoses and rescuing victims both inside and outside the training structure. On Friday, real fire was added to the drills, with barrels of burning hay producing thick smoke.

“It’s as realistic as we can get it without actually setting somebody’s house on fire,” Baxley said.

Fire Chief Jeremy Morgan said the intensive training both prepares new hires and demonstrates their abilities before being assigned calls. The three will be stationed at the department’s Station 6. Each one will be paired with a mentor firefighter during a 12-month probationary period.

• Nimmo recently graduated from the fire academy at Northwest Florida State College. Phillips and Roberts-Fischer come to the department with previous experience at the Destin Fire Control District. All three are EMT-certified.

SPORTS

Friday Night Lights: Big Wins for Choctaw, Niceville in Kickoff Classic

High schools across Okaloosa County held preseason games on Friday, giving fans a possible glimpse of the upcoming 2023 season. Here’s a quick look at the results.

• The Choctawhatchee Indians beat the Gulf Breeze High School Dolphins 56-28 on Friday night.
• The Niceville Eagles trounced the Bay High School Tornadoes 73-14 on Friday.
• In a low-scoring affair, the Escambia High School Gators edged the Crestview Bulldogs 14-0 on Thursday night.
• The Munroe Day School Bobcats defeated the Destin High School Sharks 28-3 on Friday.
• Walton High School defeated the Fort Walton Beach High School Vikings 21-0 at home on Friday night.

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 experience traffic disruptions Sunday, Aug. 20 through Thursday, Aug. 24, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for utility relocation work in the following locations:
  • U.S. 98 east and westbound alternating and intermittent lane closures between Perry Avenue and Pier Road. 
  • Perry Avenue southbound lane closures between First Street and U.S. 98. 
  • Intermittent shoulder closures on Brooks Street, between Perry Avenue and Florida Blanca Place, and on Business Access Road.
  • Santa Rosa Boulevard east and westbound alternating lane closures from east of Amberjack Drive to Ross Marler Park.

• U.S. 98 Bridge Rehabilitation over East Pass Bridge – Drivers may encounter intermittent single-lane closures on the U.S. 98 over East Pass (Marler) Bridge, eastbound structure (Fort Walton Beach to Destin) Sunday, Aug. 20 through Thursday, Aug. 24, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. The existing 35 mph speed limit will be maintained during construction.

• U.S. 98 Improvements from Josie Road to Florida Place Southeast- Drivers may encounter temporary U.S. 98 east and westbound lane closures from Josie Road to Mary Esther Boulevard, Sunday, Aug. 20 through Thursday, Aug. 24, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for roadway reconstruction.

• State Road (S.R.) 285 Resurfacing from S.R. 20 to S.R. 293 – Drivers may encounter intermittent, outside lane closures on southbound S.R. 285, from East College Boulevard to Adams Street, Sunday, Aug. 20 through Saturday, Aug. 26, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., for sidewalk work.

• S.R. 85 Improvements from S.R. 123 to Hospital Drive- Drivers will encounter intermittent, temporary outside lane closures on S.R. 85 southbound near Crestview Commons, Sunday, Aug. 20 through Thursday, Aug. 24, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. These closures are required for paving the new S.R. 85 southbound right-turn lane to access Crestview Commons. Signage and traffic flaggers will be on-site to direct traffic through the work zone.

Walton County:

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from east of U.S. 331 to Peach Creek – Drivers may experience the following traffic disruptions the week of Sunday, Aug. 20:
  • Nighttime intermittent U.S. 98 east and westbound lane closures, Sunday, Aug. 20 through Thursday, Aug. 24, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations.
  • Daytime intermittent turn lane and shoulder closures, Monday, Aug. 21 through Friday, Aug. 25, between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. for crews to place sod.

• Interstate 10 Resurfacing from east of U.S. 331 to east of County Road 183 Overpass – Drivers will encounter intermittent westbound and eastbound daytime lane closures Monday, Aug. 21 through Thursday, Aug. 24 for paving operations.

• S.R. 20 Coring Operations from West of City Hall to Black Creek Boulevard in Freeport – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Aug. 21 through Thursday, Aug. 24 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for coring operation.

THINGS TO DO

New 5K Mullet Run in Destin includes mullet toss and best ‘mullet’ contest

The Destin History and Fishing Museum has announced an exciting new event coming to our area this fall. On September 30th, the museum will host the First Annual Destin 5K Mullet Run & Walk. 

• This family-friendly event hopes to bring the community together for some fitness, fun, and fundraising.

The 5K run and walk will kick off at 4pm at the Beach Camp Brew Pub, and wind through the streets of Destin, following the popular old Hogs Breath route. 

After the race, participants can enjoy food, refreshments and an awards ceremony. T-shirts will be given to the first 250 registrants. As a nod to Destin’s fishing heritage, there will also be a special “Mullet Toss” challenge and awards for best mullet-themed costumes.

“It is a fun play on words. We’re going to give out prizes for a ‘mullet’ look hairstyle, or even if somebody comes dressed as an actual mullet, we will take that into consideration as well,” said a museum Executive Director Vivienne Williams. “Mullets are back in style and we’ve had a lot of kids come through the museum with mullets, so we’re very excited to see what everybody shows up .”

Proceeds from the event will go towards supporting the Destin History and Fishing Museum. The museum does have several new exhibits coming in and they have a new Captain’s Wall, as well. 

• “We have one large exhibit coming in as well that’s done by a private donor and some of these proceeds will help supplement that,” added Williams. “We’re redoing our outside exhibits, both in signage and in paint and repairs, so we have a lot of new exhibits in the future that this money is going towards.” 

Williams explained how fundraising initiatives like this new mullet-themed 5K Run/Walk are important to the museum, and how the community’s continued support helps them achieve their goals. 

“I’m a firm believer that museums should be a part of their communities and not just share the zip code,” she said. “We love this community and love to be a part of it. So it’s very important for us that the community can have a good time with us. We encourage everyone to come out and participate in what’s sure to be a fun community event.”

For more information or to register for the race, visit destinhistoryandfishingmuseum.org or call 850-837-6611.