POLITICS

Okaloosa County 2024 Primary sees low turnout, close races

The 2024 Primary Election in Okaloosa County concluded Tuesday with a voter turnout of 24.44%, as 35,708 ballots were cast out of 146,124 registered voters. The election, held on August 20, 2024, featured several key local races, including contests for sheriff, county commissioners, and school board.

According to results posted at 8:58 p.m. on election night, the primary for Sheriff saw a clear front-runner:

• Eric Scott Aden: 23,078 votes
• Ron Livingston: 8,033 votes
• Edward Eddie Perillo: 3,553 votes

In the race for Board of County Commissioners District 1, the results showed:

• Paul Mixon: 24,127 votes
• De’Carlo Garcia: 8,452 votes

The primary for Board of County Commissioners District 3 proved to be a tight contest, particularly between the top two candidates…just a 13 vote difference:

• Sherri Cox: 7,597 votes
• Keri Pitzer: 7,584 votes
• Andrew Rencich: 7,371 votes
• Wade Albert Merritt: 4,500 votes
• Heath Rominger: 5,206 votes

The race for Board of County Commissioners District 5 was closely contested:

• Drew Palmer: 16,673 votes
• Mary Anne Windes: 15,834 votes

In the non-partisan School Board Member District 2 race, the results were:

• Dewey Parker Destin: 18,752 votes
• David Schmidt: 14,730 votes

The close margins in several races, particularly in the District 3 County Commissioner contest where only 13 votes separated the top two candidates, highlight the importance of each vote.

With Sherri Cox receiving 7,597 votes and Keri Pitzer garnering 7,584 votes, the difference falls well within Florida’s 0.5% threshold for a mandatory recount. As provisional ballots are yet to be counted, we should hear the officials results by Thursday.

• If the official results still fall with the 0.5% threshold, we would see a recount. There is no runoff for this seat. It’s winner-take-all.

MILITARY

Hurlburt Field to perform planned detonation on EOD Range

The 1st Special Operations Wing’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team will be conducting explosive demolition training between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Aug. 21, 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 cloud coverage, the effects can seem louder and closer than on clear days.

POLITICS

Shalimar Mayor Mark Franks wins state-level position in Florida League of Cities

For the first time in several years, Northwest Florida will have representation in state leadership for the Florida League of Cities.

• Mark Franks, Mayor of the Town of Shalimar, was elected as Second Vice President on Saturday, August 17, at the 2024 Florida League of Cities Business Session in Hollywood, Florida.

Franks joins newly elected President Michael C. Blake, Mayor of Cocoa, and First Vice President Holly Smith, Council-member of Sanibel, as the 2024-2025 Florida League of Cities officers.

“It is an incredible honor to be elected Second Vice President of the Florida League of Cities, especially as a representative of Northwest Florida,” Franks said. He noted that his family has deep roots in Okaloosa County dating back to the 1930s.

Franks, who has served on the Florida League of Cities Board of Directors since 2023, competed against three other candidates from around the state for the position.

• His election marks the beginning of a four-year commitment, as he will move to First Vice President for 2025-2026, then President in 2026-2027, along with responsibilities as immediate past-President.

The mayor’s journey to this position began seven months ago. He first secured backing from the Northwest Florida League of Cities, winning a regional election. With this regional support, the Board of Directors backed his statewide campaign.

As a past president of the Northwest Florida League of Cities, which represents city officials from Monticello to Pensacola, Franks expressed enthusiasm about bringing small-city perspectives to his new role.

• “As a mayor of a small city, I’m excited to bring the unique perspectives of smaller cities to the table and work alongside leaders from across Florida to ensure that all communities, big and small, can thrive,” he said.

Franks encouraged fellow elected officials, particularly those new to office, to engage with the Florida League of Cities. He described the organization as “an excellent resource for training, advocacy, education and more.”

“The regional leagues are also a great way to connect with fellow municipal leaders and promote regional and local priorities in your area,” he added.

The newly elected Second Vice President expressed gratitude to his wife Luoma, the Northwest Florida League of Cities, and the Florida League of Cities membership for their support throughout his campaign.

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

POLICE BLOTTER

Missing Baker woman sought by Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating a missing and endangered woman from Baker.

• Angela Stroheker, 63, was last seen on August 17th between 4 and 5 p.m. near her home on State Road 4 in Baker. A family member reported her missing on August 18th.

Stroheker is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing 125 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes.

The Sheriff’s Office has classified Stroheker as a missing endangered adult, though details about the circumstances leading to this designation have not been provided.

Anyone with information about Stroheker’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office at 850-651-7400 or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at emeraldcoastcrimestoppers.com or through the P3 Tips mobile application.

TRAFFIC

Pier construction underway for Brooks Bridge replacement in Okaloosa County

Construction of piers for the new westbound bridge is currently a focal point of the Brooks Bridge Replacement Project, according to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

• The $171-million project involves building two new parallel bridges to replace the existing structure.

A key component of this process is the creation of footings for the bridge piers, which requires specialized underwater construction techniques

FDOT officials described the use of a large form for constructing these footings. The form, consisting of a concrete seal slab and steel wall forms, will be lowered into the water over a group of piles. Crews will then pour concrete underwater around the piles to create a watertight seal at the bottom of the enclosure.

• Once sealed, workers will pump out all the water from the enclosure. This step is crucial before they can proceed with constructing the concrete pier footing below the waterline.

The Brooks Bridge Replacement Project aims to increase capacity from the current four lanes to six travel lanes. The existing bridge, which opened in 1966, will be replaced by the two new structures.

FDOT estimates the project will be completed in summer 2027.