POLITICS

Recount confirms Sherri Cox’s narrow victory in Okaloosa County Commission race

In the early hours of Sunday, August 25, 2024, the Okaloosa Supervisor of Elections office released the official results of the highly anticipated recount for the County Commissioner District 3 Republican primary race.

• Sherri Cox has been declared the winner, maintaining her lead by a slim margin.

The final tallies after the recount are as follows:

• Sherri Cox: 7,604 votes
• Keri Pitzer: 7,590 votes
• Andrew Rencich: 7,377 votes
• Heath Rominger: 5,209 votes
• Wade Albert Merritt: 4,506 votes

Cox’s victory was confirmed just before 2 a.m. on Sunday, concluding a tense recount process that began on Saturday morning. The final results show Cox winning by 14 votes, a slight increase from the 13-vote lead she held in the initial count.

The recount was triggered automatically due to the extremely close margin between Cox and Pitzer, falling well within Florida’s 0.5% threshold for a mandatory recount.

NEWS

Former Okaloosa Sheriff’s Deputy charged with manslaughter in Airman Roger Fortson’s death

The State Attorney’s Office announced Friday that former Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Eddie Duran has been charged with manslaughter in the May 3 shooting death of Senior Airman Roger Fortson.

• The State Attorney’s Office has charged Duran with one count of manslaughter with a firearm. This charge is a first-degree felony punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in state prison. A warrant for Duran’s arrest will be issued today, according to the State Attorney’s Office.

The charges come more than three months after the incident at Fortson’s apartment complex. Body camera footage showed Fortson holding a firearm when he opened the door, but the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office’s internal investigation found that Fortson did not point the gun at Duran or physically resist.

Sheriff Eric Aden terminated Duran following an internal investigation, stating, “The objective facts do not support the use of deadly force as an appropriate response to Mr. Fortson’s actions.”

In a statement on Friday afternoon, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said they stand by their decision to terminate Duran as a result of the administrative internal affairs investigation.

• “The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) has been fully accountable and transparent in its compliance with statutory requirements, providing numerous public statements, making accessible the available body-worn camera footage and other related records, meeting with Mr. Forston’s family and legal counsel, and communicating openly with the U.S. Air Force and our community at-large,” wrote the department in a statement.

The Sheriff’s Office concluded by saying, “we continue to wish Mr. Fortson’s family comfort and peace, as the former deputy’s criminal case proceeds.”

SCHOOL

Okaloosa Schools Superintendent emphasizes open communication as new year begins

Okaloosa County School District Superintendent Marcus Chambers highlighted the importance of direct communication between parents and school officials during a school board workshop on Monday, August 26, 2024, as the district enters its third week of the new academic year.

• Chambers began by acknowledging the overall positive start to the school year, which commenced on August 12. 

“I think we’ve gotten off to a smooth start of the school year,” he said, while also recognizing that there’s always room for improvement. “Things can always be smoother,” Chambers added, addressing the typical challenges that come with the beginning of a new school year.

The Superintendent detailed how various aspects of daily school operations have been steadily improving through ongoing adjustments. “When you look at bus routes, car rider lines, and lunch lines at the beginning of the year, there’s processes that schools are going through,” Chambers explained. He provided specific examples of how these processes have been refined over the first few weeks.

“The first week of school, for example, car rider lines may have taken an hour on that first day. On the second day, it was 40 minutes, and on that third day, it was 30 minutes,” Chambers said, illustrating the quick improvements made. 

• He noted that similar adjustments have been made to bus routes and lunch lines. Chambers specifically addressed a recent incident of an overcrowded bus that had gained significant attention on social media.

“We had a situation where the bus was overcrowded,” Chambers explained. “The bus driver did a great job of dealing with that situation, communicating with the transportation department. We also communicated with the transportation department at the district level.”

Chambers detailed the swift response to the issue: ‘By the time the afternoon route was there, the bus was no longer overcrowded. The adjustment was made and the families were contacted.” He emphasized that the situation was remediated in less than 12 hours, with communication to affected families happening within just a couple of hours.

Chambers expressed his appreciation for the hard work of teachers, staff, administrators, and district personnel in making these necessary adjustments. He also set realistic expectations for future years, stating, “I would love to say that next school year, in the first two weeks of school, that everything’s going to be 100% smooth. It’s not going to be, there’s going to be adjustments that are made.”

The Superintendent then addressed the role of communication in resolving issues that arise. While acknowledging everyone’s right to share information through various channels, including social media, Chambers strongly encouraged direct communication with school and district officials as the most effective way to address concerns.

• “I would encourage folks to reach out to your school, reach out to your teacher, reach out to your principal, and reach out to the district office,” Chambers said. “In more cases than not, when you reach out to your school, situations are handled.” He emphasized that this approach often leads to quicker resolutions and ensures that accurate information is being shared and acted upon.

Aside from the recent bus crowding situation, Chambers also addressed other concerns that had circulated on social media, including a rumor about Choctaw High School changing its name and a situation involving a particular student. In both cases, direct communication with the involved parties led to quick clarification or resolution.

• Chambers stressed the district’s commitment to student safety, particularly in cases where threats are made. “We have shown zero tolerance for anyone that makes threats against our students or our employees,” he stated, while also noting that the district must follow state and federal laws in addressing such situations.

School board members echoed Chambers’ sentiments about the importance of direct communication. Linda Evanchyk emphasized how board members help connect parents with the appropriate resources to address their concerns. “We are all very receptive to speaking with the public,” Evanchyk said, “but it’s mainly our job to make sure you get to the people who can solve the problem.”

• Tim Bryant praised the district’s approach to problem-solving, noting how it allows for quick responses to parent concerns. “I appreciate the fact that you give us that latitude to be able to reach out and not necessarily have to pull you in right away,” Bryant told Chambers.

Dr. Lamar White reinforced the board’s commitment to serving the community, acknowledging that while thorough solutions sometimes require time to implement, “we want to do the right thing.”

Chambers concluded by expressing his appreciation for the community’s support and the dedicated efforts of school district employees. “We’re not going to be perfect, but we are going to strive to truly make a difference,” he said, emphasizing the shared goal of positively impacting students’ lives.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Body found floating near boardwalk on Okaloosa Island

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a deceased man was discovered floating in the water behind The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island on Sunday, August 25.

Authorities are currently working to confirm the identity of the man. An autopsy is scheduled to take place at the Medical Examiner’s Office, which is expected to provide more information about the incident.

• The sheriff’s office stated that additional details will be released to the public at the appropriate time as the investigation progresses.

No further information is available at this time.

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

BUSINESS

Red Lobster in Fort Walton Beach on new closure list

The Red Lobster restaurant in Fort Walton Beach is set to close as part of the company’s ongoing bankruptcy restructuring efforts, according to recent court filings.

• Court documents reveal that Red Lobster has identified 23 additional locations across 15 states for shutdown, including the establishment at 326 Miracle Strip Pkwy S.W. in Fort Walton Beach.

This decision follows the court’s approval of the company’s request to terminate unexpired leases for these sites.

According to the filings, Red Lobster sought bankruptcy protection earlier this year as a measure to revitalize its operations. At that time, the seafood chain declared its intention to shutter at least 48 of its 650 restaurants nationwide.

The court documents indicate that Red Lobster, with assistance from its real estate advisor Keen-Summit Capital Partners LLC, has been reviewing and identifying leases “that are likely to continue to drive losses” and should be rejected.

• According to the filings, Red Lobster has determined that these 23 locations, including the Fort Walton Beach restaurant, are ones that the company does “not anticipate needing in order to operate their business going forward.”

This new wave of closures, as stated in the court filings, is intended to bolster Red Lobster’s financial position during its bankruptcy proceedings.

The court documents do not disclose specific dates for the Fort Walton Beach restaurant’s closure or address potential impacts on local employees.

BUSINESS

Pink Coyote Dessert Co. expands to Fort Walton Beach, adds sundaes, shakes and baked goods

Pink Coyote Dessert Co., a popular artisan ice cream and baked goods shop in Destin, is expanding its operations to Fort Walton Beach with a new 3,500-square-foot location at 30 Walter Martin Rd NE.

• The expansion comes just two years after Pink Coyote’s initial launch in 2022, driven by growing demand for their handcrafted desserts. Co-founder Tarra Wixom Destin, the mastermind behind the company’s creations, says the move was necessary to keep up with customer appetite.

“We’ve seen a lot of growth since we opened. There’s demand for the ice cream — and I can’t keep up,” Wixom Destin said. “So, I needed to grow. The next logical step was to find a bigger kitchen, and more space to offer everybody all the ice cream that they wanted.”

The new location, formerly Armstrong’s printing shop, features an indoor seating area, a full commercial kitchen, and a large outdoor patio. Tarra and her husband, Parker, closed on the property in October and have been working to transform it into their vision.

• The renovation included adding restrooms, an order counter, and dividing the space to create a production area in the back. The couple also worked with the city of Fort Walton Beach on a CRA grant to develop an outdoor courtyard.

Unlike their seasonal Destin location next to Dewey Destin’s Seafood Restaurant on the Choctawhatchee Bay, the Fort Walton Beach shop will be open year-round. Starting Saturday, August 24, customers can visit from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

The expanded space will allow Pink Coyote to broaden its offerings beyond ice cream and baked goods. New menu items will include sundaes, shakes, malts, and coffee. Destin also plans to introduce beer and wine options, with cocktails potentially coming later.

• “We’re going to grow as the customer base grows,” Wixom Destin said. “But immediately walking in the door…You want a root beer float? Let’s do it. You want a malt? Let’s do it!”

A key focus for Pink Coyote has always been the quality and sourcing of their ingredients. Destin, a self-taught baker and chef, emphasizes the importance of using local, high-quality products in their desserts.

“For the ice cream, all of our milk comes from Florida farming families. It’s non-GMO, no growth hormones,” she explained. “So we start with really great milk. We use a really high milk fat content.”

This commitment to quality extends to their other ingredients as well. Destin makes most of the add-ins, such as jams, pastry chunks, and cookies, in-house. When possible, they source local produce, including Okaloosa County strawberries for their seasonal flavors.

• “We need to be in touch with our food ways and our food systems. It’s important to know who grows your food,” Wixom Destin said. “And also, it’s just higher quality. You can taste the difference in the strawberry that comes from Baker and compare it to something that you would get off the shelf at a box store.”

The new location will also help Pink Coyote expand its wholesale business. Once they complete their installation with the Florida Department of Agriculture, they plan to distribute pints to retailers who share their values and appreciation for artisanal desserts.

For customers with dietary restrictions, Pink Coyote offers several options. They take allergies seriously and train their staff to handle such concerns. Dairy-free choices include sorbets made from fruit, sugar, and water, as well as ice creams made with alternative milks like oat and soy.

• “We even have one of my favorite new menu items which is a sorbet float. It’s awesome,” Destin shared.

The reception to Pink Coyote’s expansion has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Wixom Destin. “Everybody I’ve met so far that has poked their heads in the door has been so supportive and kind,” she said.

While the new Fort Walton Beach location will be Pink Coyote’s primary focus, their original Destin location will continue to operate seasonally. The snowball stand will close in October and reopen in March, maintaining its traditional schedule.

• “Nothing’s going to change there. We’ll reopen in March through October,” Wixom Destin clarified. “So if you love it there, nothing’s changing. We’re just adding an additional option for everybody.”

As Pink Coyote Dessert Co. embarks on this new chapter, Wixom Destin remains committed to the artisanal approach that has made them successful. From their carefully sourced ingredients to their handcrafted recipes, the company continues to prioritize quality and connection to the local community.

“Being connected to place and people is important,” Wixom Destin said, summing up the philosophy that has guided Pink Coyote from its inception to this exciting expansion.

With its mix of traditional favorites and innovative new offerings, Pink Coyote’s Fort Walton Beach location is poised to become a sweet spot for locals and tourists alike. As they open their doors this weekend, they invite the community to come and experience their unique take on desserts, now in a bigger, year-round setting.