COASTAL RESOURCES

Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center successfully releases final Cold Stunned New England Sea Turtle

The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center has released the final cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtle from a group of 16 that they received on December 17, 2021.  

• On Thursday, August 25, 2022, Turtle 473 was transported to Fort Clinch State Park, Florida, as determined by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), to be released into the Atlantic Ocean.

The group of 16 sea turtles arrived at the C.A.R.E. Center after being stranded off the coast of New England during a mass cold-stun event. They were transported by private plane to the local area, courtesy of volunteer pilots at Turtles Fly Too, a nonprofit organization that provides air transportation for rescued endangered species to rehabilitation locations.

Upon arrival at the C.A.R.E. Center, each individual received an initial health assessment. They were checked for energy levels and their carapace, plastron, and flippers were examined for any injuries, according to the C.A.R.E. Center.

The turtle’s temperatures and heart rates were recorded, and bloodwork was taken to get a better insight into each turtle’s health. Over the following days, the turtles underwent swim-tests and were given full, extensive exams, including x-rays. Once their health was fully assessed, a treatment plan was put in place for each individual turtle by the rehabilitation center’s veterinary team.

According to the C.A.R.E. Center, all of the sea turtles received antibiotics during their rehabilitation to aid in their recovery. Once the sea turtles were doing well, had gained weight, and were able to eat without assistance, they were deemed ready for release by the FWC.

Turtle 473’s visit at the C.A.R.E. Center was prolonged due to an osteomyelitis bone infection in its ulna bone within the front left flipper. Surgery was required by the veterinarian team to remove the necrotic tissue and clean the area to allow healing.

“We are so happy to finally see turtle 473 head back into the ocean,” states Tabitha Siegfried, Stranding Coordinator for the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center. “Kemp’s ridleys are the most endangered species of sea turtle in the world, so anything that we can do to try to conserve this precious species is vital. We are so thankful for everyone involved who has helped us to provide the best possible veterinary care for these turtles that came to us from the Northeastern seaboard of the Atlantic due to a cold-stun event”

According to Siegfried, sea turtles are ectothermic, meaning they rely on the environmental temperature to regulate their body temperature.

• Cold stunning occurs when a sea turtle is exposed to cold water for an extended period of time.
• This exposure causes their heartrate to decrease, resulting in the turtle becoming lethargic and often unable to eat.

The C.A.R.E. Center reports that cold stunning events, where large numbers of sea turtles become stranded, are not unusual in Northern areas during the months of November through February as water temperatures drop below 50 degrees.

POLICE BLOTTER

Man accidentally shot by fiancé when asked to move his handgun from the cup holder

On Friday, August 26, 2022, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office investigated a shooting that left one man injured on Santa Rosa Boulevard near Venus Court on Okaloosa Island.

According to the OCSO, the victim says he and his fiancé were heading west on Santa Rosa Boulevard around 7:30 p.m. Friday when he asked her to move his handgun from the cup holder.

• Both the victim and his fiancé told deputies she accidentally pulled the trigger, causing a bullet to strike him in the stomach area.

Per the Friday report, the Fort Walton Beach man was taken to a local hospital and is in stable condition. The OCSO investigation remains open at this time. 

BUSINESS GROWTH

Eglin Federal Credit Union to break ground on new Freeport branch

On Tuesday, August 30, 2022, Eglin Federal Credit Union will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for their new Freeport Branch. The ceremony will kick-off at 9am.

This site is located at the intersection of Riverwalk Boulevard and US Highway 331, south of the Publix shopping center, and will be EFCU’s first branch in Walton County. 

• La Macchia Group is the design/build firm for the new Freeport Branch, Pace Branch, the Operations Center, and the recently-announced DeFuniak Springs and Gulf Breeze locations.

The Freeport Branch will be approximately 4,000 square feet and will showcase a new open branch design that features universal employees, and a member engagement area with interactive touch screen monitors.

• This will be a full-service branch with safe deposit boxes, coin counter, night drop, touch screen video tellers and drive-thru ATMs.

TRAFFIC

Okaloosa and Walton County 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:

• State Road (S.R.) 20 (John Sims Parkway) Resurfacing Project – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts Sunday, Aug. 28 through Thursday, Sept. 1 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
  • Intermittent inside east and westbound lane closures on S.R. 20, from Edge Avenue to west of the Rocky Bayou Bridge, to begin median widening construction activities.
  • Intermittent outside westbound lane closures on S.R. 20, from Edge Avenue to west of the Rocky Bayou Bridge for sidewalk construction activities.
• S.R. 85 Improvements from S.R. 123 to Hospital Drive- Next week, drivers will encounter the following intermittent, temporary southbound lane closures on S.R. 85, between S.R. 123 and Hospital Drive:
  • S.R. 85 southbound lane closures, from S.R. 123 to the Shoal River Bridge, no closures are expected between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. (peak travel times).  
  • S.R. 85 southbound lane closures, between the Shoal River Bridge and Hospital Drive, 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.

The closures are required for asphalt paving. One travel lane will remain open at all times and access to private property and driveways will be maintained. Signage and traffic flaggers will be on-site to direct traffic through the work zone.

• S.R. 85 Improvements from U.S. 90 to Commerce Drive – Crews will be constructing Americans with Disabilities Act compliant ramps at various locations. This work will require intermittent, temporary lane closures of the S.R. 85 outside turn lanes. During the closures, drivers will be able to access the side streets from the outside travel lane.
• S.R. 85 (Government Avenue) Routine Utility Maintenance Between Wolverine Avenue and Edge Avenue in Niceville – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Aug. 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for utility maintenance.

Walton County:

• U.S. 98 Widening from Emerald Bay Drive to Tang-O-Mar Drive – This week, drivers will encounter intermittent and alternating lane closures on U.S. 98 east and westbound between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. These closures are required for asphalt paving, cutting traffic signal detection loops, and additional work list items. One travel lane in each direction will remain open at all times. Additional paving work on County Road 2378 (Scenic Gulf Drive) at U.S. 98 will require flagmen to direct drivers through the work zone.
• U.S. 98 Resurfacing Project from Village Road to east of U.S. 331– Drivers may encounter the following closures: 
  • Intermittent closure of the U.S. 98 westbound outside shoulder and a speed limit reduction to 35 mph for the construction of a new U.S. 98 westbound turn lane at Don Bishop Road. The turn lane construction is expected to continue through September 2022.
  • Intermittent U.S. 98 westbound outside lane closures, between the Publix Supermarket at South Walton and Veterans Road between 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. to allow crews to construct a new sidewalk on the north side of the roadway.
• U.S. 331 Routine Utility Maintenance from North of Aero Drive to Oakwood Lakes Boulevard – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Aug. 29 through Wednesday, Aug. 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for tree trimming operations.

BROOKS BRIDGE

Waffle House, Tropical Waves demolished on Okaloosa Island for new Brooks Bridge

On Thursday, August 25, 2022, a crew began demolition of the Waffle House and Tropical Waves beach store on Highway 98 on Okaloosa Island.

• This demolition is part of the upcoming Brooks Bridge Replacement Project.

In June, the Florida Department of Transportation awarded Superior Construction Southeast with the $171 million design-build contract for the Brooks Bridge Replacement Project.

• In total, the project should take about 5-years to complete.

Most recently, several buildings were demolished in downtown Fort Walton Beach to make way for the new bridge. This included a four-unit building at Oak Breeze Apartments, Pat’s Bait & Tackle shop, Bamboo’s Jamaican Restaurant, Diva Nails & Spa, along with the old Doghouse Surf Shop. 

• Additionally, a portion of the front of Props Brewery located at the Shoppes at Paradise Pointe is being removed.

This week, drivers will experience the following traffic impacts as crews perform geotechnical surveys and utility work associated with the bridge project. The work will take place on Monday, August 29 through Thursday, Sept. 1 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

• U.S. 98 east and westbound alternating and intermittent lane closures between Perry Avenue and Pier Road. 
• Santa Rosa Boulevard east and westbound alternating lane closures from east of Amberjack Drive to Ross Marler Park. 
• Intermittent shoulder closures on Brooks Street, between Perry Avenue and Florida Blanca Place, and on Business Access Road.