SCHOOL

Okaloosa School Board briefed on Niceville’s new school zone speed cameras plan

The City of Niceville plans to install speed cameras in school zones to enhance student safety, City Manager David Deitch told the Okaloosa County School Board during a workshop on Monday, August 26, 2024.

• Deitch said a speed study conducted between August 28 and August 31, 2023, found an average of 5,824 drivers per day exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph or more in Niceville school zones during active hours.

“As a result of that, the city council and I were very concerned about the safety and security of our students as they travel to and from school,” Deitch said. He emphasized that while the city is responsible for safety on the roads, the school district ensures safety on school property.

The Niceville City Council approved an ordinance on January 9, 2024, authorizing the cameras, as required by Florida Statute. On February 15, 2024, the city entered a contract with Altumint for the installation and operation of school zone speed detection systems near Niceville High School, Ruckel Middle School, and Edge Elementary.

One camera has already been installed on Palm Boulevard behind Ruckel Middle School, although not yet operational. Another is planned for Partin Drive near Ruckel, pending Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) approval.

• Deitch said the city is also working with FDOT to explore adding new school zones with cameras on Highway 85 near Edge Elementary and Highway 20 by Niceville High School. FDOT will conduct studies this month to determine if those zones are warranted.

“They are going to do a study both on [Highway] 85 and on Highway 20 to determine whether or not a school zone is warranted in those two locations,” Deitch explained. “That study will happen this month.”

Once operational, the cameras will have a 60-day public awareness campaign before fines are issued, exceeding the state-mandated 30-day notice period. They will only be active on school days during specific times: 30 minutes before and after the start of breakfast programs and regular school sessions, during the entire regular school session, and 30 minutes before and after the end of the school day.

Under state law, $12 from each $100 citation will go to the school district for safety purposes, student transportation, or to improve student walking conditions. An additional $5 will be retained for school crossing guard recruitment and retention.

• “I genuinely hope that this program generates $0,” Deitch said. “Because what that means is people have slowed down in our school zones and protected our children.”

According to Niceville documents, the entire cost of installation, maintenance, and operation of the system is borne by Altumint, with no cost to the city, school district, or Niceville residents.

School Board Member Linda Evanchyk expressed concerns about the delayed notification of the program to the school district. “Why did you take so many months to contact the school district since this does affect us?” Evanchyk asked, noting that the ordinance was passed in January but the board was only now being informed in late August.

• Deitch explained the delay was intentional to ensure clarity that this was a City of Niceville program, separate from school board decisions. However, he acknowledged the point about earlier communication.

Superintendent Marcus Chambers addressed the communication issue, stating that once informed, district officials had a productive conversation with Deitch. “We want to continue with that strong partnership. Sometimes, in the spirit of communication, we get back together and re-establish those expectations,” Chambers said.

Chambers also clarified that school resource officers are not primarily responsible for monitoring speed zones, as their main duty is to ensure overall school safety.

Deitch assured the board that there would be clear signage indicating the presence of cameras and speed enforcement in the school zones. He also mentioned that other municipalities in Okaloosa County are exploring similar programs.

• The initiative follows the passage of CS/CS/HB 657 by the Florida Legislature on April 28, 2023, which authorized municipalities to install speed detection systems in school zones deemed to have heightened safety risks.

REAL ESTATE

Local Realtor Nikki Segraves Wood named Top 1% ERA agent worldwide

In the world of real estate, success often comes from a combination of skill, dedication, and the ability to connect with people. For Nikki Segraves Wood of ERA American Real Estate in Shalimar, these qualities have not only defined her career but have also earned her a place among the industry’s top performers.

• Wood was recently named a Top 1% Real Estate Agent in ERA globally at the FUEL convention in Nashville, Tennessee. This prestigious recognition places her among the top 150 individual producers in sales volume and unit production out of nearly 15,000 domestic agents.

For Wood, the accolade came as a touching surprise, especially given the personal challenges she faced in the past year.

“It was a shock. I had no idea that I had won,” Wood said. “The award has never been available. It was a new award that the CEO has just rolled out.”

The recognition was based on 2023 production but awarded at the 2024 convention. What makes this achievement even more poignant is the timing.

• “It came at a time where I was not focusing on work because my mom was dying,” Wood shared. “It was a pleasant surprise and it was a great last hoorah for her…to make her proud more than anything.”

Wood’s journey to the top of her field is a reflection of her resilience and adaptability. Originally pursuing a career in emergency medicine as a firefighter and paramedic, she found herself at a crossroads when she moved back to Northwest Florida from Massachusetts in 2000.

Facing challenges entering the local fire service, Wood worked in hospitals and hospitality. It was during this time that a chance encounter with a developer opened her eyes to the world of real estate.

“I fell in love with real estate,” Wood recalled, a smile across her face. “It was probably a year and a half to two year transition. That’s when I got my broker’s license and together we opened up our own brokerage.”

This rapid ascent set Wood apart from many in the field. Within two years of entering real estate, she had obtained her broker’s license, driven by a goal to open her own brokerage.

Along her journey in real estate, Wood has formed lasting professional relationships that have shaped her career. One such relationship is with Linde Bowman, VP and Head of Brokerage at ERA American, who saw Wood’s potential early on.

• “I worked a lot with Linde way back in the heyday. We did a lot of investment stuff together,” Wood reminisced. “She tried to recruit me for a solid 14 years prior to getting to ERA American.”

This long-standing connection speaks volumes about Wood’s reputation in the industry and the mutual respect between professionals. Wood spoke of Bowman’s ongoing support:

“Her phone is always on and she’s willing to answer any questions. Even the questions where you know the answer, you just need to hear her say it,” Wood said, laughing. “She’s phenomenal and she’s a great motivator, and also your accountability partner.”

Throughout her career, Wood has faced numerous challenges, from market crashes to personal setbacks. But it’s her approach to these obstacles that truly sets her apart.

• “There are no easy deals out there right now,” she said. “Everything is convoluted with something, whether it’s probate issues, whether it’s boundary issues, whether it’s inspection issues.”

Rather than being daunted by these challenges, Wood sees them as opportunities to grow and help her clients.

Click here to read more about her work-life balance, and how a question from her child became a pivotal moment in her career.

BUSINESS

New EV charging station opens at Fudpuckers in Destin

Electric vehicle drivers visiting Fudpuckers Beachside Bar and Grill in Destin can now charge their cars while enjoying a meal or visiting the restaurant’s alligator park.

• Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) has installed an EVolution fast charging station in the parking lot of the popular restaurant. The station features four charging ports that can charge an electric vehicle in about 30 minutes.

“From start to finish, working with Florida Power & Light to bring EV chargers to Fudpuckers has been a delight,” said Chester Kroeger, owner of Fudpuckers Beachside Bar & Grill. “They are helping us bring a much needed and top-quality EV charging station to the Destin area.”

The new charging site comes as electric vehicles grow in popularity in the region. According to data from EV research group IHS Markit, the number of EV registrations in Bay, Walton, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Escambia counties increased by nearly 50% over the last year, rising from over 4,400 in 2023 to more than 6,500 by February 2024.

J.T. Young, VP & general manager of FPL Northwest region, said, “Our customers and EV users long for the confidence of knowing they can charge up quickly and reliably. With this innovative program, we’re powering up their journeys and meeting their growing needs for charging.”

The Fudpuckers site is one of ten new FPL EVolution charging locations in Northwest Florida. Other sites include locations in Pensacola, Pace, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Watersound, and Panama City Beach.

• FPL plans to open additional sites in the region, including stations in Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach.

Drivers can find FPL EVolution public charging locations through the free FPL EVolution app or by visiting FPL.com/EV.

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

TRAFFIC

Fort Walton Beach City Council approves adding paid parking at City Hall lot

The Fort Walton Beach City Council approved a contract with Premium Parking to manage the City Hall parking lot during its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, addressing long-standing issues of parking misuse and pedestrian safety.

• The council authorized City Manager Jeff Peters to enter into an agreement with Premium Parking for parking management services at the 8.87-acre City Hall complex located at 107 Miracle Strip Parkway SW. The site currently houses the City Hall Complex, Civic Auditorium, and City Hall Athletic Complex.

This decision comes after two to three years of discussions between City Council and staff regarding parking at City Hall. The initial concerns weren’t about implementing paid parking, but rather addressing issues with nearby businesses using the city hall parking for overflow and employee parking. Safety concerns also arose, with people running across Highway 98 at various points.

To address the safety issue, the city installed a crosswalk, but without a traffic light. According to the city, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will not allow traffic on Highway 98 to be stopped or slowed down, and an overpass is not feasible.

Under the new agreement, Premium Parking will provide 24/7 parking management services, including digital branding, multiple payment options, and parking compliance. Importantly, those conducting business at City Hall or attending sporting events will not be charged for parking.

The city will set parking rates, with initial proposals ranging from the following:

• 2 Hrs $8.00
• 4 Hrs $10.00
• 6 Hrs $12.00
• 12 Hrs – $15.00
• 24 Hrs – $18.00

Premium Parking estimates an annual total net revenue of approximately $137,400, to be split 50-50 with the city. This revenue share would allow Premium Parking to staff a full-time parking ambassador/compliance agent to handle parking management and enforcement, according to the city.

During the council discussion, members debated the origins of the parking management initiative and its potential impact on local businesses and employees. Councilman Travis Smith clarified the multiple purposes of the initiative.

“I think it serves multiple purposes,” Smith said. “It can resolve some issues with private individuals believing that private businesses were using public property for private gain. I think it can also resolve some issues with businesses potentially using this as employee parking, which it’s not.”

Councilman John Mead emphasized that the plan would ensure availability of parking spaces for city business. “These folks are going to make sure that there are spaces dedicated for city business,” Mead stated.

• The council also approved a subsequent motion, proposed by Councilman Smith, to allocate the city’s share of parking revenue towards improvements at the City Hall property.

City staff will work with the city attorney to finalize contract details with Premium Parking before implementation. The agreement includes provisions for Premium Parking to supply the first $4,000 of equipment costs, amortized over five years.

The city hopes to have the new paid parking up and running around October.

BUSINESS

City Council prohibits commercial bus stops, Greyhound service to end in Fort Walton Beach

The Fort Walton Beach City Council voted Tuesday to prohibit commercial bus stops within city limits, a move aimed at addressing ongoing community concerns about transient populations and public safety.

• In a series of votes, the council passed three ordinances on first-reading that will eliminate commercial bus stops in Fort Walton Beach, including the county’s sole Greyhound station located at a Shell gas station. The measures will prohibit new bus stops immediately and require the existing stop to cease operations by September 10, 2025.

The decision follows months of discussion and public meetings on how to “improve the quality of life” in the city, particularly around the Shell Station Convenient Store at the intersection of Highway 98 and Wright Parkway SW.

Officials cited several concerns with having bus stops at convenience stores. These locations often lack adequate food, water, and restroom facilities for passengers, according to documents. There have been reports nationwide of passengers being stranded at convenience store stops without access to basic necessities. The city views this as a safety issue for both passengers and the general public.

• The City noted that Greyhound’s parent company, purchased by a German private equity group in 2023, has been closing dedicated facilities across the country in favor of contracting with convenience stores. The city says this trend is not expected to improve, prompting the city to take preemptive action.

Growth Management Director Chris Frassetti explained that the ordinances stemmed from “discussion a while back looking at some of the concerns for safety and some of the use over there.”

The owner of the convenience store that hosts the Greyhound stop expressed concerns about the financial impact on his business. He revealed that he earns between $8,000 to $10,000 annually from the bus stop.

A Greyhound representative also addressed the council. He stated that the company has provided service to Fort Walton Beach for over 60 years and emphasized the importance of the service to the community. He noted that the majority of Greyhound riders in Florida are lower to middle income, and the service provides key transportation for those who cannot drive or afford airline tickets.

• “We believe that our services are important to this community,” he said. He added that Greyhound fares are about half the cost of airline tickets for destinations like Atlanta.

Some council members expressed reservations about the impact on private property rights, but ultimately supported the action.

The ordinances provide a process for affected parties to seek limited relief from the prohibition, including the possibility of extending the amortization period under certain circumstances. The ban on new stops will take effect immediately, with the existing stop given until September 2025 to cease operations.