PUBLIC SAFETY

Coast Guard medevacs man near Crab Island suffering from heat exhaustion

A 31-year-old man was rescued by the Coast Guard on Saturday after allegedly suffering from heat exhaustion near Crab Island in Destin, Florida.

The Coast Guard Station Destin received a distress call around 1:30pm reporting a man in need of medical help due to heat exhaustion-like symptoms. A 27-foot Response Boat-Small that was already out on patrol was dispatched to provide assistance.

Once the boat crew arrived on scene, they brought the man aboard and quickly transferred him back to the station where emergency medical personnel were waiting.

SPORTS

Vikings Volleyball victorious over Marlins in tight 5-set match

The Fort Walton Beach Vikings volleyball team prevailed in a tight 5-set match at home against the visiting Arnold Marlins on Thursday night. The Vikings won the match by set scores of 20-10, 20-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-13.

• “Tonight was no easy task,” said Coach Melanie Marchena. “We knew going into the game it was going to be a battle as Arnold is a solid program. We came in hot and won the first game with our simplicity and discipline.”

The Vikings were led by standout junior outside hitter Ashley Bouck, who hammered 12 kills on a .400 hitting percentage. Bouck was a force at the net and came up with several timely kills to ignite Vikings rallies. Coach Mel praised Bouck, saying “I love her ambition to know her teammates and how to be the best teammate she can be to each of them. Tonight we needed that, and I loved watching her.”

Sophomore middle blocker Aubree Davis was also instrumental in the Vikings’ victory. She recorded a team-high 6 blocks and added 6 kills on .200 hitting. Her dominant presence at the net helped the Vikings control the net and shut down the Marlins hitters. 

• “Aubree continues to be the leader and backbone of our team,” Coach Mel highlighted. “Her spirit dominates no matter what. From the court to the bench her energy is the breeding ground for everyone else’s.”

Junior libero Brighton Watson anchored the Vikings defense with 23 digs. She provided stellar back row play and kept several rallies alive with her tenacious digging. Coach Mel commended Watson, saying “Being a libero is hard. Every ball that falls back court is usually put on you and tonight was no different. Brighton always steps up to the plate, no matter how big or small of a task I ask of her.” 

• Senior Kiersten Martin was also praised by Coach Mel: “Kiersten has developed in major ways this season. She runs that back court and I always feel confident when she is back there!”

The Vikings showed great resilience by bouncing back after dropping sets 2 and 4.

“The thing I love about the whole team is their spirit to do whatever it takes to win,” added Coach Marchena. “It wasn’t always pretty and we still have a lot of work to do. But I continue to grow prouder and prouder of this team and the ability to learn and adjust to the game as needed. This group is special and tonight’s win was exciting to experience together. We still aren’t satisfied and tomorrow is a new day to prepare for the battles ahead.” 

THINGS TO DO

Idyll Hounds Brewing Company announces Houndfest9 benefiting Westonwood Ranch

Idyll Hounds Brewing Company has announced details for their 9th annual Houndfest craft beer festival taking place September 29-30 in Santa Rosa Beach.

• This year’s event will benefit Westonwood Ranch, a local non-profit providing programs for young adults with developmental differences.

The festival kicks off Friday, September 29 with a new VIP dining experience hosted at the brewery’s restaurant, Idyll Hound Proper. The five-course meal paired with custom beer selections will take place from 6-9 PM, with tickets costing $115 per seat.

On Saturday, September 30, the main Houndfest9 event will take place from noon to 5 PM at the Idyll Hounds brewery. Local and regional breweries like Grayton Beer Company and Tampa Bay Brewing will be in attendance pouring craft beer samples.

• Idyll Hounds plans to debut new packaged beers along with specialty releases of their core beers like Divide and Conchr and Boosh.

Food will be available from local restaurants and live music is scheduled from bands Dirty Bird and the Flu and The Zydeco Gents. There will also be various vendor booths and a steinholding competition.

General admission tickets are $60 presale and $75 at the door and include unlimited beer samples, a commemorative bag, koozies, t-shirt, sticker, and tasting glass. VIP tickets ($119) grant early entry plus reserved seating, food, and a limited-release bottle of beer to take home.

All proceeds from Houndfest9 will go to Westonwood Ranch. The local non-profit provides programs for young adults with developmental differences to help teach life skills and transition into adulthood and employment.

For more details on the event and ticket prices, click here.

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, Sept. 10 through Thursday, Sept. 14, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for utility work in the following locations:
  • U.S. 98 east and westbound alternating and intermittent lane closures between Ferry Road 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 U.S. 98 over East Pass (Marler) Bridge, eastbound structure (Fort Walton Beach to Destin) Sunday, Sept. 10 through Thursday, Sept. 14, 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, Sept. 10 through Thursday, Sept. 14, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. to allow crews to adjust manholes and for roadway reconstruction activities.

• 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, Sept. 10 through Saturday, Sept. 16, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., for sidewalk work.

• U.S. 90 Routine Utility Maintenance in Crestview – Motorist will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Sept. 11 through Friday, Sept. 29 from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for wire replacement around energized power lines.

Walton County:

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from east of U.S. 331 to Peach Creek – Drivers may experience nighttime intermittent U.S. 98 east and westbound lane closures, Sunday, Sept. 10 through Thursday, Sept. 14, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations and sod placement.

• 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, Sept. 11 through Thursday, Sept. 14 for paving operations.

REAL ESTATE

Destin City Council considers purchase of 7.6 acre land near Destin Elementary School

The Destin City Council held a meeting on Thursday night. At the end of the meeting, the council discussed the potential purchase of a 7.6-acre parcel of land adjacent to Destin Elementary School. 

• The vacant land, located at 401 Beach Drive, recently went up for sale, prompting interest from the city and school district.

Council-member Kevin Schmidt brought the matter to the council, providing background that a few weeks ago a “For Sale” sign went up on the lot next to the elementary school. He noted the parcel could allow for expansion of the elementary school facilities and recreation space. 

Schmidt recalled previous conversations where veteran council members had expressed regret about not purchasing this property in the past when it was available.

• “The opportunity is knocking on our doorstep,” said Schmidt on Thursday night. “I think we should try to do everything we can do to buy that property.”

The property has an institutional deed restriction, limiting it to non-residential community uses. The current owner purchased it for $1.6 million several years ago, with architectural plans for a potential 3-story assisted living facility. However, it has remained vacant land. 

The Okaloosa School District confirmed they have plans to expand Destin Elementary with a new 32 classroom addition for 4th-5th grade to be completed in late 2025. However, Assistant Superintendent Steve Horton clarified the 7.6-acre parcel is not needed for their currently planned 2-story expansion. 

• He said the school district may still have interest in obtaining a portion of the land. This would allow them to shift the new building footprint over to provide more green space and play area inside the campus.

Some council members raised concerns about how the purchase would be funded. Council-member Jim Bagby pointed out the city is “maxed out” on their debt and asked “Where’s the money coming from?” Council-member Dewey Destin also cautioned that the city cannot make a formal monetary offer until an appraisal is conducted.

• The council discussed potentially partnering with the school district to split the cost. 

After debate, the council unanimously approved a motion directing the city manager and attorney to initiate discussions with the school board to gauge their interest in a partnership. The council wants them to explore the possibility of jointly obtaining the property, but specified not to make any formal offers until an appraisal is completed. 

• Due to the property being in Canadian bankruptcy court, there is no official listing price but rather a “suggested” price of $4 million for the 7.6-acre parcel, according to Destin City Attorney Kim Kopp.

The city has until September 12th to submit an initial letter of intent. The council aims to acquire the land to allow for school expansion, maintain recreation space, and partner with community organizations. 

Purchasing the parcel would require identifying funding sources in the city’s budget. Pending a favorable appraisal, which the school district has ordered, the council would need to call a special meeting next week regarding an official offer on the parcel.