PARKS+REC

Okaloosa approves new 7-member Northwest Florida Fairgrounds Advisory Committee

On Tuesday, September 5, 2023, the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners approved the appointments of the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee members during their regular meeting.

This committee was created unanimously by the Board on July 18, 2023 to provide guidance on enhancing and refurbishing the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds property, which was purchased by the County from the City of Fort Walton Beach in June.

The seven-person volunteer committee is comprised of five appointees nominated by the individual County Commissioners, as well as an appointee nominated by the Northwest Florida Fair Association and another by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce.

The appointments approved at Tuesday’s meeting include:

• Sandra Wilson for District 1
• Gloria Frazier for District 2
• Nathan Kelly for District 3
• Bernard Johnson for District 4
• Jason Belcher for District 5
• Charles Rigdon was appointed as the nominee from the Northwest Florida Fair Association.
• Ted Corcoran was selected as the Chamber of Commerce’s nominee.

Additionally, Fort Walton Beach City Manager Jeff Peters will serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member on the committee.

The committee will play an advisory role in providing recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners related to improving the existing structures and maximizing future use of the Fairgrounds property. Their guidance will be key as the County looks to create a premier venue for various events and clients.

The Fairgrounds Advisory Committee’s first meeting has been scheduled for September 27th to begin their work. Establishing this group was the next step laid out by the County to create a hallmark destination at the Fairgrounds that highlights its history while meeting the needs of residents and visitors alike.

THINGS TO DO

Stage Crafters Community Theatre celebrates 200th show with ‘Something Rotten!’ the musical

Stage Crafters Community Theatre in Fort Walton Beach will present its 200th production, Something Rotten! the Musical, from November 10-12 and 17-19, 2023.

The musical comedy marks a major milestone for the 51-year-old community theater group. According to the theater’s president Pam Strecker, reaching the 200 show mark reflects the group’s commitment and the community’s support over the decades.

• “Reaching our 200th show is an incredible accomplishment for Stage Crafters Community Theatre,” said Strecker. “This milestone reflects the enduring commitment of our dedicated volunteers and the unwavering support of our community. Something Rotten! the Musical is a fitting celebration of our journey.”

The production will be staged at the Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium under the direction of Craig Ewing and Nancy Kruzek, a longtime member who has been with Stage Crafters since its inception.

Set in the Renaissance era, the musical humorously follows two brothers seeking to write the world’s first musical.

Ewing expressed enthusiasm about directing the show for the theater’s landmark occasion. Kruzek also commented on the theater’s growth over the years and promised a memorable show.

• “Stage Crafters has been a second home for so many of us, and it’s heartwarming to see how our theatre family has grown over the years. We’re ready to make this show a memorable one for our community.”

In its 51 seasons, Stage Crafters has offered opportunities for over 12,000 volunteers to gain experience and has reached an audience of more than 350,000. It is the oldest continuously operating all-volunteer, non-profit community theater in Florida.

Something Rotten! will play on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30PM, with a Sunday matinee at 2PM over the two weekends. Tickets can be purchased through the theater’s website.

A MESSAGE FROM FWB CHIROPRACTIC

FWB Chiropractic uses Spinal Decompression Therapy to relieve back and neck pain

According to Dr. Scott Smith of Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic, spinal decompression therapy is an effective treatment option for patients suffering from back and neck pain.

In a recent interview, Dr. Smith explained how spinal decompression works to relieve pain and improve function. “As the person is laid down on the table, strapped in by their torso and pelvis, then the machine will gently pull and decompress the spine that is compressed,” he said.

Dr. Smith went on to explain that compressed vertebrae and decreased disc space between bones pinches nerves, causing pain. 

• “The whole point is to relieve the pain by opening the space up and opening the joints up so that you have decreased pain and more opportunity for the neurological aspects, and the nerves, to transmit information back and forth to the brain with less pain and have more function,” he stated.

The decompression machine straps the patient down by their torso and pelvis. It is programmed to gently pull and relax the spine repeatedly, taking pressure off compressed discs and nerves. 

“It’ll pull, relax, pull, relax, and oscillate. If you can envision the spine pulling open, taking the pressure off the discs, the nerves, and the bones,” Dr. Smith described.

The same technology can be used to decompress the cervical spine in the neck to relieve headaches, neck pain, and numbness or tingling in the arms and hands, according to Dr. Smith.

• “Just remember, headaches, neck pain, back pain, numbness and tingling down the arms or hands, numbness and tingling down the legs or feet, spinal decompression therapy may be an option for you,” Dr. Smith concluded.

For more details on how Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic can help you, contact their office today!

Click here to watch the video

POLICE BLOTTER

Mary Esther man arrested after vehicle pursuit and property damage

A Mary Esther man was arrested Sunday night after a vehicle pursuit ended in property damage, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

• Around 9 p.m., a sergeant noticed 54-year-old Vernon Gamble III driving erratically, including seeing him travel on the wrong side of the roadway, and initiated a traffic stop. Gamble did not stop and a pursuit ensued through Mary Esther streets.

The chase ended when Gamble drove through a yard on Shrewsbury Road, damaging a mailbox and other property. When Gamble exited the vehicle, he initially did not comply with deputy commands, according to the report.

Gamble was taken into custody without further incident. He was charged with DUI, fleeing police, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, driving with a suspended license, obstruction of justice and criminal mischief.

• According to the OCSO, Gamble’s license had been suspended since 2018 in Alabama following a prior DUI conviction.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said no residents or officers were injured during the incident, which remains under investigation.

THINGS TO DO

5th annual ‘Sparks in the Park’ returns to Niceville

Rev up your engines for the 5th annual Sparks in the Park car, truck and bike show happening September 15-17 at the Mullet Festival Grounds in Niceville.

Sal’s Muffler & Brakes presents this weekend showcase of custom vehicles of all kinds, from classic hot rods to tricked-out bikes. Spectators can check out the chrome and horsepower up close with a $10 weekend pass, while vehicle registration is $40.

Additionally, there will be:

• A live DJ
• Cornhole tournament
• Food trucks
• Vendor booths

Top sponsors like Big Bad Carts, Kustom Touch and Wheels, and Good Karma Tattoo Studio make this event possible.

For more information on this weekend’s event, click here.

TRAFFIC

Okaloosa approves contractor for $4.1 million Live Oak Church Road improvements in Crestview

On Tuesday, September 5, the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners approved a contract with C.W. Roberts Contracting, Inc. for improvements to Live Oak Church Road. 

• The $4.14 million contract will fund widening of the road at Highway 85, adding a turn lane, shoulder improvements, widening the bridge, upgrading traffic signals, constructing a new stormwater pond, and repaving Live Oak Church from Highway 85 to Shoal River Drive.

The project aims to alleviate congestion at the intersection of Live Oak Church Road and Highway 85, a major commuter crossing point. Funding comes from the Florida Department of Transportation ($1.5 million), the voter-approved infrastructure surtax ($1.43 million), and developer contributions ($1.2 million).

At the previous board meeting in August, commissioners had tabled the contract approval to negotiate higher liquidated damages terms with the contractor. The approved contract doubles potential damages to $2,000 per day if the project runs past the deadline. 

• County staff indicated the contractor, C.W. Roberts, was amenable to the change.

The board ultimately voted unanimously to approve the contract. Commissioners thanked county staff for negotiating more favorable terms. Commissioner Paul Mixon, whose district includes the project area, made the motion for approval.

While there was no timeline given at the time of this writing, the improvements have been highly anticipated by local residents and businesses who expect relief from traffic congestion.