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Residents may experience aircraft noise on Oct. 15 – 17, when the 60th Fighter Squadron conducts night flying operations in the area.
- Fighter aircraft will conduct missions between 7 and 9 p.m. Night flying is required for 60th FS training operations.
SPORTS
City Council approves ‘home field’ solution for Destin High School baseball
The Destin City Council unanimously approved an agreement Monday night allowing Destin High School to use and modify a city softball field for its baseball team, ending a three-year period without a home field for the school’s baseball program.
- The agreement addresses the high school’s need for a home field after losing access to the Destin Elementary School baseball field on April 1, 2024.
Under the 15-year agreement, Destin High School will pay to convert Field D at Morgan Sports Center from a softball field to a baseball field and will invest approximately $50,000 – $75,000 to meet High School’s needs.
The school will have exclusive use of the field from January through April each year for practices and games, paying an annual fee starting at $10,065 and increasing by 3% annually.
“We’re excited about this opportunity,” said Donald Williams, executive director of Destin High School. “We’ve worked closely with the Council and Parks and Recreation department to get this across the finish line.”
Williams emphasized the importance of the agreement, stating, “A city that doesn’t put resources into its youth doesn’t have a future.”
The agreement includes provisions to allow the city to continue using the field for summer tournaments. Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Firth said minor modifications to the infield grass will enable the field to accommodate both high school baseball and youth softball tournaments.
Several council members expressed support for the agreement while emphasizing it’s not intended as a permanent solution.
- “I don’t look at this as a permanent solution,” said Councilman Dewey Destin. “A permanent solution would be a new, nice field somewhere.”
Destin proposed directing city staff to approach the Okaloosa County School District about potentially building a new baseball facility on district-owned property, with the city contributing funds.
The council approved the agreement with the addition of a five-year review clause and authorized the mayor to sign once final language is approved. They also discussed adding a termination clause to allow the school to end the agreement if they secure their own field in the future.
Dr. Diane Kelly, the new principal of Destin High School, emphasized the importance of baseball beyond sports. “Baseball represents all of those things, all of those skills that it takes for our young people to take into adulthood, specifically things like resilience, experience, teamwork, and the opportunity to be seen and valued as an athlete, perhaps even for scholarships,” she said.
- Councilman Johnny King shared his personal experience of not having a home field when he played football at Fort Walton Beach High School, saying, “I understand the feeling of not having a home. I think that you guys deserve a really nice place to call home.”
The agreement aims to provide a home field for the high school team while preserving the city’s ability to host tournaments and other events at the sports complex. Mayor Bobby Wagner thanked Councilman Geile for leading the charge in the negotiations, acknowledging the additional time volunteered to represent the city in this matter.
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BUSINESS
Coastal Realty Services: 50 Years of local expertise and community commitment in FWB
Coastal Realty Services, a staple in the local real estate market since 1974, continues to evolve while maintaining its commitment to personalized service and community involvement.
- As the company celebrates its 50th anniversary, it’s also preparing for a leadership transition that promises to carry its legacy of excellence into the future.
Founded by Robert and Edna Hudgens, the company has grown from humble beginnings to become a significant player in the Emerald Coast real estate scene. Tyler Capelotti, Director of Property Management and Sales Agent at Coastal Realty Services, shared insights into the company’s history and future in a recent interview.
“Since 1974, it was Robert and Edna Hudgens, husband and wife. He was a military fighter pilot, and they settled here at the end of his career,” Capelotti explained. From 1974 to 1984, it was just Robert (known as “Big Bob”) and Edna running the business. Their son, also named Bob, joined in 1984, followed by daughter Denise in 1994.
The company’s growth has been substantial over the years. “In 1974, Coastal Realty was managing 30-40 houses, which was a big number,” Capelotti noted. “Now we’ve got about 650 doors throughout the local area.”
This growth has been facilitated by technological advancements. Capelotti highlighted the stark contrast between the company’s early days and its current operations: “Everything used to be done manually by paper, and CB radios in the cars to communicate back to the office. Now we have self-showings and automated scheduling, maintenance coordination programs and software.”
- The company has also expanded its team to meet growing demands. “We have a marketing director now, which was never heard of before,” Capelotti said. “We’ve got a staff of seven with about 200 years of experience combined.”
Coastal Realty Services prides itself on its lean, experienced staff. The company specializes in serving what Capelotti calls “accidental landlords” – often military personnel who purchased homes locally but were reassigned elsewhere.
“We’re grateful that we have the trust of those owners to manage that investment and keep eyes on it while they’re away,” he explained.
Community involvement has been a cornerstone of Coastal Realty Services’ philosophy since its inception. This commitment spans generations and continues to be a priority for the company.
GIVING BACK
Okaloosa schools, sheriff’s office partner for Angel Tree program
The Okaloosa County School District and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office have announced a partnership for this year’s Angel Tree Program, aimed at supporting students from families in need during the holiday season.
- Superintendent Marcus Chambers and Sheriff Eric Aden revealed the collaboration, which will utilize school guidance counselors and school resource officers (SROs) to identify students requiring assistance.
“The Angel Tree Program has touched the lives of many children,” Chambers said. “I am forever thankful for living in a community that supports our schools and our students.”
In its first year, the district’s program provided gifts for 73 children and their families. Last year, the combined efforts of both organizations resulted in more than 300 Okaloosa students receiving gifts, thanks to staff and community donations.
Sheriff Aden noted the program’s growth since its inception in 2012. “This program has grown with the needs of our community thanks to the heartfelt generosity and commitment of our employees along with many local businesses and citizens,” he said.
This fall, guidance counselors and SROs will work together to identify students in need and create wish lists. Community members can contribute by donating funds or sponsoring a student to purchase gifts from their wish list.
- Those interested in sponsoring a child or making a monetary donation can visit https://ocsostarcharity.com/angel-tree.
For more information about the Angel Tree program, contact Catherine Card at catherine.card@okaloosaschools.com or Katie Tingle at ktingle@sheriff-okaloosa.org.
BUSINESS
Eglin Federal Credit Union names Cathie Staton new President/CEO, Jerry Williams to retire
Eglin Federal Credit Union‘s board of directors has appointed Cathie Staton as the new president and CEO, effective Oct. 28, 2024. Staton succeeds Jerry Williams, who is retiring after 30 years with the credit union, including 10 years as president and CEO.
During Williams’ tenure, Eglin FCU experienced significant growth, with assets increasing by over $1 billion to nearly $2.9 billion and membership reaching 124,000 worldwide.
Williams is known for his involvement in local chambers of commerce, economic development councils, and nonprofit organizations. He also served as an Honorary Commander, 24SOW, Hurlburt Field and as a Civic Leader, 33FW, Air Education and Training Command.
- His support of local military installations earned him the General Lewis H. Brereton Award from the Air Force Association Hurlburt Chapter.
Board Chair Dan McInnis expressed gratitude for Williams’ service and enthusiasm for Staton’s appointment. “The Board would like to thank Jerry for his dedication and years of service advancing Eglin Federal Credit Union’s mission, and we are excited to announce the appointment of Cathie Staton as our new President/CEO,” McInnis stated.
Staton brings extensive experience to her new role, having worked at Eglin FCU for over 35 years. For the past two years, she has served as Executive Vice President, leading strategic planning and project management. Her accomplishments include spearheading the 2019 brand refresh and expanding the Field of Membership into Walton, Santa Rosa, and Escambia Counties.
With 22 years on the executive team, Staton has overseen various departments, including Marketing, Membership, Community Development, and Risk Management. Her experience also includes 15 years in Branch Operations, during which she opened the South Crestview Branch in 1989 and the Bluewater Bay Branch in 1997.
- McInnis expressed confidence in Staton’s leadership, saying, “I know that Cathie’s leadership will continue to advance Eglin FCU as a leader in our industry offering unparalleled service to satisfy the needs and financial well-being of our members and employees.”
A 37-year resident of Niceville, Florida, Staton is active in her community as a member of Crosspoint Church, where she has led a Women’s Bible Study for over 12 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Salisbury State University in Maryland and a master’s degree in business management from Troy University. Staton has completed NAFCU’s Management Development Institute and holds national certifications in Compliance and Risk Management.
Staton expressed enthusiasm for her new role, stating, “I am thrilled to have been selected as the next President/CEO of Eglin Federal Credit Union, and I’m looking forward to working with the board, volunteers, and team to build on the successes of my predecessors.”
BUSINESS
Destin City Council rejects billboard ordinance amid aesthetics debate
The Destin City Council voted 5-2 on Monday to deny Ordinance 24-09-LC, which would have allowed agreements between the city and billboard companies to replace static billboards with digital ones in exchange for removing others.
The proposed ordinance aimed to amend the Land Development Code, specifically Article 16, Section 16.03.02. Currently, this section prohibits off-premises signs and repairs to non-conforming billboards.
- The amendment would have permitted agreements if companies removed at least 45% of their existing signs in exchange for digital replacements meeting strict criteria.
During public comments, resident Sandy Trammell opposed the ordinance, citing her past involvement in billboard prohibition. Attorney Trey Goodwin, representing Tier One Media, argued that economic factors would naturally lead to billboard removal without the ordinance.
Scott Remington, speaking for Lamar Advertising, offered to remove six billboards as part of a potential agreement. He contended that state statute already authorized such agreements without requiring a code amendment.
- Notably, Remington pointed out that the ordinance would effectively only apply to Lamar, stating, “The only party it would ever apply to is Lamar,” due to the 45% removal requirement.
Council members expressed differing views. Councilman Jim Bagby, moving to deny the ordinance, emphasized preserving Destin’s aesthetics. He said, “When you’re at the top of the Destin bridge… you don’t want to see billboards that make you think you’re in Vegas. You want to see the world’s luckiest fishing village.”
Councilman Kevin Schmidt proposed approving the ordinance on first reading to allow more public input. He argued it didn’t commit the city to any agreement and could potentially remove eyesores while generating revenue.
- Councilman Johnny King favored removing all billboards and digital signs, aligning with the city’s goal of undergrounding utilities.
City Attorney Kim Kopp clarified that without the ordinance, she couldn’t bring billboard agreements to the council, as current code prohibits them.
The Local Planning Agency had previously recommended denying the ordinance on October 3. With the council’s decision, Destin’s existing billboard regulations remain unchanged, reinforcing the city’s stance on reducing visual clutter.
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