TRAFFIC

Traffic crashes at Racetrack and Skipper intersection in FWB continue to increase

The intersection of Racetrack Road and Skipper Avenue in Fort Walton Beach has gotten a lot of attention over the last couple of months. 

• An analysis of traffic crash data at the intersection shows the area has become increasingly accident-prone in recent years.

The data, provided by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, shows 56 crashes at the intersection from 2020 through July 2023. In total, 114 vehicles along with 126 people were involved in these accidents that amounted to $518,000 in damages (not to mention the recent Taco Town sign.) 

• 2020: 8 crashes
• 2021: 12 crashes
• 2022: 23 crashes
• 2023: 12 crashes (data through July)

Here’s a look at some key insights:

• 51 crashes occurred during daylight hours, while 5 happened either at dusk or at night.
• Most crashes (50) took place on dry roads.
• 39 crashes were related to the intersection.
• 20 involved distracted driving.
• 4 were hit-and-run.
• None were cited for aggressive driving, speeding, alcohol or drug related.
• 50 crashes involved passenger vehicles, while 4 involved commercial vehicles and 2 involved motorcycles.
• 27 involved a driver 65 or older.
• 11 involved a driver between 15-19 years old.

Racetrack Road is a State Road (SR 188) and can only be addressed by the State of Florida through the FDOT. The county cannot redesign or change a State of Florida intersection, according to Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel, whose district this intersection falls within. 

• “As your commissioner this is extremely concerning,” said Commissioner Ketchel. “We have numerous thoughts on why this may be an issue, however we are waiting for FDOT to report their findings.”

According to Commissioner Ketchel, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office conducted high visibility enforcement at the intersection back in May 2023. Motorists were surveyed as to the reason they failed to stop and the majority of individuals indicated they did not see the traffic signal turn red or did not see the signal. 

Ketchel says 3 possible issues were identified as reasons that may have contributed to the traffic crashes at the intersection:  

• There is a flashing yellow emergency signal on Racetrack Road at the entrance of Ocean-City Wright Fire Department, approximately 560 feet west of the intersection of Skipper Ave. When approaching the intersection from both directions, the emergency signal appears significantly brighter than the traffic signal at Skipper Avenue. This may cause motorists to focus on the emergency signal and fail to notice the traffic signal.  
• As vehicles make right turns on a red light, as permitted by law onto Skipper Ave from eastbound Racetrack Rd, an assumption is made by motorists that the light has turned to green and they proceed into the intersection when in fact the light is still red. 
• It has been noted that there are obstructions giving limited visibility of oncoming eastbound and westbound traffic on Racetrack Road. Motorists are unable to take evasive action should a vehicle run the red light traveling east or west. 

Ketchel noted that there were 5 possible solutions identified to address the ongoing problem:

1. Install traffic signal reflective backplates to improve visibility at the traffic lights, especially during daytime hours.
2. Install “No Right Turn on Red” signage along the eastbound lanes.
3. Install “Traffic Signal Ahead” signage east and west of the intersection.
4. Trim or remove shrubbery causing visual obstructions in the northwest, northeast, and south west corners of the intersection. 
5. Install traffic signal pole lights east and west of the intersection as an extension of the existing traffic signal arms. 

As for the flashing emergency signal by the Ocean-City Wright Fire Department, Florida Law states that emergency arms must blink a continuous yellow until an emergency vehicle enters the roadway and then it must turn to red. 

“As your Commissioner, I have advocated for swiftly addressing this intersection because it has become one of the most dangerous in Okaloosa County,” added Ketchel. “Until the Florida Department of Transportation addresses some of these much-needed changes, I ask you to proceed on Racetrack Road with extreme caution, especially when approaching this intersection from any direction.”

Click here to view pics and video of recent crashes at the intersection

SPORTS

Choctaw football sets new school scoring record in win over South Walton

The Choctawhatchee High School football team set a new school record for points scored during its 66-30 homecoming victory over South Walton High School on Friday night.

The Indians’ 66 points topped the previous school record of 63, which they had accomplished four times before, twice last season in 2022. It marked just the sixth time in Choctaw history the team scored 60 or more points:

• 1977 – Choctaw 63 vs. Southside (Selma Ala.) 0
• 1978 – Choctaw 63 vs. Rickards 0
• 2013 – Choctaw 60 vs. East Gadsden 0
• 2022 – Choctaw 63 vs. South Walton 27
• 2022 – Choctaw 63 vs. Mosley 34
• 2023 – Choctaw 66 vs. South Walton 30

Offensive Linebacker Tristan Jackson was named the school’s Athlete of the Week after recording two forced fumbles, one fumble return for a touchdown and 12 tackles against South Walton.

The Indians improved their record to 4-2 on the season with the win.

THINGS TO DO

Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation to host 3rd annual ‘BBQ and Bingo’ for schools

The Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit, will host its annual BBQ and Bingo fundraiser to support the Take Stock in Children scholarship program for local students.

• The event takes place October 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Clubhouse Grill in Fort Walton Beach. 
• Tickets cost $30 per person.

Take Stock in Children provides two-year college scholarships and mentoring to academically deserving high school students from low-income families in Okaloosa County. The program currently serves 60 students but aims to increase that number to 100 over the next five years, as each scholarship is $3,900.

The Florida Prepaid Scholarship Program matches all local funds raised for the scholarships.

• The BBQ and Bingo event also raises money for the foundation’s teacher grant program and other student success initiatives.

Sponsorship levels range from $175 to $450. For tickets or sponsorship information, contact Debbie Tate at tated@okaloosaschools.com or 850-833-5879.

The Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation is a nonprofit that supports educational opportunities for Okaloosa County students. More information is available at www.okaloosaschoolsfoundation.org.

Click here to purchase tickets online

A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARDWALK

Beach volleyball tournament returns to The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island

The Emerald Coast’s premiere fall volleyball event, the Emerald Coast Fall Classic, will take place Oct. 18-22 on the beaches of Okaloosa Island.

• The weeklong beach volleyball tournament hosted annually by Emerald Coast Volleyball will be held at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island.

This year’s event will feature doubles, co-ed doubles, king/queen of the beach and the Fudpucker 4 Player beach volleyball tournament.

Spectators are welcome to attend the free event that blends “beach, sports, entertainment and fun,” according to organizers.

The Emerald Coast Fall Classic brings together recreational and competitive volleyball players for a series of bracketed tournaments. Prizes will be awarded to winning teams.

For more information on the Emerald Coast Volleyball Week, visit http://emeraldcoastvolleyball.com.

SPONSORED

FWB Chiropractic offers innovative PiezoWave Therapy to aid in pain relief and tissue healing

Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic, under the guidance of Dr. Scott Smith, offers a treatment option for patients suffering from various musculoskeletal issues. 

• Known as PiezoWave therapy, this innovative approach to pain relief and tissue healing aims to break up scar tissue and enhance blood flow, providing a non-invasive alternative to traditional methods such as cortisone injections.

According to Dr. Smith, the PiezoWave is an acoustic compression device that generates sound waves to create a shockwave. This shockwave penetrates the tissue, breaking up scar tissue and promoting blood flow, which in turn aids in faster tissue healing and pain relief. 

• The PiezoWave therapy is suitable for treating conditions like tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, shoulder issues, rotator cuff problems, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, and other areas with built-up scar tissue or adhesions.

Dr. Gates explains that the PiezoWave device functions by electrifying Piezo crystals, which then collide to produce a sound wave or shockwave. This technology is similar to the devices used for breaking up kidney stones. When the sound wave meets resistance in the tissue, it applies pressure to break up scar tissue, adhesions, or dysfunctional tissue. 

• The therapy is tailored to individual pain levels, hovering around a 6 out of 10 on a personal pain scale, to ensure patient comfort and efficacy.

Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic typically prescribes a treatment plan of six sessions, with two visits per week for three weeks. During the first half of the week, the treatment is followed by the application of a penetrating cream, while the second half of the week involves kinesio taping after the therapy.

Dr. Smith highlighted a case in which a patient experienced pain and dysfunction around the sacroiliac (SI) joint, a common area for dysfunction. The PiezoWave therapy effectively broke up the inflammatory chemicals in the SI joint, alleviating the patient’s discomfort.

According to Dr. Smith, PiezoWave therapy can be beneficial for patients with shoulder and rotator cuff issues, as it can penetrate deep into the shoulder, breaking up adhesions in frozen shoulders and other rotator cuff problems. Dr. Smith believes that the therapy can be an alternative treatment for conditions typically addressed with dry needling or cortisone injections.

While chiropractic care is often associated with spinal treatments, Dr. Smith emphasizes that the PiezoWave is a versatile treatment option for shoulder dysfunction, elbow, wrist, feet, knee, and hip issues. 

• “If you have any pain or loss of range of motion in your extremities, come and see if this is a treatment option for you,” said Dr. Smith.

For more information about PiezoWave therapy at Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Scott Smith contact the clinic today.

SCHOOL

Okaloosa School Board’s $4 million offer to buy land next to Destin Elementary accepted

The Okaloosa County School Board is moving forward with plans to purchase a 7.6-acre parcel of land adjacent to Destin Elementary School after the seller accepted their offer.

• The school board voted unanimously on Sept. 27 to pursue acquiring the vacant property at 401 Beach Drive, which recently went on the market. 

On Monday, School Board Attorney Jeff McInnis updated the board that the Canadian bankruptcy receiver has accepted its offer of $4,025,000 for the land. The board had previously authorized the Superintendent and Board Chairman to submit the purchase proposal.

The accepted offer is in the form of an option-to-purchase agreement. The school board will now hold a public hearing with 30 days’ published notice before taking a final vote to convert the option into a formal purchase contract.

• McInnis said the bankruptcy receiver made one change to the original proposal, which the board agreed to. The board also authorized the Chairman to initial the counter proposal and the Superintendent to release the earnest money deposit.

Acquiring the extra land will allow for more efficient student drop-off and pickup lines at Destin Elementary, help reduce traffic congestion around the school and provide additional outdoor space, according to Superintendent Marcus Chambers.

Three independent appraisals valued the 7.6 acres between $2.3 million and $3.8 million. However, the seller had previously suggested a $4 million offer based on previous interest, according to Destin City Attorney Kim Kopp.

Chambers said controlling what is built next to Destin Elementary is a key factor in this purchase.

• “This acquisition would allow for us, the school district, to control what is built directly next to the school,” Chambers said in September. “We all know that our schools, even with slowed growth, are overcapacity. So knowing that, it’s incumbent upon us to plan for future growth, as well as shorter term needs.”

The purchase comes as the district is also planning a new K-8 school in Crestview and additions to schools in Destin, as well as pursuing land for potential future campuses elsewhere in the county.

The public hearing is scheduled for November 13, 2023 at 6:15pm at the District location in Niceville.

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