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Let’s get to the news you need to know this morning…
SCHOOL
Fort Walton Beach High School presents mysterious Halloween theater production
Fort Walton Beach High School’s Theatre Department is set to deliver a Halloween theatrical experience shrouded in mystery. The production, titled “Can You Keep a Secret?”, promises an immersive and spine-tingling performance that leaves even its full title a mystery.
Directed by Ron Morse, the school’s theater teacher, the show features a cast of over 40 students. It combines elements of immersive theater with a Halloween-themed narrative, aiming to appeal to fans of psychological thrillers and spooky events.
The production is recommended for audiences aged 10 and older to fully appreciate its eerie atmosphere. It serves as both a Halloween celebration and a platform to support students’ educational pursuits in the performing arts.
- Performances are scheduled for October 24, 26, 31, and November 2, with multiple showtimes available. The October 31 show will include a costume contest, with winners receiving tickets to the spring musical “Little Shop of Horrors.”
All performances will take place at the Fort Walton Beach High School Auditorium. Tickets are available for purchase online, with free admission offered to Okaloosa School System faculty members who present an official badge.
For more information about the show and ticket purchases, interested parties can visit the school’s theater department website or check their social media accounts.
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GIVING BACK
Youth Village seeks sponsors for annual Friendsgiving Lunch
The Youth Village Child Care Center is looking for sponsors for its Fourth Annual Friendsgiving Lunch, scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- The event will take place in the Maui Ballroom on the sixth floor of The Island Resort, located at 1500 Miracle Strip Parkway SE on Okaloosa Island, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
Nellie Bogar, founder and CEO of Youth Village, emphasized the importance of family meals in building relationships.
“There’s nothing more fun than sitting down and having a great meal with people you love,” Bogar said. “Family meals provide an opportunity for family members to come together, strengthen ties and build better relationships by taking the time to talk, and listen, to one another.”
The Friendsgiving Lunch will offer food, drinks, and desserts at no charge to Youth Village children or their families. Entertainment will include performances by Youth Village students and a live show by The Pittman Magic, Juggling & Comedy & Variety Show.
- Julian and Melody Pittman, both recipients of The International Magician’s Society Merlin Award, will perform, with Julian also showcasing his skills as an International Silver Medalist Juggler.
The event will feature prize drawings, including a two-day, one-night stay at The Island Resort. Additionally, Southwest Airlines has donated four round-trip tickets to be awarded to two Youth Village families, valid for any Southwest Airlines operated, published, and scheduled service in the United States, its territories, and possessions, including Puerto Rico. Gift bags will be provided to all Youth Village children.
Those interested in sponsorship opportunities can email Nellie Bogar at njbogar@yahoo.com. For more information about Youth Village, visit their website at www.ouryouthvillage.org.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Contracted employee arrested for allegedly smuggling phones, vapes into Okaloosa Jail
A contracted employee at the Okaloosa County Jail was arrested on October 3 for allegedly smuggling contraband into the facility, according to a press release from the Okaloosa County Department of Corrections.
- Corey Shaun Labauve, 26, faces charges of smuggling vapor-generating devices and cellphones into the jail where he had been employed for approximately 30 days. The arrest came after an in-depth departmental investigation.
Chief Correctional Officer Nolan Weeks emphasized the seriousness of the offense. “The smuggling of contraband into a correctional facility is a serious offense that directly threatens the safety and order of our operations,” Weeks said. He added that the department is committed to a zero-tolerance approach to illegal activities within the facility.
Paul Mixon, Chairman of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, praised the corrections team for their investigative work. “Their dedication to upholding the safety and security of our facility is evident in their swift action,” Mixon stated.
- The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest. Labauve is currently being held at the Okaloosa County Jail on a $2,000 bond.
NEWS
Local cat shelter holds “Show Us Your Kitties” calendar contest
Save Our Cats and Kittens (SOCKS), a nonprofit free-roaming, no-kill cat shelter, is giving cat owners a chance to make their pets famous while supporting a good cause.
- The organization has launched its “Show Us Your Kitties” 2025 calendar contest, inviting participants to submit photos of their cats for a chance to be featured.
To enter, cat owners can upload a picture of their pet and encourage friends and family to vote. The entry fee is $5, which includes five votes. Additional votes can be cast for a $1 donation each.
The cat with the most votes will be featured on the calendar cover and receive SOCKS merchandise. The next 12 highest-voted cats will each represent a month in the calendar.
For a $10 donation, participants can also reserve a specific date in the calendar to commemorate their cat’s “gotcha day,” birthday, or other special occasions. These spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cats that don’t make the top 13 but receive at least 50 votes will be included in a collage on the back cover. The contest is open to all cats, including pets, fosters, and community cats from around the world. SOCKS affiliation is not required for entry.
- Interested cat owners can find the contest link on the SOCKS Facebook page or at gogophotocontest.com/saveourcatsandkittens. The contest closes at 9 p.m. on Oct. 30.
For more information, contact Lorraine Whetstone, SOCKS Development Manager, at 850-865-6866 or lorraine@saveourcatsandkittens.com.
NEWS
Local family’s three generations of providing care at HCA Florida facilities in Okaloosa
The French family’s commitment to healthcare spans three generations, with each member finding their calling at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and its affiliated facilities.
- John French began the family’s healthcare journey in 1997 as a physical therapy assistant at what was then Fort Walton Beach Medical Center. His son, Justin, followed in his footsteps two years later.
“I learned the ropes of patient care and the importance of compassion in healthcare,” Justin French said, reflecting on his start as a 17-year-old physical therapy technician in 1999. “Working alongside my father, I witnessed firsthand the difference a dedicated healthcare worker can make in a patient’s life. The staff’s camaraderie and patient gratitude instilled a deep appreciation for the medical field in me.”
After four years, Justin moved to Indiana, where he became a registered nurse and worked for seven years. In 2020, he returned to Florida and joined HCA Florida Northwest Rehabilitation Center as an RN.
“The rehab facility was actively seeking RNs, and it felt like the perfect fit,” said Justin. “I applied immediately, and in August 2020, I began my role as an RN at HCA Florida Northwest Rehabilitation Center.”
The rehabilitation center, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International (CARF), offers comprehensive programs for conditions such as strokes, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and amputations. Patients receive personalized treatment plans that may include physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy.
Justin’s career progression continued when he was offered the position of clinical nurse coordinator in the summer of 2024. Around the same time, his 19-year-old son Jacob joined the family tradition, becoming a patient care tech at the rehabilitation center in July 2024.
- “Jacob has flourished in his new role, consistently receiving positive feedback from patients and staff,” Justin said. “Watching him embrace the values of empathy and dedication that my father instilled in me is incredibly rewarding.”
John French continued to work at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and HCA Florida Northwest Rehabilitation Center throughout his son’s time away, maintaining the family’s presence in the local healthcare system.
Justin expressed gratitude for his father’s influence and the opportunity to continue the family’s legacy of care. “Our family has been blessed with the opportunity to serve others, and I am excited to see how our legacy of care continues through Jacob,” he said.
HCA Florida Northwest Rehabilitation Center provides specialized programs for stroke recovery and comprehensive medical rehabilitation. The facility features modern amenities such as private rooms and dedicated therapy spaces.
For more information about inpatient rehabilitation services, individuals can contact the center at (850) 863-7651.
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