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1,550 sea turtle hatchlings in Okaloosa

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SCHOOL

Baker School showcases $8 million in upgrades with new multipurpose building, parking lot

Contributed: OCSD

Baker School celebrated the grand opening of its new Multipurpose Building, a project funded by the Half-Cent Sales Tax.

  • The ribbon-cutting ceremony showcased the school’s talent, featuring performances by the band, cheerleaders, and dance team. The Army JROTC presented the colors, adding a patriotic touch to the event.

Principal Michael Martello and his administrative team led tours of the new 15,430-square-foot Multipurpose Building. In addition to this major project, the school celebrated several other improvements.

The Culinary Arts program received a boost with a Commercial Grade Culinary Classroom Renovation, funded by CTE at a cost of $128,485.87. Attendees at the ceremony had the opportunity to sample refreshments prepared by the school’s culinary students.

  • In addition to the new building, the project included a new parking lot and pavilion, costing $900,000 and funded by the half-cent sales tax.

The Army JROTC program also celebrated the installation of new flagpoles at the front of the school. This project, costing approximately $7,500, was made possible through community support.

Contributors to the flagpole project included Adam’s Sanitation, local Veterans’ organizations, and several community leaders. Among the donors were the American Legion Emerald Coast Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution Fort Walton Beach Chapter, Military Order of the World Wars, Northwest Florida Military Officers Association, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

  • Individual contributors included John Cahoon, Okaloosa School Board Member Linda Evanchyk, County Commissioner Nathan Boyles, and Dave Parisot.

School officials expressed gratitude to community members, students, staff, Jacobs Titan, and Lord and Sons for their roles in bringing these projects to fruition.

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WEATHER

Red Flag Warning issued for Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Escambia counties

Source: Joshua Brown

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for three Florida Panhandle counties, signaling increased fire danger due to weather conditions.

  • Okaloosa Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox announced on October 15 that the National Weather Service in Mobile has issued the warning for Escambia, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa counties. The warning will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, October 16.

According to Maddox, winds from the north are expected to range from 10 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph. Relative humidity is forecasted to drop as low as 25%.

“Any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly,” Maddox warned.

The Public Safety Director emphasized that while this is not a burn ban, which would require a local declaration of emergency, outdoor burning is strongly discouraged during the specified period.

  • “It is a notice that outdoor burning is not recommended and strongly discouraged during the noted dates and times,” Maddox stated.

Residents in the affected counties are urged to exercise caution and avoid any activities that could potentially spark a fire during the Red Flag Warning period.

COASTAL RESOURCES

Living shoreline project brings veterans, conservationists together in Fort Walton Beach

Force Blue veterans and CBA members wade into the waters of Liza Jackson Park, carefully positioning limestone rocks to create a living shoreline that will protect against erosion and foster marine habitats.

On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, a collaborative effort to restore the shoreline at Liza Jackson Park kicked off with the installation of 40 tons of limestone. 

  • The project, which includes the Okaloosa Natural Resources Team, the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA), and Force Blue, aims to protect and enhance the local marine environment while providing purpose for military veterans.

Alex Fogg, Natural Resources Chief for Destin-Fort Walton Beach, explained that the project is one of three made possible by a grant awarded to Force Blue from Publix. “We do a lot of offshore artificial reef work. This shoreline project is a similar concept of creating habitat, but for more of an intertidal environment,” Fogg said. “In addition to habitat, this project also provides a shoreline stabilization solution” 

The seeds were planted for this collaboration in 2019 when Force Blue first came to the area for a marine debris removal project at the Destin jetties. Fogg emphasized the importance of partnerships in these efforts. 

“All of the projects that we do would not be possible on our own. It really is a team effort to benefit our environment and community,” he said. 

The project involves moving 20 tons of rock each day, a task made possible by the combined efforts of Force Blue, CBA volunteers, and the Natural Resources Team.

Rachel Gwin, Senior Program Manager for CBA, provided insight into the project’s history and goals. “This project was originally completed about 2 years ago as part of our ‘Grasses in Classes’. We did about 750 linear feet here,” Gwin explained. The current work involves reinforcing and expanding these efforts, focusing on about 500 feet of the original 750-foot stretch.

  • Gwin detailed the evolution of the project, which initially used materials designed in partnership with the University of Florida. The current phase involves adding limestone to reinforce these structures and provide additional protection, especially protection against storm conditions such as higher water levels and increased wave action.

The living shoreline project includes placing limestone to create a substrate for oysters to grow on, while also forming a natural barrier against erosion. “A living shoreline is any kind of shoreline management option that incorporates living material,” Gwin said. She highlighted the multifaceted benefits of oyster reefs, including water filtration and habitat creation for various marine species.

Force Blue, a nonprofit organization that provides “mission therapy” for former combat divers, played a crucial role in the project’s execution. Angelo Fiore, Director of Diving Operations at  Force Blue, explained the organization’s unique approach and selection process.

  • “We take these veterans and we repurpose them, retrain them, re-engage them into marine conservation programs,” Fiore said. He detailed the application process for veterans, which includes a yearly selection and a week-long training program sponsored by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation.

Fiore emphasized the impact of these projects on veterans. “We’re used to operating at a high level and then all of a sudden…it’s gone,” he explained. “By doing this right here, it puts the team in an environment that they’re used to. It provides purpose to them on a daily basis.”

The collaboration between these organizations not only benefits the environment but also provides a sense of purpose for veterans transitioning to civilian life. “We’re not just out here to save the environment. Technically, we’re out here to save ourselves too,” Fiore added.

The project at Liza Jackson Park will cover about 500 feet of shoreline, with 40 tons of limestone being installed over three days. Gwin noted the rapid progress made on the first day, with nearly half the work completed by lunchtime, exceeding initial expectations.

  • This initiative is part of a larger effort by Force Blue, funded by Publix, to conduct seven marine conservation programs throughout Florida. The Okaloosa County area will see two more living shoreline defense systems and a lionfish invasive species eradication project in the near future.

“We’re just happy to be here and we’re honored to provide that helping hand to these scientists and managers,” added Fiore. “There’s nothing better than the sense at the end of the day when you’re exhausted, but you’ve done something meaningful.”

TRAFFIC

Highway 98 traffic shift near Brooks Bridge on Okaloosa Island begins this week

A recent aerial view of the Brooks Bridge construction zone over the Santa Rosa Sound. Work is currently focused on building the new westbound bridge structure, located north of the existing bridge. (Source: FDOT)

A significant traffic change is set to take place this week on U.S. 98 near the Brooks Bridge on Okaloosa Island, as part of an ongoing bridge replacement project.

  • The U.S. 98 travel lanes between Brooks Bridge and Pier Road will be shifted south onto temporary travel lanes. This move is designed to create space for construction crews to begin work on the new westbound Brooks Bridge structure.

Despite the shift, two U.S. 98 travel lanes will remain open in each direction, maintaining current traffic capacity through the construction zone.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) advises that intermittent lane closures may occur on U.S. 98 from Ferry Road to Pier Road between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., Sunday through Thursday.

This traffic shift is part of the larger $171 million Brooks Bridge Replacement Project. The project aims to replace the current four-lane bridge, which opened in 1966, with two new parallel bridges that will increase capacity to six travel lanes. FDOT estimates the project will be completed in summer 2027.

  • Drivers are urged to exercise caution when traveling through the work zone, especially at night. FDOT also reminds motorists to be alert for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

All construction activities are weather-dependent and may be subject to delays or rescheduling in case of inclement weather.

COASTAL RESOURCES

Sea turtle nesting season wraps up with 1,550 hatchlings in Destin-Fort Walton Beach

All of the work conducted by this group is permitted through the FWC Marine Turtle Program under MTP #251.

As the sun sets on another sea turtle nesting season, Destin-Fort Walton Beach is celebrating a banner year for these endangered marine reptiles. With a record number of nests and hatchlings, the 2024 season highlights the success of local conservation efforts and increased public awareness.

  • Jessica Valek, newly appointed Natural Resources Manager for Visit Destin-Fort Walton Beach and head of the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Sea Turtle Patrol Team in Okaloosa County, shared the results of this year’s nesting season in a recent interview.

“The season actually started early for us this year,” Valek said, referring to an unexpected early arrival. On April 28, just days before the official May 1 start date, beachgoers reported a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nesting on the beach. This rare event set the tone for an exceptional season.

Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are the most endangered sea turtle species and typically don’t nest on Destin-Fort Walton Beach shores. However, this year saw not one, but three confirmed Kemp’s ridley nests before June 1.

“All three turtles were seen by beachgoers,” Valek explained, emphasizing the certainty of the species identification. “So we know for certain that they were all Kemp’s ridley nests.”

Following this unusual start, the beaches saw primarily loggerhead sea turtle activity, which is more common in the area. In total, the season yielded 18 sea turtle nests — 15 loggerhead and three Kemp’s ridley — a significant increase from the previous year’s 12 nests.

  • “In Destin last year, we only had nine sea turtle nests,” Valek noted. “All of our sea turtle nests this year happened to be in Destin. So we doubled the number of nests this year as we did last year.”

The increase in nesting activity resulted in a higher number of hatchlings. A total of 1,550 hatchlings made their way from the nests to the Gulf of Mexico this season with an average of 101 eggs per nest. The average hatch success rate was an impressive 85%, meaning that 85% of the eggs in each nest successfully hatched.

This success is particularly noteworthy given the challenges faced during the season, including severe weather events. “Our last two nests both got impacted by Hurricane Francine and Helene, and both of them still ended up hatching,” Valek said. “So that was really exciting.”

  • While the exact reasons for the increase in nesting activity are difficult to pinpoint, Valek suggested that it could be due to the natural nesting cycles of sea turtles. “Sea turtles don’t nest every single year,” she explained. “The females that we had nesting on our beaches this year probably didn’t nest last year. They typically take a year or two off in between nesting seasons.”

A critical factor in this year’s success has been the increased public awareness and education efforts spearheaded by Valek and her team. This marks the first year of operation for the official Destin-Fort Walton Beach Sea Turtle Patrol, which has expanded its reach and impact.

OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Wednesday. Help us shape the future of local news and make a meaningful impact on your community. Click here to learn how you can support us!

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