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POLITICS
Commissioners delay action, seek more time to review North Okaloosa Planning Study
The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday declined to take action on the final report of the North Okaloosa Planning Study, choosing instead to delay any decisions on the plan that could reshape development in the county’s northern region.
- The study, initiated in March 2024, examined growth management in the 245,000-acre area north of Eglin Air Force Base, encompassing the city of Crestview and rural communities of Holt and Baker.
It aimed to address three main priorities identified in public input: preserving rural and agricultural character, addressing inadequate infrastructure, and improving transparency in growth management.
George Kramer and Erik Bredfelt of Inspire, the consulting firm that conducted the study, presented key findings to the board. The study revealed a stark contrast between projected population growth and current land use entitlements in North Okaloosa County.
- According to Kramer, the area’s population is projected to increase by 7,983 residents by 2050, based on medium projections from the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. However, current entitlements could allow for a total population of 391,802 in an area currently home to just 40,764 residents.
The study’s final recommendations include a revised three-tiered growth management system, phasing out conditional density allowances in agriculture and residential rural land use designations, and revising policies for special area plans in rural communities.
The study’s cornerstone recommendation is a revised three-tiered growth management system, designed to guide future development in North Okaloosa County. George Kramer of Inspire explained the proposed tier structure:
- Tier 1 areas encompass locations with existing central water and sewer infrastructure.
- Tier 2 includes areas where water and sewer infrastructure is planned.
- Tier 3 covers areas with no current plans for water and sewer infrastructure.
The proposed system aims to concentrate development in areas with existing or planned infrastructure while preserving rural character elsewhere. Under this plan, the urban development boundary (Tiers 1 and 2) would have a capacity of 37,813 units, potentially accommodating a population of 102,473. Tier 3 would allow for 13,696 units, with a potential population of 37,115.
Kramer emphasized that the availability of central sewer is the primary driver for the tier designations. “The sewer ends up being the driver of that urban development boundary because it’s central water and sewer, but the water area is so much larger than the sewer that the sewer coverage ends up driving it,” he said.
A key element of the proposed changes involves the phasing out of conditional density allowances. Kramer explained that if the recommendations were adopted, property owners in affected areas would have until April 1, 2026, to submit development applications under current rules.
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SCHOOL
Fort Walton Beach High School band to perform at Military Bowl in Annapolis
The Fort Walton Beach High School Viking Band has been invited to perform at the 2024 Go Bowling Military Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 28, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md.
- The 145-member band will march in the Military Bowl Parade, perform the Star-Spangled Banner before the game, and participate in a concert festival with their symphonic band. It marks the first time the band program has performed at a major national bowl game since 1989.
Derek Fields, Director of Bands at Fort Walton Beach High School, sees this as an opportunity to honor the program’s rich history while providing a unique experience for current students.
“It means everything,” Fields said. “This standard of excellence was set up here a long time ago, and all we’re trying to do is continue that and provide this experience for the kids.”
The band’s journey to the Military Bowl wasn’t straightforward. Initially nominated for the Peach Bowl, plans changed when the college football playoff expansion eliminated many performance opportunities traditionally associated with bowl games.
- “We decided to use our second option,” Fields explained. “Our representatives went to Peach Bowl, and they said that we could shift to the Military Bowl. That was our choice to provide more performance opportunities for the kids.”
The change has been embraced by the band and the community, given the area’s strong military ties. Kent Tinsley, Band Booster President, noted, “We felt the opportunity was just as good to go to the Military Bowl with our ties to the military and the community.”
The Viking Band’s Military Bowl itinerary is packed with performances. They will march in the Military Bowl Parade, perform the Star-Spangled Banner before the game, and participate in a concert festival with their symphonic band. The parade, featuring the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, is expected to draw thousands of spectators to downtown Annapolis.
For senior band members like Bailey Maris and Jameson Dewrell, the trip represents the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.
- “It’s a big honor to be picked for this parade,” said Maris, whose parents were once members of the Viking Band. “Getting to experience the parade will be fun in addition to meeting a lot of other bands that will be there. I’m also in the color guard, so getting to meet another color guard from all over the area is going to be fun too.”
Dewrell, a member of the drumline, added, “I’ve always wanted to be one of those bands that were in one of those giant parades you see on TV.”
The trip, estimated to cost around $130,000, is being funded through various community fundraisers. Click here to read the rest of the story!
For more information about sponsorship opportunities or to support the Viking Band’s trip, please get in touch with Fort Walton Beach High School at (850) 833-3046 or visit https://fwbhs-band.com/sponsorships.
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PUBLIC SAFETY
Health advisory issued for Boggy Bayou in Valparaiso due to wastewater release
The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) has issued a health advisory for Boggy Bayou in Valparaiso following a wastewater release. The advisory covers the area from Howell Road to Lincoln Park.
- Health officials emphasize that drinking water is not affected by this advisory.
The contaminated waters pose several health risks to humans, potentially containing untreated human sewage with microbes that could cause gastrointestinal and other diseases. DOH-Okaloosa advises anyone who comes into contact with the affected waterway to wash thoroughly, especially before eating or drinking.
“Children and older adults, as well as people with weakened immune systems, are particularly vulnerable to disease,” a DOH-Okaloosa said in a press release. “Every precaution should be taken if in contact with the affected waters.”
The City of Valparaiso is conducting water quality monitoring and testing. The health advisory will remain in effect until satisfactory results are achieved, at which point it will be lifted through a future press release.
Residents and visitors seeking more information about the potential health effects of wastewater overflow can contact DOH-Okaloosa at (850) 833-9247 or visit Okaloosa.FloridaHealth.gov.
SCHOOL
Small fire at Crestview High School quickly extinguished
A small fire broke out in the girls’ locker room at Crestview High School on Thursday morning, leading to a swift response from School Resource Officers who quickly extinguished the blaze.
- The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office reported that all students and staff were safely evacuated to the football stadium following the incident. No injuries were reported among the student body or school staff.
As a precautionary measure, both School Resource Officers involved in extinguishing the fire were transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center for evaluation. The school administration resumed normal operations.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to authorities.
HISTORY
Beulah First Baptist to honor Fort Walton Beach’s first African American school before demolition
The old Brooks Elementary School buildings in Fort Walton Beach will soon be demolished, but Beulah First Baptist Church is ensuring the legacy of this historic African American educational institution lives on.
- The church is hosting a commemoration ceremony on Oct. 26 to honor the school’s importance before rebuilding with expanded educational and community resources on the site.
Pastor Felix Cole of Beulah First Baptist Church said the ceremony will celebrate Brooks School’s integral role in educating African American students in Fort Walton Beach for decades.
“Our history is precious,” Cole said. “You never forget your history because you build on your history. You learn from your history.”
The school’s origins trace back to 1938, when the first classes for African American students in Fort Walton Beach were held in a private home. By 1951, classes had moved to Beulah First Baptist Church, with elementary grades taught in the morning and high school in the afternoon.
In 1952, Fort Walton Beach’s first mayor, Tom Brooks, donated land next to the church for a dedicated school building to serve African American students. The two-room Brooks School was constructed by Okaloosa County Schools and named in honor of Mayor Brooks.
- Charlie Hill served as the school’s first principal and teacher alongside Mary E. Burnette. At its peak, Brooks School educated 17 students across grades 1-12, according to Dr. Marion James Rufus Kent. The school had a clay basketball court, with Hill coaching the boys’ team and using his personal vehicle to transport players to games.
As Fort Walton Beach’s African American population grew, Brooks School transitioned to an elementary school after Carver-Hill High School opened in Crestview in 1955 to serve all of Okaloosa County’s African American high school students. Followed by W. E. Combs High School.
Beulah First Baptist Church purchased the Brooks School property about 12-13 years ago with initial plans to renovate the existing facilities into a K-12 Christian school. However, the buildings had fallen into disrepair over the years.
- “Because of the condition of the buildings, we are having to demolish them,” Cole explained.
The decision to demolish the historic structures was not made lightly. Cole said church leadership had many sleepless nights grappling with how to preserve the school’s legacy while addressing safety concerns and prohibitive renovation costs.
Major issues included asbestos, lead paint, outdated plumbing, and the need for hurricane-resistant upgrades to meet modern building codes. Ultimately, the church determined demolition and rebuilding was more cost-effective than attempting to rehabilitate the aging structures.
“We had to look at the best way possible for us as a church to maintain a legacy and build for the future,” Cole said.
While the physical buildings will soon be gone, Cole emphasized the church is committed to keeping Brooks School’s history and impact alive through their future plans for the property.
- “We want to make sure that we commemorate the legacy of what that school meant to this community,” he said.
The Oct. 26 commemoration ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. in the church’s Genesis Room, which was formerly the main sanctuary. Former Brooks students from all eras are invited to gather at the school at noon for a group photo before the ceremony. The event is open to the public.
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