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SCHOOL
Okaloosa Schools to offer free lunch to Kindergarten students in October
Kindergarten students in Okaloosa County will enjoy free lunches for three days in October as part of a special dining event organized by the school district’s food services.
- The Okaloosa County School District announced that all kindergarteners will receive complimentary lunches on October 23rd, 24th, and 25th. This initiative aims to familiarize young students with school lunches and promote healthy eating habits.
Stephen Anderson, Program Director for Food Services, encouraged participation in the event. “We encourage all Kindergarten families to take advantage of this opportunity,” Anderson said. He noted that students will be able to explore nutritious meals in a welcoming environment.
The event is made possible through sponsorship from The Nutrition Group’s food vendors, allowing the school district to offer the meals at no cost to kindergarten families.
By providing free meals, the school district hopes to create a positive association with school lunches and encourage more students to participate in school lunch programs.
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PARKS+REC
Groundbreaking ceremony held for Meigs Miracle League Field and Park in Niceville
Local officials and community members came together on Wednesday, Oct. 16, for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Meigs Miracle League Field and Park, marking a significant milestone for the all-inclusive recreational facility in Niceville.
- The project, a partnership between Okaloosa County and the City of Niceville, aims to revitalize the 4-acre city-owned Meigs Park with accessibility upgrades and facilities for those with special needs.
During the ceremony, Niceville Mayor Daniel Henkel expressed gratitude to Commissioner Mel Ponder and Councilwoman Cathy Alley for their efforts in organizing and creating the Meigs Miracle League program, field, and park.
“This park is a wonderful initiative designed to provide children with special needs the opportunity to play baseball, wear a uniform, and be part of a team,” said Councilwoman Alley. “It’s a space where exceptional kids can come together and enjoy the game, experiencing the joy of cheering crowds and the friendship of their teammates.”
Commissioner Ponder, reflecting on his time chairing the Children, Families and Seniors Subcommittee in Tallahassee, shared a personal anecdote that inspired his support for the project. “Everyone has a purpose of God on their life,” Ponder said.
- Rep. Patt Maney praised the collaboration between city and county leadership, stating, “We’ve got a city and a county working together for the good of the people of this county.”
The groundbreaking comes after months of planning and preparation. On March 28, 2024, the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a Task Order for a not-to-exceed amount of $372,110 with Mott MacDonald for engineering and architectural services related to the project.
Planned improvements for the park include an 8-foot quarter-mile walking track, a 200-foot ball-field, a large ADA-compliant playground, a basketball/volleyball court, and a large pavilion with a quiet room.
- The project is being funded by a combination of a $1.25 million legislative appropriation from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, up to $750,000 from the county’s Tourist Development District funds, and contributions from the City of Niceville.
As the only facility of its kind in Northwest Florida, the Meigs Miracle League Field and Park holds special significance, particularly with Okaloosa County being home to the Northwest region of Special Olympics.
According to officials at the groundbreaking, construction is expected to begin in December or January, bringing the community one step closer to realizing this inclusive recreational space.
PUBLIC SAFETY
HCA Florida Destin-Fort Walton Hospital leads “Crush the Crisis” drug take-back event
As part of a continued effort to address the prescription drug misuse crisis, two local hospitals are set to host a medication take-back event this month.
- HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and HCA Florida Navarre Emergency announced they will hold their “Crush the Crisis” prescription drug take-back day on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to noon.
The event aligns with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, offering community members a chance to safely and anonymously dispose of unused or expired medications.
The initiative comes at a critical time. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a decrease in national drug overdose deaths in the United States for the first time since 2018, prescription drug misuse remains a significant public health concern.
Dr. Dan Hagler, Chief Medical Officer of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, highlighted the event’s importance to the community. “For more than 50 years, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has cared for the tri-county area, and our Crush the Crisis prescription take back day is a testament to this commitment,” Hagler said.
Residents can dispose of medications at two locations:
- HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, 1000 Mar Walt Drive, Fort Walton Beach
- HCA Florida Navarre Emergency, 1809 Granada Street, Navarre
Law enforcement officers from the Fort Walton Beach Police Department and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office will be on-site to collect a wide range of prescription medications. Accepted items include tablets, capsules, and patches of various drugs such as Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Tramadol, Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, Hydromorphone, and Oxymorphone.
- Additionally, ointments, lotions, drops, liquid medications in leak-proof containers, vape cartridges without batteries, and pet medications will be accepted. However, needles, syringes, lancets, and loose liquids will not be collected.
The local event is part of HCA Healthcare’s sixth annual national “Crush the Crisis” initiative. In the previous year, more than 120 HCA Healthcare facilities across 15 U.S. divisions participated, collecting approximately 13,136 pounds of unused and expired prescription medications, equivalent to 9.02 million doses.
HCA Healthcare, the parent company of the participating local hospitals, has implemented several initiatives to combat prescription drug misuse. These include the Enhanced Surgical Recovery (ESR) program, which uses a multi-modal approach to pain management, and the Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS) system, designed to reduce opioid-related addiction and misuse.
For more information about the “Crush the Crisis” event, community members can visit hcahealthcare.com/crushthecrisis or call the toll-free number at (833) 582-1970
PARKS+REC
Health advisory issued for Lincoln Park in Valparaiso following wastewater release
The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) has issued a water quality advisory for Lincoln Park, located at 1217 N Bayshore Dr in Valparaiso, following a wastewater release in Boggy Bayou.
- Despite water quality tests from October 14, 2024, indicating that Enterococcus bacteria levels meet the state’s recreational water quality criteria, health officials are cautioning the public about potential risks associated with the recent wastewater contamination.
“Waters contaminated with wastewater present several health hazards to humans and may contain untreated human sewage with microbes that could cause gastro-intestinal and other diseases,” the DOH-Okaloosa said in a press release.
The health department advises anyone who comes into contact with the affected waterway to wash thoroughly, especially before eating or drinking. Officials emphasize that children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable and should take extra precautions.
- While the advisory is in effect, visitors to Lincoln Park are urged to exercise caution and avoid direct contact with the water where possible.
The DOH-Okaloosa continues to monitor the situation. Test results are available at FloridaHealth.gov/HealthyBeaches.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Crestview to unveil first Safe Haven Baby Box in Florida Panhandle
Crestview is set to become the third location in Florida to install a Safe Haven Baby Box, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for October 28, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. The event will take place at Fire Station 1, located at 321 West Woodruff Ave.
- The initiative, led by Council-member Cynthia Brown, aims to protect newborns by providing a safe and anonymous surrender option for mothers in crisis. This installation marks a significant milestone for the Florida Panhandle region, joining Ocala and Newberry in offering this critical service.
The Safe Haven Baby Box is part of a broader effort to raise awareness of the Safe Haven Law. It includes a 24-hour hotline that offers free counseling and assistance to women facing difficult circumstances.
The decision to install the baby box comes after unanimous approval from the Crestview City Council in November 2023. Council-member Brown, who initially proposed the idea, cited Florida’s new abortion law and growing socioeconomic pressures as factors contributing to the need for such a resource.
Mayor JB Whitten previously expressed strong support for the project, sharing an emotional account of Ocala’s experience with their baby box. “The one time it gets used, it is worth it,” Whitten said during the council meeting that approved the installation.
The baby box will be equipped with temperature control and multiple alarm systems to ensure the safety of surrendered infants. Once a baby is placed in the box, the exterior door automatically locks, and alerts are sent to 911 dispatch. Firefighters at the station will be responsible for responding to these alerts.
- Initial costs for the project were estimated at up to $30,000, with Councilmember Brown contributing $7,500 from her discretionary funds. The community was also invited to participate in fundraising efforts to cover the remaining expenses.
The City of Crestview encourages community members to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 28. For more information about the Safe Haven Baby Box project, click here to read the previous news coverage.
TRAFFIC
U.S. 98 in Okaloosa County to undergo weeklong lane closure for drainage work
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has announced a planned lane closure on U.S. 98 in Okaloosa County to facilitate drainage pipe installation. The closure will begin at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20, and is expected to last for seven days.
- The affected area stretches from Robys Drive to Woodland Park Circle in Mary Esther (just west of Hurlburt Field), where traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. The work will be carried out in two phases to minimize disruption.
In the first phase, the eastbound travel lane of U.S. 98 will shift north, creating a work zone on the south side of the road. This will allow crews to install the drainage pipe beneath the eastbound lanes.
The second phase will involve shifting both eastbound and westbound lanes to the south side of the roadway. This shift will provide a dedicated work zone on the north side of U.S. 98 to complete the drainage construction beneath the westbound lanes.
FDOT officials have stated that directional signage will be in place to guide drivers through the work zone. All lanes are scheduled to reopen to traffic by Sunday, Oct. 27.
- The department reminds drivers to exercise caution, especially at night, when traveling through the work zone. Motorists should also be alert for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
FDOT notes that all activities are weather dependent and may be subject to delay or rescheduling in the event of inclement weather.
This lane closure is part of a larger U.S. 98 resurfacing project that spans from west of Josie Road to Florida Place Southeast in Okaloosa County.
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