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The 823d RED HORSE Squadron will be conducting explosive demolition training between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Oct. 24, at the Hurlburt Field Range.
- During the training, nearby residents may hear loud noise or feel the vibrations associated with the demolition charge detonations that are planned to occur periodically throughout the day.
Base officials advise if the humidity is high or if there is cloud coverage, the effects can seem louder and closer than on clear days.
PARKS+REC
Fort Walton Beach to expand artificial turf project at Preston Hood Athletic Complex
The Fort Walton Beach City Council voted unanimously to approve a $1.06 million expansion of artificial turf installation at the Preston Hood Athletic Complex.
- The project will add synthetic turf to Fields 9 and 10, large baseball/softball fields at the complex. ForeverLawn Emerald Coast, LLC will handle both the turf installation and field reconfiguration work.
The majority of the $762,925 turf installation will be funded through $675,000 in Tourist Development Council (TDC) funding, with the remaining $87,925 coming from the Half Cent Sales Tax Fund Balance.
An additional $298,275 for field reconfiguration work, including backstop replacement and batting cage installation, will also be funded through the Half Cent Sales Tax Fund Balance.
This expansion follows the successful installation of synthetic turf on Fields 1-5 earlier in 2024, which has already hosted multiple tournaments. The city began receiving TDC funding in 2022, collecting 12.5% of annual tourist development tax collections for tourism-driven projects.
- The new project will maintain consistency across the complex by using the same contractor and materials as the previous installation, according to the city. The cost per square foot remains comparable to the original project, which was awarded through a competitive bid process in October 2023.
Work on Fields 9 and 10 will include comprehensive field reconfiguration, featuring backstop renovation, netting replacement, batting cage installation, and fencing reconfiguration.
The timing of the project has been planned to align with the baseball/softball season.
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BUSINESS
142-slip Sunset Isle Yacht Club to host ribbon cutting ceremony on Okaloosa Island
Sunset Isle Yacht Club will celebrate its grand opening with a public ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 2-5 p.m., introducing the region’s only marina capable of accommodating yachts up to 300 feet.
- Located on Okaloosa Island’s south side along Choctawhatchee Bay, the facility features 142 marina slips equipped with modern amenities including two ultra high-speed fueling stations and shore power ranging from 30 to 200 AMPs.
The marina, situated three miles from Crab Island and Harbor Walk Village, offers oversized finger-pier walkways, 24-hour security with camera systems, and in-slip pump-out facilities. It also features Neptune vessel lifts capable of handling boats between 30,000 and 50,000 pounds.
Future development plans for the site include a resort-style pool, recreational facilities, lawn areas, and a full-service bar and restaurant.
- The grand opening celebration welcomes visitors by both land and sea to tour the grounds. The facility is located at 1350 Miracle Strip Parkway, Okaloosa Island.
Managed by Coastal Marina Management, the marina is currently accepting applications for slip rentals. Interested boaters can call (850) 500-2628 or visit www.sunsetisle.com for more information.
TRAFFIC
Fort Walton Beach to close parts of Brooks Street and Bay Drive for Halloween safety
Sections of Brooks Street SE and Bay Drive SE will be closed to through traffic from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024.
- The closure will affect Brooks Street from Waynel Circle east to Bay Drive, and will continue along Bay Drive from Brooks Street north to Hollywood Boulevard intersection.
The city released safety guidelines for Halloween festivities, advising families to carry flashlights or glow sticks for visibility. Additional recommendations include using designated crosswalks, inspecting treats before consumption, and avoiding unwrapped or homemade items.
Motorists are advised to use alternate routes during the closure period and to exercise caution in residential areas, particularly watching for children in costumes who may be difficult to see.
TRAFFIC
Construction prompts weeklong daytime closure of Denton-Racetrack intersection in FWB
Contractors will close a major intersection in Fort Walton Beach for nearly a week while performing right-of-way work, according to Okaloosa County officials.
- The intersection of Denton Boulevard and Racetrack Road will be closed from October 24-29, 2024. The closure will be in effect daily from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
County officials said detour signs will be posted to help drivers navigate around the closure. Motorists are advised to plan alternative routes during the construction period.
The project is scheduled during daytime hours only, allowing for normal traffic flow during evening and overnight periods.
GIVING BACK
Alaqua Animal Refuge seeks aid for hurricane-displaced animals
Alaqua Animal Refuge is facing mounting pressure as it cares for animals displaced by Hurricane Milton, despite receiving emergency assistance from national organizations.
- The Refuge, serving as the designated emergency shelter for the hurricane’s animal victims, is seeking monetary donations, volunteers, foster homes and adopters to sustain its relief efforts.
Many animals arrived with severe health conditions, including heartworm disease, malnutrition, untreated injuries and broken bones, while others exhibit behavioral trauma from the storm.
“These animals have been through so much, and while we’ve made strides in stabilizing them, we need the community’s support to continue their care and find them forever homes,” said Laurie Hood, founder and CEO of Alaqua Animal Refuge.
Before state supplies arrived, the refuge gathered kennels, food and medical supplies from within a three-hour radius to accommodate incoming animals. The displaced animals are currently housed in two large emergency arenas.
- While national animal welfare organizations have provided emergency grants, food and bedding, the volume of animals requiring care has strained the refuge’s resources.
The organization is requesting support through monetary donations at www.alaqua.org, volunteer assistance with animal care and feeding, foster homes to ease overcrowding, and permanent adoption of the displaced animals.
Those interested in helping can visit www.alaqua.org or contact Alaqua Animal Refuge at 850-880-6399.
MILITARY
Military readiness concerns heighten as U.S. Highway 98 traffic woes continue near Hurlburt Field
This week’s traffic standstill along U.S. 98, which forced military leadership to implement emergency measures, has thrust into sharp focus what base officials have long warned about: traffic congestion near Hurlburt Field isn’t merely a commuter inconvenience – it’s a military readiness issue that could impact national security operations.
- The situation became critical Monday when construction reducing U.S. Highway 98 to one lane in each direction created massive delays, prompting Col. Patrick Dierig, Commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing, to take immediate action.
He authorized squadron commanders to implement flexible schedules and alternate duty locations, while also extending Child Development Centers and Youth Center hours without late fees.
“Due to this week’s Hwy 98 construction impacts, I have authorized all 1 SOW squadron commanders maximum flexibility on how they manage work schedules, shifts, and alternate duty locations,” Dierig announced via Facebook.
The Florida Department of Transportation has since halted the construction project.
- “Crews have restored all lanes of traffic this morning,” FDOT District Three Public Information Officer Ian Satter said Tuesday morning. “FDOT engineers are currently developing a new construction plan to complete the pipe replacement project with the least amount of impact to the traveling public.”
For Dierig, who discussed these challenges in an April interview with Get The Coast, this week’s events validate his ongoing concerns about the corridor’s impact on military operations. Traffic management stands as one of his top local concerns that affects mission execution as well as quality of life for both Hurlburt Airmen and the local community.
“I never want to call the Air Force Special Operations Commander and say, ‘Sir, the mission failed because of a traffic jam,’” Dierig said in that April interview, highlighting how traffic delays could compromise the base’s special operations missions, some of which operate on extremely short timelines.
The current situation has accelerated discussions about long-term solutions, including a proposed collector road project that received initial funding in August.
- Okaloosa County approved a $1.1 million Project Development and Environment study for a three-mile parallel road from Solar Street to Green Drive, designed to alleviate pressure on U.S. 98, which currently handles approximately 50,000 vehicles daily.
County Engineer Scott Bitterman previously noted that even FDOT’s planned expansion of U.S. 98 to six lanes may not be sufficient. “A six lane highway, it can handle about 55,000 cars per day. So if-and-when Highway 98 gets widened out to six lanes, it’s still going to be almost at capacity when it’s open day one,” Bitterman said during an August county meeting.
Dierig emphasized in his April interview that solving the traffic issue requires extensive coordination across multiple government levels.
“We need a whole-of-government approach to get a secondary east-west corridor parallel to Highway 98,” he said, noting that such a solution would require local, state, and federal funding coordination, along with potential Air Force investment for a western gate. “We have got to get something that connects at least from Highway 87 to Hurlburt Field.”
- The proposed collector road project involves partnerships with several entities, including the Air Force, Okaloosa Water and Sewer, Florida Department of Transportation, Okaloosa Public Schools, and the Florosa Fire Control District.
While FDOT works to revise its immediate construction plans, the larger infrastructure challenges remain. As Dierig noted in April, while solutions may take years to implement, his goal is to establish clear milestones for future base leadership to follow, ensuring continuity in addressing what has become both a quality of life and military readiness issue.
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