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GIVING BACK
Rep. Patt Maney receives Boy Scouts’ highest honor, Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
Six decades after earning his Eagle Scout rank in Lexington, Kentucky, State Rep. Patt Maney received scouting’s highest recognition during a ceremony that drew hundreds of community leaders to celebrate his lifetime of service.
- The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, presented at the Hilton Garden Inn on Oct. 24 and emceed by Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber President Ted Corcoran, recognizes Eagle Scouts who have demonstrated extraordinary achievement and service.
Of the more than 2 million Americans who have earned Eagle Scout rank since 1915, fewer than 2,500 have received this honor.
“Patt became a Scout in February of 1964, and since then he’s made an impact not only to our county, not only to our state, not only to the United States of America, but he’s made an impact in the entire world,” said Bit-Wizards CEO Vince Mayfield, an Eagle Scout himself, during the award presentation.
The journey to this recognition began in 2017 when William James Jr., a fellow Eagle Scout and 25-year Army veteran, initiated the nomination process.
- “Between administering the Bosnian Peace Accord, having private meetings with the Pope, personal friendships with heads of states, foreign presidents, receiving awards from the royal family, Supreme Court justices and writing legislation, being a brigadier general and a county judge and a member of the House of Representatives — who is this guy?” James said, recounting his discovery of Maney’s extensive service record while compiling the nomination.
District Attorney Ginger Madden cited biblical qualities of leadership in her tribute to her former boss of over two decades:
“They are to be able men, wise, discerning, and experienced. They are to be men that fear God. They are to be men of truth, exhibiting moral integrity. They are to be men that hate dishonest gain. They are to be men like Thomas Patterson Maney.”
Maney’s service spans multiple branches of government and international relations. As an Army Reserve Brigadier General, he served in Panama, Haiti, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. In Bosnia, he coordinated with NATO forces and had a private audience with Pope John Paul II while planning security for the pontiff’s visit to Sarajevo.
In Afghanistan, where he served as senior political sector advisor to the U.S. Ambassador, Maney helped coordinate the country’s first free presidential election in 5,000 years. His service was cut short in August 2005 when he was severely wounded by an improvised explosive device, leading to 20 months of recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
- Former Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani provided a personal endorsement for the award, praising Maney’s dedication to helping rebuild Afghanistan. Even while recovering at Walter Reed, Maney coordinated the acquisition of a surplus U.S. Military ambulance for the Aschiana charity program supporting Afghan street children.
His wife Caroline described how scouting shaped his character: “His approachability, his servanthood, and his engagement with others — he learned this during his Boy Scout years. This led me to be a Girl Scout leader, and our daughters to be Girl Scouts earning the Girl Scout Gold Award. Over the years, I’ve watched him lift others up, prize service above himself, and this has impacted our family and marriage.”
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BUSINESS
PAWS names Tracey Kinsley as interim executive director
The Panhandle Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has appointed Tracey Kinsley as its new interim executive director, building on her existing role with the organization that began in May 2024.
Kinsley joined PAWS earlier this year as community development director, where she focused on enhancing community engagement and fundraising efforts.
- Her appointment to the interim executive director position leverages more than 20 years of nonprofit experience, including nearly six years at the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County.
“I am honored to step into this role at PAWS and lead this incredible organization,” Kinsley said. “I am excited to focus on deepening our community relationship, engaging new and long-term supporters, and enhancing the programs that make PAWS such a vital part of the Fort Walton Beach community.”
In her new role, Kinsley will prioritize strengthening community partnerships, enhancing volunteer programs, and increasing fundraising efforts. She plans to focus on expanding corporate sponsorships and exploring grant opportunities to diversify the shelter’s funding sources.
PAWS Board President Heather Larabee expressed support for the appointment. “We are thrilled to have Tracey as our Interim Executive Director,” Larabee said. “Her experience in nonprofit management, particularly in animal welfare, positions her perfectly to lead our team as we continue to grow and serve the needs of our community.”
PAWS, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Fort Walton Beach, provides adoption, foster, spay/neuter, and education services while working to prevent animal cruelty and advocate for animal welfare.
BUSINESS
Child care initiative launches to address military family needs near Eglin and Hurlburt
A nonprofit organization has launched a pilot program to address severe child care shortages affecting military families in Okaloosa, with an emphasis on providing emergency and flexible care options.
- The Operation Child Care Project announced its HomeFront Help program, offering free training and certifications to individuals willing to provide child care services around Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field.
“Access to quality child care is a nationwide crisis. This issue uniquely challenges military families due to frequent relocations, overflowing waitlists, and the non-traditional working schedules of service members,” said Kayla Corbitt, CEO of Operation Child Care Project and Army spouse.
The weekend-long program, scheduled for Nov. 16-17 in Shalimar, will train “Helpers” to exceed Department of Defense requirements for private caregivers. Participants will receive CPR certification, background checks, 40 hours of provider training, and special needs instruction. Those who complete the training will receive a $250 stipend.
- After certification, Helpers can work directly with families, assist those in the Operation Child Care Project’s case management system, or join a substitute provider list at partnering child care centers to help with short-term staffing needs.
The Department of Defense has identified both bases as having some of the highest demand and longest waitlists for child care among military communities.
The initiative, developed in partnership with The Early Learning Coalition of the Emerald Coast and the Air & Space Forces Association, is open to military spouses, early childhood education professionals, and local community members.
Interested individuals can apply by emailing homefronthelpfl@occproject.org.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Coast Guard medevacs 48-year-old man 75 miles south of Destin
A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued a 48-year-old man experiencing a medical emergency aboard a charter fishing vessel 75 miles south of Destin on Saturday evening.
- The distress call came in around 7 p.m. when crew members of the charter fishing vessel Kraken Reels contacted Coast Guard Sector Mobile watchstanders requesting emergency medical evacuation for the passenger.
In response, Coast Guard Sector Mobile coordinated with Air Station New Orleans, dispatching an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter to the scene.
The helicopter crew successfully hoisted the man from the vessel and transported him to Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where emergency medical services personnel were waiting.
NEWS
Four teens injured after car splits in half, catches fire in Destin crash
A reported high-speed crash Friday evening left multiple high school students critically injured after their vehicle split in half and caught fire following a collision on Emerald Coast Parkway, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office reported.
- According to investigators, a gray 2023 Dodge Charger carrying four teenagers was traveling west from the Walton County line shortly before 6:30 p.m. when it collided with a black 2024 Volkswagen Atlas attempting to turn left onto Tequesta Drive.
Witnesses reported the Charger was traveling at a high rate of speed and passing vehicles before the crash.
The impact caused the Charger to strike a utility pole, splitting the vehicle in half and causing it to overturn and catch fire. Two passengers were ejected from the vehicle, while first responders had to extricate the driver, officials said.
- The driver of the Volkswagen sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Multiple trauma alert patients were transported to HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, with at least one patient being airlifted to Sacred Heart Pensacola. At least two of the teenagers sustained critical injuries, according to authorities. Investigators said alcohol or drugs are not believed to be factors in the crash.
Destin High School Principal Dr. Diane Kelley visited one of her students and his father at the hospital Friday night.
- “I personally visited with the student and his father last night at the hospital and I promised to have his favorite foods waiting, once he is out of surgery,” Kelley said in a statement to school families on Saturday morning.
The crash involved students from both Destin High School and the South Walton area. “This news has taken a toll on our school community, especially the students and staff, as false rumors circulated quickly online,” Kelley said.
The school’s Shark Counseling team will be available Monday to provide support for students and staff. “I will personally be coordinating support for the student’s family, as needed,” Kelley said.
The westbound lanes of Emerald Coast Parkway remained closed for several hours as the OCSO Traffic Homicide Investigation team investigated the scene. The OCSO Traffic Homicide Investigation team handles crashes involving fatalities or serious injuries that could result in a fatality.
The investigation is ongoing.
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