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Let’s get to the news you need to know this morning…
SCHOOL
Three Okaloosa students among winners in Florida Space Art Contest
Three Okaloosa County students have been selected as finalists in the 2024 Florida Space Art Contest, a statewide competition that drew nearly 2,600 submissions.
- Sisters Vanessa and Isabella Wesbur, along with Jason Ritnour, were among 12 finalists chosen in the contest announced by Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez on Oct. 25.
“We’re very proud of these students and for a worthy cause,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers said during Monday’s school board workshop. “Now three from Okaloosa out of the 6,600 participants [over the years], that’s pretty special in my mind.”
Vanessa Wesbur, a second-grade student at Wright Elementary School, and Jason Ritnour, a second-grade student at Kenwood Elementary School, were selected in the K-2 category. Isabella Wesbur, a fourth-grade student at Northwest Florida Ballet Academie, was chosen in the 3-5 category.
- The contest challenged students to create original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year’s theme: “Suit Up! Florida’s Space Suit of the Future.” As finalists, the three students will receive two tickets each to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
The competition’s connection to Okaloosa County began in April when Nuñez visited Plew Elementary in Niceville to launch the contest. During her visit, she was joined by Rob Long, President and CEO of Space Florida, Superintendent Chambers, and Principal Tammy Matz.
Two grand prize winners from other Florida counties will have their artwork launched into space on an upcoming SpaceX mission.
“Congratulations to the two grand prize winners,” said Lieutenant Governor Nuñez. “I look forward to recognizing their talent, creativity, and imagination in the near future.”
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SCHOOL
Four Okaloosa students named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists
Four Okaloosa County students have been named semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship competition, making them eligible to compete for scholarships valued at nearly $26 million nationwide.
- The semifinalists include Lily Suttlemyre and William Cupp from Niceville High School, and Jonathan Curtis and Tina Le from Choctawhatchee High School.
“I am extremely proud of these students and their dedication in achieving this recognition,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers said. “The process is rigorous, and those honored at any level for their academic excellence deserve it.”
To qualify for the prestigious program, students must take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test during their junior year. Semifinalists represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and are the highest-scoring entrants in their respective states.
To advance to finalist status, the students must maintain their academic excellence, submit a comprehensive scholarship application, receive a school official’s endorsement, write an essay, and achieve qualifying SAT or ACT scores.
Finalists will compete for one of 6,870 National Merit Scholarships.
SCHOOL
Northwest Florida State College names four finalists in presidential search
Northwest Florida State College’s District Board of Trustees has selected four finalists for the college presidency, with on-campus interviews scheduled for November 4-5, 2024.
- The finalists, chosen following an October 25 vote by the nine-member Presidential Search Committee, are Okaloosa Commissioner Mel Ponder, Brigadier General R. Gwyn Armfield (ret.), Dr. James Walter Ross, and Dr. Mark F. Strickland, Jr.
“Our Presidential Search Committee recruited, reviewed, and interviewed an excellent pool of candidates with a wealth of life experience,” said Rhea Goff, NWFSC Trustee and Chair of the Board of Trustee’s Presidential Search Committee.
Ponder currently serves dual roles as Association Executive for the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors and Okaloosa County Commissioner for District 5. His public service includes terms as Destin’s mayor, city councilman, and state representative.
- During his legislative tenure, Ponder chaired the Children, Families, and Seniors Subcommittee and served as Vice Chair of Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Florida State University.
Armfield, a retired Air Force Brigadier General with 28 years of service, founded RGA Consulting Group, LLC, which provides strategic planning services focused on business profitability. His military career included leading over 30,000 U.S., NATO, and Afghan special operations personnel.
- He previously commanded Hurlburt Field’s 24th Special Operations Wing, leading 2,000 personnel globally. Armfield holds degrees from The Citadel and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
Ross brings 25 years of higher education leadership experience, including 14 years in the Florida College System. As President of Pamlico Community College, his institution ranked first nationally for student success in 2021 and 2023. He previously served as Vice President for Advancement and Public Affairs at Eastern Florida State College, overseeing operations for a 25,000-student institution.
- Ross holds a doctorate in education from Nova Southeastern University and completed leadership development at Harvard.
Strickland has served as Provost and Chief Campus Officer of St. Petersburg College’s Seminole Campus since 2015, recently adding oversight of the Health Education and Vet Tech Centers to his responsibilities.
- His 24-year career at St. Petersburg College includes roles as College Recruiter, Director of Enrollment Management, Associate Provost, and Athletic Director. Strickland holds a doctorate in Leadership and Management from St. Thomas University.
Board of Trustees Chair Lori Kelley emphasized the significance of the selection process: “Selecting the next president of our College is a responsibility we do not take lightly.”
The finalists will participate in various campus activities during their visits, culminating in individual interviews with the Board of Trustees. The college has posted candidate resumes and interview schedules at www.nwfsc.edu/presidential-search, where updates will continue to be shared.
A MESSAGE FROM MID BAY ENT
Mid Bay ENT to celebrate new Niceville location with ribbon cutting
A new specialized ear, nose and throat practice is opening in Niceville, expanding access to advanced ENT treatments previously unavailable in the local area.
- The Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for Mid Bay ENT on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. at 4566 US Highway 20 East, Suite 100.
The practice is led by Dr. Sean McWilliams, who has served patients in Okaloosa and Walton counties for 21 years. McWilliams graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1999 and completed his residency in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Alabama-Birmingham in 2004.
Mid Bay ENT offers comprehensive services for both pediatric and adult ENT disorders. McWilliams specializes in minimally invasive procedures, including balloon sinuplasty for sinusitis treatment and computer-aided navigation surgery. The practice provides in-office procedures such as VivAer®, RhinAer®, and Propel® Implants.
- The facility’s full-service allergy clinic provides testing for food and environmental allergens. Treatment options include subcutaneous immunotherapy (allergy shots), sublingual immunotherapy (allergy drops), and oral mucosal immunotherapy delivered through toothpaste.
McWilliams, who is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, has received multiple recognitions for patient care. Professional Research Consultants named him a “Five Star” healthcare provider for seven years between 2016 and 2023, placing him in the top 10% nationally based on patient surveys.
Joining McWilliams is Clara McNamara, PA-C, a graduate of West Chester University of Pennsylvania’s inaugural physician assistant program, where she specialized in otolaryngology training.
The practice operates as a division of ENT and Allergy Associates of Florida. Patients can schedule appointments by calling 850-622-5148.
MILITARY
Hematology and oncology services temporarily suspended at Eglin AFB
The 96th Medical Group has temporarily suspended its hematology and oncology services due to contract issues affecting providers, officials announced Friday.
- The medical group is currently contacting patients individually to coordinate both acute and long-term care needs during the suspension. New TRICARE Prime patients are being referred to off-base network providers through Humana Military.
“We understand that access and continuity of quality healthcare are crucial for our beneficiary population and are working to minimize any disruptions,” the medical group stated in its announcement.
The Defense Health Agency is aware of the situation and working to restore services, though no timeline was provided for when services might resume, according to the announcement.
Affected patients can contact Humana Military directly or access their online patient portal to view approved authorizations. The medical group’s Hematology & Oncology department remains available at (850) 883-8100 for questions.
FISHING
Destin seeks solutions for young anglers facing dock restrictions on the Harbor
The Destin City Council is exploring solutions for young anglers who are increasingly being restricted from fishing at local docks along Destin Harbor, an issue brought to light during the Oct. 21 council meeting that sparked a broader conversation about preserving local fishing traditions.
- Councilman Dewey Destin raised the concern after receiving multiple calls regarding teenage anglers, including members of the Destin High School fishing club, who have been faced with no-trespass warnings and growing restrictions on harbor fishing spots.
“I understand the property owners’ dilemma,” Councilman Destin said during the meeting. “People are doing things that are associated with vandalism down there, and it’s a risk they don’t want to take.” He noted that while the city continues to allow fishing from public docks, the available areas are “getting smaller and smaller.”
The discussion led to a nostalgic reflection from Councilman Johnny King, who recalled similar challenges emerging decades ago.
- “We saw this when the Emerald Grande came around,” King said. “When I was a kid, we used to ride our bikes in Destin with a five gallon bucket with a cast in it, a tackle box in your backpack and a fishing pole in the other hand.”
Despite past restrictions, King noted an encouraging trend. “I’ve seen an influx of kids… it just gives me incredible joy. The amount of kids that are riding around on their bicycles, [with] fishing poles, it’s so nostalgic,” he said, attributing some of the renewed interest to the influence of urban fishing content on YouTube.
One potential solution proposed during the meeting involves creating a registration system through the city. “If there’s some kind of system we could put where they would register with the city, so at least the vandalism problem may be not quite such a concern,” Councilman Destin suggested.
- City staff is already taking steps to address the issue, coordinating with stakeholders including the Harbor & Waterways Board for a meeting in early November to discuss possible solutions.
The timing of this initiative coincides with the city’s upcoming 26th Annual Pinfish Classic, scheduled for 7 a.m. on November 2 at the Highway 98 dock behind AJ’s Restaurant.
The free catch-and-release event welcomes youth anglers under age 14, with awards given for the largest and smallest pinfish in each age group, as well as a prize for the most fish caught overall.
“They do have to have somewhere to fish,” Councilman Destin emphasized. “And that’s becoming more and more of a problem.”
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