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Let’s get to the news you need to know this morning…
MILITARY
Vietnam forward air controllers hold final reunion at Hurlburt Field
Members of the Forward Air Controller Association (FACA) convened at Hurlburt Field’s Memorial Air Park on Oct. 26 for their final reunion, marking the end of an era that began when they trained at the same location before serving in Vietnam.
- The event featured a memorial ceremony where retired Capt. Evan Quiros presented a “Ghost Pilot” bronze statue to Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, Air Force Special Operations Command commander. The life-sized bust features a helmeted pilot with a polished visor creating a ghost-like appearance.
“This will be a very fitting end, both a good and sad one, as we hold our last reunion where it all started,” said retired Lt. Col. Claude Newland, FACA reunion coordinator. “Our time has come as we are aging and eventually every ‘last-man standing’ organization must fold its tent.”
Chief Master Sgt. Ralph Oliver, 1st Special Operations Wing command chief, welcomed the veterans. “We’re excited to welcome you back and pay homage to the legacy you have set for every Air Commando following you,” Oliver said. “Thank you for your service and thank you for lighting the way.”
The statue’s creator, Quiros, explained how personal tragedy influenced the sculpture’s evolution.
- “I lost my daughter, her husband and my two grandkids in a plane crash in Colorado,” Quiros said. “After mourning them and those I lost during the war, the sculpture evolved and my hope was for it to force people to reflect on the people in their own lives.”
The sculpture bears an engraved poem by John Gillespie McGee, commemorating pilots who “slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter-silver wings but never returned.”
Retired Col. Zot Barazzotto described the statue’s emotional impact: “It stirred emotions and feelings like nothing in my 80 years, I think the Ghost Pilot helped thaw my frozen feelings.”
FACA, established in 1999, is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of forward air controller personnel who served in Southeast Asia. The members spent the remainder of their final reunion sharing service memories and visiting the local area.
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FROM THE STATE
DeSantis appoints Brad Embry as Okaloosa County Clerk of Circuit Court
Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Brad Embry as Okaloosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, effective January 1, 2025.
- Embry currently serves as Chief of Staff for the Okaloosa County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office, where he works with staff and stakeholders to improve accessibility and transparency.
His public service career spans more than 25 years in Okaloosa County, including 17 years in law enforcement with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Embry joined the Clerk’s office in 2015 as an investigator and accreditation manager in the Office of Inspector General. He later served as Inspector General for over five years, managing audits and investigations while evaluating county operations and internal controls.
He holds a master’s degree in public administration with a specialization in government acquisition and contract administration from the University of West Florida and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Troy University.
- His professional credentials include certifications as a Fraud Examiner, Economic Crime Forensic Examiner, Inspector General, Inspector General Investigator, and Inspector General Auditor.
Embry has stated his goals include operating the office fiscally conservatively, ensuring proper internal controls over county finances, and implementing advanced technology for improved record access and data security.
POLICE BLOTTER
66-year-old Pensacola man arrested in alleged Crestview bank robbery
A man wearing a fluorescent safety vest, straw hat, and face mask reportedly robbed a Regions Bank in Crestview Friday afternoon before being arrested hours later at his Pensacola home.
- James Keith Johnson, 66, was charged with robbery after allegedly demanding money from tellers at the South Ferdon Boulevard branch while indicating he had a weapon in his pocket. The incident occurred just before 4:30 p.m. on November 1.
Witnesses reported seeing the suspect, still wearing the distinctive safety vest, flee on foot to a nearby shopping plaza before driving away erratically in a white SUV.
Following the robbery, Johnson reportedly attended a Native American event in Niceville but left before law enforcement arrived. Johnson, who goes by the name Thunder Eagle Ghost Dancer, adopted this moniker after his 1995 bank robbery conviction, according to the Crestview Police Department.
- Johnson’s history includes two Florida bank robberies in March 1995. He was caught after attempting to launder dye-stained bills through a Mississippi casino token machine. That conviction resulted in a 327-month federal prison sentence, according to the Crestview PD.
The Crestview Police Department attributed the swift arrest to citizen tips, investigative work, and cooperation with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, who assisted in locating and arresting Johnson at his West Bay Point Drive residence.
Johnson was booked into the Escambia County Jail pending his first court appearance and extradition to Okaloosa County.
HEALTH
Twin Cities Hospital prepares local community for cold & flu season
As we head into fall and winter, HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital is helping local families prepare for influenza season with practical health guidance.
- “The flu is more than just a cold; it can strike suddenly and lead to serious complications,” said Dr. John Krause, who serves as an internal medicine physician at Twin Cities Hospital. “Understanding the facts about flu can empower you and your loved ones to stay healthy and safe.”
The Niceville-based healthcare team explains that influenza spreads through common community interactions – at grocery stores, school events, or family gatherings. A person might share the flu virus before showing symptoms and continue spreading it for about a week afterward.
Several groups who may need extra attention during flu season include senior neighbors, expecting mothers, young children, and residents managing ongoing health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart concerns.
Twin Cities Hospital medical staff recommend proven daily habits to help local families stay healthy. These include regular hand washing, keeping shared surfaces clean, and maintaining healthy routines with good rest and nutrition. The hospital’s medical team notes that annual flu vaccines are available through local healthcare providers.
- For residents experiencing flu symptoms like fever, cough, or body aches, Dr. Krause suggests staying home to rest. However, the Twin Cities medical team remains ready to help those with underlying health concerns or more serious symptoms.
Local families can find additional flu season information at HCAfloridahealthcare.com.
GIVING BACK
Okaloosa schools, sheriff’s office partner for Angel Tree program
The Okaloosa County School District and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office have announced a partnership for this year’s Angel Tree Program, aimed at supporting students from families in need during the holiday season.
- Superintendent Marcus Chambers and Sheriff Eric Aden revealed the collaboration, which will utilize school guidance counselors and school resource officers (SROs) to identify students requiring assistance.
“The Angel Tree Program has touched the lives of many children,” Chambers said. “I am forever thankful for living in a community that supports our schools and our students.”
In its first year, the district’s program provided gifts for 73 children and their families. Last year, the combined efforts of both organizations resulted in more than 300 Okaloosa students receiving gifts, thanks to staff and community donations.
Sheriff Aden noted the program’s growth since its inception in 2012. “This program has grown with the needs of our community thanks to the heartfelt generosity and commitment of our employees along with many local businesses and citizens,” he said.
This fall, guidance counselors and SROs will work together to identify students in need and create wish lists. Community members can contribute by donating funds or sponsoring a student to purchase gifts from their wish list.
Those interested in sponsoring a child or making a monetary donation can visit https://ocsostarcharity.com/angel-tree.
For more information about the Angel Tree program, contact Catherine Card at catherine.card@okaloosaschools.com or Katie Tingle at ktingle@sheriff-okaloosa.org.
TRAFFIC
FDOT to discuss widening Highway 98 on Okaloosa Island, new Destin Bridge at public meeting
The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a hybrid public meeting next month to discuss proposed improvements to U.S. Highway 98, including the expansion of a 5.1-mile stretch of roadway and replacement of the Marler (Destin) Bridge in Okaloosa County.
- The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. CST, with both virtual and in-person attendance options available. In-person participants can attend at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, located at 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE.
The project spans from the east end of Brooks Bridge to the east end of the Marler (Destin) Bridge. FDOT will evaluate converting the current four-lane roadway into a six-lane thoroughfare while addressing existing safety issues along the corridor.
Project materials, including maps and drawings, will be available for online review beginning Tuesday, Nov. 5, at noon CST on www.nwflroads.com/calendar. The public can submit comments about the project until Friday, Dec. 13.
Virtual attendees must pre-register for the meeting, while pre-registration is encouraged for in-person participants. Those interested in attending virtually can access the meeting through www.nwflroads.com/calendar.
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