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Let’s get to the news you need to know this morning…
COASTAL RESOURCES
SS United States to begin final journey from Philadelphia to become the world’s largest artificial reef
The SS United States, holder of the transatlantic speed record, will begin its final voyage from Philadelphia’s Pier 82 this month, marking the start of its transformation into the world’s largest artificial reef off the Florida Panhandle.
- The operation to move the 990-foot vessel will begin Thursday, November 14, during high tide at approximately 11:45 a.m., when 6 tugboats will maneuver the ship to Pier 80’s north side, according to Okaloosa County.
The following day, pre-dawn operations will commence to guide the historic liner into the Delaware River during low tide. The process will require temporary closures of three major bridges: the Walt Whitman Bridge (I-76), Commodore Barry Bridge (U.S. 322), and Delaware Memorial Bridge (I-295).
After entering the Atlantic Ocean, two to three tugboats will tow the vessel on an estimated two-week journey to Mobile, Alabama, where it will undergo a 12-month preparation process for its new role as an artificial reef.
- “The preparation in Mobile will include removal of hazardous materials, non-metal parts, and fuel to ensure the deployment is environmentally safe,” according to the announcement. Modifications will also be made to ensure the vessel lands upright underwater.
While the exact deployment location hasn’t been finalized, plans call for positioning the ship approximately 20 miles south of the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area.
Okaloosa County will continue its partnership with the SS United States Conservancy to develop a land-based museum in Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The museum will showcase iconic features from the ship, including its distinctive funnels and radar mast, along with the Conservancy’s archival collection.
The public can follow the ship’s journey via GPS tracking at www.destinfwb.com/explore/eco-tourism/ssus.
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VETERANS
Forever Warriors launches $40,000 grant program for military support initiatives
Forever Warriors, an initiative of Step One Automotive Group, announced Wednesday it is accepting applications for its second cohort of military support grants, offering $40,000 in total funding for programs in Okaloosa County.
- The grants, managed in partnership with United Way Emerald Coast (UWEC), will support programs aimed at enhancing resiliency, well-being and reintegration for military service members, reservists and veterans. Individual grants will range from $5,000 to $15,000 for the period of January through March 2025.
“At Forever Warriors, we understand that the transition from military to civilian life can be challenging,” said Maureen Bierman, Marketing Director of Step One Automotive Group and Forever Warriors. “We are dedicated to funding programs that provide essential support for our veterans and service members.”
The announcement comes after Forever Warriors distributed $56,000 in September to its first cohort of grantees, including EOD Warrior Foundation, Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, The Honor Foundation (Eglin Campus), United Way Emerald Coast and Veterans Serving Veterans.
- UWEC President & CEO Kelly Jasen emphasized the organization’s role in managing the grants: “We have an in-depth understanding of local non-profits and community needs, a strong established grants process, and are proud to lend our expertise to these important efforts.”
Applications for the second cohort will be accepted through Nov. 22. Interested organizations can find more information at www.united-way.org/FWFgrant or by emailing volunteer@united-way.org.
The grant program’s launch coincides with National Veteran and Military Families Month.
THINGS TO DO
Destin Harvest to host inaugural silent auction fundraiser
Destin Harvest, which connects over 150,000 pounds of food monthly to local hunger relief programs, will host its first Fall Harvest silent auction fundraiser on Friday, November 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. at 950 Gulf Shore Drive.
- The event celebrates the organization’s milestone of securing and distributing more than 2 million pounds of food to 40 local programs this year, marking their highest distribution level outside of 2020’s pandemic response.
Nearly 50 items from local businesses will be available for bidding, including donations from prominent area restaurants such as Boshamp’s Oyster Bar, Harbor Docks, and Dewey Destin’s. Other participating businesses include entertainment venues like Hurricane Lanes and Rainforest Black Light Golf, along with service providers such as Executive Car Wash and Massage Envy.
Local Market will provide complimentary food at the event, which is free to attend and will feature a cash bar option. The auction aims to support Destin Harvest’s ongoing mission of bridging the gap between food surplus and local hunger in Okaloosa and Walton counties.
- The organization currently serves as a food rescue partner for major retailers including Sam’s Club, Walmart, Publix, Winn Dixie, Whole Foods, Fresh Market, and Aldi’s, redistributing surplus food to dozens of local food assistance programs.
Those interested in donating items for the silent auction or making monetary contributions can contact Debbie at 850-428-6750.
GIVING BACK
One Hopeful Place’s ‘color run’ to support homeless veterans set for Nov. 16
One Hopeful Place will host its 2024 Color Fun Walk/Run on Saturday, Nov. 16, to support homeless veterans in the local community.
- The non-competitive event will take place along North Beal Extension, covering a 1.2-mile route that starts and ends at One Hopeful Place. Participants will be showered with colorful powders and paints during the run.
Registration costs $30 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Teams can register for $50, regardless of size. The organization also offers a $25 “Couch Supporter” option for those who wish to contribute without participating.
The event schedule begins with check-in at 10 a.m., followed by the run at 10:30 a.m. Participants will receive a complimentary BBQ lunch starting at 11 a.m., and facility tours will be available until noon. The first 50 registrants will receive a commemorative T-shirt.
Funds raised will support One Hopeful Place’s comprehensive services for homeless veterans, which include accommodation, three daily meals, laundry facilities, WiFi access, and mental health counseling through Bridgeway. The organization notes that it costs $400 monthly to support one individual, with typical rehabilitation programs lasting three months.
The event will take place at One Hopeful Place, located at 1564 N. Beal Ext., Fort Walton Beach. Raffle prizes will be awarded after the race.
A MESSAGE FROM OKALOOSA GAS
Stay Safe with Natural Gas: Take the survey for a chance to win!
Okaloosa Gas District is conducting a natural gas safety survey during November, offering participants a chance to win one of five $100 gift cards while helping enhance the company’s safety outreach programs.
- The survey, which runs from Nov. 1-30, 2024, aims to gather community feedback to improve safety initiatives across the utility’s service area in Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.
Winners will be selected during a drawing on Dec. 2, 2024. The promotion is limited to one entry per household within the Okaloosa Gas service area, and employees of Okaloosa Gas District and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate.
The utility company emphasizes that the survey takes only a few minutes to complete, with responses helping to shape future safety outreach efforts in the tri-county region. Residents interested in participating can complete the survey through Nov. 30, 2024.
SCHOOL
How iPads transformed communication for non-verbal autistic students at Southside Primary in Crestview
Inside Elizabeth Havard’s pre-kindergarten classroom last year at Southside Primary Elementary, teacher Elizabeth Havard noticed one of her students was having a difficult morning.
- The child, Zaiden, seemed uncomfortable and upset. But unlike previous years, Zaiden had a way to express exactly what was bothering him.
Using his iPad, he navigated through the communication app to indicate he wanted to change out of his collared shirt – a request that would have been impossible for him to make just months earlier. After changing his clothes, Zaiden zoomed around the room, his entire demeanor transformed, finally comfortable and understood.
This interaction represents just one example of how technology is transforming the lives of students with autism at this small but mighty school in north Okaloosa County, where iPads and communication apps are breaking down barriers and giving non-verbal children a voice.
- “These children have so much to say,” Havard explains, “but they don’t necessarily have the neural pathways that you and I have to produce spoken speech at this time.”
The school, which serves students from age three through second grade, began implementing iPads equipped with TouchChat, a communication app, about a year and a half ago. The results have been remarkable, according to Principal Amy Bowles, who oversees a unique educational environment that has grown from 167 students at the beginning of the school year to nearly 300.
Southside Primary stands apart as one of the district’s oldest schools, dating back to 1947. Originally serving as a traditional elementary school through fifth grade, it has evolved to become a specialized center for early childhood education, with a particular focus on students with disabilities.
The school now houses 16 Pre-K D units for students with disabilities, eight voluntary pre-kindergarten (VPK) classes, and five elementary classrooms spanning kindergarten through second grade. Three of the VPK classes are “community classrooms,” where students with special needs learn alongside typically developing peers who serve as role models.
- “Early intervention is so important with our babies,” says Bowles. “If you don’t get them communicating their wants and needs at an early age, whether it’s through pictures or an assistive technology device or words, it’s hard.”
For Ashley Allen, whose son Zaiden attended Southside Primary for three years, the iPad has been transformative. Before having access to the device, Zaiden, who is largely non-verbal with just a few words like “mom,” “stop,” and “bye-bye,” would physically pull his mother to whatever he wanted in their house.
“Now Zaiden has the device and I can be anywhere in the house, and he will have the device say ‘eat Sun Chips,’ and I know exactly what he wants,” Allen says. “It’s been a real blessing, a game changer.”
The impact extends far beyond simple requests for snacks. The technology has opened up new possibilities for family activities that were once challenging. Allen says she sometimes would avoid taking Zaiden to stores because they could be too overwhelming for him. Now, with the ability to communicate through the device, shopping trips have become manageable.
- “If I need to go to the store, I press Walmart or Publix [on the device], and he’s fine with going in there now. He knows what to expect,” Allen explains. “Sometimes he’ll press buttons for grapes, apples – things he won’t eat, but he can participate in the shopping now.”
The journey to implementing this technology began with a visit from the district’s former speech therapist who introduced Havard to dynamic AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices. Before the iPads, teachers relied on static picture communication systems – laminated cards that limited students to pre-selected options.
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