TRAVEL

Okaloosa renews contract with Sheriff’s Office for continued security at all 3 airports

On Tuesday, November 7, the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioner unanimously approved the renewal contract between the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Airports Department for $3.3 million.

• The contract renewal will continue law enforcement, communications and security services provided by the sheriff’s office at the county’s three airports. 

Tracy Stage, Airports Director, said the Sheriff’s Office brought “instant credibility, sweeping overnight capabilities and efficiencies” when they took over airport law enforcement duties in 2017.

The contract renewal is retroactive to Oct. 1 and includes a 10.8% increase from last year, largely due to rising personnel costs, Stage said. The Transportation Security Administration [TSA] provides partial reimbursement of security costs at the airports with the remaining  costs covered through rates and charges by the airlines.

Stage commended the 6 years partnership along with Major Mike Howell of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office who stood up the unit when he was a Lieutenant. 

• “He’s the one that set the expectation for the federal security regulations that we adhere to in our security plan,” said Stage. “Under his outstanding leadership, Mike Howell made sure that the department met that.”

Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel made the motion to approve the contract renewal and praised the sheriff’s office unit highlighting the expertise and professionalism that allows issues at the airport to be handled with discretion.

“As you can imagine, with the volume of people that move through that airport, not only seasonally, but throughout the year, there’s a lot of things that happen quietly at the airport that are handled,” she said. “And that’s all because of the expertise and professionalism of this group. So I cannot thank you all enough for being here, and for the work that you’ve done.”

Commissioner Nathan Boyles said inviting the Sheriff’s Office to take over airport law enforcement duties was an example of the county opening itself to outside expertise, which he said has benefited citizens. 

Major Mike Howell helped establish the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Airports Security Unit in 2017 and recalled being nervous about taking on the responsibility of securing the “front door” of Eglin Air Force Base’s F-35 program and handling the more than 2 million passengers that pass through the airports annually. 

• “If it wasn’t for the leadership and partnership of Director Stage and his team at the airport, this program would not have been as successful as it is,” Howell said.

Howell retires at the end of December but said the airports are in “good hands” with the men and women of the Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office.

“It’s not just a saying that service is in our DNA, it really is,” said Howell to the board. “We love to protect our citizens and provide the service. Unfortunately, when people call us, it’s on their worst day and they need something. Being out there at the airport, we get to deal with people on good days. And so that community oriented relationship really serves everyone well.”

PUBLIC SAFETY

Burn ban extended in Okaloosa County through November 14

On Tuesday, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners approved extending a burn ban in Okaloosa County for another seven days due to persistent dry weather conditions. 

• The extension will be effective through November 14 and can be extended in 7-day increments if needed.

After continued coordination with the Florida Forest Service and Okaloosa Public Safety, the Board of County Commissioners agreed that the danger posed by the existing and forecast weather conditions including low humidity and a lack of precipitation, warranted the extension for the safety of Okaloosa County residents.

This ban prohibits outdoor burning in Okaloosa County, including:

• All outdoor burning of any combustible material
• Bonfires
• Campfires
• Warming fires
• Outdoor fireplaces
• Chimney
• Cooking fire, unless it is exclusively within a contained, attended, and monitored gas or charcoal grill

“Residents are encouraged to take this ban seriously,” wrote the County in a statement. “Anyone found guilty of violating the burn ban can be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor.”

Subsequent enforcement of the ban may include the issuing of fines. Upon notification of suspected burning, firefighters will respond to the scene and take immediate measures to contain and/or extinguish the fire.

Exceptions to the burn ban may be granted by the Florida Forest Service after a request for such exception is submitted by the individual concerned and an onsite inspection is made and is determined by the Florida Forest Service representative that such burning can be safely accomplished.

SPORTS

Baker’s Volleyball team wins State Championship

The Baker High School girls volleyball team won the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 1A state championship on Tuesday night, defeating Branford High 3-1 in the tournament final.

• Baker lost the first set 21-25 but came back to win the next three sets 25-15, 25-23, 28-26 to take the match.

“Today, you took on Branford High School with the support of students, parents, staff, and community members from across the Okaloosa County School District, and your hard work paid off!” Okaloosa Superintendent Marcus Chambers said in a statement. “Congratulations on winning the FHSAA 1A Girls Indoor Volleyball State Championship!”

It was the second straight shot at a state title for Baker, who also set a new school record this year with 21 consecutive district championships.

POLICE BLOTTER

Police: SUV crash leaves 2 minors seriously injured in Fort Walton Beach

A single-vehicle crash involving an SUV caused serious injuries to two juveniles at the intersection of Holmes Boulevard Northwest and Beal Parkway on Monday morning, according to the Fort Walton Beach Police Department.

At approximately 7:51 a.m., the department’s Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the crash that police say was possibly caused by an unknown vehicle that made a left turn from Holmes onto Beal directly into the path of the SUV.

• The SUV then crashed into Top Gun Muffler, causing significant structural damage that was deemed unsafe by the city.

None of the three occupants were wearing seatbelts. The two juveniles struck the windshield with their heads and sustained serious injuries.

The driver was cited for not properly restraining the minors with seat belts, as required by Florida law for those under 18.

The crash investigation remains ongoing. Police are requesting anyone with knowledge or video footage to assist.

Those with information should contact Detective M. Stirling at 850-833-9546.

A MESSAGE FROM OKALOOSA GAS

Natural Gas fuels economic growth in Okaloosa County

Natural gas has become a major driver of economic growth and job creation in Okaloosa County and across Florida. As one of the nation’s top natural gas producing states, Florida is seeing significant investment and expansion in natural gas production, pipelines, and related industries.

This increased economic activity is creating good-paying jobs right here in our community. According to Okaloosa Gas District, over 200 people are currently employed by Okaloosa Gas.

• And industry leaders expect continued growth, with numerous new positions created over the next 3-5 years if production increases to meet rising demand.

“The natural gas industry is providing stable, good-paying jobs for many Okaloosa residents,” said Okaloosa Gas Vice President Eddie Springle. “These jobs pay well above average and don’t always require a college degree. For lots of folks, it’s an opportunity to build a career and provide for their families.”

Okaloosa Gas District provides natural gas service to the four major military installations in Okaloosa and Walton Counties which includes Eglin Air Force Base – the largest Air Force Base in the world. In addition, the District supplies natural gas to the Navy Installation, Whiting Field, in Santa Rosa County.

• Elsewhere, Okaloosa Gas supplies natural gas to the City of Milton in Santa Rosa County, the City of Gulf Breeze in Escambia County, Walton County, and TECO Peoples Gas in Panama City Beach.

Beyond direct jobs in drilling and pipeline construction, the American Gas Association estimates each new natural gas job results in an additional 3-4 jobs created in related industries. This includes increased business for local restaurants, shops, hotels, and other services that support natural gas employees.

The economic benefits trickle down to the community level too, positively impacting residents and local businesses. From lower energy costs for households to increased affordability for local businesses, natural gas helps foster economic development in our region.

• Natural gas development brings other economic perks as well. Natural Gas companies pay significant fees and taxes to state and local governments, helping fund schools, infrastructure, and community services.

There’s no denying the economic importance of natural gas to Okaloosa County. From job creation and local economic growth to the everyday comfort of heating our homes, natural gas and Okaloosa Gas District are both integral parts of our community.

TRAFFIC

Proposal for Destin-Fort Walton Beach ferry system study gets support from Destin Council

The Destin City Council voted Monday to contribute funding to a study on a proposed ferry system between Destin and Fort Walton Beach.

• The council approved $12,786 toward a $51,144 feasibility study on the ferry system. The study would be done by HDR, the firm conducting an analysis of the Emerald Coast Rider public transportation system for Okaloosa County.

Mayor Bobby Wagner, who sits on the Emerald Coast Rider cooperative board, said Route 30 between Fort Walton Beach and Destin has been one of the least efficient based on preliminary data from HDR’s analysis. He proposed the ferry idea as an alternative.

The additional funding approved Monday would allow HDR to expand its study by 90 days to include analysis of the ferry system’s feasibility.

Wagner said the goal is to provide more of a commercial transit option to alleviate traffic congestion on Highway 98. He said it could also help demonstrate higher ridership numbers to the state to get more funding for improving overall public transportation in the area.

• The Destin council’s funding is contingent on the Fort Walton Beach City Council contributing $12,786 and the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners contributing $25,572. The county would provide 50% under Wagner’s proposal.

Councilmen Jim Bagby and Dewey Destin said they would support doing the study but expressed skepticism about the ferry system’s viability long-term, citing struggles in nearby Pensacola.

Councilman Kevin Schmidt said he looks forward to seeing the study results, noting Fort Walton Beach and Destin are different towns than Pensacola. He said the city’s new property at the foot of the Destin Bridge and potential future walk under the bridge offer possibilities to connect to a ferry system.

• Wagner tested the travel time and said the commute from the FWB Landing to Capt. Royal Melvin Park is around 32 minutes.
• If the ferry docked at the bridge, it could cut the commute to around 22 minutes.

The Mayor said the study would provide data to determine whether a ferry is feasible or if the city needs to consider other transportation options.

Mayor Wagner also said that Baytowne Wharf has expressed interest in expanding the ferry system to its marina if the route between Fort Walton Beach and Destin proves viable.