SPONSORED BY
Good afternoon!
It’s been a hectic week..from a delayed newsletter to a never-before afternoon newsletter. But hey, it’s Friday and we will have a long weekend. Here’s the news to close out the week.
PUBLIC WORKS
Sidewalk closures coming to Highway 98 in Destin as part of the Utility Underground Conversion Project
Construction activities will begin Nov. 12 along North US Highway 98 in Destin, affecting pedestrian access from Beach Drive to the Marler Bridge as part of the city’s Utility Underground Conversion Project, city officials announced Friday.
- The six-week project will implement temporary sidewalk closures on the north side of US Highway 98, requiring pedestrians to use alternate routes, according to the City of Destin.
Safety signage and barriers will be installed throughout the construction zone to ensure pedestrian safety, with officials working to minimize disruptions.
Construction activities are scheduled Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., excluding recognized City holidays, the announcement stated. While construction noise and minor disruptions are expected during working hours, businesses in the affected area will remain accessible to customers throughout the project’s duration.
- Residents, business owners, and employees in the affected areas should plan alternate routes due to limited pedestrian movement across the impacted sections, city officials advised. The project is expected to conclude in late December.
The City of Destin has designated two contacts for project inquiries: Project Manager Juan Martinez (772.224.0399, Juan@jmunderground.net) and Project Coordinator Kari Kennedy (813.409.1336, Kari@jmunderground.net).
SPONSORED
Shopping during the holidays can be fun and stress-free with and Eglin Federal Credit Union Mastercard! And, with this card there’s no annual fee, no balance transfer fee and no cash advance fee.
- Apply for your Mastercard at eglinfcu.org/mastercard or at a branch.
Eglin Federal Credit Union. Where Members Matter Most. Same day issue of Mastercard is available in branch only during normal business hours, subject to membership and credit approval.
FROM THE STATE
Niceville attorney David Stevens named First Circuit judge
Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed David Stevens, Deputy Chief Assistant State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit, to serve as a circuit court judge.
- Stevens, a Niceville resident, currently oversees prosecutions for an entire county and manages a staff of more than 40 employees, including attorneys, investigators and support staff.
A graduate of Choctawhatchee High School, where he was a member of the Stylemarchers, Stevens earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and his law degree from Regent University School of Law. He also holds a Master of Divinity from Southern Evangelical Seminary and is an ordained minister.
Stevens began his legal career as an associate attorney at a civil litigation firm in Santa Rosa Beach before joining the State Attorney’s Office in Shalimar as a prosecutor. After nearly eight years as a prosecutor, he founded Stevens Law Firm, PLLC, a criminal defense firm serving northwest Florida, which he operated for four years before returning to the State Attorney’s Office in 2023 as Deputy Chief Assistant State Attorney.
Stevens lives in Niceville with his wife and young daughter. They are active members of Destiny Worship Center.
The appointment fills a judicial vacancy created by the enactment of HB 5401.
SPONSORED
Surf Hut, Crab Trap locations to host Thanksgiving Day feasts
Saltwater Restaurants announced its waterfront locations in Destin and Fort Walton Beach will serve Thanksgiving dinner on November 28, combining traditional holiday fare with Gulf Coast views.
The restaurants — Surf Hut in Destin, The Crab Trap at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, and The Crab Trap in Destin — will offer a traditional Thanksgiving menu featuring slow-roasted turkey with pan gravy, Southern cornbread dressing, red garlic mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, fresh garden vegetables, cranberry sauce, and a choice of pecan or pumpkin pie. Regular seafood menu items will also be available.
- As part of the holiday service, Saltwater Restaurants will donate $5 to Food for Thought, a local organization supporting children in need, for each adult Thanksgiving plate purchased.
All three locations will serve from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day with first-come, first-served seating. Pricing varies by location, with adult meals at Surf Hut and The Crab Trap Destin priced at $38.99 and children’s meals at $16.99. The Crab Trap on Okaloosa Island offers adult meals for $36.99 and children’s meals for $15.99.
The restaurants are located at 551 Scenic Gulf Dr. in Destin (Surf Hut), 3500 Scenic Hwy 98 in Destin (The Crab Trap), and 1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE at The Boardwalk (The Crab Trap Okaloosa Island).
PUBLIC SAFETY
Shalimar man charged with impersonating federal officer in traffic stop
A man who reportedly claimed to work for the Navy Criminal Investigative Service was arrested after allegedly conducting an unauthorized traffic stop on Highway 98, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.
- Salvatore Gruny, 69, of Shalimar, was charged with impersonating a federal officer, use of a firearm during a felony, unlawful use of blue lights, and unlawful use of a badge following the November 4 incident.
Deputies responded after the stopped motorist called authorities to report a possible police impersonator. They found Gruny had used his personal Dodge Charger equipped with flashing blue lights in the front windshield and red, blue, and white lights in the back window to make the stop.
When questioned, Gruny reportedly showed identification for the Office of Naval Intelligence and was carrying a loaded 9mm handgun on his hip. The victim reported Gruny had accused him of reckless driving and displayed both his ONI badge and firearm when asked if he was a police officer.
- Officials from ONI confirmed to the Sheriff’s Office that Gruny is retired and said he had been previously warned about similar behavior.
“We have unmarked cars and people in plain clothes but typically they’re not pulling cars over,” Sheriff Eric Aden said. “If you get pulled over with an unmarked car with us, it’s still going to be someone typically in uniform.”
Aden noted that most legitimate traffic stops in Okaloosa County are conducted by marked green and white patrol cars with visible blue emergency lights. He advised that motorists uncertain about the legitimacy of a traffic stop can contact the OCSO dispatch for immediate verification.
THINGS TO DO
Veterans Day 2024 parades and events across Okaloosa County
Communities across Okaloosa County are organizing multiple events to honor veterans during the Veterans Day weekend, featuring ceremonies, parades, and special performances.
FORT WALTON BEACH
The Veterans Tribute Tower Committee will host a ceremony at Beal Memorial Cemetery on Monday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. The event brings together service members from multiple nations, featuring Eglin 96th Test Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Mark A. Massaro as guest speaker.
- The ceremony includes participation from Royal Navy Commander Chris Wilcox and members of his command, along with military members from Great Britain, Canada, and Australia stationed at Eglin Air Force Base as they celebrate Remembrance Day. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will move to American Legion Post 235, located at 105 Hollywood Boulevard NW.
The weekend’s events begin with a special concert at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 110 St Mary Ave SW, on Sunday, November 10, at 3 p.m. Dr. David Ott will conduct both the Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus and the David Ott Singers, celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Veterans Tribute Tower and Its Freedom Bell Casting and Dedication from 2014.
The free concert continues the tradition of twice-yearly performances dedicated “To Those Who Serve,” with donations benefiting Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, the Salvation Army of Okaloosa and Walton County, and The Air Force Enlisted Village Bob Hope and its Hawthorn House assisted living facility.
MARY ESTHER
The city’s 26th Annual Veterans Day Event returns on Monday, November 11, running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The celebration includes food trucks and various activities throughout the day.
- The Veterans Day Parade begins at 1 p.m. on Page Bacon Road, turning right on Mary Esther Boulevard, right on Hollywood Boulevard, and ending at the southwest entrance to the Santa Rosa Mall.
A highlight of the parade will be the Fort Walton Beach High School Viking Band. The band’s performance continues their series of military tributes as they prepare for their upcoming appearance at the Military Bowl in Annapolis this December.
CRESTVIEW
VFW Post 5450 will host the city’s Veterans Day celebrations on Monday, November 11. The day begins with a parade at 9 a.m. on South Main Street, followed by a ceremony at the Memorial Wall in Downtown Crestview at exactly 11:11 a.m. Col. David Johnson, CRNA, DNAP, NC, will serve as the guest speaker for the ceremony.
DESTIN
HarborWalk Village will host a special ceremony honoring those who have served, featuring a performance by Reid Soria with Autism Sings LLC and a presentation of colors by the Eglin Honor Guard. The event includes honorary speakers and a Veteran-Owned Business Market, with live music beginning at 5 p.m.
A Veterans Benefit Car & Truck Show will take place on November 10 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Destin Walmart. The $35-per-entry event supports Building Homes For Heroes and Post 296 Veteran Outreach, with proceeds split equally between the organizations.
- BHFH has built multiple free homes in the area, including homes for an EOD Army Sergeant who lost his sight and a USAF MSgt who lost both legs and an arm. The show, sponsored by American Legion Post 296 and Sons of the American Legion, includes public choice judging, trophies, a 50/50 drawing, and auto door prizes. While entry fees apply to participants, the event is free for public attendance.
NICEVILLE
The city launches its first-ever Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 10 a.m. The inaugural event will wind through the streets of Niceville as a tribute to veterans and their families.
- The parade will follow the established Christmas Parade route, beginning at the John Sims Parkway and Palm Boulevard intersection, turning right on Partin Drive and ending near Ruckel Middle School.
City officials have extended an invitation to all community members to attend and show their support for those who have served the country.
OK, that’s all I have for you this afternoon! I hope you have a great weekend. Help us shape the future of local news and make a meaningful impact on your community. Click here to learn how you can support us!
p.s. What did you think of this morning’s newsletter? Hit the reply button and let me know!
Published with ♥ by Get The Coast.
Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe here.
124 Eglin Parkway SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548