TRAFFIC

2 critically injured in Destin crash involving Jeep, low-speed vehicle

Two people were critically injured in a crash between a Jeep and a low-speed vehicle in Destin on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.

• The crash occurred at the intersection of Emerald Coast Parkway and Matthew Boulevard, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the scene and transported the operators of the low-speed vehicle to a local hospital. They were listed in critical condition but were expected to survive, the sheriff’s office said.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. No further details were immediately available.

BUSINESS

Step One Automotive Group unveils new state-of-the-art facility in Fort Walton Beach

Step One Automotive Group unveiled its new state-of-the-art Center of Excellence facility Wednesday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local officials and education leaders.

• The 39,722-square-foot facility located in the Commerce and Technology Park is being launched in collaboration with Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) and will serve as the home of a new Automotive Technology Apprenticeship Program.

“Over a year ago, Dr. Devin Stephenson, the president of Northwest Florida State College, reached out to me and said, ‘Maureen, I have an idea, and Step One Automotive Group is the only organization that can help us make that a reality.’” said Maureen Bierman, Marketing Director for Step One Automotive Group. “When we met, he shared with me his desire to stand up an automotive technology training program at the college and was looking for a partner where the students could do hands-on apprentice training in a real shop with master certified technicians.”

The Center of Excellence includes a 30,000-square-foot main building that was completely renovated from an old factory. It now houses 17 lifts capable of servicing vehicles up to class 2,500, as well as a 7,000-square-foot detail shop and 2,200-square-foot paint and dent repair center that were built from the ground up.

The facility is equipped with the latest eco-friendly technology for fluid and tire disposal and features the most advanced equipment and safety standards available. It will provide students enrolled in the apprenticeship program with unparalleled hands-on training from master-certified technicians.

• “We are deeply committed to empowering the next generation of automotive professionals,” said Juan Carlos Correa, Chairman of the Board for Step One Automotive Group. “The opening of the Step One Automotive Group Center of Excellence is a testament to our vision of shaping a future where passion meets technology.”

The apprenticeship program is the result of a unique collaboration between Step One Automotive and NWFSC. Students will receive 720 hours of tuition-free automotive technician training, including books and tools, through a combination of classroom learning and on-the-job experience.

The program curriculum will include industry certifications and coursework in automotive service technology, automotive electrical/electronic systems technology and diesel systems technician training. Graduates will earn a portable credential that is recognized by potential employers nationwide.

The Center of Excellence facility and training program were hailed by local leaders, including Okaloosa County Commissioner Trey Goodwin and Fort Walton Beach Mayor Dick Rynearson.

• “This is a perfect example of how a local business and educational institution can partner to open phenomenal opportunities for students interested in a technical career,” Goodwin said.

Rynearson highlighted Step One Automotive Group’s contributions to the Fort Walton Beach community. He said the new program is projected to increase female and young mechanic hires based on current industry demographics.

“Nationwide, 95.7% of auto mechanics are men, and only 4.3% are women,” Rynearson said. “Students graduating from this facility are likely to lower that number. The average age of a certified mechanic is 42 years old. Graduates here will also lower that statistic.”

NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson emphasized the partnership’s potential for innovation and workforce development. He said the collaboration exemplifies both organizations’ dedication to student success.

• “By partnering with industry leaders and introducing the Automotive Technology Apprenticeship Program, we provide students with an unmatched opportunity to gain skills and knowledge while working alongside experienced professionals,” said Dr. Stephenson. “At NWFSC, our goal is to produce graduates who are job-ready and equipped to drive innovation in the automotive industry.”

THINGS TO DO

City of Fort Walton Beach hosts first “community bike ride” event

Residents are invited to bring their bicycles and participate Saturday, November 11, in the first “Community Bike Ride.”

• The approximately 3 to 4-mile bicycle tour through downtown Fort Walton Beach and adjacent neighborhoods will promote bike safety, according to the city.

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department and the Downtown Fort Walton Beach organization are hosting Saturday’s event. It coincides with the Fort Walton Beach Farmers’ Market, held Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Ferry Road SE, just north of U.S. Highway 98.

Fort Walton Beach police officers will also be onsite fitting children and adults for free bicycle helmets, provided by a Florida Department of Transportation grant.

The bicycle helmet fitting starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. The bike ride kicks off shortly after 9 a.m. Both events are at the intersection of First Street SE and Ferry Road SE, where the ride will start and end.

Organizers encourage participants to stay for the Farmers’ Market after the ride.

A MESSAGE FROM DESTIN-FWB AIRPORT

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport wants to fly one lucky military member ‘Home for the Holidays’

Are you an Active Duty Service Member who resides in the 850 or 448 area code? Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport wants to fly one lucky military member ‘Home for the Holidays’

• Enter to win a free roundtrip flight home to visit loved ones over the holiday season.

The promotion, running from November 1st through December 5th, is open to enlisted personnel based/stationed/posted at one of the many military bases located in the 850 or 448 area code.

Click here to enter today! Or, send this email to a friend who can enter.

TRIBUTE

Fort Walton Beach plans Veterans Day Ceremony at Tribute Tower

The Veterans Tribute Tower Committee will hold its Veterans Day Ceremony on Saturday, November 11, at 11 a.m. in the City of Fort Walton Beach’s Beal Memorial Cemetery.

• This year’s guest speaker is Brig. Gen. Jeffrey T. Geraghty, commander of the 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base.

In addition to celebrating Veterans Day, this year’s event will also recognize Remembrance Day, a British holiday set aside in November to remember armed forces members who died in the line of duty. Participating in the ceremony will be British Royal Navy Cmdr. Chris Wilcox and members of his command and their families stationed at Eglin Air Force Base.

Members of Fort Walton Beach High School’s Junior ROTC program will provide color guard duties and place flags at the graves of the more than 1,800 veterans buried at the cemetery. As a reminder, the reading of the names of the departed will be done during the Memorial Day Ceremony in May 2024.

In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors to the American Legion Post 235, located at 105 Hollywood Blvd. NW.

THE WEEKENDER

A few things to do around town

November 10- Erica Courtney Personal Appearance and Trunk Show – Free – View

November 10 – Super Sew Day – Free – View

November 10 – #MittensForGood – Free – View

November 10 – ART PARTY/RECEPTION for ART WEEK at ADSO – FREE – View

November 11 – Veterans Day Parade in Crestview – View

November 11 – Florida Artist Blacksmith Association Forge Competition – Free – View

November 11 – Holiday Market – Free – View

November 11 – Military Appreciation Day – View

November 11 – Erica Courtney Personal Appearance and Trunk Show – Free – View

November 11 – Open Air Art Day – Free – View

November 11 – Call to Artists – $5. – $35 – View

November 11 – Kirtan Bliss – Mantra Music & Heart Song Experience With Gershone & Gina – $35 – View

November 13 – Submit Artwork for “Bucket List” Show – $5. – $35 – View

November 13 – ZEN ILLUSTRATION – $30 – $35 – View

November 14 – SHALIMAR LIBRARY INVITES YOU TO THE PAT Z. ROBERTS ART RECEPTION – Free – View

November 15 – ADSO Monthly Luncheon and Speaker – $15 – View

November 14 – Opening Reception for the “Bucket List” Show with BATTLE of the BRUSHES – View

OPENING SOON

Grand opening for new Chick-fil-A in Fort Walton Beach set for November 17

After 20 years of serving up smiles, waffle fries, and community support from his Chick-fil-A on Beal Parkway, franchise owner Matthew Sexton is ready to bring his successful recipe to a new Fort Walton Beach location.

• On November 17th, Sexton will officially open the doors to his second Chick-fil-A restaurant, a $6 million, 5,000 square-foot building located at 122 Eglin Parkway NE. 

This new outpost has been years in the making for Sexton, who started with the company in Panama City before taking over the Santa Rosa Mall location 25 years ago. Now one of only 15% of Chick-fil-A franchisees operating multiple restaurants, Sexton is as fired up as ever to expand his reach in the community he has called home for over two decades.

“I’ve never been more passionate about what I get to do every single day,” said an energetic Sexton. “I still have the same job I had since I was 15. My goal is to bring that attitude of gratitude and humble spirit to Eglin Parkway and have the community say, ‘They really did it again.’”

Doing it again has posed both exciting opportunities and daunting challenges for the veteran franchise owner. But Sexton praised the city of Fort Walton Beach for making the process smooth and the construction crew who knows the ins-and-outs of standing up a new Chick-fil-A building. 

Designing the new building was also a chance to implement lessons learned from Beal Parkway over the past 20 years.

With a focus on drive-thru and mobile ordering, the Eglin location features only two registers inside but a massive 225 yards of concrete queuing that Sexton calls “the biggest drive-thru they’ve done in years.” 

The streamlined floorplan dedicates 85% of the space to food production and minimalist guest seating reflecting shifting trends in brick-and-mortar restaurant design. There are also new features like a guest sanitation-station and lighting sensors that make the new building extremely eco-friendly.

• “There’s a percentage of people that go to the restroom just to wash their hands,” explained Sexton. “We’ve thought about that and now there’s a whole sanitation station so that you can just wash your hands and not have to go into the bathroom.”

“One culture, two locations.”

Perhaps Sexton’s biggest challenge has been preparing his team for the added demands of a second busy location while maintaining the customer service culture he has built at Beal Parkway. His solution was to strategically split long-time managers between the restaurants and hire nearly 100 new team members months in advance to train on-site.

“It’s costing us a lot on the front end, but this is a long term strategy for us,” noted Sexton. “Our goal is to invest in the quality, and invest in their experience now.”

Sexton’s investment in his employees is clearly paying off. Those making the move to Eglin Parkway are ecstatic for the opportunity, he said. And those remaining at Beal will get an opportunity to grow into bigger leadership roles.

• “I’ve done this ever since I was 15 years old. This is my 32nd year wearing a name tag,” said Sexton. “How’s it going? About 90 miles an hour right now for me.”

The busy lead-up to opening is par for the course in Sexton’s decades of experience. But perhaps nothing excites him more than the chance to further give back to the community that has given so much to him.

Chick-fil-A no longer does overnight campouts for the “first 100” customers. Instead, Sexton will be presenting 75 “first 100” rewards to Children In Crisis and 25 to local police and fire departments in the city. Empowering local organizations and heroes is a perfect encapsulation of why he feels so passionate about expanding his business.

• “At the end of the day, it’s who’s having an impact on the community, and really who are our heroes,” said an appreciative Sexton. “That’s who gets the free Chick-fil-A for a year, and I love that we can do that.”

Giving back has always been at the core of Sexton’s approach. His current Beal Parkway location is the third highest grossing Chick-fil-A in the entire state, serving over 5,000 guests per day. With the new Eglin Parkway restaurant, Sexton will be able to make an even bigger difference.

“This is a $6 million project. It adds some nice curb appeal to Eglin Parkway,” noted Sexton proudly. The prominent new building with double drive-thru lanes will significantly expand Sexton’s reach beyond his current customer base with their proximity to Okaloosa Island.

• “We have painstakingly spent months training our new employees in an actual restaurant with people and food. It’s not ideal, but it’s a long term strategy for us,” said Sexton on readying new hires. 

Sitting at a table in the middle of the Beal location, with 122 Eglin Parkway on his mind, Sexton looks around at the place that has his heart. Even in the excitement of November 17th, he intentionally plans to be at Beal at some point on opening day to show his unwavering commitment to the original.

“Beal Parkway is where I’ve parked my truck for 20 years. It’s meant a lot to me and it still does. This is my heart,” Sexton emphasized.

As opening day approaches, Sexton maintains his signature humility, attributing his success to the community he serves.

• “I say this all the time, but thank you for giving me a job,” he said to the community. “25 years of doing this, it’s the only thing I’ve ever done. I’ve never been more passionate about what I do.”

That passion will be on full display when Sexton welcomes the public to his new Chick-fil-A restaurant at 122 Eglin Parkway NE starting November 17th. After two decades of delighting the Fort Walton Beach community, he’s ecstatic to keep it  going at his new location. Sexton and his team have 50 gift bags full of Chick-fil-A merch for the first 50 people that arrive on grand opening day.

“Whoever comes in to eat here, that’s who we built it for,” he said. “And it really will be our pleasure.”