SPONSORED BY
Good morning!
The 823d RED HORSE Squadron will be conducting explosive demolition training between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Nov. 14, at the Hurlburt Field Range.
- During the training, nearby residents may hear loud noise or feel the vibrations associated with the demolition charge detonations that are planned to occur periodically throughout the day.
Base officials advise if the humidity is high or if there is cloud coverage, the effects can seem louder and closer than on clear days.
Let’s get to more news this morning…
COASTAL RESOURCES
30,000 juvenile redfish released into Choctawhatchee Bay at Lions Park in Niceville
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism Department and Coastal Conservation Association Florida released approximately 30,000 juvenile redfish into Choctawhatchee Bay at Lions Park in Niceville on Tuesday.
- The fish, measuring 3 to 4 inches in length, are part of an ongoing multi-year collaborative effort to address declining redfish populations across Northwest Florida fisheries.
“This is our second year collaborating with CCA Florida on this conservation effort,” said Mike Norberg, Coastal Resources Manager for Destin-Fort Walton Beach. “Our goal is to make these releases an annual commitment.”
The juvenile fish were raised at a mariculture hatchery in Crystal River through a partnership between CCA Florida and Duke Energy. According to Norberg, the released fish will take about a year-and-a-half to reach the minimum size limit, when they can be legally caught.
This release follows a previous effort in September 2023, when 10,000 redfish were released at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville.
- During that event, CCA Florida Executive Director Brian Gorski emphasized the importance of such initiatives, stating, “Every redfish released is an opportunity to enhance the fishery for future generations.”
Redfish primarily inhabit seagrass and marsh environments during their juvenile stage, eventually moving into open waters as adults. The species is managed through size restrictions, with both minimum and maximum size limits in place to protect the breeding population.
Since 2018, CCA Florida and Duke Energy have released more than 260,000 redfish across Florida’s coasts to maintain game fish stocks and support recreational fishing opportunities.
For those interested in fishing for redfish in the area, information about local anglers and guides can be found at DestinFWB.com.
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.
COASTAL RESOURCES
Departure of SS United States from Philly delayed
The SS United States’ departure from its Philadelphia berth has been postponed due to tropical weather concerns and logistical challenges, Okaloosa County officials announced Tuesday.
- The historic ocean liner was scheduled to leave Pier 82 on November 15, but officials are monitoring a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico that could affect the vessel’s safe delivery to Mobile, Alabama.
“Like most large, multi-faceted operations, this move involves coordination with multiple agencies and dates, times, and other logistics are subject to change to make certain the vessel is moved safely,” county officials said in a press release.
No new departure date has been officially set for the 990-foot vessel.
The delay affects the first phase of transforming America’s fastest ocean liner into what will become the world’s largest artificial reef. Once in Mobile, the vessel will undergo a 12-month preparation process, including removal of hazardous materials, non-metal parts, and fuel to ensure environmentally safe deployment. Workers will also modify the ship to ensure it lands upright underwater.
- Plans still call for the vessel to be placed approximately 20 miles south of the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area, though an exact location hasn’t been determined.
As part of the overall project, Okaloosa County will partner with the SS United States Conservancy to develop a land-based museum and visitor center in Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The museum will incorporate signature features from America’s Flagship, including its iconic funnels and radar mast, along with the Conservancy’s extensive curatorial and archival collection to commemorate the vessel’s storied history.
The public can follow the ship’s journey via GPS tracking at www.destinfwb.com/explore/eco-tourism/ssus.
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.
TRAFFIC
Renderings show proposed changes to U.S. 98 across Okaloosa Island
The Florida Department of Transportation has released renderings of the proposed improvements to U.S. Highway 98, including the 5.1 -mile widening on Okaloosa Island and the replacement of the Marler (Destin) Bridge in Okaloosa County.
- This project will also address existing safety issues along the corridor.
FDOT will hold a public hybrid meeting 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.
POLITICS
Crestview to hold swearing-in ceremony for new councilmembers, mayor
The City of Crestview will welcome two new councilmembers and swear in its mayor during a ceremony at City Hall on November 18.
- Brandon Frost and Shannon Hayes will take their oaths of office as new councilmembers, while Mayor JB Whitten will also be sworn in during the evening ceremony. The event will be held in the Council Chambers at 198 N Wilson St.
The ceremony, which begins at 5:30 p.m., will include remarks from the city council and recognition of outgoing councilmembers Andrew Rencich and Cynthia Brown. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m., and light refreshments will be served.
City officials are encouraging community members to attend the ceremony as an opportunity to meet the new councilmembers and learn about their plans for Crestview.
SCHOOL
Okaloosa’s newest K-8 campus in Crestview to be called Pineview School
The Okaloosa County School Board on Tuesday night unanimously approved naming the district’s new K-8 school in Crestview “Pineview School.”
- The name emerged after a collaborative process involving input from district employees and students, Board Member Linda Evanchyk said during the meeting. The decision reflects the property’s distinct features, including its hilly terrain and abundant pine trees.
“Truly, the view is the Pineview,” Evanchyk said, referencing the Florida pine trees in that area. “Being in the location in North Crestview, that kind of pulls from that, and we just thought that it fit.”
Superintendent Marcus Chambers noted the significance of the name’s connection to the surrounding landscape. “When you go down that bypass, lanes and lanes, miles and miles of pines,” he said. “When you drive out of that area and there’s elevation, you can see down… The view there is pretty gorgeous.”
Board Member Tim Bryant highlighted the historical significance of the name, noting Crestview’s ties to the pine industry. “Pine trees were one of the big industries in the area with logging, but turpentine was really big,” Bryant said, adding that Crestview sits at one of Florida’s highest points at about 270 feet above sea level.
The new 1,200-student facility, set to open in August 2026, will be constructed on 49 acres of an 80-acre parcel west of the new Crestview bypass. It marks the district’s first new school construction since 2007-2008.
- The two-story school will feature classroom wings, a gymnasium, band and chorus rooms, a media center, and a cafeteria designed as an Enhanced Hurricane Protection Area. The school aims to address overcrowding in the area’s elementary and middle schools.
While the school’s name is now official, decisions about the mascot and school colors will be made later with input from the future principal and administrative team, Chambers said.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Wednesday. 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