GIVING BACK

‘Bikes or Bust’ returns to Fort Walton Beach

Scott Mallory, an afternoon radio personality at Highway 98 Country, will spend 98 consecutive hours suspended 30 feet in the air starting this Friday as part of the station’s 12th annual “Bikes or Bust” charity event.

• Mallory will reside in a tent perched atop a scissor lift at Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach from 10 a.m. Dec. 1 until Dec. 5 to collect donated bikes and toys that will go to the Emerald Coast Toys for Tots campaign.

The goal is to ensure every child in the area gets a new bike this Christmas, according to a statement from JVC Broadcasting, which owns Highway 98 Country.

In addition to bikes for children of all ages, donations of helmets and other toys are welcome. Volunteers will be on hand at Uptown Station, 99 Eglin Parkway N.E., to accept and assemble donations.

JVC’s local radio stations 102.1 The Wave, Rock 92.1 and Florida Man Radio 103.1 are supporting the event.

More information is available at Highway98Country.com and the Highway 98 Country social media accounts.

MILITARY

Hurlburt Field kicks off holidays with annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Hurlburt Field will host its annual Winter Wonderland celebration and tree lighting ceremony Friday to ring in the holiday season.

• The free event will take place from 4-6:30 p.m. at Memorial Air Park on the base. Guests with base access are invited to enjoy activities including train rides, crafts at Santa’s Workshop, and photos with Santa and friends.

The celebration will culminate with the lighting of the base Christmas tree during a ceremony that will include opening remarks from Col. Allison Black, commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing.

“The Tree Lighting Ceremony is an annual event held to kick off the holiday season here on base,” said a 1st Special Operations Wing spokesperson.

In addition to the lighting ceremony, guests can sip hot cocoa and get into the holiday spirit with festivities throughout the evening in the park.

The event is open to all with access to Hurlburt Field.

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.

THINGS TO DO

Fort Walton Police Department plans ‘Holiday Bike Ride’ in Kenwood

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department will host its second community bike ride on Saturday, Dec. 9 starting at 9 a.m. at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds.

• The event kicks off with a preview of the fairground’s Winter Wonderland village featuring holiday-themed pallet houses.

Riders will then depart on a 3.5-mile route through the Kenwood neighborhood before returning to the fairgrounds.

The inaugural community ride earlier this month saw a strong turnout. The police department expects another good showing at this month’s event.

Florida law requires children under 16 to wear a bicycle helmet. Officers will be at the fairgrounds at 8:30 a.m. to fit children and adults for free helmets provided through a Florida Department of Transportation grant.

All community members are welcome to bring their bicycles and participate in the ride.

GIVING BACK

‘Breakfast with Santa’ returns to Fort Walton-Destin Hospital after 2 year hiatus

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital will host its annual ‘Breakfast with Santa’ event on Dec. 2 to raise money for local charities.

• The breakfast, a 20-year tradition organized by the hospital’s Auxiliary Volunteers, will feature Santa Claus, holiday crafts and activities, as well as breakfast fare.
• It will take place from 8-10 a.m. in the hospital cafeteria.

“Breakfast with Santa is a cherished tradition, brought to life by the incredible Auxiliary Volunteers at FWDH,” said Vicki Tarro, director of volunteer services. “In addition to breakfast, ‘Santa’s Workshop’ allows children to shop for their loved ones with the guidance of an Elf escort, ensuring a safe and magical experience.”

Tickets are just $3 for children and $4 for adults. Proceeds will benefit the Auxiliary Volunteers’ annual scholarships for local high school seniors and support area nonprofits like One Hopeful Place, Children in Crisis and Sharing & Caring.

• Tickets are cash only and can be purchased at the hospital gift shop ahead of time or at the event the day of.

“Beyond the joyous moments with Santa, this event serves a greater purpose – the proceeds contribute to the Auxiliary Volunteers’ annual scholarships for local high school seniors and support our communities non-profits,” added Tarro.

The hospital is located at 1000 Mar Walt Drive in Fort Walton Beach.

TRAFFIC

Okaloosa and Walton County Traffic Advisory

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Okaloosa and Walton counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Okaloosa County:                                  

• State Road (S.R.) 85 Improvements from S.R. 123 to Hospital Drive – Drivers may encounter intermittent S.R. 85 north and southbound lane closures between Antioch Road and Hospital Drive, Monday, Nov. 27 through Thursday, Nov. 30, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., for median construction.

• Brooks Bridge Replacement Project – Drivers may experience traffic disruptions Monday, Nov. 27 through Thursday, Nov. 30, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for utility work and construction activities in the following locations:
  • U.S. 98 east and westbound alternating and intermittent lane closures between Ferry Road and Pier Road.
• Santa Rosa Boulevard east and westbound alternating lane closures from east of Amberjack Drive to Ross Marler Park.

• U.S. 98 Bridge Rehabilitation over East Pass Bridge – Drivers may encounter intermittent single-lane closures on east and westbound U.S. 98 over East Pass (Marler) Bridge, Monday, Nov. 27 through Thursday, Nov. 30, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for construction activities. The existing 35 mph speed limit will be maintained during construction.

• S.R. 85 Resurfacing from north of Commerce Drive to Bill Lundy Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent single-lane closures on southbound S.R. 85, Monday, Nov. 27 through Saturday, Dec. 2, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for paving operations.

• S.R. 285 Resurfacing from S.R. 20 to S.R. 293 – Drivers may experience intermittent north and southbound S.R. 285 lane closures, Monday, Nov. 27 through Thursday, Nov. 30, for milling and paving operations. Lane closures may occur:
  • Between John Sims Parkway (S.R. 20) and Palm Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Between Palm Boulevard and S.R. 293 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from Josie Road to Florida Place Southeast – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 98 east and westbound lane closures, from Mary Esther Boulevard to Florida Place Southeast, Monday, Nov. 27 through Thursday, Nov. 30, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for milling and paving operations.

• Mary Esther Boulevard (S.R. 393) Resurfacing from U.S. 98 to Beal Parkway (S.R. 189) – Drivers may encounter intermittent inside lane closures on Mary Esther Boulevard for median construction:
  • Monday, Nov. 27 through Thursday, Nov. 30, from U.S. 98 to Hollywood Boulevard, between 8:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
  • Monday, Nov. 27 through Saturday, Dec. 2, from Hollywood Boulevard to Beal Parkway, between 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Walton County:

• U.S. 98 Widening from Mack Bayou Road to County Road (C.R.) 30A – Drivers will encounter the following nighttime lane closures Monday, Nov. 27 through Thursday, Nov. 30, between 7:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m., to remove the low-profile barrier wall:
  • Intermittent inside lane closures on east and westbound U.S. 98 from West Hewett Road to C.R. 30A.
  • Intermittent outside lane closures on westbound U.S. 98 from Goldsby Road to Mack Bayou Road.

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from east of U.S. 331 to Peach Creek – Drivers may encounter nighttime intermittent U.S. 98 east and westbound lane closures, Monday, Nov. 27 through Thursday, Nov. 30, from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations.

• Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing from east of U.S. 331 to east of C.R. 183 Overpass – Drivers will encounter intermittent westbound and eastbound daytime lane closures Monday, Nov. 27 through Friday, Dec. 1 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for paving operations.

ICYMI

News you may have missed

• Okaloosa County approves $2 million to convert old BeachBank into ‘tourism hub’ in Crestview. The purchase would turn the modern-style, 6,260-square-foot building on State Road 85 into a “visitor venture outpost,” said Deputy County Administrator Craig Coffey.  – Read more

• ‘Operation Warm Heart’ provides comfort kits for kids in emergencies in Walton County. The kits contain stuffed animals, blankets, water and snacks. – Read more

• Santa Rosa County School District is preparing to start construction on a new school. The three-story school will have 74 classrooms, CTE labs, a gym, a sports field-house, and athletic fields. – Read more

• What’s one thing you would like to see become a reality in Okaloosa County? – Click here to tell me

• When it comes time to close on a new home, buyers in the Florida Panhandle may want to turn to a local law firm rather than a title company. That’s according to Shalimar attorney Michelle Freeman, who manages the real estate department at Fleet, Smith & Freeman. Here’s why

• Step One Automotive Group unveiled its new 39,722-square-foot state-of-the-art Center of Excellence facility earlier this month. It is being launched in collaboration with Northwest Florida State College and will serve as the home of a new Automotive Technology Apprenticeship Program. See details

POLITICS

Destin City Manager, Lance Johnson, to depart in January after 20 years

After 20 years with the city, Destin City Manager Lance Johnson and the City Council have mutually agreed to part ways effective January 2, 2024.

The Destin City Council held a special meeting on Monday night. One item on the consent agenda was the Separation Agreement and Mutual General Releases between Johnson and the city. 

• Johnson has served as city manager since 2018 after initially being hired by Destin in January 2003.

Under the terms of the agreement, Johnson will continue receiving his salary and benefits through his final day. He will also receive a 20-week severance payment equivalent to his salary, benefits and perquisites. 

• The city has agreed to pay Johnson’s health insurance premiums under COBRA through July 2025 or until he finds new employment.
• Johnson will retain his pension and retirement savings plan with the city. 

After passing the separation agreement, Councilmember Jim Bagby pushed for the council to start the search process for a new city manager by drafting a request for proposal (RFP) to hire an executive search firm. Bagby wanted the RFP ready for the next council meeting in December. 

However, after some back and forth discussion, Councilmember Torey Geile made a motion to table that discussion until the December 11 meeting. That motion passed 5-2 with Bagby and Council-member Johnny King voting no.