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Good morning!
Here’s what we’re covering today:
Shopping local just got easier with our 2024 Gift Guide, while winter weather arrives with a Freeze Watch and cold weather shelter opening tonight. In other news, a water rescue in Navarre saves two lives, search efforts for a missing swimmer, and our community mourns a tragic motorcycle crash.
- Plus, local tech experts warn of new holiday scams, and your holiday lights could win you bragging rights in South Okaloosa.
Let’s get to the news you need to know this Friday morning.
MILITARY
Airmen, civilians rescue mother and son from submerged car in Navarre
Quick action by two Air Force members and several civilians saved the lives of a mother and her young son after their vehicle crashed into a retention pond in Navarre on Nov. 3.
- Senior Airman Kyle Hiday of the 1st Special Operations Wing and 1st Lt. Christian Munoz of the 492nd Special Operations Wing joined civilians in the nighttime rescue after the car veered off the road, crashed through a fence and flipped into the water.
“I’ve been doing this job for a long time, and I’ve been called to incidents where people were submerged in lakes, canals, and rivers,” said Jason Martino, Holley-Navarre Fire Department battalion chief. “Rarely, if ever, do you rescue a viable victim who survives without any deficits.”
Munoz responded first after hearing the crash from his apartment. He scaled a fence and jumped about 10 feet into the dark water. While a civilian pulled the mother from the wreckage, Munoz and another bystander extracted the unconscious boy and performed CPR until he began breathing.
- “I was in the right place, at the right time, surrounded by the right people to help that night,” Munoz said. “A group of people who didn’t know each other at all worked together in a moment to help someone who needed it.”
Hiday and his wife Madison also heard the crash and rushed to help. After climbing over the fence and down a 15-foot embankment, they joined the rescue effort. Madison, who is CPR-certified, performed life-saving measures on the unconscious mother until she regained consciousness.
“No one ever leaves the house thinking that it could be their last time driving,” Hiday said. “This experience will stay with me for the rest of my life. It reminded me how important it is to be prepared.”
The Holley-Navarre Fire Department honored the rescuers during a ceremony at Fire Station 45 on Nov. 25.
Col. Patrick Dierig, commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing, praised the actions as exemplifying “the Air Commando mindset–dedication, professionalism, and selflessness both on and off duty.”
Col. Patrick Wnetrzak, commander of the 492nd SOW, called Munoz “the living embodiment of the 492nd SOW Carpetbagger legacy—a legacy of fearless determination to execute the mission, no matter the cost.”
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WEATHER
Freeze Watch issued for Okaloosa, cold weather shelter to open
Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing in parts of Northwest Florida starting Friday night, prompting officials to issue weather alerts and open emergency shelters for those in need.
- Okaloosa Public Safety Director Patrick Maddox announced that the National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a Freeze Watch for inland areas of Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Escambia counties. The watch will be in effect from midnight to 7 a.m. on November 30.
Officials warn that frost and freeze conditions could damage crops and sensitive vegetation, as well as potentially harm unprotected outdoor plumbing.
In response to the cold weather threat, the Crestview Area Shelter for the homeless will open its doors at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 29, and continue operations through Sunday, December 1. The shelter is located at 120 Duggan Ave in Crestview and can be reached at 850-398-5670.
While South Okaloosa County has not announced shelter openings at this time, officials will reassess the situation Friday morning to determine if additional shelters are needed.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Dive teams, drones deployed in search for missing Shalimar swimmer
Authorities searched for a swimmer who went missing near the Shalimar Bridge early Wednesday morning in Okaloosa County.
- Deputies from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a distressed swimmer around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday after witnesses reported seeing a white male go underwater in the area.
Multiple agencies joined the search effort, including boats from the Sheriff’s Office, Eglin Air Force Base, and Florida Fish and Wildlife. The U.S. Coast Guard also responded to assist.
The Sheriff’s Office deployed its Unmanned Aerial Surveillance team with drones, while the OCSO Dive Team searched several locations in the water. Despite these efforts, the swimmer had not been located as of Thursday afternoon.
The Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with information to contact them at 850-651-7400 or reach out to Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Fatal motorcycle crash claims two young adults in Fort Walton Beach
A motorcycle crash in Fort Walton Beach early Thursday morning resulted in the deaths of two 28-year-old individuals after their vehicle struck a cinder block mailbox and caught fire.
- Fort Walton Beach police officers responded to the scene at Brooks Street SE and Waynel Circle SE at approximately 12:30 a.m. on November 28. Upon arrival, they found the motorcycle engulfed in flames and two people lying on the ground.
Officers extinguished the fire and attempted to provide aid to both victims. Scott Morris, 28, of Destin, was pronounced dead at the scene. Elizabeth Fletcher, 28, of Valparaiso, was transported to HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.
According to police, the motorcycle was traveling east on Brooks Street SE when it collided with the mailbox.
The Fort Walton Beach Police Department Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating the incident. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Officer Ordoqui at 850-833-9546.
BUSINESS
Bit-Wizards warns of AI-driven identity theft risks over the holidays
As holiday shopping ramps up, local managed IT provider Bit-Wizards is warning consumers about increased risks of AI-powered identity theft amid projections of higher transaction volumes and fraud rates this season.
- Global payments technology company ACI Worldwide forecasts a 12% increase in transaction volume during the 2024 holiday season, accompanied by a 3% rise in overall fraud and a 26% surge in synthetic identity fraud, according to its 2024 Holiday Report.
Brian Schlechter, Director of IT at Bit-Wizards, points to holiday distractions as a key vulnerability.
“Most people are caught up in the frenzy of holiday shopping lists, family schedules, and other details that make them less vigilant against potential threats disguised as prize giveaways or billing statements,” he said. “Hackers leverage that aspect as part of their social engineering efforts, wreaking havoc for their victims while pulling off successful attacks.”
The company warns that artificial intelligence is making fraud tactics more sophisticated and harder to detect. Bad actors are using AI-powered tools to create deepfakes of voices and likenesses, generate convincing phishing emails, and forge documents.
To combat these threats, Bit-Wizards recommends four key strategies:
- Use AI to your advantage when possible.
- Follow strong password security practices.
- Monitor for traditional signs of identity theft.
- Inform and educate yourself and others.
The IT provider suggests businesses partner with managed service providers for year-round cybersecurity protection rather than handling security independently. Bit-Wizards offers multilayered security measures through its Managed IT Services team to protect both employees and customers.
THINGS TO DO
South Okaloosa residents invited to compete in inaugural holiday light competition
Coastal Realty Services is brightening the holiday season with its inaugural “Shine-Off” Christmas light competition, offering South Okaloosa County residents a chance to win cash prizes while spreading seasonal cheer throughout their communities.
- The free competition, open to residential properties in Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Mary Esther, and Shalimar, will award prizes ranging from $50 to $100 across multiple categories. Winners will also receive commemorative yard signs celebrating their achievement.
“We started this competition as a way to bring the community together and spread holiday cheer across South Okaloosa County,” said Katie Coleman, Marketing Manager at Coastal Realty Services. “Many of our employees love the tradition of looking at Christmas lights, so we wanted to add our own twist to it.”
Residents can enter by submitting their information and display photos through an online form between November 25 – December 15. Participant addresses will remain private unless homeowners specifically request to share their location with the community. The Coastal Realty team will judge the displays in person from December 16-22, selecting first, second, and third place winners.
For the “Crowd Favorite” category, Coastal Realty Services will post submitted photos on their Facebook page for community voting, with the most-liked display winning an additional $100 prize. Winners will be announced December 22, with first place receiving $100, second place $75, and third place $50.
- Coleman emphasized the competition’s focus on community building: “This competition celebrates community spirit, encourages friendly competition, and gives families a reason to come together and create lasting memories.”
The company plans to make this an annual tradition for South Okaloosa County. For more information, contact Katie Coleman at 850-244-2100.
SHOP
Local Holiday Shopping Made Easy: Get The Coast launches 2024 Gift Guide
Get The Coast has unveiled our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide, showcasing some of the best local businesses and unique gifts across the Emerald Coast.
- The curated guide features everything from handcrafted jewelry and boutique children’s wear to premium surf gear and wellness experiences.
We wanted to create something that really highlights the incredible variety of local businesses we have in our community. Shopping local isn’t just about supporting our economy—it’s about discovering unique treasures you won’t find anywhere else.
The guide features a growing array of local favorites, including Artesano Boutique’s handcrafted items from over 40 local artists, La Luna children’s boutique’s premium mommy-and-me collections, and Fluid Surf Shop’s expert surf gear.
- For wellness enthusiasts, Prime IV Hydration & Wellness is offering special holiday gift card bundles, while Wildwood Garden Shoppe & Nursery brings holiday cheer with their creative terrarium kits.
Other featured businesses include Sea Gems by Karrah’s custom jewelry, RadJunk’s retro gaming treasures, and Frill Seekers Gifts’ personalized items. The guide continues to grow, with new local businesses being added throughout the season.
Shoppers can explore the complete Holiday Gift Guide at getthecoast.com/gifts, making it easier than ever to discover and support local businesses while finding perfect gifts for everyone on their list.
Oh, and if you end up in one of the stores, please tell them we sent you 🙂
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Friday. 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!
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