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Good morning!
Here’s what we’re covering today:
Allegiant Air pilots bring their contract dispute to Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, while our medical community expands with Mid Bay ENT’s new practice in Niceville. Meanwhile, Destin’s dining scene faces change as Big Red Cafe announces its New Year’s finale, and Eglin prepares for an important emergency response exercise.
- What happened: During Tuesday’s Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners meeting, Commissioners selected Commissioner Paul Mixon (District 1) to continue as Chairman for 2025 while Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel (District 2) will serve as the 2025 Vice Chairman.
Let’s get to the news you need to know this Wednesday morning.
MILITARY
The 96th Test Wing will lead a multi-agency aircraft mass casualty response exercise on Dec. 11, prompting the closure of General Bond Boulevard from 8 a.m. to noon.
- The exercise, conducted in partnership with Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, will simulate a major airline crash to evaluate emergency response capabilities and fulfill the airport’s tri-annual emergency action plan review requirements.
More than a dozen agencies will participate, including fire departments from Eglin, Ocean City Wright, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, North Bay, and Okaloosa Island. The exercise will also involve Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety’s emergency management and emergency medical services, along with law enforcement agencies including the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, 96th Security Forces Squadron, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and FBI.
Medical response will be coordinated through the 96th Medical Group, Air Methods, HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital, and District One Medical Examiner’s Office. The 96th TW Safety office and the 96th Force Support Squadron will conduct simulated search and recovery operations.
Local residents and motorists near the intersection of General Bond Boulevard and Highway 85, as well as the airport’s cargo area, may observe smoke, emergency vehicles, and people with simulated injuries. Similar activity may be visible at the 96th MDG and HCA Florida Twin Cities medical facilities.
For additional information, contact the 96th TW Public Affairs office at (850) 882-3931.
SPONSORED
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BUSINESS
Mid Bay ENT opens comprehensive care practice, same-day appointments in Niceville
A driving force to help patients breathe easier led Dr. Sean McWilliams to establish Mid Bay ENT in Niceville, marking a new chapter in his 21-year career serving patients across Northwest Florida.
- The practice, which opened in February 2024, aims to expand access to specialized ear, nose and throat care through comprehensive services involving all ENT disorders, including same-day appointments and a full-service allergy clinic.
The ENT center represents a significant addition to healthcare options in the Niceville area, where previously no ENT specialists were based.
McWilliams’ journey into otolaryngology began at age 16 when his grandfather’s extended hospital stay sparked his interest in medicine. Later, as a pre-med student, his own experience with sinus surgery solidified his specialty choice.
- “I liked the ENT doctor. He knew I was pre-med, so he went over everything with me in very good detail,” McWilliams said. “It actually changed my life because I’ve never had any sinus problems since I had the surgery done. It made me motivated to do that for others.”
After graduating from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1999 and completing his residency at the University of Alabama-Birmingham in 2004, McWilliams chose Florida’s Emerald Coast to establish his practice. His training at UAB, which he describes as “an excellent ENT training program with very high volume,” provided the foundation for his comprehensive approach to patient care.
Mid Bay ENT’s central location near the Mid Bay Bridge on Highway 20 serves patients from Florala to Panama City and from Fort Walton Beach to Santa Rosa Beach and 30A. The strategic location makes specialized care more accessible to residents throughout the region.
Dr. McWilliams specializes in treating chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, and nasal airway obstruction, but McWilliams emphasizes the importance of long-term care relationships with patients.
“I’m focused on being a sinus specialist,” McWilliams said. “We’re going to comprehensively manage this and I’m going to be by your side long-term. This isn’t something where you come in, I operate on you and we see you later. If there is a systemic or environmental component to this, we’re going to be walking side by side to continue the benefits you get from surgery so that you continue to feel well.”
To expand patient access, McWilliams brought on Clara McNamara, a comprehensively trained and experienced ENT physician assistant. McNamara, who led her class as president at West Chester University of Pennsylvania’s inaugural PA program, completed specific training in otolaryngology and developed a master’s project focused on managing patients with hearing loss prior to joining an ENT practice in Maryland.
- The practice emphasizes minimally invasive procedures using advanced techniques. McWilliams performs functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) with computer-aided navigation, which helps minimize risks when operating near critical areas like the brain and eyes.
“Using computer aided navigation during surgery is something that’s very helpful, and I do that in every surgery,” McWilliams explained. “I’m able to comprehensively treat the patient’s disease while minimizing the risk of complications.”
The practice also offers advanced procedures including RhinAer and VivAer, radio frequency ablation treatments for chronic rhinorrhea, and nasal airway obstruction. Additional services include Propel implants, which helps prevent recurrent polyps, reduces inflammation, and maintains sinus patency, as well as balloon sinuplasty, which is used to manage a milder degree of sinus disease.
BUSINESS
Big Red Cafe to close its Destin diner doors after final service on New Year’s Eve
The iconic train car restaurant at the corner of Highway 98 and Airport Road will serve its final meal on December 31, 2024, as owners Casey and Jami Jones announced the closure of Big Red Cafe due to mounting maintenance challenges.
- The restaurant, which operates daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., has become known for its all-day breakfast service and lunch offerings, including daily specials with dessert. The establishment is currently housed in what was historically known as the Destin Diner at 1083 Highway 98 East.
“The time has come for the building to retire. Repairs needed are just too vast,” the owners stated in a Facebook announcement. They added that new development is planned for the location in the future.
The Jones family, who previously operated The Big Red Truck and The Wharf 850, will continue their presence in the local dining scene, with future plans for the Big Red Cafe brand to be announced in the coming months.
The restaurant plans to hold a retirement celebration event, with details to be announced. Until its closure, Big Red Cafe will continue serving its full menu of classic American diner fare.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Crestview teen arrested after alleged threat of mass shooting at high school
A 13-year-old Okaloosa Online student was arrested Monday after allegedly making threats of a mass shooting at Crestview High School during a FaceTime video call.
- The student was taken into custody at her Crestview home after the FBI alerted the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office about the threatening video on Sunday morning.
According to the sheriff’s office, the student pointed a handgun at the screen during the video call, placed it in her mouth, and discussed plans to conduct a mass shooting at Crestview High School in 2026. While the student later claimed the threat was a “joke,” she admitted to sending photos of the gun to other friends.
During their investigation, deputies reportedly discovered numerous handmade drawings with concerning messages in the student’s room. A search of her phone revealed multiple photos of semi-automatic weapons and videos of mass shootings, according to the OCSO.
- Making an electronic threat of a mass shooting or terrorist act is a second-degree felony in Florida.
“Our highest priority is the safety and security of our students, staff, and school communities,” said Superintendent Chambers. “The Okaloosa County School District enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy for any threats against our schools—whether real, false, or perceived.”
Sheriff Eric Aden emphasized the department’s zero-tolerance policy for threats of school violence. The sheriff’s office encourages anyone with information about potential school threats to contact Emerald Coast Student Crime Stoppers at 850-863-TIPS, emeraldcoastcrimestoppers.com, or through the P3 Tips Mobile application.
TRAVEL
Allegiant Air pilots picket at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport amid contract negotiations
During a “practice picket” on Tuesday at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, Allegiant Air pilots demonstrated their readiness for a potential strike as contract negotiations with the airline continue to stall.
- About 40 to 50 people, including pilots and flight attendants, gathered outside the airport Tuesday to raise public awareness about ongoing contract negotiations between Allegiant Air and its pilots, who are represented by Teamsters Local 2118.
“We’re currently in negotiations trying to get a new contract for improved working conditions and improved pay,” said JR Lynch, chief of staff of the negotiating committee for Teamsters Local 2118, which represents all 1,400 Allegiant pilots across 22 bases in the United States.
The union claims Allegiant pilots are the lowest-paid Airbus pilots among major carriers, despite the airline’s financial performance. According to Lynch, the pilots’ current contract became amendable in 2021, and negotiations have been under federal mediation for nearly 24 months.
- Lynch said the company’s offered 50% raises would still leave Allegiant pilots earning 30% less than their peers at other airlines. The union has been negotiating this particular contract for almost four years.
The demonstration at VPS was part of nationwide picketing efforts at Allegiant bases across the country, from Des Moines, Iowa, to Sarasota, Florida. The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport serves as one of Allegiant’s crew bases, with approximately 40 pilots stationed there.
Lynch said a potential strike “would be a major economic blow” to the airport and community, particularly during the busy season. However, he emphasized the picketing was not related to the local airport’s operations but rather the airline’s company-wide negotiations.
- He indicated more pickets could occur at the location, especially as the travel season approaches.
Flight attendants, who recently secured their own contract with Allegiant, joined the pilots in solidarity during Tuesday’s demonstration. Under the Railway Labor Act, which governs airline contracts and typically sees agreements lasting 3-5 years before becoming amendable, the National Mediation Board must release the pilots before they can legally strike.
The practice picket serves as preparation for a potential strike while informing customers about possible future travel disruptions.
BEFORE YOU GO
Giveaway, gift guide and tree trek
Before you go! Don’t forget about these exciting local happenings...
A local hero could win a brand new roof! Specialty Roofers Inc. and GAF Roofing are giving away a complete roof installation (valued at over $7,000) to an active duty service member or veteran through their Roofs for Troops campaign. The lucky winner gets to choose their shingle color and receives a Golden Pledge warranty covering materials for 50 years and labor for 25 years. If you or someone you know qualifies, click here to enter.
Need gift inspiration? Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide is your one-stop resource for discovering the Emerald Coast’s finest local treasures. Browse through handcrafted jewelry from Sea Gems by Karrah, premium children’s wear at La Luna boutique, expert surf gear from Fluid Surf Shop, and unique finds from dozens of other local favorites. Plus, we’re constantly adding new businesses to the guide. Explore all your options at getthecoast.com/gifts and remember to mention us when you visit!
Join the Fort Walton Beach Woman’s Club’s inaugural Holiday Tree Trek, running through December 16th. This festive scavenger hunt features 46 local businesses showcasing uniquely decorated trees – from the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park to the FWB Police Department. Choose between two routes (or do both to double your chances!) and submit your tree selfies for a chance to win $500 cash, a two-night beach stay, or other great prizes. Look for “Holiday Tree Trek STOP HERE” signs at participating locations to start your adventure.
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!
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