TOGETHER WITH
Good morning!
We’ve made it to the end of the week! Here’s the news you need to know before the weekend!
THINGS TO DO
Annual Mardi Gras Parade returns to Downtown Fort Walton Beach on Jan. 28
Floats, beads and live music will fill the streets of downtown Fort Walton Beach on Sunday, Jan. 28 for the city’s annual Mardi Gras celebration.
- The family-friendly event kicks off at 11 a.m. with a parade featuring floats created by local organizations and businesses. Participants will line up in advance along First Street between Eglin Parkway and Perry Avenue.
The parade route travels north on Eglin Parkway, east on Perry Avenue, south on Ferry Road, then west on First Street to conclude back at the starting point.
Ferry Road between First Street and U.S. Highway 98 will be closed to vehicles so that festivalgoers can enjoy a free performance by Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To download a float registration form or find parking, visit:
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PUBLIC SAFETY
City of Destin launches new online flood risk information portal
The City of Destin has launched a new online flood risk information portal to help residents and businesses access critical data such as elevation certificates.
- The portal, available at destinfl.withforerunner.com/properties, is powered by Forerunner, a floodplain management platform.
- It provides easy access to compliance requirements, building information and insurance details associated with individual properties.
The new resource comes 18 years after Hurricane Katrina damage and as Destin continues storm preparation and long-term planning. The city currently has a Class 6 Community Rating System classification, resulting in a 20% discount on flood insurance for residents.
“We’re focused on developing our community in a way that creates long-term resilience, as well as creating processes that make information readily accessible to the public so they can make informed decisions about their individual properties,” said Noell Bell, Chief Building Official.
The portal offers easy access to homeowners, contractors, insurance agents, realtors and other constituents to learn about building and insurance compliance requirements associated with those individual properties.
- The portal is available at https://destinfl.withforerunner.com/properties.
“Destin is a great example of a community taking tangible steps to prepare for, manage and reduce risk of flood damage for its residents,” said Susanna Pho, Co-Founder and CEO of Forerunner. “We built Forerunner on the belief that preparation is a necessity, not a luxury, and that communities deserve access to powerful tools that help them plan for the future.”
POLICE BLOTTER
Security guard shot in leg at Downtown Music Hall in Fort Walton Beach
On January 4, 2024, at approximately 2:36 am., Fort Walton Beach Police responded to 212 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Downtown Music Hall, in reference to an armed disturbance.
Responding officers arrived on scene and learned that the victim, who was working security, was escorting the suspect out of the establishment. The suspect produced a handgun and shot the victim one time in his leg, according to the FWBPD.
- The injury was a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
Detectives with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department responded to the scene and identified several witnesses and a person of interest. This appears to be an isolated incident, according to the report.
Detectives are currently seeking any possible witnesses to the incident, and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective James at 850-833-9546 or tjames@fwb.org.
ARTS+CULTURE
Emerald Coast Theatre Company Presents The Play That Goes Wrong
Get ready for big laughs all night long when the Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) presents the comedy “The Play That Goes Wrong” from Jan. 26 to Feb. 4.
- Called “the funniest play Broadway has ever seen,” this classic murder mystery is chock-full of mishaps and madcap mania, said ECTC co-founder and producing artistic director Nathanael Fisher.
The show welcomes the audience to opening night of “The Murder at Haversham Manor,” where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. With an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead and actors who trip over everything, including their lines, this hilarious and unique show will have you laughing for days, Fisher said.
Fisher directs the production, with set design by Rebeca Lake, costume design by Taylor Walker, lighting design by Lake, sound engineering by Gavin Young and properties by Ora Wolfgram. The cast includes Hayes Mercure, Thomas J. Cannon, Kayla May, Jason Hedden, Brandon Kolmetz, Gavin Parmley, Elsa Besler and Heath Carroll.
“The Play That Goes Wrong” will take the stage at ECTC’s main space on the second floor of 560 Grand Blvd. in Grand Boulevard Town Center in Miramar Beach.
Tickets range from $30 to $50 depending on the show time and day. There is an additional processing fee for ticket purchases. Tickets can be purchased online at www.emeraldcoasttheatre.org.
- ECTC also offers a VIP membership program that includes tickets to shows and other perks to support ECTC in offering high-quality productions for all ages.
The theater company will provide field trip opportunities for local school groups to attend “The Play that Goes Wrong,” “Mother Goose on the Loose” and “Mary Poppins.” For more information, call 850-684-0323 or visit www.emeraldcoasttheatre.org.
ICYMI
News you might have missed
- The City of Fort Walton Beach’s Recreation Center will be holding a Teen Night event for middle and high school students from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. Participants will receive a free membership to the Recreation Center but must register for the event by Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. For more information, contact Pat Sherman at 850-833-9576 or psherman@fwb.org.
- The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is still accepting applications for the 2024 OCSO Citizens Academy Class which starts January 16th and runs through April 23rd, from 6pm to 9pm at the Sheriff’s Office Headquarters Training Room in Shalimar. Contact Crime Prevention Manager Ashley Bailey at abailey@sheriff-okaloosa.org.
- In Crestview, Lloyd Street railroad crossing will be closed Monday, January 8 to Wednesday, January 10.
- City of Crestview Youth Baseball, Softball, and Tee Ball Registration is open January 8 to February 9. You can either register online through RecDesk, print a form from our website, or you can sign up at Twin Hills Gymnasium. (850) 682-4715
- Destin Little League’s deadline for registration is quickly approaching. Just 2 days left to join the excitement of Destin Little League baseball/softball. Register your child today and be a part of the action!
COMING SOON
12-foot wide ‘bridge-to-bridge’ path across Okaloosa Island inches closer to reality
After years of negotiations, Okaloosa County officials unanimously ratified the signature on an easement from Eglin Air Force Base to allow construction of a new multi-use pathway parallel to U.S. 98 along Okaloosa Island.
- The 12-foot wide pathway will stretch from Beasley Park to the Destin (Marler) Bridge, allowing bicyclists and pedestrians to travel the scenic route separate from traffic.
- County leaders have pushed for the project for nearly five years to improve safety for non-motorists.
“I really am excited. We’re going to finally have a bike path from bridge-to-bridge,” said Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel.
The county has worked extensively with Eglin and FDOT staff over the past 5 years to secure approvals for the 4.3-mile path, which sits on federal land controlled by the Air Force base. The signed easement grants Okaloosa permission construct, operate and maintain the improvements.
Jason Autrey, public works director for the county, updated commissioners at their Jan. 2 meeting that the final easement was ready for their approval. Because the process took several years, then-Chairman Trey Goodwin had already signed the documents allowing planners to move the project forward while awaiting the board’s formal backing this month.
- “For several years, we’ve been working on the bridge-to-bridge path,” said Autrey. “The big piece of that was getting an easement from Eglin Air Force Base.”
The agreement requires the county fund the pathway’s construction and ongoing maintenance. It also obligates the county to upgrade access points between the highway and dunes, expand parking capacity at beach access ways, and better controls near the Marler Bridge.
“It’s not just putting down asphalt pathway,” added Autrey. “There are some other improvements associated with it and that was a very important task of working with Eglin. We’re excited about it and can’t wait to get it going.”
Ketchel said achieving safer bike access on Okaloosa Island has been a priority since her brother died in a cycling accident as a teenager.
- “My brother, Stephen Newcomer, was killed on a bicycle when he was 17-years old,” she said. “That has been my lifelong effort to get bike paths in place. That’s my heart.”
The project is estimated to cost $4-5 million and will be funded through a state grants and Tourist Development dollars.
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