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Good morning!
Here’s what we’re covering today:
Nathan Boyles announces his bid for state office, while construction milestones mark progress on the Southwest Crestview Bypass. In Niceville, students dominate the Congressional App Challenge, and a local veteran will receive a free roof. Meanwhile, Destin drivers should prepare for US 98 power work, and the airport announces PreCheck enrollment opportunities.
Let’s get to the news you need to know this Tuesday morning.
TRAFFIC
Power line work to cause periodic shutdowns on US 98 in Destin
US Highway 98 in Destin will experience periodic shutdowns today as construction crews install power lines across the roadway.
- The work is scheduled from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM between Triumph Road and Matthew Boulevard, weather permitting. The temporary closures are necessary to ensure worker safety during the power line installation.
Drivers should expect intermittent road closures along this section of US Highway 98 throughout the eight-hour construction period.
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TRAFFIC
Major progress on Southwest Crestview Bypass as bridge construction advances
Construction on the Southwest Crestview Bypass has reached a significant milestone with the installation of bridge infrastructure spanning railroad tracks, according to Okaloosa County Public Works Director Jason Autrey.
- The bridge construction features 370 piles across 14 bents, which form the foundation for columns and caps supporting the deck. Bridge decking is already in place on portions of the structure, awaiting concrete pouring and surface treatment.
“The bridge is the long-lead work item. We still have a little under a year to go on this,” Autrey said during a project update video from the county.
The project encompasses multiple components, including asphalt installation on the north-south portion and western side of Fallen Heroes Way near Antioch Road. Additional road work is progressing on the eastern side near Highway 85, with stormwater features being installed.
- All four lanes of PJ Adams Parkway are now open to traffic, improving flow and safety. The Florida Department of Transportation continues work on the interchange at I-10 and PJ Adams.
A new K-8 school is under construction along the route, with the county working alongside the school board to establish access to the parcel. 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.
Pineview School, as it was recently named, is a two-story school that 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.
The 13.5-mile project includes the bypass, east-west connector, and PJ Adams Parkway improvements. Funding on the project comes from multiple sources, including voter-approved surtax revenue, with support from FDOT and the City of Crestview.
SCHOOL
Okaloosa School Board outlines legislative priorities, eyes changes to school start times
The Okaloosa County School Board reviewed its 2025 legislative priorities Monday, with Superintendent Marcus Chambers presenting four key areas: student behavioral reforms, education funding, reduced regulations in public schools, and risk management strategies.
The behavioral reform priorities include amending state statute 1015.05 to reinforce the presumption that educators act in good faith when addressing student behavioral issues, shielding them from personal liability unless clear and convincing evidence proves otherwise. The district also seeks to strengthen protections for educators addressing behavioral issues and establish clearer guidelines for parent-school collaboration in addressing student misconduct.
- “Student behaviors are different today,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers told the board during a morning workshop. “We want to make sure that we have the resources to be able to support all students.”
On education funding, Chambers emphasized the need to address salary compression affecting experienced teachers, noting that while “this board has done a great job with the funds that we have allocated,” additional state support is needed. The priorities call for increasing the Base Student Allocation to help districts address rising costs in transportation, teacher recruitment, textbooks, cybersecurity, and inflation.
The superintendent also indicated that state-mandated school start times could be reexamined. Current law requires high schools to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. and middle schools no earlier than 8 a.m. beginning in 2026.
School Board Member Tim Bryant, who serves as the board’s advocacy designee, suggested the start time decision may return to district control. “What looks good on paper doesn’t always pan out in real life,” Bryant said.
- The district previously expressed concerns about the start time mandate’s impact on elementary students and transportation logistics, given existing bus driver shortages.
In the area of reduced regulations, the district is seeking to reinstate an Integrated Curriculum certification for middle school Exceptional Student Education teachers and expand it to high school ESE teachers. This would reduce the requirement for self-contained ESE teachers to earn up to five certifications to be considered “in field.”
The district’s risk management priorities include seeking legislation to fund the first $25 million of losses due to named extreme weather events for each Florida school district. This coverage would allow districts to obtain additional insurance layers at reduced costs, potentially resulting in tax savings. The proposal also calls for funding to support disaster preparedness and emergency shelter operations.
The board unanimously approved the 2025 Okaloosa County School District Legislative Priorities Monday night at their regular meeting,
SCHOOL
Niceville High School students sweep Congressional App Challenge in Florida district
Students from Niceville High School dominated the Congressional App Challenge for Florida’s 1st Congressional District, claiming all three top spots with innovative applications demonstrating technical prowess.
- A team of three Niceville High School web programming students took first place with their Memory Monsters app, earning an invitation to showcase their work at the House of Code reception in Washington, D.C., in April 2025.
The second-place award went to Sydney Foggo and Liam Wenzel for their WordSay app, while Andrew Putman secured third place with the Auxilium app.
“These students exemplify the innovative spirit and technical skills that represent the best of Okaloosa County Schools,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “Their success in this challenge is a testament to their hard work, creativity, and the exceptional support of their teachers and mentors.”
The Congressional App Challenge is a competition for Florida’s 1st Congressional District. The contest highlights student achievement in web programming and application development.
TRAVEL
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport to host TSA PreCheck Enrollment event in January
IDEMIA is holding a TSA PreCheck enrollment event at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport from January 6-17, 2025.
- The enrollment station will be located in the Ticketing Lobby of the airport at 1701 Florida 85, Eglin AFB, FL 32542. Interested travelers can make appointments by scanning the QR code provided or visiting TSAenrollmentbyIDEMIA.tsa.dhs.gov.
To enroll, applicants need to bring a U.S. passport or certified birth certificate along with another government-issued photo ID. Names must match on all documents. The enrollment process involves filling out a form, which can be done online ahead of time, and providing fingerprints on site.
Once approved, TSA PreCheck members can use expedited screening lanes at 200+ airports nationwide for five years. PreCheck lanes allow travelers to keep shoes, light jackets and belts on and leave laptops and liquids in carry-on bags. Most PreCheck passengers wait five minutes or less to be screened.
Hours vary by date:
- January 6: 1pm – 5pm
- January 7-16: 9am – noon and 1pm – 5pm
- January 17: 9am – noon
- Closed Saturdays and Sundays
Parking is available in Lots A, B, or C.
GIVING BACK
Roofs for Troops: A free roof giveaway to an active military member or veteran
A Northwest Florida roofing company is offering a free roof to military members as part of its community giving initiative.
- Specialty Roofers Inc. (SRI), in partnership with GAF Roofing, announced its Roofs for Troops campaign to provide a complete roof installation to either an active duty service member or veteran.
The prize, valued at more than $7,000, includes all labor and materials. The selected homeowner can choose their shingle color and will receive SRI’s Golden Pledge warranty, covering materials for 50 years and labor for 25 years.
The award-winning company has earned recognition as one of Northwest Florida’s top roofing contractors, receiving accolades from Northwest Florida Daily News and Emerald Coast Magazine from 2018 to 2020, along with multiple “Best in Niceville” honors.
The free-to-enter contest will close this week. The public will then vote on the top 3 entries with the story with the most votes being the ultimate winner.
POLITICS
Former Okaloosa Commissioner Nathan Boyles seeks Rudman’s House seat
Former Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles, who just completed three terms marked by significant infrastructure improvements, announced Monday his candidacy for Florida House District 3.
- Boyles, a Republican business owner who chose not to seek reelection to the commission, enters the race as Rep. Joel Rudman pursues the congressional seat formerly held by Matt Gaetz.
During his commission tenure, Boyles helped secure passage of the surtax initiative and development of the Southwest Crestview bypass. He served alongside nine commissioners and advocated against politicizing local government.
“These chambers are the places for real work, a place to get things done. Not a place to grandstand or politicize the hot-button state and national political issues of the moment,” Boyles said at his final commission meeting last month.
A North Okaloosa native with degrees in civil engineering and law from Florida State University, Boyles operates Adams Sanitation, serving nearly 30,000 customers in Northwest Florida.
The Governor’s office has not yet announced dates for the House District 3 special election. Rudman’s resignation takes effect January 1, 2025.
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