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Good morning!
Here’s what we’re covering today:
Crestview grapples with persistent red light violations as safety concerns mount, while good news flows elsewhere – Northwest Florida Ballet plans expansion, five organizations receive major grants, and Wright Elementary celebrates new facilities. Plus, Valparaiso prepares for a nostalgic holiday celebration.
Let’s get to the news you need to know this Friday morning.
SCHOOL
Northwest Florida Ballet Académie builds on 23 years of success with expansion plans
The recent $20,000 contribution from the Northwest Florida Ballet Académie’s parent organization PLIE (Parents Leading in Education) marks another step forward in the ballet’s ongoing capital campaign to expand its classroom space in downtown Fort Walton Beach.
- The funds will help support renovations to consolidate middle school academics into the Miramar Place building, where elementary classrooms are currently housed on the second floor.
The Ballet purchased the second floor and half of the third floor (above Ali’s Bistro) in 2018 when the building space went up for sale, a move that was crucial to maintaining the program’s educational space.
“We weren’t planning on buying that building at the time,” said Todd Eric Allen, artistic director and CEO of Northwest Florida Ballet (NFB). “We were happily renting and had a great relationship with the landlord, but the prospect of not having a space was scary. We had to do it.”
The capital campaign’s primary goal is renovating the Miramar Place building’s third floor to unite all academic classrooms in one location. Currently, third through fifth-grade students attend academic classes in the Miramar Place building’s second floor, while middle school academics remain in the main Sybil Smith Lebhertz Center for Dance Education building. This separation creates logistical challenges and limits the ballet’s ability to optimize its arts instruction space.
- “Our goal really has been to get the middle school students’ academic classrooms over at the Miramar Place Building so that they’re all together,” Allen explained. “Then it’ll free up space for us in the main building.”
The PLIE group’s $20,000 contribution has reinvigorated these renovation efforts, which had slowed significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. “This money is going to really help us a lot,” Allen said. “We are reigniting this campaign and getting some interest in it now. My hope is that within the next few years, we’re going to be able to make it happen, that we will renovate that space and get those kids over there.”
While the renovation timeline remains long-term, the parent organization’s substantial contribution signals renewed momentum. The ballet is actively seeking short-term tenants for the space while working to pay down debt and focus on the eventual renovation.
Having all academic classrooms under one roof would not only improve operational efficiency but also allow for better utilization of the main building’s space for arts instruction and performance preparation.
The NFB Académie, established in 2001 through a partnership with Okaloosa County School District, provides free integrated arts and academic education to students in grades 3-8. The program has maintained an A+ rating for 14 consecutive years and recently received a School of Excellence designation from the district.
- “It’s a unique program,” Allen said. “It’s a school for kids that want to dance. We study classical ballet during the day. All of the kids attend there for free and receive training in classical ballet.”
The academy’s curriculum goes beyond traditional academics. Students receive daily ballet instruction alongside core subjects, with training based on standards from major European and American ballet organizations. The program also includes art, music, and French language instruction – French being the traditional language of ballet instruction.
The academy currently serves 142 students across three downtown locations: the main Sybil Smith Lebhertz Center for Dance Education, academic classrooms in the Miramar Place building, and a studio space for high school students. Since its inception in 2001, the program has impacted nearly 1,000 students from Northwest Florida.
“The Northwest Florida Ballet Académie is a shining example of how the arts and education can unite to transform lives and strengthen our community,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “The ongoing support from dedicated parents and community partners ensures that this exceptional program continues to thrive, inspiring students and enriching downtown Fort Walton Beach.”
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GIVING BACK
FPL awards $21,000 to boost arts, education initiatives in Okaloosa and Walton Counties
The Emerald Coast Theatre Company‘s performance of “Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” for Okaloosa and Walton County students represents the first in a series of theater field trips planned for the 2024-2025 school year.
- A $3,500 grant from Florida Power & Light Company’s NextEra Energy Foundation will help fund ticket costs for students from Title 1 schools.
Three hundred students attended the performance at the theater. According to ECTC, the organization provided theater experiences to more than 1,600 students last year.
“We are thankful for the NextEra Energy Foundation grant, as it allows us to invite Title 1 schools from DeFuniak Springs, giving children from lower socio-economic backgrounds an opportunity,” said Nathanael Fisher, ECTC’s producing artistic director.
Three other Okaloosa organizations also received substantial support.
The Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation secured $10,000 to launch “Building Math Skills,” an innovative program using construction-based activities to improve math literacy among struggling fifth graders at Elliott Point Elementary.
A Bed 4 Me Foundation, which has provided beds and bedding to over 2,800 disadvantaged children since 2018, received $2,500. The funds will furnish 41 children with complete bed sets, including twin-sized beds, sheets, pillowcases, comforters and pillows.
The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation was awarded $5,000 for its ArtsReach program, providing art education and therapeutic sessions to underserved communities, including veterans and people with disabilities.
J.T. Young, FPL Vice President and General Manager of the Northwest region, addressed the grants’ community impact. “By helping to provide access to the performing arts for students from underserved communities, we are contributing to their educational and personal growth,” Young said. “We are honored to be a part of this initiative that brings joy and inspiration to so many young minds.”
- The grants represent the second of three funding rounds FPL’s Northwest region will award this year, supporting nonprofits focused on education, food insecurity, senior citizen support and child advocacy.
BUSINESS
PMI awarded $509,000 grant to expand calibration services in Okaloosa County
A Fort Walton Beach company specializing in calibration and testing services for aerospace, defense, and manufacturing industries is set to expand its operations and create new jobs after receiving a $509,000 grant from the University of West Florida (UWF).
- Precision Measurement Inc. (PMI), an ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Company and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, provides high-precision laboratory and on-site calibration services across diverse industries. The company will use the reimbursement-based grant from UWF’s Industry Resilience and Diversification Fund to acquire new equipment and hire technicians for law enforcement calibration services.
The expansion comes after PMI learned that the Tallahassee-based provider of calibration services for local law enforcement agencies would discontinue operations. PMI has already obtained the necessary equipment and technical certifications to calibrate vehicle speedometers, radar, laser, and police band radios.
“We are extremely grateful for One Okaloosa EDC’s assistance and UWF’s consideration and award of this IRDF Grant,” said David Haines, PMI president. “It significantly enhances PMI’s ability to immediately pursue opportunities for growth, while at the same time, providing vital services for our communities in and around Okaloosa County.”
The expansion will create four new full-time positions with average annual salaries of $60,000. The company is exploring potential development sites in Okaloosa County to accommodate its growth.
“Public safety is a top priority in Okaloosa County and we support any effort to provide our law enforcement agencies with the necessary tools they need to serve our residents,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon. “I am thankful and proud that PMI and One Okaloosa EDC have partnered to take advantage of this opportunity to not only serve the public safety needs of our community, but to grow our local economy and support our veterans.”
PMI, established in 2005, has grown approximately 20% annually since its founding. The company is also planning to expand into FAA-required aircraft avionics certification and hospital medical equipment servicing.
THINGS TO DO
‘Yule of Yesteryear’ returns to Valparaiso with free Christmas event
The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida will host its annual Yule of Yesteryear celebration on December 14, offering free admission and holiday activities at Perrine Park in Valparaiso.
- The event, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature approximately 20 vendors, Christmas crafts, and a bake sale. Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive at noon.
Local choral groups will perform throughout the day, including the Lewis Encore Chorus at 11 a.m., Fort Walton Beach Community Chorus at 11:30 a.m., Rocky Bayou Christian Chorus at noon, and the Edge Tiger Chorus at 12:30 p.m. Event organizers note that the performance schedule may be subject to change.
Additional activities include the Valparaiso Garden Club Sale, children’s crafts, and Dippin Dots. The Walton Guard will also be present at the celebration.
The museum is located at 115 Westview Ave. in Valparaiso. For more information, interested parties can call 850-678-2615 or visit heritage-museum.org.
SCHOOL
Wright Elementary celebrates new facilities with ribbon-cutting ceremony
Wright Elementary School unveiled its new cafetorium building, paved car rider line, and covered PE pavilion during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday morning, marking the completion of improvements funded by the county’s half-cent sales tax.
- Fifth-grade music students performed at the event, which drew local dignitaries and school board members to the campus at 305 Lang Road in Fort Walton Beach.
During the ceremony, Principal Boyd discussed the six pillars of the Okaloosa County School District and how the half-cent sales tax projects are truly student-focused.
The new cafetorium combines cafeteria and auditorium spaces and includes a modern music classroom. A PE pergola and improved car rider line were also part of the upgrades.
Superintendent Marcus Chambers expressed gratitude to county voters for approving the funding that made the improvements possible. “We are deeply grateful to the voters of Okaloosa County for approving the Half Cent Sales Tax, making these wonderful improvements possible,” Chambers said. “Together, we are building a brighter future for our students!”
The project represents one of several improvements being implemented across the Okaloosa County School District through the voter-approved sales tax initiative.
TRAFFIC
Red light camera violations remain steady in Crestview, raising safety concerns
In a report to the Crestview City Council on December 9, Police Chief Stephen McCosker revealed that 4,138 red light camera violations were issued between July 2023 and June 2024.
- The annual report, newly mandated by House Bill 1363 signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in May 2024, showed that of the total violations issued at two intersections along Highway 85, only four were contested, all of which were upheld.
The data revealed 394 cases resulted in uniform traffic citations when violators failed to respond or pay the initial $158 civil fine.
“Quite honestly, people are driving their cars like they stole them,” McCosker told the council, describing instances where drivers pass stopped vehicles and make illegal maneuvers through intersections. “We’re talking about hundreds of these violations where people are quite literally driving around stopped vehicles to run the light.”
The program generated $248,325 for the city, with additional funds distributed to various state accounts: $231,770 to the General Revenue Fund, $33,110 to Emergency Medical Services, and $9,933 to the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund.
- Despite the revenue, council members emphasized the program’s focus on safety rather than generating income. The city pays NovoaGlobal $17,380 monthly for equipment lease and maintenance, resulting in annual costs of $208,560 and net revenue of approximately $39,765.
Analysis of repeat offenders showed that while 89.2% of violations involved first-time offenders, 205 drivers received multiple citations, including two individuals with four violations each. One council member noted this represents about 11 violations per day across intersections that see more than 40,000 daily vehicle trips.
Council members expressed concern about the persistent violation rates. “We have to do something about lowering that number,” said Councilman Shannon Hayes, citing safety concerns at the monitored intersections. “My fear is that we’re going to have some really terrible accidents up there resulting in fatalities.”
McCosker indicated the department plans to expand its traffic enforcement unit to four officers and suggested resuming the practice of sharing egregious violation videos on social media to raise public awareness. The council also discussed the possibility of installing larger, more prominent signage before intersections to better alert drivers to camera enforcement.
To address growing traffic concerns, McCosker also revealed plans for the expanded traffic unit to focus on hit-and-run investigations, which he noted have reached concerning levels in the city. “I think that’s because people felt that for a while, that they can do it with impunity and we’re starting to change that reputation,” he said.
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 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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