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Quick Reads
FWB Fire: According to WEAR Channel 3, the State Fire Marshal’s Office says arson has not been ruled out in last Saturday’s fire that destroyed 13 townhomes in Fort Walton Beach. You may remember, we released security footage showing a person’s shadow going inside one of the garages moments before the burst. The Ring.com app also just released footage captured from one of the neighbor’s across the street. You can see their footage here.
Blue crab trap: Starting January 1, 2020, recreational harvesters age 16 and older who fish with blue crab traps will need to complete an online, no-cost recreational blue crab trap registration before placing their traps in the water. According to The Destin Log, this no-cost registration will allow the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to collect needed important information about this recreational fishery for future stock assessments and management decisions. Click here for more details.
Sylvania Heights: The Northwest Florida Daily News spoke with Okaloosa CountyPublic Works Director Jason Autrey who confirmed the county’s hope to secure a long-term lease agreement early next year for the Sylvania Heights neighborhood park. The park, owned by Opportunity Place Inc., has undergone some big changes this past year to the tune of $13,000 after originally being closed in May 2019 after being deemed unsafe. Click here to read more about the long-term plans for this community park.
Fort Walton Beach City Clerk earns Master Municipal Clerk Designation
Kim Barnes, Fort Walton Beach City Clerk, has earned the designation of Master Municipal Clerk (MMC), which is awarded by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), Inc.
IIMC grants the MMC designation only to those municipal clerks who complete demanding education requirements and who have a record of significant contributions to their local government, their community and state.
“This is an outstanding accomplishment by Ms. Barnes that will greatly benefit our community, citizens and local government operations.”MAYOR DICK RYNEARSON
“Our staff strives to be the best of the best in all areas of service. To spend this extraordinary amount of time and energy on professional development says a lot about Ms. Barnes’ character and dedication to serving Fort Walton Beach. I couldn’t be prouder!”
The International Institute of Municipal Clerks, founded in 1947, has 14,000 members throughout the United States, Canada and 15 other countries, and the mission of this global non-profit corporation is to enhance the education opportunities and professional development of its diverse membership.
Roadwork starting on Anchors Street in FWB to decrease the severe flooding
The City of Fort Walton Beach has begun a stormwater improvement project on Anchors Street NW to alleviate flooding issues in the area. The project will replace roughly 1,900 linear feet of stormwater infrastructure along the roadway.
An additional 150 linear feet of stormwater infrastructure and three driveway culverts will be replaced on Lovejoy Road NW which also directly affects the area’s stormwater system.
Reduce flooding: The project area was selected as a priority in the City’s Stormwater Master Plan which was created in 2013 and serves to decrease the severe flooding that has frequently occurred along Anchors Street NW.
Timeframe: Construction is expected to last six months. Motorists can expect some traffic delays and possible lane and road closures during this multi-phased project.
The total construction cost is $851,120.20 and will be paid for with stormwater utility user fees. The City also secured a matching state grant of $200,000 to help pay for design and construction of the project.
Leap into the New Year with a Pelican Plunge into the Gulf
What: Celebrate 2020 with a plunge into the Gulf at The Boardwalk‘s 4th Annual Pelican Plunge! Take a leap on New Year’s Day (in honor of leap year!) and be freezin’ for a reason as 100% of proceeds directly support the children of The Emerald Coast Foundation.
When: January 1, 2020
Where: Meet at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, first floor, common area under The Crab Trap
Time: 10:30: Check-in / Pre-Plunge Party – Show up around 10:30am and get ready for the plunge. There will be plenty to do while waiting including Raffle Tickets and a Costume Contest.
Time: 11:30: Beach Line-up / Official “Plunge” Countdown
Post-Plunge Party: Head upstairs to The Crab Trap for the post-plunge party for Free Warm Gumbo and hundreds in Raffle Prizes. There will also be $2 Mimosas & $3 Bloody Mary’s.
Pre-register for only a $20 participation fee to the all-inclusive Pelican Plunge and Party fun. The first 100 registrants will receive an exclusive 2020 Pelican Plunge long-sleeved shirt. Online registration will remain open until New Year’s Eve. If the holiday’s got you distracted, don’t fret, you can still take the plunge and register the day-of. Best of all, 100% of the proceeds raised go to support the children of the ECF!Click here for a link to buy tickets
Bonus: Are you in Walton County and just can’t make it to Okaloosa Island for the plunge? Fear not, because there is a Polar Bear plunge that you can participate in.
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is working to locate missing teens
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is working to locate two missing teens.
17-year old Isabella Arie Gentry (pictured left) of Mary Esther, FL. was last seen on December 18th.
17-year old Leah Paige Davis (pictured right) of Fort Walton Beach, FL was last seen by a family member on December 12th on Lois Street.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of these two teens, please contact the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers.
850-651-7400
850-863-TIPS
Happening today
Ying Yang Twins Concert (Destin, FL) – Info
Pints & Paints (Santa Rosa Beach, FL) – Info
NEW YEAR’S EVE, EVE, EVE party (Destin, FL) – Info
OneBlood Drive (Miramar Beach, FL) – Info
Annual Christmas Basketball Tournament (FWB, FL) – Info
Ok, that’s all I have for you today. Hope you have a great Friday and I will see you next week!
Jared
p.s. What did you think of today’s newsletter? Hit the reply button and let me know! 🤙🏻
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