COMING SOON

Twin Cities Hospital announces new $19 million Freestanding ER in DeFuniak Springs

CEO Todd Jackson of HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital in Niceville, FL, announced on Thursday, March 7, 2024, the plan to build a new freestanding emergency room in DeFuniak Springs.

• The $19 million project aims to bring top-quality healthcare services closer to home for residents of North Walton County.

The hospital purchased a nine-acre parcel of property at the southeast corner of Highway 331 and Interstate-10 in DeFuniak Springs, which was part of a larger 95-acre parcel acquired by CEFCO.

Jackson said that CEFCO is currently developing the infrastructure necessary to support commercial businesses on the land that was previously farmland.

The 11,000-square-foot freestanding ER will feature 12 treatment rooms, including a dedicated trauma room equipped with resuscitative equipment and surgical capabilities. The facility will also have a full suite of services, such as CAT scan, x-ray, laboratory, and pharmacy, to support the needs of emergency medicine patients. 

• A dedicated entrance for EMS will be available for ambulances delivering patients to the facility.

“We’re extremely excited to bring the top quality health care services closer to home for residents of North Walton County,” said Jackson. “For years, they have traveled over to our facility in Niceville and we look forward to bringing that health care closer to home for them.”

The hospital has been planning and developing a strategy for North Walton County over the last two to three years, as they have seen a significant number of patients from the DeFuniak and Freeport areas. 

• The decision to build a freestanding ER in DeFuniak was based on data analysis and the need to have a physical presence in the community, according to Jackson.

The project is expected to take about 18 months to complete, with the goal of seeing their first patients in the third or fourth quarter of 2025. The freestanding ER will be designed in a way that allows for the potential addition of an inpatient hospital in the future, depending on the evolving needs of the community. Jackson said that as of now, that is currently not part of the current plan.

“It’s a really big deal for us at Twin Cities Hospital, and we’re looking forward to being in North Walton County,” he added.

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SCHOOL

Okaloosa teacher arrested for child neglect regarding student’s suicide attempt

Peggy Rambosk, a 57-year-old teacher at Baker School in Okaloosa County, has been charged with child neglect after failing to report a student’s possible overdose and suicidal statements, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO).

• Rambosk, a resident of Pensacola, was arrested on Thursday and booked at the Escambia County Jail.

OCSO investigators revealed that between January 30th and February 2nd, Rambosk engaged in a series of text conversations with a student who expressed suicidal thoughts and claimed to have attempted suicide twice before. On February 2nd, the student informed Rambosk that she had taken a large number of pills while at school and was overdosing.

Instead of rendering aid or contacting the appropriate authorities, Rambosk only reached out to the student’s sister, according to the report. The student was eventually taken to an area hospital by Okaloosa EMS after OCSO School Resource Officers were alerted to the incident and called for medical assistance.

Investigators noted that Rambosk failed to contact law enforcement, the Abuse Hotline of the Department of Children and Families, medical services, school staff, or the child’s mother.

• She also instructed the student to delete their text conversations, according to the OCSO.

In response to the incident, the Okaloosa County School District placed Rambosk on administrative leave pending further action. Superintendent Marcus Chambers emphasized the district’s commitment to student safety and well-being.

• “Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our students, and failing to ensure a student’s safety is unacceptable,” stated Chambers. “District employees are trained annually on Florida’s mandatory reporting laws, and immediate action must be taken. We are blessed to have highly effective educators committed to making our student experiences exceptional and working hard to create a safe, healthy, and conducive learning environment. We deeply appreciate the professionalism of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and their efforts in this case.”

BUSINESS

Destin Water Users, Inc. celebrates completion of Richard F. Griswold Building

Destin Water Users, Inc. held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication luncheon on Monday, March 4, to commemorate the completion of their newest facility, the Richard F. Griswold Building, located at 14 Industrial Park Lane.

The building, named after former DWU general manager Richard Griswold, was initially conceptualized in 2010 to consolidate plant personnel under one roof and improve coordination and teamwork among employees. However, due to space and structural limitations of the existing buildings, the project was put on hold.

Following Hurricane Michael’s proximity to Destin, DWU revisited the project in 2019, recognizing the need for a new facility that could not only bring the team together but also withstand future hurricanes and facilitate swift recovery efforts.

• After extensive planning and design, construction on the new building began in 2022.

“We live and work in a little piece of paradise, and DWU is intent on doing our part to keep it that way,” said DWU president Tom Weidenhamer during the dedication ceremony.

The event brought together representatives from companies that played crucial roles in the building’s creation, including Walbridge, the construction manager; Dell Consulting and Michael Baker International (MBI), who designed the building; United Community Bank, which financed the project; and Emerald Coast Office Products, who assisted in furnishing the new facility. DWU

• Board of Directors, employees, and community members also attended the ceremony.

Weidenhamer expressed special gratitude to Monica Wallis and Paul Reese for their efforts in managing the project on behalf of DWU.

• He emphasized the building’s significance, stating, “This building, this dream that we are dedicating in honor of former General Manager Richard F Griswold, proves our commitment to be prepared to serve the members of DWU in fair or in foul weather. We hope it serves our company, team, and community well into the future.”

MILITARY

Hurlburt Field to commemorate 30th Anniversary of Jockey-14 tragedy

Hurlburt Field is set to host a remembrance ceremony at the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park on March 14, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. to honor the 30th anniversary of the Jockey-14 incident, where eight crew members lost their lives.

On March 14, 1994, an AC-130H Spectre gunship crew from the 16th Special Operations Squadron, known as Jockey-14, crash-landed in the Indian Ocean approximately 200 yards off the Somali coast during a routine Joint Task Force mission supporting Operation Continue Hope II.

The eight crew members who made the ultimate sacrifice were:

• Capt. David Mehlhop, navigator
• Capt. Mark Quam, electronic warfare officer
• Capt. Anthony Stefanik Jr., fire control officer
• Master Sgt. Roy Duncan, loadmaster
• Tech. Sgt. Robert Daniel, sensor operator
• Staff Sgt. Brian Barnes, aerial gunner
• Staff Sgt. William Eyler, sensor operator
• Staff Sgt. Michael Moser, aerial gunner

Lt. Gen. Michael T. Plehn, U.S. Air Force President of National Defense University, will serve as the guest speaker during the ceremony. The event will also feature a flyover by two AC-130J Ghostrider gunships from the 16th Special Operations Squadron and the 4th Special Operations Squadron.

The remembrance ceremony will be open to Department of Defense ID cardholders.

ICYMI

News you might have missed

• The Southwest Airlines team at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) was awarded the Most Reliable Small Station award at the company’s Annual Station Awards Banquet on February 29, 2024. The VPS team ranked first among the 70 small stations in Southwest’s system based on their exceptional performance in reliability, which includes on-time performance and baggage handling. Read full story

• Thirty-four men at the Okaloosa County Jail achieved a significant milestone on March 5, 2024, by successfully completing Phase I of the transformative “Anchored” program. The faith-based initiative, administered by the Emerald Coast Life Center, aims to equip participants with the tools and mindset necessary to break the cycle of recidivism and substance abuse. Read full story.

• HCA-Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital’s cardiac rehab program offers a comprehensive approach to heart health recovery. The program sets achievable goals, provides tailored plans, and caters to various cardiac conditions. Dr. John Dudley emphasized the program’s importance, citing a 35% reduction in mortality risk for those who complete rehab. Read full story.

• The Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate have unanimously passed CS/CS/HB 7021 – Mental Health and Substance Abuse, a bill aimed at significantly modernizing Florida’s Baker and Marchman Acts. The legislation, championed by State Representative Patt Maney and supported by House Speaker Paul Renner, is set to improve the navigation, service delivery, and expected outcomes of the state’s mental health system. Read full story

TRAFFIC

Okaloosa County Traffic Advisory

• Brooks Bridge Replacement Project – Drivers are encouraged to use caution as construction crews are still on site but there will be no lane closures during the spring break season (March 8 through 24, 2024).

• State Road (S.R.) 285 Resurfacing from S.R. 20 to S.R. 293 – Drivers may experience intermittent S.R. 285 north and southbound lane closures, between John Sims Parkway (S.R. 20) and S.R. 293, Sunday, March 10 through Thursday, March 14, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. for crews to place thermoplastic striping.

NOW OPEN

Gulfarium unveils $30 million Dolphin Oasis

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, located on Okaloosa Island, celebrated the grand opening of its highly anticipated Dolphin Oasis during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 8, 2024.

• The event marked a significant milestone for the renowned marine park and the area’s attractions.

Local dignitaries, politicians, business leaders, employees, former staff members, habitat engineers, designers, and their families attended the event, along with stakeholders and county representatives.

Spanning 2.2 acres, the $30 million expansion includes three large interconnected habitats and three husbandry habitats, totaling over one million gallons of Gulf salt water, providing an immersive, natural-themed experience.

The new presentation habitat has grandstand seating for 480 guests and ample standing room. The exhibit habitat features a 27-foot acrylic split-level viewing area, while the interactive habitat allows visitors to get up close and personal with the park’s family of dolphins.

• According to the Gulfarium, the new Oasis can accommodate 11-15 dolphins.

During the ceremony, Patrick Berry, Senior Vice President and CEO of Gulfarium, announced that the original 300,000-gallon dolphin habitat is undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation to accommodate manatee rehabilitation patients as part of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP).

• “The renovation of our original dolphin habitat to care for manatee rehabilitation patients demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting and preserving marine life,” Berry stated. “We eagerly anticipate welcoming these incredible animals and continuing our efforts to make a positive impact on our coastal ecosystem.”

Access to Dolphin Oasis is now included with a general admission ticket, and guests can purchase exclusive dolphin encounters for an up-close and personal experience.

The Gulfarium will begin taking in manatees in need this fall 2024, further solidifying its dedication to marine life conservation.

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