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Good morning!
Here’s what we have today…
- Destin High School is set to implement a four-day school week starting in 2025-2026, while Okaloosa County approves land purchases to expand Patriot Park in Crestview. Fort Walton Beach High thespians prepare for “Little Shop of Horrors,” the School District readies for its annual CTE Signing Day, and a local cat shelter plans a creative fundraiser with a Kentucky Derby theme.
PARKS+REC
Okaloosa approves purchase of Shoal River lots for Patriot Park expansion in Crestview
The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of five lots on Shoal River Drive to create an upland park area for Patriot Park during their meeting on Tuesday, March 18.
- The $550,000 acquisition, plus up to $25,000 in closing costs, will be funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) interest monies. The purchase includes five large residential lots and two stormwater parcels at two locations on Shoal River Drive.
“These are the high and dry parts,” said Commissioner Paul Mixon during the meeting. “Those are the parts we can use from the roadway. The rest of it has beautiful meandering trails, beautiful beaches along the waterfront.”
According to Craig Coffey, Deputy County Administrator, the county received a donation of 165.4 acres along the Shoal River in January 2024 from the developer of Patriot Ridge, which formed the foundation of what is now called Patriot Park. However, much of that land is low-lying and unsuitable for park amenities.
“We’ve called it Patriot Park because the land was donated by a developer of Patriot Ridge, and it’s patriotic. So we like everything patriotic here in Okaloosa County,” Coffey said.
The newly acquired lots were formerly part of a golf course and include sections of an existing cart path. The purchase will allow for the completion of a 1.25-mile loop for walkers and runners using much of the former golf cart path.
- The western lots will provide space for a parking lot, playground, pavilion, bathrooms and other park amenities, while the eastern lots will likely have a trail and minor recreational features due to their proximity to houses.
The county is currently clearing some trail areas on the property and developing a master plan for the park. Officials have established a neighborhood committee to gather input from nearby residents.
“The way we’re getting the buy-in from the neighborhood is we had a town hall meeting in the neighborhood and talked about the potential of Patriot Park and what it hopefully would one day become for the benefit of the entire county, but most specifically for the ones that are within walking distance of it,” Mixon said.
Commissioner Drew Palmer expressed support for the project, saying, “This is going to be a tremendous asset to the county. I’m very excited about just all of the work that we’re doing with parks. This is just something I’m very supportive of.”
The county already has $330,000 budgeted from the Park MSTU and general fund to create the park master plan and begin making improvements. Additional funding will be allocated as needed once the master plan is complete.
The purchase agreements include one from a homebuilder for the five residential lots and another from the homeowners association for the two stormwater ponds. The acquisition is contingent upon favorable appraisals for the property purchase prices.
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SCHOOL
Okaloosa County School District to host 6th Annual CTE Signing Day on April 17
by Ashley Armacost
The Okaloosa County School District will hold its sixth annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) Career and College Signing Day, celebrating students committed to continuing their education and technical training after high school.
- This event is scheduled for Thursday, April 17 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center (100 E. College Blvd, Niceville).
The keynote address at the ceremony will be delivered by Nathan Sparks, Executive Director of One Okaloosa Economic Development Council.
“This exciting event will honor the achievements of our CTE students as they take critical steps toward continuing their education and training beyond high school,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers.
Last year, over 300 students participated in CTE Signing Day, marking the largest signing day for the district. The signing day supports Governor Ron DeSantis’s initiative to make Florida the nation’s leader in workforce development by 2030.
This event aims to recognize students pursuing post-secondary education and specialized career training programs, highlighting their commitment to building the skills needed in the local and state workforce.
SPONSORED
Join the women making $100,000 impacts on our local community
Changing lives in our community one woman at a time. The idea is simple: 100 women donate $1,000 each to form a $100,000 high-IMPACT grant to help transform local nonprofit organizations.
- Since 2012, Impact100 NWF has given away $4.9 million dollars in grants to local nonprofits in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Area nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for these grants.
Impact100’s goal is to have at least 500 members so that they are able to give away one $100,000 grant in each of the 5 categories: Arts and Culture; Education; Environment, Recreation & Preservation; Family; and Health & Wellness.
The organization is also very grateful for their business sponsors who assist with events as well as sponsoring memberships. If you are not a woman in the local area but want to help, please reach out as well!
Upcoming membership enrollment events:
- March 31st: Join Impact100 for an Immersive Art Experience at BeachWorx Destin 5:30 – 7:30
- April 17th: Join Impact100 at The Pavilion at Eagles Nest, Blackwater Golf Course, Crestview from 5:30- 7:30 pm
- April 22nd: Join Impact100 for our final membership event of the 2025 enrollment period at The Beach House in Miramar Beach from 5:30- 7:30
They also have numerous Pop Up Events in March and April throughout Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Join today and make an IMPACT in your local community! You can also email them at Impactnwf@impactnwf.org with any questions.
SCHOOL
Fort Walton Beach High School Theatre to present ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ in April
by Ashley Armacost
The award-winning Fort Walton Beach High School Theatre Department will bring the dark comedy musical Little Shop of Horrors to the stage this spring.
- The production, directed by Ron Morse, will run April 9-11 at 7 p.m., with a special matinee performance on April 12 at 2 p.m. at the Fort Walton Beach High School Auditorium.
Little Shop of Horrors follows the department’s recent successful production of ‘The Lightning Thief’ and builds on their achievements at state-level competitions and district awards.
Community members are encouraged to support local high school arts by attending the performances, which showcase the talents of the school’s young performers.
Tickets are available for purchase at GoFan.co. Okaloosa School System faculty can attend for free with an official badge.
SPONSORED
Origin Bank opens new location in Fort Walton Beach
Origin Bank has expanded its presence with a new financial center in Fort Walton Beach.
- Operating from a temporary building at 212 Racetrack Road NW (the intersection of Denton Boulevard NW), the center offers comprehensive banking services including small business and personal banking, home loans, and financial support.
The location currently operates Monday through Friday, with the drive-thru open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and appointments available by calling (850) 904-8613. For more information, click here.
GIVING BACK
Local cat shelter to host “Kittucky Derby” fundraiser in Fort Walton Beach
by Ashley Armacost
Save Our Cats and Kittens (SOCKS) will host a feline-inspired twist on the famous Kentucky Derby with its “Kittucky Derby” fundraiser on April 26 in Fort Walton Beach.
- The event runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the nonprofit’s event building, dubbed “Catnip Downs” for the occasion.
“We’re putting a cat-tastic twist on the legendary Run for the Roses,” said SOCKS in a press release.
The family-friendly fundraiser will feature games including horseshoes and cornhole, a contest for the most flamboyant derby hat, and a silent auction with prizes including a VIP local distillery tour.
- Attendees can enjoy bourbon punch and mint julep drinks in the Feline Lucky Lounge, along with hors d’oeuvres including traditional pimento cheese.
The main attraction will be kittens “racing” to what organizers call a “feline photo finish.” Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased on the SOCKS website at saveourcatsandkittens.com.
SOCKS is a no-kill, free-roaming, feline-only shelter funded entirely by donations. Proceeds from the event will provide food, shelter and medical care for cats and kittens awaiting adoption.
Those interested in becoming sponsors or donating silent auction items can call 850-865-6866 or email socks@saveourcatsandkittens.com.
SCHOOL
Destin High School to move to four-day school week in 2025-2026
by Ashley Armacost
Destin High School announced Wednesday that it will transition to a four-day instructional week beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, with students attending classes Monday through Thursday.
- School officials said the new calendar maintains rigorous academic standards while providing more flexibility for families and increasing time for teacher collaboration.
“I am delighted to announce that our school will be transitioning to a 4-day school week,” said Principal Dr. Diane Kelly. “This change reflects our commitment to enhancing student learning, supporting staff well-being, and fostering a positive school culture.”
The decision follows what administrators described as “careful planning and feedback” from the school community. Officials emphasized that the four-day model will maintain required instructional time standards while creating additional opportunities for teacher professional development.
- With the new 4-day schedule, school hours for students will be from 7:30am-3:30pm. Teacher hours will be from 7am-4pm.
Governing Board President Heidi LoCicero called the approach innovative, saying it “supports the whole child and the entire community.”
“Happy teachers make for happy students, and happy students make happy parents, and happy parents make happy communities,” LoCicero said.
Student Council President Hannah Baxley expressed enthusiasm for the change, suggesting it will improve work-life balance for students.
- “I think this will provide students a much better balance between home and school,” Baxley said. “Students can spend more time with their families, and have more time to engage in their extracurricular activities or work.”
Teacher Therese Sweeney also voiced support, referring to the new schedule as “Shark Week” – a reference to the school’s mascot. “Our students will benefit from our 4-day Shark Week. Productivity and intentionality will improve. It’s always a great day to be a Shark – now it’s even better,” Sweeney said.
School officials plan to continuously monitor and evaluate the new schedule for effectiveness toward student success. Additional implementation details will be shared with families in the coming weeks.
Executive Director Donald Williams said the schedule change “cements Destin High School’s commitment to provide unique educational opportunities” for students on the Emerald Coast.
The school is still accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year, but noted that seats are limited. Interested families can apply here.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Thursday. 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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