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Good morning!
Here’s what we are covering today:
- Local Scouts become heroes after helping find a missing child near Ferry Park in Fort Walton Beach, while the Governor orders flags lowered to honor fallen Deputy Will May. Summer fun approaches as Big Kahuna’s sets its reopening date, Brooks Bridge construction brings temporary road closures, ERA American Real Estate earns national recognition, and a local teen competes for a technology scholarship from Cox.
FROM THE STATE
Governor orders flags at half-staff to honor fallen Walton County Deputy Will May
Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff throughout Walton County on Saturday to honor Deputy William May, who was killed in the line of duty last week.
- The governor issued the directive Thursday in a memorandum to state and local officials, calling for U.S. and Florida flags to be lowered from sunrise to sunset on April 12.
“Deputy May was tragically killed in the line of duty when responding to a disturbance in DeFuniak Springs,” DeSantis wrote in the memorandum. “Deputy May was shot multiple times but neutralized a violent assailant.”
May, who served with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office for over eleven years, died on April 2 after responding to a disturbance call at a Dollar General store in Mossy Head. Despite being mortally wounded, he was able to return fire and neutralize the suspect.
Sheriff Michael Adkinson previously stated that May had volunteered for overtime that day and was responding to his final call of the shift when the shooting occurred.
- “He displayed courage, bravery, and unwavering dedication to protecting his community,” the governor’s memorandum stated.
May began his career with the sheriff’s office in 2014 as a communications officer before becoming a deputy in 2019. He had served as a field training officer since 2023 and came from a family dedicated to public service — his father is a retired assistant fire chief and his mother is a former dispatcher.
The deputy leaves behind his wife and two teenage children.
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BUSINESS
Big Kahuna’s water park in Destin to reopen April 12
Big Kahuna’s Water Park will kick off its 2025 season on April 12, bringing back all its popular water attractions while introducing new season pass options aimed at families.
- The park has launched Season Pass Bundles that offer discounts for multiple purchases: $20 off a single season pass, $60 off a two-pack, and $160 off a four-pack of season passes.
“We’re excited to kick off another unforgettable season at Big Kahuna’s Water Park,” said Kaitlin Smith, Park Manager at Big Kahuna’s Destin. “With our new Season Pass Bundles, families can enjoy even more savings while making priceless summer memories.”
Season passes grant unlimited access to the water park from April 12 through September 21. Pass holders also receive exclusive perks including $50 off birthday parties and 10% off food and beverage purchases throughout the season.
- The park features over 40 water attractions including slides like Kowabunga Racer, Maui Pipeline, and Jumanji. Visitors can also enjoy refreshments at the Island Time Café, which will offer a new menu this season.
Big Kahuna’s is considered the premier water attraction in the Florida Panhandle, with attractions ranging from high-speed slides to relaxing lazy rivers and kid-friendly splash zones.
The limited-time season pass bundle offers are currently available on the park’s website at bigkahunas.com or you can purchase standard tickets here.
TRAFFIC
Detour ahead: Florida Blanca Place to close temporarily as part of Brooks Bridge project
A section of Florida Blanca Place near Brooks Street will close temporarily beginning Sunday, April 13, as crews perform drainage work and reconstruction.
- Drivers will be detoured via First Street and Brooks Street during the closure. Signs will direct traffic through the detour route, and access to adjacent properties and businesses will remain open.
Once the drainage work is complete, Florida Blanca Place will reopen with its original two-way traffic configuration.
The closure is part of the broader $171 million Brooks Bridge Replacement Project, which includes building two new parallel bridges. The new structures will expand capacity to six travel lanes, replacing the current four-lane bridge that has been in use since 1966.
- The entire project is scheduled for completion in summer 2027.
Officials note that all construction activities depend on weather conditions and may be delayed or rescheduled during inclement weather.
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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:
- 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.
BUSINESS
ERA American Real Estate brings home multiple honors at national conference
by Ashley Armacost
ERA American Real Estate captured several top honors at ERA National’s FUEL conference held from Feb. 27 to March 2, showcasing the local brokerage’s strength in marketing excellence and industry leadership.
- The international event, which features certification, learning, awards and networking, saw ERA American’s VIBE Team and individual agents earn notable recognition.
The VIBE Team, consisting of Catherine Gauthier, Rachelle Wyatt, Jonelle Lewis and Deborah Holbrook, won first place for the 2024 National Company Marketing Excellence Award for the second consecutive year. Their innovative marketing strategies have recently attracted $20 million in sales volume from newly recruited agents.
“Last year, we took home this award by showing how we combined brand resources with our own franchise programs to elevate our agents,” Gauthier said. “This year, we’ve built on that success and turned our attention toward recruiting top agents from other brokerages. Our marketing processes, designed to serve and support our current agents, also became the platform to attract other experienced agents who might be missing out on the opportunities and resources we offer at ERA American Real Estate.”
Marsha Babe, known for her “fearless creativity” in community-based marketing, was nominated for the ERA Marketing Excellence Award for agents. A 24-year veteran with ERA American Real Estate, Babe focuses on building lifetime client relationships while serving as a community ambassador.
- Mack Bowman also took the stage representing ERA American Real Estate, showcasing his expertise and professional presence at the conference.
Ranelle Birmingham of ERA Sarver Real Estate was inducted into the ERA Hall of Fame – Class of 2024. Though based in Leesville, Louisiana, Birmingham has strong ties to ERA American through her mentorship of Linde Bowman early in her career. During her 45 years with ERA, Birmingham has been influential both in real estate and community service.
GIVING BACK
Emerald Coast teen competes for $5,000 Cox Mobile scholarship
by Ashley Armacost
Cox Mobile and Boys & Girls Clubs of America have launched a Fan Favorite Contest as part of their Mobile Phone Case Design Contest, allowing the public to vote for their favorite design from 21 teen finalists nationwide.
- Jadyn M., representing the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, was selected as one of the finalists. The winner of the Fan Favorite contest will receive a $5,000 Cox Mobile scholarship.
“My artwork symbolizes how world peace and unity is in our reach,” Jadyn said when describing the design.
The Mobile Phone Case Design Contest challenged teen club members to create designs inspired by “A World Within Reach,” illustrating the power of digital access and connectivity in unlocking opportunities for education, creativity and innovation. The contest commemorates the 20th anniversary of Cox Innovation Labs located in Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.
On March 25, Gracie A. of Louisiana was announced as the grand prize winner, receiving a $25,000 scholarship. OtterBox will manufacture her design, which will be sold online and in Cox retail stores with a portion of proceeds benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Additionally, Gracie’s home Club in Acadiana, Louisiana will receive a $25,000 grant for a Cox Innovation Lab.
Community members can support Jadyn by voting at www.cox.com/phonecasecontest or in local Cox retail stores through April 18.
Shervin Rassa, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, highlighted the impact of the partnership:
- “Our partnership with Cox Mobile has made a lasting impact on the kids and teens we serve. Opportunities like the Cox Mobile Phone Case Design Contest and Cox Mobile Fan Favorite Contest not only inspire creativity but also show our Club members that their talents and ideas are valued.”
The contest strengthens the longstanding relationship between Cox and the Boys & Girls Clubs.
“For decades, Cox has been proud to partner with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to empower young people with the technology and opportunities they need to succeed,” said David Deliman, market vice president for Cox’s Gulf Coast market. “This contest reflects our shared commitment to fostering imagination and innovation, and we’re honored to help bring these young artists like Jadyn’s vision to life while supporting the incredible work of Boys & Girls Clubs here in the Gulf Coast and nationwide.”
PUBLIC SAFETY
Local Scout Troop helps find missing child near Ferry Park in Fort Walton Beach
What began as a routine troop meeting turned into a rescue mission when local Scouts helped find a missing 11-year-old child on Monday evening.
- The Fort Walton Beach Police Department responded to a report of a missing child in the Ferry Park area around 7 p.m. on April 7. The child, wearing only a tank top, was considered at risk with temperatures dropping into the 50s.
As officers from FWBPD and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office launched their search, they stopped by the meeting location of Troop 544 of Scouting America’s Gulf Coast Council, which borders Ferry Park.
“My scouts and I were approached by local law enforcement and informed that there was a missing 11-year-old kid,” said Joe Kennedy, who has served as scoutmaster for 20 years. “He had been gone for about an hour.”
Without hesitation, one of the older scouts suggested they help find the missing child. The troop quickly organized into patrols and divided the park into search zones.
- Three or four scouts who knew the missing child personally conducted a quick drive through the neighborhood with an assistant scoutmaster. The scouts called out the child’s name and ultimately found him hiding behind some bushes.
The scouts were able to calm the child until police arrived to reunite him with his family. The entire search operation lasted about an hour, with the child found safe and unharmed.
“Monday night was the scariest night of my life. For the time my child was missing, my world stopped,” said Erica Ocasio, the child’s mother, in a message posted to the city’s Facebook page. “The way our community came together, dropping everything to search for my child… it still brings me to tears.”
Ocasio expressed profound gratitude to everyone involved in finding her child.
- “To every volunteer who showed up, to Troop 544, to every officer with Fort Walton Beach PD and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office who moved quickly and treated this like it was their own child missing, thank you,” she wrote. “Because of all of you, my child is home safe.”
“I am extremely proud of my scouts,” Kennedy said. “I cannot recall a time that I’ve been prouder of a group of young men in my 20 years as a scoutmaster.”
The Fort Walton Beach Police Department expressed gratitude to both law enforcement partners and the approximately 100 community volunteers who participated in the search, including the scouts from Troop 544.
“This event is a powerful example of the strength of our partnerships and the compassion of the community we are honored to serve and protect,” the department stated in a press release.
For Kennedy, the incident reinforced the value of scouting in the community. “This is why I stay in scouting,” he said. “Scouting is alive and well.”
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