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Good morning!
Here’s what we are covering today:
- Academy Sports & Outdoors sets a May opening date for its new Fort Walton Beach location, while Okaloosa Island Pier’s cleanup reports surprisingly little debris. Panama City Beach’s Police Chief makes a definitive statement about the city’s future direction, a meaningful bourbon initiative supports cancer patients in Walton County, and both students and commencement attendees prepare for upcoming events.
COASTAL RESOURCES
Okaloosa Island Pier cleanup removes record low amount of debris
More than 80 divers descended beneath the Okaloosa Island Pier on Sunday to participate in the first of two annual cleanup dives, removing nearly 57 pounds of debris from the marine environment.
- The amount collected represents the smallest haul in the event’s history, which organizers say signals the success of ongoing conservation efforts.
“This is the lowest amount of debris we’ve removed from the pier since we started doing these pier cleanups publicly,” said Jessica Valek, Natural Resources Manager. “It shows that our pier cleanup efforts are definitely working.”
Divers traveled from across the southern United States for the April 13 event, including members of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and 6th Ranger Training Battalion.
In just two and a half hours, participants collected 56.82 pounds of debris, consisting primarily of fishing tackle, lead weights, bait containers and miscellaneous trash.
- “Marine life runs a huge risk of getting caught in excess line,” Valek explained. “When a fisherman gets wrapped up around a pier piling and they have to cut their line, that line is just dangling in the water. Any sort of marine animal — dolphins, fish, sea turtles — swimming around the pier has a higher chance of getting wrapped up in it.”
The cleanup represents a collaboration between multiple organizations, including the Okaloosa Island Pier, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, Okaloosa County Natural Resources, Okaloosa County Beach Safety, and Zookeeper Containment Units, which provided specialized collection containers for the event.
Cory Mitrenga from the Gulfarium served as divemaster and conducted the safety briefing for participants.
- “This whole process started with ten divers, and it has evolved into an event that benefits our marine life and the dive community,” noted Eric Brown, Pier Manager.
The biannual event offers a rare opportunity for divers to explore an area that is typically off-limits for scuba diving.
“People enjoy doing it because they are helping protect our environment, but they also get to dive something that no one ever really gets to dive,” Valek said. “We get to do this twice a year and that’s it. Other than that, the pier is off-limits for scuba diving.”
A second cleanup dive will be scheduled for late summer or early fall, with dates to be announced closer to the event. For those interested in participating in other conservation efforts, an Earth Day beach cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 19.
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PUBLIC SAFETY
Police Chief says Panama City Beach ‘can no longer be a Spring Break town’
The city’s police chief declared Sunday that Panama City Beach “can no longer be a Spring Break town” following incidents involving weapons and arrests during this year’s tourist season.
- In a public statement, Chief J.R. Talamantez thanked well-behaved visitors while addressing those who came “with guns, bad intentions, and no respect for this city.”
“You thought you could blend in and get away with it. You were wrong. Our officers were ready, and many of you ended up in handcuffs,” Talamantez said.
The chief noted that some visitors fired shots over “petty arguments and social media drama,” and described what happened after arrests.
- “When the cuffs went on, the tough act disappeared. Our officers didn’t see hardened criminals. They saw scared kids crying in the interview room,” Talamantez said. “TikTok doesn’t show that part, but our body cameras do.”
Talamantez announced plans for discussions with stakeholders and city leadership about the future of Spring Break, stating it’s unfair to expect law enforcement to “shoulder the burden of an event that no longer aligns with the values or vision of this community.”
“No plan will fix this overnight, but we have to start somewhere. And we have to start now,” he said.
The statement concluded with a message that well-behaved tourists would always be welcome, while telling troublemakers to “go somewhere else.”
GIVING BACK
A bourbon with purpose: Bailey Brigade honors husband’s legacy while supporting cancer patients in Walton County
When Michele Bailey’s husband Scott was diagnosed with salivary gland cancer in April 2020, the family faced not just a rare disease, but the isolation of pandemic-era treatment.
- Now, Michele has transformed her grief into purpose through the Bailey Brigade, a nonprofit helping cancer patients across Walton County.
“We want to make sure other cancer patients never have to go through treatment alone,” Michele said.
Founded in 2022 following a community fundraiser that gathered $27,000, the organization provides comfort care backpacks, offers copay and transportation assistance, and awards scholarships to students entering health sciences.
The organization has distributed more than 200 comfort backpacks containing nausea relief products, skin care items, journals, and notes of encouragement from local students.
- “Those are the things that people really love the most,” Michele said of the handwritten notes and painted kindness rocks created by students from local schools.
The group’s latest fundraising effort carries special significance: a limited-edition bourbon celebrating Scott’s life while funding their mission.
The limted-edition collector-worthy bourbon, finished in an orange drum barrel, comes in a bottle featuring Scott’s image and story and packaged in a wooden collector’s box through the generosity of their sponsors. Of the $175 purchase price, $100 goes directly to the Bailey Brigade. Fewer than three dozen bottles remain from the initial 195.
“It is everything because it’s his legacy. He will never be forgotten,” Michele said. “Through the Brigade, everybody will get to know a piece of Scott.”
- The remaining bourbon bottles can be purchased at 30A Distilling Co, located at 605 North County Highway 393, Building 15-B. The distillery is open Wednesday through Friday from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m.
“We can’t get rid of cancer, unfortunately. But we can make sure somebody knows they’re not alone in this journey and that somebody gives a damn,” Michele said.
The group hopes to expand through increased community support and monthly subscriptions.
“Join the army of hope and love,” Michele said, “and help us take care of people going through the unimaginable.”
ART+CULTURE
Okaloosa County students invited to create ‘space-themed’ art for annual contest
by Ashley Armacost
The Okaloosa Arts Alliance announced its 16th annual county-wide student poster contest Thursday, challenging K-12 students to create artwork based on the theme “Art in Outer Space.”
- The contest coincides with the opening of the Emerald Coast Science Center’s new planetarium building, which will host the award ceremony in May.
“We are excited to be opening our new planetarium building and are looking forward to partnering with OAA on the space art contest to showcase the planetarium,” said Diane Fraser, executive director of the Emerald Coast Science Center.
Students throughout Okaloosa County may submit one entry each, either individually or through their schools. All submissions must include the artist’s name, grade and school on the front of the artwork.
- Entries can be mailed to the Okaloosa Arts Alliance at P.O. Box 4426, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549, or dropped off at the Emerald Coast Science Center during business hours. The submission deadline is May 2.
The contest features three age categories: Elementary School (K-4th grade), Middle School (5th-8th grade) and High School (9th-12th grade). First, second and third place winners will be selected in each category.
First-place winners will have their artwork featured on the OAA website and in the organization’s newsletter. Prizes are provided by Eglin Federal Credit Union, HH Arts, ADSO and the Emerald Coast Science Center.
- All entries will be displayed at the Emerald Coast Science Center, where winners will be announced during a ceremony on Sunday, May 4, from 2-4 p.m. The event will include live music performed by Grow Your Gift Conservatory of Music.
Last year’s first-place winners were Rosemary Clifton, a 10th grader from Rocky Bayou Christian School in the high school category; Emily Lowe, an 8th grader from Okaloosa STEMM Academy in the middle school category; and Ruth Nicolas, a 2nd grader from Silver Sands School in the elementary school category.
Attendees at the ceremony on May 4, will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite artwork for a Viewers’ Choice Award.
For more information about the contest, email Amy at amybaty1@gmail.com or visit here.
SCHOOL
FDLE Commissioner Glass to deliver NWFSC Spring Commencement Address
by Ashley Armacost
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Commissioner Mark Glass will return to his alma mater to deliver the keynote address at Northwest Florida State College’s Spring Commencement on May 9, 2025.
- Glass, a 1991 NWFSC graduate and recipient of the college’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2018, brings more than three decades of law enforcement and military experience to the podium.
“Northwest Florida State College is proud to welcome home Commissioner Glass, and we all look forward to hearing his inspiring words to a new generation of Raider alumni,” said NWFSC President Mel Ponder. “Our graduates leave here to make their mark on the world, and it’s so incredible to have an alumnus return and share how NWFSC prepared them for the journey ahead.”
Glass has accumulated 32 years of combined federal and state service across multiple roles, including law enforcement officer, military officer, national intelligence officer, federal civilian supervisor and senior executive.
Before his appointment as FDLE Commissioner, Glass served as director of Florida Capitol Police and director of security for the Florida Lottery. His federal experience includes service on the FBI Joint Terroism Task Force and the U.S. Attorney’s Anti-Terroism Advisory Council.
- Glass also spent 30 years in the United States Armed Forces, serving as both a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot with the U.S. Army and a Jayhawk pilot with the U.S. Coast Guard. His military career included command roles with the Florida Army National Guard, the District of Columbia National Guard and the U.S. Army.
He retired from Fort Rucker, Alabama, known as the home of the Army aviation, with the distinction of master aviator and two meritorious service medals.
Glass holds a Bachelor of Science degree in criminology from Florida State University in addition to his NWFSC degree. He currently serves on the Florida Board of Directors for the American Legion Boys State.
Due to the large graduating class, NWFSC will hold two commencement ceremonies on May 9. The first ceremony begins at 10 a.m., with the second following at 2 p.m. Both will take place at Raider Arena on the Niceville campus, and no tickets are required for attendance.
BUSINESS
Academy Sports & Outdoors announces May opening in Fort Walton Beach
Academy Sports + Outdoors has announced it will open its new Fort Walton Beach store in May 2025, marking the retailer’s 20th location in Florida.
- The store is located at 546 Mary Esther Cut Off NW in the building that previously housed Walmart and was later occupied by ResortQuest/Vacasa. Liza Jackson Preparatory School also formerly utilized part of the space before relocating.
According to a press release issued Monday, the new location will span more than 65,000 square feet and is expected to create approximately 60 new jobs in the community.
Construction work is currently underway following permits issued by the city last August. An alteration build out permit was issued on Aug. 22, 2024, with the value of the permitted work at $4,300,000. A parking lot permit was issued on Aug. 19, 2024, for resurfacing and restriping, valued at $75,000.
The renovation project includes a complete buildout of the existing structure, resurfacing and restriping of the western parking lot, and expansion of the eastern parking lot and truck docking area. The total project area encompasses approximately 131,241 square feet or 3.0 acres.
- The store will offer sports and outdoor merchandise from brands including Nike, adidas, Carhartt, Stanley, Titleist, Shimano, Brooks and YETI, along with the retailer’s private label brands such as Magellan Outdoors and BCG.
This will be the first Academy Sports + Outdoors location in the Fort Walton Beach area. Customers can sign up for the retailer’s rewards program or text FTWALTON to 22369 for information about grand opening deals and events.
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