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Good morning!
Here’s what we are covering this Good Friday:
Okaloosa School District marks record growth in Career and Technical Education as 350 students participate in the 6th annual CTE ‘Signing Day.’ Fort Walton Beach shoppers prepare for ALDI’s April 24 opening at the former Winn-Dixie location, five local JROTC cadets receive prestigious scholarships, and county agencies prepare to support residents with hurricane readiness events and maternal health services.
- SHOUT OUT: I’d like to give a shout out to the Town of Cinco Bayou. Mayor Jean Hood asked me to speak at the Okaloosa County League of Cities Quarterly Dinner last night the Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club. I spoke on the beginnings of Get The Coast, the current struggles of local news and what the future of local news will look like. It was a great dinner and I was honored to speak to our various municipalities.
BUSINESS
Former Winn-Dixie to reopen as ALDI in Fort Walton Beach on April 24
The former Winn-Dixie location at 798 Beal Parkway will reopen as an ALDI grocery store on Thursday, April 24 at 9 a.m., completing the conversion announced last year.
- The new store will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., offering Fort Walton Beach residents another option for grocery shopping with what the company calls “unbeatable everyday low prices.”
“At our new Fort Walton Beach ALDI store, shoppers will find that every decision we make, from our product selection to store layout, is to provide our customers with the best products at the lowest possible prices of any national grocer,” said Heather Moore, regional vice president for ALDI.
According to ALDI, customers can save up to 36% on an average household’s shopping list, with families saving nearly $4,000 on their grocery bills by purchasing ALDI-exclusive products instead of name brands.
- To celebrate the grand opening, ALDI will give the first 100 customers a gift bag containing samples of exclusive products and a gift card through its “Golden Ticket” giveaway program. Shoppers can also enter a sweepstakes for a $500 ALDI gift card during opening weekend.
The new location is part of ALDI’s broader expansion plan to open 800 stores nationwide by the end of 2028.
Shoppers will have access to online ordering and curbside pickup services through the company’s website.
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SCHOOL
Five Okaloosa County JROTC cadets receive scholarships from Air and Space Forces Association
Five JROTC cadets from Okaloosa County schools received prestigious scholarships from the Air and Space Forces Association (AFA) Eglin Chapter Education Foundation at a special reception Tuesday.
The scholarship awards were presented April 15 at the Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin Air Force Base to cadets representing JROTC programs from three local high schools.
Recipients included:
- Cadet Penelope Ashby, Niceville High School – Maggie Hsu Scholarship
- Cadet Layth Atrakchi, Choctawhatchee High School – Cliff Long, Sr. Leadership Scholarship
- Cadet Owen Clift, Niceville High School – Jimmy Doolittle Scholarship
- Cadet Lincoln Dooley, Niceville High School – General Bill Kirk Scholarship
- Cadet Chriscelle Pardillo, Fort Walton Beach High School – Jerry Nabors Memorial Scholarship
“These cadets exemplify the values of leadership, service, and excellence that define our JROTC programs,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “We are incredibly proud of their achievements and thankful to the Air and Space Forces Association Eglin Chapter for investing in their futures.”
Chambers added that the cadets “represent the very best of Okaloosa County, and we know they will go on to do great things.”
The Okaloosa County School District says they remains committed to supporting JROTC programs, which continue to shape the next generation of leaders both in the community and across the nation.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Okaloosa County to host second annual hurricane preparedness event
Okaloosa County will host its second annual “Florida’s Greatest Hurricane Preparedness Party” on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Okaloosa County Administration Building.
- The free event aims to remind residents to prepare for the Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1, by restocking disaster supply kits, reviewing evacuation plans and discussing preparations with family members.
“It is important for all of us in Okaloosa County to recognize the serious threat storms pose to our area and the devastation they can cause,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon. “The annual Hurricane Expo is a reminder that we need to do what we can to prepare our families in advance so we do not have to panic at the last minute.”
Visitors can expect complimentary 2025 Hurricane Guides, various vendors, food trucks, public safety discussions with first responders and interactive displays related to storms and preparedness. The first 100 participants will receive free premium branded tote bags sponsored by Keep Okaloosa Beautiful containing surprise items.
- Vice Chairman Carolyn Ketchel emphasized community cooperation. “Okaloosa County is a community of caring individuals that always comes together when needed,” she said. “I encourage all residents to come together and make a plan in advance of hurricane season to be as prepared as possible.”
Featured speakers include Patrick Maddox, Okaloosa County Director of Public Safety, who brings 31 years of experience including incident command positions during numerous hurricanes. Jason Beaman, Meteorologist-in-Charge at the National Weather Service Mobile, will also speak. Beaman, who has worked with the NWS since 2003, directs meteorological and hydrological warning, forecast and service programs.
Those interested in participating as vendors should email Nick Tomecek at ntomecek@myokaloosa.com.
HEALTH
Okaloosa Health Department to provide Healthy Start free services for local mothers and infants
The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County has become the new service provider for the Healthy Start Coalition of Okaloosa and Walton Counties, offering free home visiting services to pregnant and parenting women and their infants.
- The Healthy Start program provides education, health support and community resources to eligible families. The program is available statewide and voluntary, serving families regardless of insurance coverage from early pregnancy through a baby’s first birthday, with possible extensions to age 3 when needed.
“Selecting DOH-Okaloosa as our new service provider was the obvious choice, as the coalition already collaborates with the department on many common goals in maternal and infant health,” said Ardelle Bush, Healthy Start’s executive director.
The program will be managed through DOH-Okaloosa’s Women, Infants, and Children office, where seven staff members will coordinate with referred clients. Each staff member maintains a caseload of approximately 35 to 40 clients.
- Elizabeth Smith, health officer of DOH-Okaloosa, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, calling the Healthy Start program “a valuable resource for improving the health of infants and pregnant women in our community.”
Healthy Start works to reduce risk factors associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, infant mortality and poor developmental outcomes. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a volunteer board of directors.
Families interested in learning more about the program can visit www.healthystartokawalton.org or call 850-833-9284.
SCHOOL
Okaloosa School District celebrates record growth in CTE with 350 students at 6th annual ‘Signing Day’
The journey from classroom to career took center stage on Thursday as 350 Okaloosa County high school seniors gathered at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center for the district’s sixth annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) ‘Career & College Signing Day’.
- The event, which began six years ago as a small gathering in the Okaloosa County School Board room, has grown exponentially to become one of the district’s most anticipated celebrations, showcasing the remarkable evolution of career education in Okaloosa County.
“Today we’re very excited to celebrate our career and technical education students,” said Jennifer Beasley, Program Director for Career and Technical Education. “Students have chosen one of three paths. They’re either going to continue their education, seek further employment, or enlist in the armed forces.”
Of the 350 students recognized during the ceremony, 251 will continue their education in college while pursuing career technical fields, 53 will enter directly into the workforce, and 31 will join the military services.
Superintendent Marcus Chambers, a staunch advocate for CTE programs, emphasized the district’s commitment to creating pathways for student success beyond traditional four-year degrees.
- “CTE is something that’s been extremely important to us. It’s a major factor of what we’re trying to do to prepare kids for the military, workforce or college,” Chambers said. “When you look at over 6,000 students in our county involved in CTE last year, almost 4,000 industry certifications they received — all of that is a benefit to our students.”
The district’s approach to career education represents a significant shift from previous generations when vocational programs were sometimes viewed as less prestigious alternatives to college preparation. Today, Okaloosa’s CTE programs are recognized as vital pathways that equip students with both technical expertise and essential workplace skills.
“What we’re seeing here, as well as across the state and the nation, is that shift into those trades fields,” Beasley noted. “We want to make sure that we’re meeting those needs, that we’re preparing students for life after high school that’s relevant to what the workforce needs.”
The ceremony featured Nathan Sparks, Executive Director of One Okaloosa Economic Development Council, who delivered an inspiring keynote address centered around the acronym “PEACE” — Prepare, Execute, Accept, Celebrate, and Exhibit Gratitude.
- “This ceremony is called a signing day for a reason,” Sparks told the graduates. “Signing your name represents a promise – not just to the institution or employer, but to yourself. It’s a promise to pursue excellence, to stay curious, to keep growing, and to never give up on your goals, even when things get tough.”
Okaloosa’s CTE programs span 22 different career pathways, including emerging fields like artificial intelligence and machine learning alongside traditional trades like building construction, automotive technology, and welding. The district has also seen a resurgence in agricultural programs in the north end of the county at Baker and Laurel Hill schools.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great weekend. 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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