Highway Dedication Ceremony Honoring Mayor Randall Wise, a 48-Year Public Servant
The City of Niceville will dedicate Partin Drive/State Road 285 from Hwy. 20 to College Blvd. in honor of the late Mayor Randall Wise. This event will celebrate the legacy of Mayor Wise, who dedicated nearly 49 years of his life to the service of the City of Niceville. Mayor Wise, who served from 1971 to 2020, left an unforgettable mark on the community and its residents. His commitment and love for the City of Niceville have made him a legendary figure in local government, earning him the distinction of being the 15th longest-serving Mayor in recorded American history.
“Mayor Wise’s service to our city was nothing short of extraordinary,” said City Manager, David Deitch. “His dedication to improving the lives of our residents and his tireless efforts to make Niceville a better place will forever be remembered. Renaming this stretch of highway in his honor is a small token of our gratitude for his contributions.” Residents and community members are invited to join with City leaders and Mayor Wise’s family to celebrate this local icon October 6, 8 a.m. at the Intersection of State Road 285 and College Blvd. Call (850) 279-6436 ext. 1601 for more information.
Nautical Flea Market / Flea Market
On Saturday, Oct. 14, The Bluewater Bay Marina Complex will host its Bi-Annual Nautical Flea Market from 8 a.m. – Noon. The public is invited to browse each display in order to buy, sell or trade the vast assortment of boat and maritime equipment, as well as other nautical treasures and household items. The Marina Ship Store will also discount most of its casual clothing for men and women, as well as a conduct a STORE WIDE SALE on most items. You can reserve a table in order to display and sell your own marine gear or flea market items by calling 850-897-2821.
City of Niceville CRA Wins Statewide Accolade
The City of Niceville Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is the statewide winner of the 2022 Redevelopment Projects in Florida! The prestigious honor was granted to the City of Niceville for the Old Town Landing on Boggy Bayou project, which garnered the coveted Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA) “President’s Award” and was presented at the FRA’s Annual Conference held in October 2022 in the city of Daytona Beach.
The Old Town Landing on Boggy Bayou project is evidence of the City of Niceville’s unwavering commitment to historic preservation, community enhancement and innovative development. Comprising a public landing, a vibrant festival site, and a meticulously planned six-acre commercial village, the project has been recognized as a prime example of redevelopment excellence. This project underscores the revitalized economic contribution of Niceville’s historic downtown to the overall City’s economy.
The Florida Redevelopment Association’s “President’s Award” is the most prestigious accolade within the redevelopment community in the state. Selected from a pool of distinguished projects from all corners of Florida, the Old Town Landing on Boggy Bayou project emerged as the winner for its visionary approach and impact on the local community.
The project is poised to embark on its final design phase in 2023, marking a significant milestone in the realization of this transformative endeavor. This next phase is anticipated to bring the project even closer to its vision of providing the community with a gathering place that captures the city’s rich history and fosters economic growth.
The City of Niceville invites community members to explore the project further through the comprehensive map and plan available on the official City website at https://cityofniceville.org/481/Community-Redevelopment-Agency-CRA.
Walton County BOCC Honors Community Leaders
The Walton County Board of County Commissioners honored esteemed individuals who have made significant contributions to our community at a sign unveiling ceremony on September 6.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the unveiling for “Randall Infinger Fields” at the Wee Care Park. They are named after the late Mr. Randall Infinger, a former Walton County Commissioner, who was instrumental in the creation and development of the Wee Care Park. These multi-use fields stand as a testament to his dedication and contributions to our community.
Additionally, the new entrance road to the Sheriff’s Department has been nameed “Quinn McMillian Way.” This road, currently under construction, will honor former Sheriff Quinn McMillian, who served as the longest-serving Walton County Sheriff from 1981 to 2001 Sheriff McMillian’s remarkable tenure exemplified dedication, leadership and a deep commitment to public safety. In addition, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners also unveiled signage for three key legal buildings, paying tribute to the service and commitment of individuals who have dedicated their careers to the legal profession. The Public Defender’s Office is named in honor of the late Mr. John Mooneyham, the State Attorney’s Office in honor of the late Mr. Clayton Adkinson, and the Office of the County Attorney in honor of the late Mr. George Ralph Miller.
For more information, contact Public Information at (850) 892-8155 or pio@co.walton.fl.us.
Walton County Welcomes New PIO
The Walton County Board of County Commissioners welcomes Ron Kelley as the county’s new Public Information Officer. Kelley is no stranger to Walton County, having worked as a news director at two local radio stations and editor of the DeFuniak Springs Herald-Beach Breeze. Kelley also served as Marketing Director for the former Healthmark Regional Medical Center and served two terms as a DeFuniak Springs City Council member. His intimate knowledge of Walton County and experience in the public and private sectors are tremendous assets to the county. As the public information officer, Kelley will serve as the conduit between Walton County government, its various departments, the business community, media organizations and county residents. “I am thrilled for the opportunity to serve Walton County in this role,” said Kelley. “I grew up here and know that Walton County is a unique and wonderful place to visit, live, work and raise a family. It is my home and I feel blessed to be able to continue to serve the people of this county. I look forward to building new relationships within the community and providing clear and accurate information to residents and visitors alike.” Ron can be reached by calling (850) 892-8155 or emailing kelron@co.walton.fl.us.
Choctawhatchee Audubon program: Talking Turtles with Tabby Oct. 5
The Gulf of Mexico is home to three sea turtle species: Kemp’s ridleys, Greens, and Loggerheads. Join Tabitha Siegfried, Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center Stranding Coordinator, as she talks about her time researching local sea turtle behavior and habitat use, as well as her experience rehabilitating sick and injured sea turtles, Oct. 5th at Crosspoint Church in Niceville, Room 800, 2nd floor of the Chandler Center (NW door of 519 Helms St.). Socializing begins at 6:30 p.m.; program begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free and open to the interested public. Visit Choctawhatcheeaudubon.org or follow on Facebook. Learn what you can do to help this endangered species!
E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center Night Hike
The Night Hike has returned! Join the Biophilia Center for an exciting event that’s perfect for the whole family. Let your kids take the lead as they navigate a trail from the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center to Camp Longleaf. To top off the evening, we’ll gather around a bonfire, enjoy delicious s’mores, and play games! October 21st, from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission $8 for adults and $5 for children aged 4–12. For more details, please visit eowilsoncenter.org.
Do you want to learn how to stop eating compulsively?
Overeaters Anonymous (OA) meets every Thursday 6:30 pm at Crosspoint Church, Chandler building, 214 S Partin Dr., Niceville. OA offers a program of recovery from compulsive eating and eating behaviors utilizing Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. There are no fees for members; it is self supported through member contributions. For more detailed information, please visit oa.org, call 1-850-964-9489 or email oanwfl@gmail.com.
Okaloosa No. 312 F.&A.M. annually adopts first year elementary school teachers in the Niceville area as a part of the Grand Lodge Adopt-a-Teacher program. Teachers are presented with a check to assist in establishing their first school room as a teacher. The selected first year teacher from Lewis Elementary is Tara Gobbi, 2nd Grade.
The Freeport Republicans will meet Tuesday, Oct. 10th at the Hammock Bay Clubhouse, 1850 Great Hammock Bend in Freeport. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. with the meeting from 6-7 p.m.
The Walton County Republican Executive Committee (WCREC) upcoming meetings are October 16th, November 13th and December 11th. All meetings are held at the Hammock Bay Clubhouse, 1850 Great Hammock Bend in Freeport. Registration begins @5:30 p.m.; meeting 6-7 p.m. and are open to registered Republicans in Walton County. If you want to know what the various clubs in Walton County are doing, to include speakers and events, this is the place to find out.
Cox Employees Award Over $6,200 to Gulf Coast Schools
Cox Communications employees have awarded a total of $6,204 in grants to local schools, through Cox Charities Innovation in Education Grants. The program provides employee funded grants of up to $2,500 for classroom programs and curriculum that encourage and promote students’ ingenuity and imagination. Earlier this year, schools were invited to submit applications for funding. This year’s recipients of the Cox Charities Innovation in Education grants include several local schools:
Bluewater Elementary School – Kristen Detweiler received $654 for Science of Reading Phonics Resources. Through the Science of Reading program, a variety of hands on activities and games are used to enhance reading skills.
Bruner Middle School – Jennifer Badger in Fort Walton Beach was awarded $1,500 for her Classroom Improvement program that offers silent activities to help students with ADHD and ADD that cannot sit for periods of time. The activities utilize resistance bands, stabilizing balls and noise canceling headphones.
Plew Elementary School – Shawana Crist’s GRAND Readers program received a $1,000 grant. The program brings older members of the community into the school to work with children who need a little extra help.
“As Cox celebrates our 125th anniversary as a company in 2023, it’s important that we remember our roots,” said David Deliman, vice president of Cox’s Gulf Coast Market. “We were founded in 1898 by a retired schoolteacher who believed it was important to give back to the community, especially in the field of education. Our employees still live those values today, giving their own money to support these great classroom programs.”
In addition to the Innovation in Education grants, Cox Charities offers Community Investment grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. This grant application will open in August 2021. For more information about Cox Charities, visit www.CoxCharitiesSER.org.
