By Doug Stauffer
Okaloosa County and the city of Niceville were blessed to have a rare visit from Florida’s Lieutenant Governor. It was my distinct honor to host Lt. Governor Nuñez at the Niceville Senior Center with 20 varied Okaloosa County Representatives. The gathering was intended to introduce the Lt....
By Doug Stauffer
I had the distinct pleasure of attending the 2nd Annual Commissioner’s Prayer Breakfast sponsored by Mel Ponder in conjunction with Rocky Bayou Christian School. I caught up with Commissioner Ponder and asked him several questions.
What led you to start this gathering? Mel—It was on my heart to...
By Doug Stauffer
Northwest Florida State College President Devin Stephenson is a visionary with purposeful determination. His caliber of speakers for the “President’s Speaker Series” reflects his keen leadership and focus. I consider Dr. Stephenson to be a persuasive communicator in his own right.
Most people have heard the cliché that...
Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) was awarded two new grants to support students in their pursuit of innovative workforce and career education opportunities that lead to employment in high-demand industries.
The Florida Department of Education awarded the College $116,954 through the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant to support apprenticeships in...
By Kenneth Books
Julie Porterfield loves children. Because of that, when she was offered the chance to be Chief Executive Officer of the planned Children’s Advocacy Center 23 years ago, she jumped at the opportunity.
“I worked at the state attorney’s office,” she said. “I started as a receptionist and went...
Last month members of the Walton County Democratic Environmental Caucus (WC DEC) traveled to the Recycling Center for Walton County, to meet with Billy McKee, Solid Waste Director for Walton County. The Caucus, a club made up of Democrats, Republicans and NPA’s, wanted to tour the facility and learn...
By Kenneth Books
There is no cure for Autism Spectrum Disorder. And the expenses for families with a member who has autism are steep. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that, in addition to medical costs, intensive behavioral interventions for children with autism cost $40,000 to $60,000 per child per...
By Lori Leath Smith
Each February, many of the area’s top high school, collegiate, amateur, professional, Special Olympics athletes, and individuals who have fostered youth activities are honored during the annual All Sports Association’s (ASA) Awards Banquet. The ASA is a Northwest Florida non-profit organization whose primary mission is to...
By David Sandlin
Are you interested in blacksmithing? Think about joining the Florida Artist Blacksmith Association (FABA). Its mission is to teach and preserve the noble art of blacksmithing.
Recently popularized by programs like “Forged in Fire” and “Men at Arms,” blacksmithing has experienced a renaissance. However, FABA has been actively...
