NHS Alumnus Graduates From United States Merchant Marine Academy
Ravis S. Delrie, son of Jason and Carolyn Delrie of Niceville, recently graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point, New York. Delrie earned a Bachelor of Science degree, a commission in the U.S. armed forces, and qualified as a Merchant Marine officer. The USMMA is one of the five U.S. federal service academies renowned for its rigorous academic and physical qualifications and requires nominations from Congress members. Delrie received nominations from Senators Marco Rubio, Rick Scott, and Representative Matt Gaetz. He will serve as a Third Mate in the U.S. Merchant Marine and a U.S. Navy Strategic Sealift Officer. The Academy’s commencement featured White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and this year marked the 50th anniversary of women entering the USMMA.
Niceville Local Will Compete In 2024 Warrior Games
Air Force Tech. Sgt. veteran Philip Anderson has found a renewed sense of purpose and strength through adaptive sports as he competes in the 2024 Warrior Games. After medically retiring in 2021 due to back injuries and PTSD, Anderson discovered adaptive sports through the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program, which played a crucial role in his recovery and reintegration. His journey to the Games is a testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative power of sports.
Construction Begins On Photo-luminescent Sidewalk
Okaloosa County officials and local leaders gathered at the entrance of John Beasley Park on Monday, July 8, 2024, to celebrate the commencement of construction for a new multi-use path spanning approximately 4 miles between Brooks Bridge and Marler (Destin) Bridge. This 12-foot-wide path will be constructed on the south side of U.S. Highway 98 and feature photoluminescent stone for nighttime illumination. Funded by tourism revenue and an FDOT grant, the project is set for completion by early 2025.
Northwest Florida State College Partners With Territorium
Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Territorium to advance skills-based education and hiring practices in the region. The collaboration will leverage Territorium’s LifeJourney solution, featuring a Learning and Employment Record (LER), a skills-first digital wallet, AI-powered career pathways, and a Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR) of achievements. This initiative aims to empower students with comprehensive ownership of their educational progress and skills, aligning with modern workforce demands.
Okaloosa County Places In Top 10 In State FAST Testing
The Florida Department of Education released the 2023-24 results for the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) and End of Course Exams on July 1, 2024. Okaloosa Schools ranked 10th out of 67 districts, with top performances in 5th, 7th, and 8th-grade Reading, 7th and 8th-grade Mathematics, and 8th-grade Science. Superintendent Marcus Chambers praised the dedication of the school community and highlighted the need for ongoing improvement despite some areas where pass rates fell below the state average.
Record Breaking Hurricane Beryl Advances Toward Mexico
The first hurricane of the 2024 season, Hurricane Beryl, has hinted at the possibility of several powerful storms forming over the next few months. In May, the NOAA predicted above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic this year, mainly due to near-record high water temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, the development of La Nina conditions in the Pacific, and reduced Atlantic trade winds and wind shear. Beryl, which strengthened to a Category 5 storm just 33 days after the start of the hurricane season, became the earliest Category 5 storm in any Atlantic hurricane season. According to the National Hurricane Center’s most recent advisory, Hurricane Beryl is progressing steadily across the Northwestern Caribbean Sea after weakening to a Category 2 hurricane following its official landfall in Jamaica yesterday. Beryl is currently 135 miles west of Grand Cayman and 275 miles east of Tulum, Mexico, moving northwest at 18 miles per hour. The National Hurricane Center warns of strong winds, dangerous storm surge, and damaging waves as the storm is expected to make landfall on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico by early Friday.
Northwest Florida State College Launches AI Initiative
Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) is excited to announce the launch of its new AI Initiative, led by the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL). This program aims to equip faculty and students with the knowledge and skills to thrive in an AI-driven world. In partnership with AI for Education, NWFSC will deliver training and workshops to enhance teaching practices and prepare students for future careers. The initiative includes workshops on generative AI, AI policy development, prompt engineering, AI pedagogical strategies, and redefining assessment in the age of AI. An AI Fellows program and a student AI competition will further promote AI integration and innovation.
HCA Healthcare Urges Firework Safety Ahead of 4th of July Holiday
With the July 4th holiday approaching, hospitals nationwide are bracing for a surge in emergency room visits, mainly due to fireworks mishandling. Many injuries are caused by individuals who misuse fireworks or ignite them while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a lack of safety awareness. “We often see injuries from firecrackers exploding at close range and sparklers causing severe burns to the face, hands, and feet when mishandled,” stated Dr. Kevin Bryan, an emergency room physician at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. Firecrackers can inflict severe injuries if they detonate near the face or hands. Sparklers, which burn at approximately 2,000 degrees—hot enough to melt metal—pose significant risks as well, often causing severe burns and potential eye injuries.
Governor Ron DeSantis Vetoes Probation Bill
Governor Ron DeSantis has vetoed House Bill 1241, which aimed to reform how Florida handles probation violations by modifying instead of revoking probation for second-time offenders. In his veto letter, DeSantis argued that the bill would provide undue leniency to those who failed to meet probation conditions once. This decision comes alongside vetoes of other bills, including those related to graduate school admissions, stormwater management fees, and driving regulations on multi-lane roads.
Memorial Ceremony Marks 28 Years Since Khobar Towers Bombing
On the night of June 25, 1996, a terrorist attack on the Khobar Towers in Dharan, Saudi Arabia, claimed the lives of 19 Airmen and injured over 400 U.S. and international military and civilian members. Today, over 200 attendees, including members of the 33rd Fighter Wing and the local community, gathered to honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice 28 years ago. The memorial event featured a guest speaker, a traditional wreath-laying ceremony, the recitation of names, and the playing of “Taps.”
