By Mike Griffith Beacon Correspondent Bus fares will soon rise for passengers on the Okaloosa County transit system. The county commission approved the fare hikes, the first since 2013, on Oct. 1. For example, single-ride fares on fixed bus routes will increase from $1.50 to $2, and 31-day passes from $30 to $40.. Co-pays for paratransit pas- sengers, usually transportation- disadvantaged riders such as elderly or disabled people need- ing dial-a-ride service to and from such specific locations as medical appointments, will rise by about $1 a ride. The system’s 10 fixed routes carried some 120,000 passen- gers in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2018. Paratransit rides were 97,000. The fare hikes, expected to boost annual revenue by as much as $150,000, are expected to take effect on Nov. 4. No members of the public spoke during a public hearing on the increases. In a report to the county com- mission, transit system Director Tyrone Parker and County Administrator John Hofstad stated, “This increase is due to the growing operational costs to maintain the day to day and By Mike Griffith Beacon Correspondent Where do your household trash and recyclable materials go after your yellow- or green- topped trash bins are dumped into the big Waste Management truck and hauled away? The Beacon recently visited Waste Management’s Springhill landfill in Jackson County, some 87 miles northeast of Niceville, where the Okaloosa County commission recently decided to send all of the county’s trash and recyclable materials, rather than continue sending the trash and recyclables to a landfill near Pensacola operated by the Emerald Coast Utility Authority (ECUA), where recyclables were being separated from regu- lar garbage. The county commission’s decision will be revisited, how- ever, at a public workshop scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Oct. 10, at the county administration building in Shalimar. The county’s contract with ECUA expired Sept. 30. Continuing to send waste to that location would have cost resi- dential trash customers about an extra $1 a month, as the ECUA lately has not been able to find a market for selling much of its recyclable materials such as paper, aluminum, glass, and plastic, to offset operating costs. Such materials were formerly sold mostly to China and some other Asian countries, but those customers are no longer buying nearly as much such material as previously. Houston-based Waste T T h h e e B B a a y y B B e e a a c c o o n n [email protected]The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso since 1992 (850) 678-1080 Police Blotter, page A-3 Garbage in, power out Company makes electricity from landfill gas County boosts transit fares Please see TrANSIT, page A-3 3 seek post as schools boss 50¢ Wednesday, October 9, 2019 6 Pages, 1 Section, 5 Inserts Niceville High School celebrated Homecoming last Friday. A host of activities at eagle Stadium preceded the home team’s 35-14 rout of West Florida. Center: Over 25 clubs took part in the parade. Clockwise from top left: The NHS majorettes prepare for the Homecoming parade. Homecoming Court freshman class representatives lawton Brown and Alex Nachia. Niceville cheerleaders. Homecoming Court ladies Alex Nacchia, Marleigh Moore, Amy erickson, Jenna Skalicky, Peyton Chambers, Tori Thorson, Taylor Flint, and Tanollie Henry. Principal Charlie Marello. Niceville High School AFJrOTC. The freshman float. Superintendent of Schools Marcus Chambers. Homecoming Queen Peyton Chambers and King Kobe Babin. The football team. The Junior Classical league. Michael Dye leads past and present members of Niceville's Opus One chorus in the National Anthem. Head drum major Amy erickson directs the eagle Pride band. This Friday, unbeaten Niceville will host Tate in a district game at 7 p.m. Beacon photos by Paula Mims Niceville High School marks Homecoming Please see SCHOOlS, page A-6 Please see GArBAGe, page A-2 Dist. 1 Congressman Matt Gaetz pres- ents WWII veteran Phil Hooper, Niceville, with wartime medals Friday at the Army 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) camp. The decorations, including a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart, replace those Hooper had mis- placed in the ensuing decades. He served with the 101st Airborne Division in the Normandy landings June 6, 1944, and was wounded later that year at Bastogne. Army photo by Sgt. L'Erin Wynn D-Day veteran is honored The Springhill landfill in Jackson County is des- tination for Okaloosa County’s garbage and, at least for now, its recyclables. Inset, one of 186 pumps that draw methane gas from rot- ting waste and send it to a power plant. Beacon photos by Mike Griffith Beacon Staff Two men from Niceville and one from Fort Walton Beach have so far announced plans to run for Okaloosa County super- intendent of schools in 2020. Last week, Marcus Chambers, Niceville, the current superintendent, became the third candidate to “prefile” campaign papers with the county elections supervisor. Previously filing such papers were Ray Sansom, Niceville, and Christopher Tillis, Fort Walton Beach. Prefiling allows a candidate to raise and spend campaign money. Candidate qualifying for next year’s ballot will take place in June 2020. Of the three, Sansom, who announced early this year, has collected the largest campaign war chest—$76,450 as of Aug. 31, according to county records. All three of the announced candidates are Republicans. Assuming all qualify for the bal- lot, they will face one another in the Aug. 18 GOP primary elec- tion. If no non-Republican qual- ifies for the ballot, the primary will be open to all voters and will decide the outcome. Otherwise, the primary winner will face at least one other candidate in the Nov. 3, 2020, general election. Chambers, 44, was appointed superintendent earlier this year by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill the vacancy created by the gover- nor’s removal from office of Mary Beth Jackson following a A+ Professional Painting Advanced Home Repair Ashley Furniture Home Store Bayou Book Co. Bayou Tree Service Best Buy Carpet Best Western, Niceville BHHS PenFed Realty Bluewater Roofing Co. Carriage Hills Realty CCB Community Bank Diamond Works E&D Pressure Washing Easy Care Walk-In Clinic Eglin Federal Credit Union Geico Gulf Coast Dental Gulf Coast Hearing Center Holiday Inn Express Holt Phillips Services Immanuel Anglican L'Orange Auto Services Lighthouse Therapy Mattress Depot McLaughlin Funeral Home Niceville Family Dental Niceville Insurance Agency Ollie's Bargain Outlet One Hour A/C & Heating Publix Purdy Painting Ritz Salon Simpler Carpet Smileology of Niceville Spectrum Painting SPF Cleaning LLC. Summitt II in Hair Twin Cities Transmission Winn-Dixie Okaloosa County One of 10 routes served by Okaloosa County transit. The system also operates a dial-a- ride service for certain cus- tomers.
Transcript
By Mike GriffithBeacon Correspondent
Bus fares will soon rise forpassengers on the OkaloosaCounty transit system. Thecounty commission approvedthe fare hikes, the first since2013, on Oct. 1.For example, single-ride
fares on fixed bus routes willincrease from $1.50 to $2, and31-day passes from $30 to $40..Co-pays for paratransit pas-
sengers, usually transportation-disadvantaged riders such aselderly or disabled people need-ing dial-a-ride service to andfrom such specific locations asmedical appointments, will riseby about $1 a ride.
The system’s 10 fixed routescarried some 120,000 passen-gers in the fiscal year endedSept. 30, 2018. Paratransit rideswere 97,000.The fare hikes, expected to
boost annual revenue by asmuch as $150,000, are expectedto take effect on Nov. 4. Nomembers of the public spokeduring a public hearing on theincreases. In a report to the county com-
mission, transit system DirectorTyrone Parker and CountyAdministrator John Hofstadstated, “This increase is due tothe growing operational costs tomaintain the day to day and
By Mike GriffithBeacon Correspondent
Where do your householdtrash and recyclable materialsgo after your yellow- or green-topped trash bins are dumpedinto the big Waste Managementtruck and hauled away?The Beacon recently visited
Waste Management’s Springhilllandfill in Jackson County, some87 miles northeast of Niceville,where the Okaloosa Countycommission recently decided tosend all of the county’s trashand recyclable materials, rather
than continue sending the trashand recyclables to a landfill nearPensacola operated by theEmerald Coast Utility Authority(ECUA), where recyclableswere being separated from regu-lar garbage.The county commission’s
decision will be revisited, how-ever, at a public workshopscheduled for 5:30 p.m., Oct.10, at the county administrationbuilding in Shalimar.The county’s contract with
ECUA expired Sept. 30.Continuing to send waste to that
location would have cost resi-dential trash customers about anextra $1 a month, as the ECUAlately has not been able to find amarket for selling much of itsrecyclable materials such aspaper, aluminum, glass, andplastic, to offset operating costs.Such materials were formerlysold mostly to China and someother Asian countries, but thosecustomers are no longer buyingnearly as much such material aspreviously.Houston-based Waste
TTTThhhheeee BBBBaaaayyyy [email protected] The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso since 1992 (850) 678-1080
Police Blotter, page A-3
Garbage in, power outCompany makes electricity from landfill gas
County booststransit fares
Please see TrANSIT, page A-3
3 seekpost asschoolsboss
50¢Wednesday, October 9, 20196 Pages, 1 Section, 5 Inserts
Niceville High School celebrated Homecoming last Friday. A host of activities at eagle Stadium preceded the home team’s 35-14 rout of West Florida. Center: Over 25clubs took part in the parade. Clockwise from top left: The NHS majorettes prepare for the Homecoming parade. Homecoming Court freshman class representativeslawton Brown and Alex Nachia. Niceville cheerleaders. Homecoming Court ladies Alex Nacchia, Marleigh Moore, Amy erickson, Jenna Skalicky, Peyton Chambers, ToriThorson, Taylor Flint, and Tanollie Henry. Principal Charlie Marello. Niceville High School AFJrOTC. The freshman float. Superintendent of Schools Marcus Chambers.Homecoming Queen Peyton Chambers and King Kobe Babin. The football team. The Junior Classical league. Michael Dye leads past and present members of Niceville'sOpus One chorus in the National Anthem. Head drum major Amy erickson directs the eagle Pride band. This Friday, unbeaten Niceville will host Tate in a district gameat 7 p.m. Beacon photos by Paula Mims
Niceville High School marks Homecoming
Please see SCHOOlS, page A-6
Please see GArBAGe, page A-2
Dist. 1 Congressman Matt Gaetz pres-ents WWII veteran Phil Hooper,Niceville, with wartime medals Fridayat the Army 7th Special Forces Group(Airborne) camp. The decorations,including a Bronze Star and a PurpleHeart, replace those Hooper had mis-placed in the ensuing decades. Heserved with the 101st Airborne Divisionin the Normandy landings June 6,1944, and was wounded later that yearat Bastogne. Army photo by Sgt. L'Erin Wynn
D-Day veteranis honored
The Springhill landfill inJackson County is des-tination for OkaloosaCounty’s garbage and,at least for now, itsrecyclables. Inset, oneof 186 pumps that drawmethane gas from rot-ting waste and send itto a power plant.
Beacon photos by Mike Griffith
Beacon Staff
Two men from Niceville andone from Fort Walton Beachhave so far announced plans torun for Okaloosa County super-intendent of schools in 2020.Last week, Marcus
Chambers, Niceville, the currentsuperintendent, became the thirdcandidate to “prefile” campaignpapers with the county electionssupervisor. Previously filingsuch papers were Ray Sansom,Niceville, and Christopher Tillis,Fort Walton Beach. Prefilingallows a candidate to raise andspend campaign money.Candidate qualifying for nextyear’s ballot will take place inJune 2020.Of the three, Sansom, who
announced early this year, hascollected the largest campaignwar chest—$76,450 as of Aug.31, according to county records.All three of the announced
candidates are Republicans.Assuming all qualify for the bal-lot, they will face one another inthe Aug. 18 GOP primary elec-tion. If no non-Republican qual-ifies for the ballot, the primarywill be open to all voters and willdecide the outcome. Otherwise,the primary winner will face atleast one other candidate in theNov. 3, 2020, general election.Chambers, 44, was appointed
superintendent earlier this yearby Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill thevacancy created by the gover-nor’s removal from office ofMary Beth Jackson following a
A+ Professional PaintingAdvanced Home RepairAshley Furniture Home StoreBayou Book Co.Bayou Tree ServiceBest Buy CarpetBest Western, Niceville
BHHS PenFed RealtyBluewater Roofing Co.Carriage Hills RealtyCCB Community BankDiamond WorksE&D Pressure WashingEasy Care Walk-In Clinic
Eglin Federal Credit UnionGeicoGulf Coast DentalGulf Coast Hearing CenterHoliday Inn ExpressHolt Phillips ServicesImmanuel Anglican
L'Orange Auto ServicesLighthouse TherapyMattress DepotMcLaughlin Funeral HomeNiceville Family DentalNiceville Insurance AgencyOllie's Bargain Outlet
One Hour A/C & HeatingPublixPurdy PaintingRitz SalonSimpler CarpetSmileology of NicevilleSpectrum Painting
SPF Cleaning LLC.Summitt II in HairTwin Cities TransmissionWinn-Dixie
Okaloosa County
One of 10 routes served byOkaloosa County transit. Thesystem also operates a dial-a-ride service for certain cus-tomers.
Management is OkaloosaCounty’s contractor for collect-ing and disposing of trash andrecyclables. At the Springhilllandfill, company representa-tives Ronnie Bell, Rob Iversen,and Calvin Wilkinson gave atour and explained how thelandfill operates. Although the landfill does
not separate recyclables fromordinary garbage, it does recyclethe garbage to the extent that itextracts decomposition gas,mostly methane, as carbon-based waste slowly rots deepinside the buried portions of thelandfill. Bell said that mosthousehold garbage, such as food
waste and paper, decomposesand produces gas. Plastics, hesaid, break down slowly, but donot produce gas, and materialssuch as aluminum andglass do not decom-pose. The gas produced
within the landfill,Bell explained, isextracted usingpumps, similar tolawn irrigation pumps,which then send thegas to an electric gen-erating plant at thelandfill. The electricity thusproduced is sold to AlabamaPower, which resells it to itscustomers.The operation produces
about 1,800 cubic feet of
decomposition gas per minute,which, when burned in genera-tors, produces about 4.8megawatts of electricity, enough
for 4,000 homes.The landfill has an
operating “footprint”of about 228 acres,which is divided intoeight sections, or“cells.” Before beingfilled with trash, eachcell is lined with multi-ple layers of plasticand clay, to preventany water that contacts
the garbage from polluting localgroundwater. Rainwater andother liquids inside the moundare pumped out and trucked to awastewater treatment plant inMarianna.
Trucks bring waste, includ-ing garbage and recyclables, tothe Springhill landfill, where itis all dumped together and cov-ered with earth. Each such truckusually contains about 23 tons,and the landfill takes in about2,400 tons each day, of whichabout 400 tons a day come fromOkaloosa County. The restcomes from other Florida coun-ties, as well as from some com-munities in Alabama andGeorgia.Bell said that the amount of
garbage brought daily to thelandfill tends to vary with thelevels of activity in the commu-nities that send it. For example,he said, the amount comingfrom Fort Walton Beach, Destin,South Walton County, and otherresort communities tends topeak during the summer touristseason, while that coming fromin and around Tallahasseereaches its peak during the col-lege school year for FSU andFAMU, especially during foot-ball seasons, when games andtailgate parties generate a lot ofrefuse.As garbage is delivered to
cells of the landfill, it is coveredwith earth and then with a layerof plastic to minimize theamount of rainwater getting intoit. Once a cell is full, more earthis added, and grass is planted ontop, and it is allowed to return toan apparently natural state,albeit far higher than the sur-rounding landscape.The landfill is in the center
of 1,000 acres owned by WasteManagement, providing a sur-rounding buffer of forest andwetlands. The landfill, saidBell, is a part of the FloridaWildlife Habitat Council. Hesaid the landfill, which WasteManagement acquired in themid-1980s after it had been runby Jackson County, has space toaccommodate trash for aboutthe next 67 years. After it isfinally closed the company isobligated for another 30 yearsof post-closure care. Bell saidhe cannot be certain exactlywhat will become of the landfillafter that, but he suggested thatusing it as a wildlife conserva-tion area would be a goodchoice.
Page a-2 Wednesday, october 9, 2019THE BAY BEACON
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THe InquIRIng PHoTogRaPHeR —by Mike Griffith
“My first thought is no.”Robert Garza, 70,
Victoria Texas, retired
“The impeachmentprocess is a waste of
time. Wait for the electionand let the people
decide.”Charles Dietzold, 67,
Green Lane Pennsylvania,retired
Should President Trump be impeached?Locations: Niceville Post Office, Turkey Creek, and The Wharf
“Yes. I think he’s aracist.”
Sandrina Bonner, 43,Niceville,
housekeeper
“as someone to get usout of debt, he’s the man,but as president, I don’t
think he should be there.”Sean Collins, 46,
Niceville, counter-top installer
“I’m really not sure, butI wish Pres. Trump
would learn to keep hismouth shut.”
Zelda Hurd, 85, Niceville,
retired
“absolutely not. Hehasn’t done anythingthat is impeachable.”
Doreen Hart, 50,Niceville,
homemaker
What should we ask next week? Email your suggested question to: [email protected] Include "Suggested IP question" in the "subject" field.
Bill mowed his last lawn andfixed his last mower here onearth as he was called to beGod's gardener on September22, 2019. William “Bill"Merryman was born on July 20,1954, in Roswell, N.M. He wasa 1973 graduate of AndersonHigh School, Ky. After graduation, Bill
worked as a linesman forKentucky Power before movingback to Florida to start hiscareer as a small enginemechanic at Eglin Air ForceBase golf course. He worked at several golf
courses in the area, before join-ing the maintenance departmentat the City of Niceville.Retirement from the city did notkeep people from seeking outhis expertise and he continuedto work on equipment from hisgarage.When he was not working on
equipment, he could be foundvolunteering his time at
Niceville High School to ensurethe field was in top shape forFriday night football, where youwould find him in the standsrooting for his adopted Eagles. A celebration of life was held
September 24, at 11:00, atTurkey Creek Pavilion South.To celebrate Bill’s kind heart
and giving nature, the familyask that you pay it forward byperforming a random act ofkindness in his memory.
William Porter Merryman
gaRBageFrom page a-1
Ronnie Bell
overall operations of transitservices in Okaloosa County.Proposed fare increase changesare in line and comparable tosimilar size systems in theregion and the State of Florida. Commissioners unanimously
approved the higher fares, andpraised the progress that the for-merly troubled transit systemhas made since being put underthe management of a new con-tractor and subjected to closercounty oversight early this year. “You have worked hard to
keep prices low, and done awonderful job,” saidCommissioner Carolyn Ketchel.Since changing managers, shesaid, the transit system has“achieved a 90 percent on-timerate.”Commissioner Graham
Fountain said that he used toreceive many complaints aboutthe county’s transit system, butthat since new management hastaken over, such complaintshave been “nonexistent.”In other business, commis-
sioners decided to join in litiga-tion concerning the nationwideepidemic of opioid drug abuse.Various lawsuits seek to have
drug companies pay for expens-es incurred by governments incoping with abuse.Following a staff presenta-
tion, County Attorney GregStewart told commissioners,“Movinag quickly is important,”as the primary case is alreadybeing heard by a federal court. Commissioners unanimously
chose to join in litigationpressed by a Birmingham, Ala.,law firm allied with a New Yorkfirm in the case. Staffers saidthese firms already representWalton County in the case.
arrestsOn Sept. 21 the Okaloosa
Sheriff’s office served an arrestwarrant to Christopher MichaelRenziehausen, 42, of 653Caribbean Way, Niceville, on acharge of petty theft. The warrant was based
on an incident in Nicevilleon Aug. 8, in whichRenziehausen hadallegedly taken $60 fromthe bar top at his work-place, the AmericanLegion hall.
* * *On Sept. 21 Niceville police
arrested William Jordan Bennett,23, of 335 Pontevedra Lane,Niceville, on a charge of trespass-ing after warning. He had beenhanging around the Tom Thumbon Valparaiso Boulevard, drinkingand asking people for money.
* * *On Sept. 22 the Okaloosa
Sheriff’s office arrested AmandaPearl Bridges, 28, of 105Windlake Court, Niceville, oncharges of smuggling contrabandinto a detention facility, possess-ing a controlled substance withouta prescription, and drug equip-ment possession and/or use.
* * *On Sept. 24 John Edward
Powers, 51, of 223 Bayberry Dr.,Niceville, was booked into theWalton County jail on a chargeof disorderly intoxication ina public place causing adisturbance. He wasreleased on bond the fol-lowing day.
* * *On Sept. 24 the
Okaloosa Sheriff’s officearrested Bray C. Danner, 42,of 1183 Muirfield Way,Niceville, on a charge of videovoyeurism on a child less than 16years of age.
* * *On Sept. 24 Valparaiso police
arrested Erica Lynn Edwards, 32,of 2 19th St., Niceville, on acharge of possessing a controlledsubstance without a prescription.
* * *On Sept. 25 Jacob Skyler
Roberson, 19, of 87 Live Oak St.,Niceville, was booked into theWalton County jail on charges ofoperating a motor vehicle withouta valid license, and fleeing oreluding a law enforcement officerwith lights and siren active.
* * *On Sept. 27 Colton Shane
Bryan, 28, of 354 Columbus St.,Valparaiso, was booked into theWalton County jail on charges ofreckless driving, first offense,driving while license suspended,habitual offender, fleeing or elud-ing in law enforcement officer athigh speed, driving while licensesuspended, first offense, operatinga motorcycle without a license,violating an order revoking bond,
possession of a weapon or ammu-nition by a convicted Floridafelon, armed burglary to adwelling or structure, and grandtheft of a motor vehicle.
* * *On Sept. 27 the OkaloosaSheriff’s office arrestedDeborah Ann Jennings,59, of 1767 Hopper St.,Niceville, on charges ofresisting or obstructingan officer without vio-lence and possession ofcocaine.
OtherOn Sept. 23 Niceville police
responded to an address on 26thStreet where a caller said someonehad slashed the tires on his vehi-cle.
* * *On Sept. 24 Niceville police
responded to an address on HelmsStreet regarding a disturbance.
* * *On Sept. 24 the Okaloosa
Sheriff’s office responded to anaddress on Highway 20 Eastregarding some found or recov-ered narcotics.** *On Sept. 25 the Okaloosa
Sheriff’s office responded to anaddress on John Sims ParkwayEast regarding a narcotics felony.
* * *On Sept. 26 the OkaloosaSheriff’s office responded toan address on Highway 20East regarding a theft.
* * *On Sept. 27 the
Okaloosa Sheriff’soffice responded to anaddress on Highway 20East regarding a report ofbattery.
* * *On Sept. 27 the Okaloosa
Sheriff’s office responded to anaddress on Parkwood Squareregarding a report of battery.
* * *On Sept. 28 Niceville police
responded to an address on DeerStreet regarding a burglary inwhich a coin collection, a .22 pis-tol, some wedding rings, a metaldetector, and a laptop computerhad been taken.
* * *On Sept. 29 the Okaloosa
Sheriff’s office responded to theDestin-Fort Walton BeachAirport, regarding some found orrecovered narcotics.
* * *On Sept. 29 the Okaloosa
Sheriff’s office responded to anaddress on Highway 20 Eastregarding a report of battery.
* * *On Sept. 30 Niceville police
responded to an address on TeeStreet where two unlocked vehi-cles had been entered, and a wal-let, credit cards, and cash had beenstolen.
Police BlotterThe following accounts of the activities of police are according
to records of the Niceville and Valparaiso police departments, the OkaloosaCounty and Walton County sheriff’s offices, other law-enforcement agencies,
and the Okaloosa County and Walton County jails.
THE BAY BEACONWednesday, October 9, 2019 Page a-3
Fire Department Reportsnorth Bay
The North Bay Fire District responded to the following calls from Sept. 9, 2019 - Sept. 30, 2019.
street situation Date timeWindlake Ct. ...................False alarm................................9/9/19 ......................03:41E. Hwy. 20 ......................Medical assist ............................9/9/19 ......................10:04Hidden Lakes Ct.............Medical assist ............................9/9/19 ......................18:22Scenic Hwy.....................Dispatched & cancelled.............9/10/19 ....................05:41White Point Rd. ..............EMS call ....................................9/10/19 ....................10:09E. Hwy. 20 ......................Medical assist ............................9/10/19 ....................14:36Southlake Ct...................EMS call ....................................9/11/19 ....................18:31E. Hwy 20.......................EMS call ....................................9/11/19 ....................18:55St. Joseph Cv. ................Alarm activation .........................9/11/19 ....................20:50Grenada Way .................EMS call ....................................9/11/19 ....................21:15White Point Rd. ..............EMS call ....................................9/12/19 ....................04:45Southlake Ct...................EMS call ....................................9/12/19 ....................06:51Oakmont Pl.....................Good intent call .........................9/12/19 ....................15:51E. Hwy. 20 ......................EMS call ....................................9/12/19 ....................19:14Southlake Ct...................Medical assist ............................9/12/19 ....................22:27White Point Rd. ..............Medical assist ............................9/12/19 ....................22:24Hidden Lakes Dr.............Detector activation.....................9/13/19 ....................02:13Lakeshore Dr. N. ............Grass fire ...................................9/13/19 ....................18:02Rosewood Way E...........Assist invalid..............................9/13/19 ....................18:02Newcastle Ct. .................Medical assist ............................9/14/19 ....................20:58Biscayne Ln....................Dispatched & cancelled.............9/15/19 ....................23:17Cat Mar Rd.....................Fire ............................................9/16/19 ....................09:00Jamaica Way..................Dispatched & cancelled.............9/17/19 ....................18:54Merchants Way ..............Dispatched & cancelled.............9/17/19 ....................16:56Merchants Way ..............Medical assist ............................9/17/19 ....................17:53White Point Rd ...............EMS call ....................................9/18/19 ....................07:52Ardmore Ct. ....................EMS call ....................................9/18/19 ....................09:02Lancaster Dr...................EMS call ....................................9/18/19 ....................10:11E Hwy 20........................Detector activation.....................9/18/19 ....................13:46Armadillo Trl ...................EMS call ....................................9/18/19 ....................14:52Shipley Dr.......................EMS call ....................................9/19/19 ....................04:24E Hwy 20........................Medical assist ............................9/20/19 ....................07:16Rocky Bayou Dr .............Hazmat release .........................9/20/19 ....................08:53Cat Mar Rd.....................Medical assist ............................9/20/19 ....................16:29County Line Rd ..............Building fire................................9/21/19 ....................05:39Ida Coon Dr....................EMS call ....................................9/20/19 ....................9:24Robert Ave......................Dispatched & cancelled.............9/21/19 ....................19:00Laura Lane .....................smoke detector activated ..........9/22/19 ....................12:44Bay Dr ............................EMS call ....................................9/22/19 ....................15:41Capri Cv .........................Dispatched & cancelled.............9/22/19 ....................15:41Cat Mar Rd.....................EMS call ....................................9/22/19 ....................19:46White Point Rd ...............Dispatched & cancelled.............9/23/19 ....................05:59White Point Rd ...............EMS call ....................................9/23/19 ....................06:36Magnolia Plantation........Water problem ...........................9/23/19 ....................10:17Hwy 20 E........................EMS call ....................................9/23/19 ....................09:49Hwy 20 E........................EMS call ...................................9/23/19 ....................12:52Hwy 20 E........................EMS call ....................................9/24/19 ....................20:59Lancaster Dr...................Medical assist ............................9/25/19 ....................07:27Turnberry Pl....................EMS call ....................................9/25/19 ....................08:40Hwy 20 E........................EMS call ....................................9/25/19 ....................09:12Hwy 20 E........................Steam not smoke ......................9/25/19 ....................10:45Bay Dr ............................EMS call ....................................9/25/19 ....................12:08White Point Rd ...............EMS call ....................................9/26/19 ....................09:32Windlake Dr....................EMS call ....................................9/27/19 ....................05:14Hwy 20 E........................EMS call ....................................9/27/19 ....................09:51White Point Rd ...............Medical assist ............................9/27/19 ....................10:30Cat Mar Rd.....................EMS call ....................................9/27/19 ....................13:41Gleneagles Dr ................EMS call ....................................9/27/19 ....................19:46White Point Rd ...............EMS call ....................................9/28/19 ....................05:13Cat Mar Rd.....................Dispatched & cancelled.............9/28/19 ....................11:08Hwy 20 E........................Medical assist ............................9/28/19 ....................16:03Hwy 20E.........................EMS call ....................................9/28/19 ....................18:56Visit northbayfd.org for more information.
850-678-1593www.bayoubookcompany.comOak Creek Shopping Center, Niceville
Hummingbirds, presented by FredBasset, founder ofHummingbird Research,Inc. Fred is a certifiedmaster bird-bander whohas worked with birds for
over twenty years. Fred travels eachsummer to study hummingbirds inwestern states and has done researchin Alaska and Canada. Join us onOctober 9 for our greeting time at9:00 a.m. and program at 9:30 a.m.Our club meetings are held at theTrinity Presbyterian Church fellow-ship hall located at 44 SouthviewAve, Valparaiso. All are welcome.Thank you, June Jones PublicityChairman Valparaiso Garden ClubNWFSC Trip to Spain
Northwest Florida State Collegeis hosting a trip to Spain in May of2020. The trip is art-themed and istitled, Walking in the Footsteps ofGreat Artists: An Artistic Tour ofSpain. The two-week trip willinclude visits to the Spanish cities ofSeville, Cordoba, Granada, Toledo,Madrid, Segovia, Zaragoza,Barcelona and more. The tour isopen to the public. The first Spain
tour information meeting will beheld on Thursday, October 10 at 6p.m. at NWFSC’s Niceville Campuslocated at 100 College BoulevardEast in Building 110, Room 328,which is found in the Mattie KellyArts Center. For more information,contact: Dr. David Simmons, [email protected] Bay garden Club
The Bluewater Bay Garden Clubwill have their next meeting onOctober 10, at 9:30 a.m. at theBluewater Clubhouse onBluewater Boulevard.Social time 9:00 a.m. Ourguest speaker will beLarry Williams,Okaloosa County HorticulturalAgent. He will give us a program onFlorida-Friendly Gardening PestControl. This will be a very informa-tive program for us if you would liketo attend, bring a guest and havelunch with us. The restaurant wastaken over by Slick Mick’s and willserve their new menu. All are wel-come to attend. For further informa-tion, call Claudene Schaetzle at 850-729-0348.History Sandwiched
Bring a sandwich and take yourlunch break at the Heritage Museumof Northwest Florida for HistorySandwiched-In, an informal educa-tion program.
Lunchtime is more than justabout food. At theHeritage Museum, it's anopportunity to learn. OurHistory Sandwiched-Intalks happen on the sec-ond Friday of each month from12:00-1:00 p.m., and we're excitedabout the line-up of speakers for therest of the 2019 calendar year. Moredetails and speaker bios can be foundon our website.
On October 11, Rachel Hine willpresent "Tombstone Tales" and onNovember 8, Diane Fraswer willpresent "Quirky Science History".
This lecture is free and open tothe public. Space is Limited.
Please call 850-678-2615 toreserve a seat.
Quilting ClassHeritage Museum of Northwest
Florida is excited to welcome KathyEverett for a brand new six-weekhand-quilting class. Kathy is a long-time quilter who will show you howto make a table runner from start tofinish, all by hand.
Kathy has chosen autumn as thetheme for the quilt fabric, just in timefor the Thanksgiving holiday.
The classes will take place at themuseum from 10 a.m. to 12 noon onOctober 11, 18, and 25, and onNovember 1, 8, and 15.
Students should plan to attend allsix classes, and all materials will beprovided. Please visit our website orcall us at (850) 678-2615 to register.
Information about our other classofferings can be found on our web-site.Plew Elementary fundraiser
Panthers in the Yard. This yardsale & craft event will be held onSaturday October 12, 9a.m.-2p.m. inthe Plew Elementary Parking Lotlocated at 220 Pine Ave Niceville.Vendor Space Available: $10-$20.Donations will be accepted. All pro-ceeds benefit the Plew ParentLeadership Association. For moreinformation contact Teresa at (850)830-5903.Huge yard sale
Rocky Bayou Kiwanis Club willhave a yard sale on Saturday,October 12, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 175John Sims Pkwy. Valparaiso, behindDominic's Pizzeria one mile East ofthe East Gate/Eglin AFB.
All proceeds from the event willgo to the community projectsaccount, which allocates the funds tomeet special needs in our communi-ty. For more in information callGrant Williams, President 850-830-0376 or visit wwwRockyBayouKiwanis.com.Love & Marriage
Joining us from Brazil, the NFSOwill be under the baton of ManfredoSchmiedt for Love and Marriage,featuring music from Grieg’s popu-lar Peer Gynt Suite and the epicSymphonie Fantastiqueby Berlioz. SteinwayArtists, husband/wifepiano duo MarinaLomazov and JosephRackers, will join us asour guest artists, dazzling withPoulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos.
The concert will be on October12 at 7:30 p.m. in the MainstageTheater at Mattie Kelly Arts Center.
Tickets are $25 Adults and $16Youth. Free for NWFSC studentswith Raider ID. Tickets can be pur-chased on line atwww.MattieKellyArts Center.org orby calling 850-729-6000. Octoberfest
Come one, come all. Lets cele-brate Fall. Superior Residence ofNiceville is hosting Octoberfest ben-efiting the Twin Cities Pavilion alocal, non-profit assistedliving community.
Octoberfest will beheld on October 12,from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at SuperiorResidence of Niceville, 2300 PartinDr. N., Niceville. There will be food,vendors, games, music and the bestfall fun.
Boat motor and trailer $3,250.00, OBO.1970 14’ fiberglass V-hull fishing boat,1970 trailer, 2018 Yamaha 25HP 4-stroke motor, electric start, tiller withextended warranty, expires 03/03/2023.850-543-4161. No texts.
Ken’s Gas Piping accepting applica-tions for gas pipers. Experience pre-ferred, but will train, if necessary.Construction experience a plus. Musthave valid driver’s license. Apply at 419Adams Ave. Valparaiso. Phone 897-4149
MOVING SALE!! 4279 Armadillo Trail. Call for appoint-ment 334-797-631
I BuY guITArSLooking for old guitars, basses andamps. Cash paid. Ray at 404-895-3459
Huge Rocky Bayou Kiwanis yard sale!October 12, 8a.m. to 3p.m. 175 JohnSims Pkwy. Valparaiso. BehindDominic’s Pizzeria one mile from theEast Gate. Costume jewelry, bed-spreads, glassware, shoes, furnitureand lots of miscellaneous.
PLEW ELEMENTArYCrAFT YArD SALE
”PANTHERS IN THE YARD” vendorspace available. $10-$20. SET UP andSELL or SHOW UP and SHOP!Donations accepted. 100% of proceedsbenefits Plew Elementary. ContactTeresa 850-830-5903 for info. Sat. Oct12th 9-2 See you there TREASUREHUNTERS!
Contact Joyce Anderson, 850.585.8513 or Barbara Pendergraft, 850.217.7261 for showing or more information.
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THE BAY BEACONWednesday, October 9, 2019 Page A-5
The Okaloosa County Republican Executive Committee hasmet at Niceville City Hall for years. Its members includeNiceville residents and residents from other municipalities inOkaloosa County. Recently they were honored to haveLieutenant Colonel Allen West (Ret.) as the speaker at theirannual Lincoln Dinner fundraiser. Lt. Col. West has a 22-yearcareer in the U.S. Army, is a former U.S. Congressman fromFlorida, is a FOX News Contributor, and continues to be active-ly involved in many organizations. (L-R: Lt. Col. Allen West;Okaloosa State Committee Woman, Sandra Atkinson; andOCREC Chair, Jeff Hinkle.)
GOP hears Allen West
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Climate Engineers of Florida celebrated their Chamber mem-bership with a Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of CommerceRibbon Cutting. Chamber Ambassadors, Board of Directors,friends and family members joined owners Jonathan andMichelle Dandridge for the event.
Climate Engineers celebrate ribbon cutting
Rocky Bayou Christian School’s Elementary special servic-es class (Talent Development – Plus) enjoyed a lunch outtogether at McDonalds in Niceville. Students ordered theirown lunches and paid and received change. This tripenhanced life skills and also was a reward for successfullycompleting all their academic work for the week.
Rocky students rewarded for hard work
The Rocky Bayou Christian School Knights scored 10th out of18 teams and Lady Knights scored 8th out of 14 teams at theJD Mack Invitational 28 Sep in Jay, FL. Even though they com-peted well, something more important, unexpected and beau-tiful happened bringing joy to coach and parents. Althoughsome were injured, the whole team rallied unscripted to run inour final Lady Knight who was suffering from injury and liter-ally is an Overcomer.
Rocky shows their spirit
Niceville High School volleyball celebrat-ed senior night with a three-set win overthe Tate Aggies by a score of 25-15, 25-21,and 25-10. Peyton Chambers had 42assists and Angie Dzoba led the teamwith 16 digs. (L-R) Angie Dzoba, IsabellaBexley, Marissa Rung, and PeytonChambers. Paige Broussard with a hit inthe first set. The Eagles have one lasthome game on Thursday, October 10against Pensacola Catholic (JV5:00/Varsity 6:00) before district playoffsbegin at Niceville on October 15th.
Beacon photos by Paula Mims
Niceville beats Tate
Ruckel Middle School's cross country team host-ed a meet last Wednesday and competed againstShoal River and Bruner. The girls team had a per-fect score of 15, and the top three girls were LexiRoberts, Hailey Holtery, and MackenzieThompson. All three girls ran a personal best timefor the course. The boys scored a 25 and the topthree finishers were Seamus Hodge, Toby Siren,and Nate Meissner. The Rams recently travelled toLakeland, Florida and earned a bid for the statechampionships in late October. Inset left: HaileyHoltery. Insert right: Ruckel's Ayden Campbellraces to the finish line.
Beacon photos by Paula Mims
Ruckel remainsundefeated
At their last game of the season at Niceville HighSchool, Lewis School celebrated its eighth grade bandmembers, cheerleaders, and football players. Lewiswas down 22-0 at the half, but tried to mount a secondhalf comeback, but fell short by a score of 22-14.Below, Eighth grader Hayden Keefer and his family.
Beacon photos by Paula Mims
Lewis falls to Baker
Beacon Staff
Former OkaloosaCounty Judge PattManey this week pre-qualified to run forelection to the FloridaHouse ofRepresentatives forDistrict 4 in 2020.
Maney is the fourthactive candidate for theseat currently held by MelPonder, Destin, who said he is notrunning for another term, andinstead announced a campaignfor the Okaloosa CountyCommission.
Maney, a ShalimarRepublican, said, “I believe mybackground of service to the peo-ple of Okaloosa County, the Stateof Florida and our nation makeme exceptionally qualified to bean effective servant leader repre-senting our county. I understandthat a representative’s job is to lis-ten and represent the people. Ibelieve our representative musthave a successful record of
accomplishments as aleader of integrity andvision who is bothtransactional and trans-formative in addressingchallenges.”
He added: “In addi-tion to my judicialduties, I have worked tosupport economicdevelopment as well as to
improve the lives of our citizens.I have a record of demonstratedservice in education, transporta-tion, mental health and issuesaffecting military veterans andtheir families.”
The Dist. 4 candidate fieldalso includes Jonathan Tallmanof Niceville, Jeff Hinkle ofDestin, and Sandra Atkinson ofMary Esther. All are Republicans.
A combat-wounded Armyveteran who retired with the rankof brigadier general, Maney saidhis work with veterans was rec-ognized when the Legislaturenamed the Florida law establish-ing Veterans Treatment Courts
after him and when he wasinducted into the Florida VeteransHall of Fame and received theGovernor’s Medal of Honor.
Maney serves on the FloridaVeterans Hall of Fame Council,the state Supreme Court’sSteering Committee on ProblemSolving Courts, the Mid-BayBridge Authority, the SouthernRegional Education Board, andas civilian aide to the Secretary ofthe Army (Florida-North).
“We live in a diverse county,”Maney said. “I have not onlyserved as a judge but have suc-cessfully worked with theLegislature to pass laws for thebenefit of the state as well as ourcounty. In addition to close to 29years in the judiciary, I haveserved on the state’s SuicidePrevention CoordinatingCouncil, the Florida DefenseSupport Task Force, the SupremeCourt’s Mental Health andSubstance Abuse Task Force andthe DUI Program Review Board.”
child-abuse scandal. A 21-yearemployee of the school district,Chambers was an Englishteacher, a coach, an assistantprincipal, a principal (at NicevilleHigh School), and an assistantsuperintendent of schools beforebeing appointed to the top job.
“I am running for superintend-ent because I believe in theimpact that teachers, staff andadministrators can make in thelives of students,” Chambers said.“For students, educators are thegateway to the future and I willcontinue to do everything in mypower to equip our district withthe tools and resources we needto make the future of our studentsbright.”
Chambers added: “As superin-tendent, I have the ability changelives for the better, impact thefuture of students and employeesand provide a school environ-ment that not only is conducive tolearning but one that also placessafety as a priority.”
Sansom, 57, a former Florida
legislator and Okaloosa Countycommissioner, manages sixdropout-prevention schools inOkaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosacounties. He holds a master’sdegree in education fromUniversity of West Florida and aneducational specialist degreefrom Liberty University.
“Through my leadership expe-riences of the past 30 years, Ihave learned that I enjoy casting anew vision for an organization,and making the tough decisionsneeded to bring it back to health,”Sansom said.
Sansom added: “I believe thatthe unique opportunities that Ihave had qualify me to create aculture that is supportive ofteachers, open to the parents and
honest to the public. My top pri-ority is to make OkaloosaCounty proud of our schoolsagain.”
Tillis, 43, a 1994 graduate ofChoctawhatchee High School,earlier this year completed abachelor’s degree in accountingfrom University of Phoenix.
“I am running for superin-tendent of schools because thesuperintendent of schools andthe school board refused to ordera forensic audit to find out whereall of the money went during theJackson administration,” Tillissaid.
“My goal as superintendent isto fully clean house, and ensurewe are good stewards of the tax-payer's money,” Tillis added.
For comprehensive auto carein the Niceville area, look no fur-ther than Twin CitiesTransmission and GeneralRepair. Tucked away on ElmStreet in the heart of Niceville, itshighly skilled staff is ready to takecare of all of your auto careneeds. Friendly and straightfor-ward, the people of Twin CitiesTransmission offer quality solu-tions at competitive pricing, formore than just your transmission.
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Twin Cities Transmission isindependently and locally ownedby Adam Marthis. Along withmanager and fiancee BrandyPirc, he prides himself on beinga family-owned, hometown oper-ation that has gladly served theTwin Cities area since 2000.
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The Bay Beacon and Beacon Express, incorporatingthe Bluewater Breeze, is published every
Wednesday by Bayou Enterprises Inc. Free total-market home delivery to Niceville,
Valparaiso, Bluewater Bay and Seminole, as well as mid-Walton County from Villa Tasso to Basin Bayou, including Choctaw Beach.
Subscriptions: One year, mail, $104. One year, electronic subscription, $52.
