By Daniel Elsesserand Mike GriffithBeacon Staff

Some Okaloosa CountySchool District officials may dis-agree over whether the year-oldOkaloosa STEMM Academy inValparaiso should remain openover the long run, but no deci-sions were made during a schoolboard meeting Monday in FortWalton Beach.

The magnet school offersadvanced middle school scienceand mathematics curriculum. Theacronym STEMM stands forScience, Technology,Engineering, Math and Medical.

In addition to the STEMMAcademy for students, the centeralso includes the Center forSTEMM Innovation; a scienceeducation training center forteachers from throughout theschool district.

Okaloosa CountySuperintendent of Schools MaryBeth Jackson told the Beaconprior to Monday’s school boardmeeting that the academy was inher draft proposed budget for the2013-14 year.

But Jackson said she opposedthe opening of the school duringher campaign for election assuperintendent last year, and saidshe felt a decision on whether ornot to close the school was onethat would have to be faced inlight of the setting of budget pri-orities.

Valp. prepares to make case on jet noiseBy Daniel ElsesserBeacon Staff Writer

Valparaiso officials are work-ing to enlist the help of electedlawmakers, and to organize citi-zen support, to protect what theyview as the city's interests regard-ing Eglin's "preferred" plan for F-35 operations, which wouldincrease jet noise over the city.

Meantime, local officials and

community leaders continued toreact to news that the Air Forcefavors a plan to end restrictionson F-35 warplane flights usingthe north-south runway of EglinAir Force Base.

The "preferred alternative" foroperations by a new and growingF-35 training wing at Eglin wouldresult in more flights overValparaiso and northwest

Niceville, markedly increasing jetnoise over those areas, accordingto an Air Force environmentalstudy issued earlier this month.

At a Valparaiso CityCommission meeting Monday,Mayor Bruce Arnold acknowl-edged that residents of surround-ing communities would focus onthe positive effects of having theF-35 at Eglin, without consider-

ing the negative impacts onValparaiso.

"Everybody outside ofValparaiso is dreaming about the7,000 new jobs the F-35 couldbring," Arnold said. "They couldcare less about us."

For this reason, Arnoldstressed the importance of gettingthe support of state and federallawmakers.

"In the past, we've had no sup-port of elected officials," Arnoldsaid, referring to the city's partial-ly successful 2009 campaign toget restrictions on F-35 opera-tions. It is the runway-use restric-tions the city won in that cam-paign that the Air Force now saysits "preferred alternative" would

By Mike GriffithBeacon Correspondent

Construction of the Mid-BayBridge Connector will likely becompleted and opened about amonth ahead of schedule, accord-ing to the project manager.

In a briefing to the bridgeauthority’s governing board inDestin June 20, HDREngineering representative JamesVanSteenburg said that construc-tion of the bridge connector, aroad connecting the north end ofthe Mid-Bay Bridge with StateRoad 85 north of Niceville, is

now “on the downhill slide to fin-ishing out,” and is expected to becompleted by Jan. 10, about amonth ahead of the scheduledspring 2014 completion currentlyadvertised on signs along stateroads 85 and 285.

In fact, said VanSteenburg, ifall continues to go well, the proj-ect may be done by the end ofthis year. HDR is the prime con-tractor managing the bridge con-nector construction project.

The connector, an 11-miletollway that will connect the

By Mike GriffithBeacon Correspondent

In response to queries fromthe Bay Beacon, a state senatorrepresenting part of northwestFlorida has denied any connec-tion with a public conflictbetween Northwest Florida StateCollege (NWFSC) Board ofTrustees member Patrick Byrneand college President Ty Handy.Another area senator did not

comment.During a

meetingJune 18 ofthe NWFSCBoard ofTrustees inNiceville,Handy pre-sented theboard with awritten statement in which heaccused a trustee later identified

as Byrne of persistent attempts tooust him. Handy said thatByrne’s efforts have taken placeover the past several months.

Handy said that Byrne, ofNiceville, who was appointed tothe board earlier this year, hadtold him that at least oneunnamed Florida state senator hasalso been pushing for Handy’souster, and promised to provideseveral million dollars of addi-tional appropriations for the col-

lege if Handy resigned or wasremoved by July 1 of this year.The board of trustees June 18extended Handy's contract by ayear, to mid-2016.

In a phone conversation withthe Beacon Monday, Byrne, whohas acknowledged pushing forHandy's removal, said, “No sena-

tor ever offered any money if Dr.Handy was removed from office.”

In a June 19 phone interviewwith the Beacon, District 1 StateSen. Don Gaetz, whose districtincludes southern OkaloosaCounty and the college’s maincampus in Niceville, as well assatellite campuses in Fort WaltonBeach and Walton County, statedemphatically that he has neverbeen involved in any effort to oustHandy.

“I never did, and never wouldsay anything like that,” saidGaetz, referring to the statementsattributed to a senator whoseidentity Handy said he did notknow.

“I was not the senator men-tioned in Dr. Handy’s statement,”said Gaetz, a NicevilleRepublican who is in the middleof a two-year term as president of

TThhee BBaayy BBeeaaccoonn50¢Wednesday, June 26, 2013

info@baybeacon.com The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso since 1992 (850) 678-1080

12 Pages, 2 Sections, 4 Inserts

Please see STEMM, page A-4

Please see NOISE, page A-4

Please see SENATOR, page A-6

Thurs., 10:30-11:30 a.m.Lynette Miesen has

combined her work as aplein-air painter with herpoetry in her first book,“The Poetryof Art”. Shewill be at theNicevillePublicLibrary, 206 N. Partin Dr.,signing copies which willalso be for sale. For moreinformation call 279-4863x1507.Thurs.,2 p.m.

ValparaisoCommunity Library will

have a freeshowing ofthe movie‘BeautifulCreatures’for their

Movie Thursday event.For more info call 729-5406.

Sat.10 a.m.- 1 p.m.“All-American Days”

Independence Day cele-bration at ERA Realty,1069 E. John Sims Pkwy.,Niceville. There will befreeAmericanflags, petparades, facepainting, abouncy house, giveaways,hot dogs, snow cones andpopcorn. Mayor Wiseand his wife Helen willbe on hand for a pie tast-ing.

Mon., 6:30 p.m.The July meeting of

the Mac Users Group willbe held at the NWF StateCollege Student ServicesBuilding, room 132. JamesSavage will present ‘TheBasics of the ApplicationDrop Box for MacOS andiOS.’ For more informa-tion, visit FWBMug.com orcontact Jean Dutton atjeancdutton@mac.com or862-3327.

Calendar, B-5.

COMINGUP

Highway seenopening earlyJanuary completion eyed for bridge connector

Police Blotter, page A-4

Dramatic confrontation, A-2.

OfficialsdiscussSTEMMfuture

1 senator denies any link in college tiff; another is mum

A sign on State Road 285, justbefore a Mid-Bay BridgeConnector overpass underconstruction, advertises aspring 2014 opening for theconnector road. An engineerfor the project said last weekthat the road should be com-plete by Jan. 10, a monthearly.

Beacon photo by Daniel Elsesser

Beacon photo by Mike Griffith

Friday was the summer solstice—the longest day of 2013. As the day drew toward a close, many people could still be seen atValparaisoʼs Lincoln Park as they enjoyed the last chance of the day to take a boat out on Boggy Bayou, propel a paddle board acrossthe water, explore the shoreline, or enjoy a float together in the calm waters in the light of the setting sun.

Summer takes a bow

Please see HIGHWAY, page A-5

The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso since 1992

Sen. Don Gaetz

Page A-2 Wednesday, June 26, 2013 THE BAY BEACON

The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso since 1992

College president confrontstrustee on ouster campaignBy Mike GriffithBeacon Correspondent

A bitter conflict surfacedbetween Northwest Florida StateCollege President Ty Handy andNWFSC Trustee Pat Byrne duringa meeting of the NorthwestFlorida State College Board ofTrustees last week.

As what had otherwiseappeared to be a routine trusteesmeeting neared its end June 18,Handy surprised trustees by read-ing a prepared statement in whichhe said he has been constantlyharassed, threatened with ouster,and that he and his family haveeven been threatened during thepast several months by a memberof the board of trustees who, hesaid, apparently wants to replaceHandy with someone else of thattrustee’s own choosing.

Trustee Pat Byrne acknowl-edged trying to oust Handy and toarrange "a soft landing" for him,but denied making any threats.

The trustees' chairman admon-ished Byrne for “behavior outsideof the normal conduct of thisboard” in unilaterally trying to getHandy to resign. Earlier in themeeting, the board gave Handy avote of confidence by extendinghis contract.

“Since mid-March my leader-ship as president of the college hasbeen under constant threat andscrutiny,” said Handy. “Until lastThursday, the harassment andthreats I have been subjected tohave been personal in nature and,accordingly, I have sought to dealwith them myself. However, lastThursday the threats became morebroad and expanded to includethreats against the college and thisboard. Accordingly, I have a pro-fessional obligation to bring thesethreats to the full board for yourunderstanding and consideration. Iregret the necessity of this, butknow it is my obligation.”

“Beginning in mid-March, andcontinuing until the Monday pre-ceding the last board meeting, onemember of this board has beencontacting me, at least two, andsometimes three, times a week todemand that I resign and leave thecollege. By my count, I have beenharassed and threatened more than18 times by telephone and 5 timeswith face-to-face contact. In theearly stages of these contacts, hesaid that I was ‘financially incom-petent,’ and that I was an ‘inca-pable leader,’ that I was wastingmoney on a new computer system,and that I was solely responsiblefor last July’s IT security breachand should have been ‘fired theday after it happened.’ He said thathe was ‘building the case againstme,’ and my demise was immi-nent. He told me, ‘the fix is in, andthe newly appointed board mem-bers are going to vote me out.’ Hecalled my assistant, Ms. Laux, andtold her the only reason he soughtto be placed on the board was toget rid of me.”

“His most onerous and unethi-cal behavior has been to threatenphysical harm to me and my fam-ily if I do not cooperate and resignfrom the college. In a phone con-versation I had on speakerphonewith my wife present, he told usthat if I didn’t cooperate, ‘I can’tpromise you that no harm willcome to you, or your family. Idon’t know that it will, but I can’tmake that promise.’ I looked at my

wife in stunned silence when hesaid this, and he then reiteratedwith ‘Again, I can’t promise you,or your family, that no harm willhappen to you. I can’t make thatpromise.’”

Handy did not specify exactlywhat sort of physical harm hadbeen threatened against him or hisfamily.

Handy went on to say that theunnamed board member hadoffered what the board membercalled a “buyout” by offering toarrange another job for Handy ofequal or similar pay, if Handywould cooperate and resign fromthe presidency of the college. Hesaid the board member had toldhim that “the fix is in,” and “that Ihad better cooperate if I want asoft landing.”

“He demanded that I be goneby July 1, and that if I was, ‘aSenator will make sure that thecollege is given millions of dollarsin extra appropriations.’”

“When I asked why this would

happen and why I needed to begone, he said, ‘this is not personal,and it never was. It’s about yourposition. It needs to be vacatedbecause a certain person wants thepresidency.’”

“Another pervasive theme ofharassment is the insistence that Inot hire any new employees orreplace any vacant positions,unless it is an emergency, so thatthe positions will be available tobe filled later, I assume, throughcronyism. He has insisted multipletimes that I name an insideemployee … as my ‘executivevice president,’ and that I ‘handover the operation of the college tohim and disappear from campuswhile still serving as president.’”

“He says that I have to ‘resignby the July board meeting and begone by September 1,’ or the sen-ator will not be willing ‘to createplaceholders in next year’s statebudget for new, significant college

appropriations.’”Handy said that the alleged

threats against him had tapered offafter recent news coverage of anexcellent job evaluation given toHandy by the Board of Trustees,but that the threats had started upagain June 13.

Handy said the hostile boardmember had told him, “Thegloves are now coming off, andthe college, the board, and (I) willall be damaged.” “He repeatedmore than once that the collegeand the board were now alsogoing to be damaged. He said thathe would use future board meet-ings to disrupt college and boardfunctionality to the point where Iwould have to leave. He gave mehis verbal commitment that, if Iwill resign soon, he will see to itthat, 31 days after my resignation,I will receive a consulting contractequivalent my current contract forup to one year.”

Handy made two requests ofthe board of trustees.

“My first request is that youclarify how you expect me tobehave when extreme events, suchas the ones documented here,occur.”

“My second request is that theboard help me to better understandhow I am to interact with an indi-vidual board member who hasthreatened physical harm to amember of my family and whodid so more than once. My wife ishere at the meeting today. In thepast she has not attended boardmeetings. This is, however, herthird consecutive board meetingsince he threatened physical harmto her.”

Handy added, “I also haveaging parents who live in the areaand they have responded to this asthough the threats were againstthem as well. It has added signifi-cant anxiety to their lives. So mysecond request is for the board toclarify the degree and manner of

contact I am to have with theboard member who, to this day,has made no effort to ease myfamily’s fears and concerns.”

Following Handy’s writtenstatement, Trustee Pat Byrne toldthe board that he was the memberwhom Handy had accused ofmaking threatening statements,but that “the president has madepersonal attacks on me that arecompletely erroneous.”

Regarding Handy’s statementthat he had made threats againstHandy and his wife, Byrne said,“If I said it, I misspoke.” He alsooffered “my sincerest apology” toMrs. Handy.

Byrne said that he had beentrying to get Handy to resign, butthat accusations of threats, physi-cal or otherwise, were “fantasies”of Handy’s.

“I’m not capable of threateningor doing physical harm to any-one,” said Byrne.

“Every time I spoke aboutmoving on, I spoke creatively, andemphasized a soft landing,” Byrnetold the board. He also said, “Ispoke as one board member,” andmade no claim of speaking onbehalf of the entire board.

While denying making anydirect threats against Handy or hisfamily, Byrne said that he doesbelieve that Handy has to go.“There has been a breakdown ofcommunications betweenPresident Handy and the FloridaGovernor and Legislature,” hesaid. As an example of this, Byrnesaid that State Sen. Greg Evershad visited the NWFSC campusabout a year ago, and that mem-bers of the Choctawhatchee BasinAlliance, an environmental groupaffiliated with the college, hadasked Handy to meet with Eversduring his visit, but that Handyhad made no effort to do so.

Byrne also alleged that moraleamong members of the NWFSCfaculty and staff had declinedbecause some staff and facultymembers had been “publiclyberated” by Handy, althoughByrne admitted that “I was notpresent” during the alleged berat-ings of those employees.

“A portion of everythingHandy said is correct, but exagger-ated,” said Byrne, especially theallegations that Byrne had madethreats against Handy or his fami-

Beacon photo by Mike Griffith

Northwest Florida State College Trustee Pat Byrne, right, and college President Ty Handy speak in ahallway following a June 18 meeting trustees at which Handy accused Byrne of an unrelenting cam-paign to oust him.

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24 homes proposedoff Highway 285By Daniel ElsesserBeacon Staff Writer

Ruckel Properties hasrequested the city of Nicevillerezone its land off Highway 285to construct a 24-home residen-tial development that would alsoinclude a restaurant or coffeeshop.

The 7.74 acres of land,between Rocky Bayou ChristianSchool and the HeritageGardens Funeral Home andCemetery, is currently zoned C-2 (general commercial), andRuckel Properties has requestedthe land be zoned PUD (plannedurban development).

Steve Ruckel, president ofRuckel Properties, said he plansfor the new residential develop-ment to also contain a park inthe center of the plot, and arestaurant or coffee shop thatwould blend with the design ofthe homes near Highway 285.

Ruckel said the homes wouldbe arranged in a circle, with the

park in center. "Each house plot would be

pretty narrow, but pretty deep,"Ruckel said. "They would havegarages in the rear, so we canhave a 'front-porch' atmos-phere."

Ruckel said the fronts of allthe houses would face the park.

Ruckel has not yet lined up abuilder and does not have esti-mates on how large each indi-vidual home would be, but saidthe houses would likely costaround $300,000 to $350,000.He said he is working with theRuckel Properties marketingteam to come up with a name forthe development.

The Niceville PlanningCommission is scheduled tohear the rezoning request at itsmeeting July 1 at 7 p.m. in theNiceville City CouncilChambers. If the planning com-mission approves the request, itwill go before the Niceville CityCouncil for approval in three

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The requested change wouldrequire a change to Niceville'sfuture land use map, the plan-ning commission and city coun-cil must approve a change to themap as well as the rezoning inorder for the development to be

approved. Ruckel said he would like to

begin development on the proj-ect as soon as the city approvesit, which would likely be in theearly fall. He estimated con-struction would be complete onthe project about 18 monthsafter groundbreaking.

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ly. “I would never do that,” saidByrne.

Byrne said that Handy shouldresign or be removed from the col-lege presidency because he “doesnot meet the standards of excel-lence this college has had for thelast 50 years.”

As for Handy’s accusationsagainst him, Byrne said, “Much ofwhat he said is a fantasy out of hisown head.”

Speaking directly to Handy,Byrne said, “You’re wrong, andfanciful about many of the issues.I regret your fantasy. I take creditfor the things I did, but won’t letthis reflect on my performance asa board member. I love this col-lege.”

Byrne also said that Handy“has harmed the college and itsrelations with staff members andthe community.”

Following the statements fromHandy and Byrne, Board ofTrustees chairman BrianPennington said that it would beinappropriate for the board todirectly address Handy’s allega-tions that Byrne had made physi-cal threats against him or his fam-ily. He told Handy, “You shouldseek law enforcement advice onany physical threats. It is not ourjob to adjudicate such matters.”

Byrne then repeated his apolo-gy to Mrs. Handy. “I never hadany intent of harm for you,” hesaid. “Anything I said was a mis-statement.”

Mrs. Handy, however, seemedskeptical about Byrne’s apology.“I am a humble woman,” she said,“but I’m not ignorant. I know whatyou said—multiple times. If youreally misspoke like that, you donot belong as a board member forthis college.”

Addressing the board,Pennington said, “Mr. Byrne isentitled to his opinion, but shouldnot pressure the president to leavethis college. We act as a unit.”

Pennington also said, “Dr.Handy is not in a popularity con-test. Hard decisions have to bemade, and some people don’t likehim.”

Pennington also noted that theboard had just renewed Handy’scontract during earlier business atthe meeting, after previously giv-

ing Handy a near-unanimousexcellent performance evaluation.He called Byrne’s unilateralattempts to get Handy to resign“behavior outside of the normalconduct of this board.”

“We have a lot of things to do,"Pennington said. "If we act likethis, it will be hard. This is notwhat the Governor appointed usfor.” Pennington then invited eachof the other board members tomake a brief statement of theirown reactions to the conflict.

Board member Mario Strausssaid that she was “appalled.”

“ I ’ minvolved inthe commu-nity at everylevel, and Ihave neverheard anybad thingsabout Dr.Handy.”

B o a r dmember C.W a y n eA n s l e ydefended Byrne, saying, “I’ll becandid. I know Pat Byrne, and I’venever known Pat Byrne to threatenanybody. He will only do what hethinks is right. Let’s get this over,and stop it.”

Board member Paul Foster,however, was much more criticalof Byrne. “Pat,” he said, “if youlove this college so much, youshould resign.”

Board member Rachel Gillissaid the conflict between Handyand Byrne “just kills me. This isjust nuts. This has no place in whatwe’re supposed to be doing. Let’sget on with business.”

Board member Mike Flynt saidthat the board had given Handy anexcellent job evaluation just lastmonth, which had been nearlyunanimous.

Pennington concluded themeeting by saying, “We all dis-agree from time to time, and we allhave our own values. Dissentingopinions are valued.” Pennington,however, also encouraged his fel-low board members to “act as agroup.”

Earlier in the board meeting,the trustees approved an amend-ment to Handy’s contract with thecollege, voting 6–2 to extend it byone year, through June 30, 2016.

According to the amendedcontract, Handy is paid $205,014a year, but that figure is to be rene-gotiated each year, along withpotential extensions of his con-tract.

In addition to his base pay stat-ed above, Handy receives anannual payment of $23,000 intoan annuity fund.

The contract allows Handy toresign at any time, with pay end-ing as of the effective date of hisresignation.

The board may dismiss Handyat any time with or without cause.He would get a year's pay if dis-missed without cause. Causes forsuch dismissal include willful vio-lation or refusal of his duties aspresident, crimes committed whilein office, moral turpitude thatdamages the college’s reputationor causes public contempt towardthe college, or chronic or pro-longed absence from duty withoutpermission.

Following the board meeting,Handy spoke briefly withreporters. He said that he had dis-cussed Byrne’s alleged threatswith law enforcement officials,but had chosen to make no formalcomplaint or seek a restrainingorder against Byrne. “If I had, howwould I be able to work with himas a member of the Board ofTrustees?” Handy said.

“I look forward to a fresh start,”

Handy said, and that despite thethreats made against him and hisfamily, what prompted him tobring the matter before the boardwas when Byrne “expanded histhreats to include the board andthe college. That’s why I broughtit to tonight’s meeting.”

Handy also said, “I do notintend to leave. I look forward to afresh start.” Handy did not namethe state senator whom he saidByrne had mentioned in his effortsto get Handy to resign.

Byrne also spoke briefly withreporters. “Anything I say fromnow on would be redundant,” hesaid. “I never made any threats. IfI said that, I misspoke, and I com-pletely apologize.”

Nevertheless, said Byrne, “Ifeel strongly that Dr. Handy hasnot met the standards of the col-lege’s previous two presidents,”but that his efforts to get Handy toresign were not an expression ofpersonal animosity.

Byrne also said that he had notfiled an evaluation report onHandy at the time his fellow boardmembers had done so, because hebelieved he had not been on theboard long enough at that time tobe able to give such an evaluation.

Asked which state senator hehad allegedly said wanted Handyousted, Byrne declined to nameanyone, saying only that Handyhad “no good relations with anymembers of the legislature.”

“The college had a $300,000budget cut this year,” said Byrne.“This shows that we do not havegood communications with thelegislature.”

Despite his own feelings aboutHandy, said Byrne, he too is will-ing to pursue a “fresh start.”

“I’m prepared to do whateveris best for the college, and to workwith Dr. Handy,” Byrne said. “It’sall about the students.”

COLLEGEFrom page A-2

BrianPennington

Northwest Florida State CollegeTrustee Pat Byrne speaks toKim Handy following a trusteesmeeting June 18. During themeeting, Mrs. Handy's hus-band, NWFSC President TyHandy, accused Byrne ofthreatening him and his familyin a bid to oust him. Byrnedenied making any threats andhe apologized to Mrs. Handy.

Beacon photo by Mike Griffith

Beacon photo by Daniel ElsesserRuckel Properties has requested its land off Highway 285,between Rocky Bayou Christian School and the HeritageGardens Funeral Home and Cemetery, be rezoned from C-2(general commercial) to PUD (planned urban development) toaccommodate development of 24 houses and a restaurant.

"I always knew someone wasgoing to have to make this deci-sion," Jackson told the Beacon.

Jackson said that after the2013-14 school year, theSTEMM Academy must haveabout 90 students per grade inorder to remain viable and havea chance of remaining open per-manently.

Rick Soria, director of theSTEMM Academy, said he haslittle doubt the center can meetthat goal if district higher-upsthrow their full support behindthe school—support he indicat-ed has not been clear heretofore.

Soria said prior to Mondaynight’s meeting that 58 studentsare currently enrolled for sixthgrade next year. He said 79 stu-dents are enrolled for seventhgrade next year. The middleschool is adding one grade ayear. Last year, the first year ofoperation, the school only had asixth grade. Two years fromnow, it is scheduled to havesixth, seventh and eighth grades.

Soria said the OkaloosaCounty School Board requestedin February 2012 that the schoolhave between 66 and 88 stu-dents per grade. Soria said hebelieves the magnet school willeventually get 66 sixth gradersenrolled before doors reopen inAugust. The school sends invi-tations to enroll in two waves,the second of which hasn't beenexecuted.

Soria said he is sending invi-tations to roughly 270 additionalstudents who received a 5 on themath section of the FCAT, thehighest possible, a requirementfor enrollment in STEMM.

"Assume only 10 percent ofthose enroll, and I think that's

being conservative," Soria said."Then we will have easily goneover 66 students."

Jackson said she may recom-mend that the academy lower itsstandards for enrollment inorder to increase its attractive-ness to potential students.

Soria said lowering entrystandards may be a possibility,but lowering the rigor of theacademy's required courses isnot. "We have a very demand-ing course load, but I've foundthat students will rise to thechallenge," Soria said.

Soria said that of the acade-my's students, only 22 are gift-ed. "People say we get only thebrightest students," Soria said."That's not necessarily the case.We do get the students whowork the hardest."

Siegfried Schlachter, a parentof a STEMM Academy student,spoke at the school board meet-ing Monday in Fort WaltonBeach, when the future of theSTEMM Academy was dis-cussed at length but not decided.

Prior to the meeting,Schlachter spoke with theBeacon and said the STEMMacademy fills an important rolein the school system.

"I have spoken with stateofficials, and they tell me thereare 8,000 technical jobs thatneed to be filled in the state,"Schlachter said. "Our problemis not a lack of jobs, it’s a lack ofskilled workers. STEMM isdesigned to generate peoplewho can fill these jobs.”Schlachter, a retired hydraulicengineer, said the school isimportant enough to keep openeven if enrollment falls belowthe recommended amounts.

Soria said the school districthas not been clear as to whetherit supports the STEMM

Academy, and the uncertainty ofsupport has made it more diffi-cult to enroll students and hireteachers. He said many STEMMparents felt that the school boarddid not support the academy,according to a survey.

"We want the school districtto clear the air and either saythey support us, or they don't,"Soria said. "When we havethese 'ifs,' it’s hard to get parentsto commit their children tocome here."

As Monday’s meeting began,school board chairman RodneyWalker told the large crowd ofvisitors, most of whomappeared to be parents and fac-ulty members supporting theSTEMM center, that no decisionwould be made by the boarduntil after a budget proposal hasbeen presented by Jackson, andthe board has had a chance toreview that budget, as well asthe STEMM center’s placewithin it.

Although Soria was presentat Monday’s meeting, he wasnot invited to speak, despitehaving prepared a 57-pagebriefing, which he had intendedto present to the school board atthe request of board memberCathy Thigpen.

Soria told the Beacon that hewas later informed bySuperintendent Jackson that hewas not to give the briefing, butthat it would be given byShawnea Tallman, director ofthe Center for STEMMInnovation, a branch of theSTEMM center which providesscience education training forteachers.

Tallman gave an eight-pagePowerPoint version of the 57-page briefing prepared by Soria.

ArrestsJustin Eugene Lyons, unem-

ployed, 31, of 408 Bullock Blvd.,Niceville, was arrested byNiceville police June 16 on acharge of retail theft shoplifting.

An employee of the Walmart at1300 E. John Sims Parkway,Niceville, allegedly observedLyons take a pair of headphonesworth $39.88 out of their packag-ing and place them in his pocket inthe store's toy section.

Lyons purchased other items,but left the store without attempt-ing to pay for the headphones.

Lyons' required court appear-ance is July 9.

***Kaylee Rose Mitchell, a

cashier, 21, of 304 Reeves St. LotC-2, Niceville, was arrested bysheriff's deputies June 18 on acharge of domestic violence relat-ed battery touch or strike.

Mitchell allegedly strucksomeone in the face with the backof her fist, causing red marks andslight swelling to the victim's face.

Mitchell's required courtappearance is July 9.

***Christopher Shannon Nickell, a

handyman, 43, of 310 WashingtonAve. Apt. B, Valparaiso, wasarrested by Valparaiso police June14 on a charge of battery domesticviolence.

Nickell allegedly punchedsomeone in the eye while the vic-tim was sleeping and then draggedthem out of bed and struck the vic-tim again, leaving visible injuriesto the victim's eye.

Nickel's required court appear-ance is July 2.

***Kerri Ann Kennedy, a house-

keeper, 37, of 187 Spencer Place,Valparaiso, was arrested byValparaiso police June 16 oncharges of battery on a lawenforcement officer, resistingarrest without violence and batterydomestic violence.

Kennedy allegedly strucksomeone with closed fists in thehead and face. An officer arrivedand told Kennedy to stay on herproperty, as she was yelling atanother person and walking offher property toward them.

The officer repeated his com-mands that Kennedy stay on herproperty, and when she did notcomply, the officer attempted to

place her in handcuffs. Kennedypulled away from the officer whileswinging her arms and strikinghim.

The officer told Kennedy sev-eral times to stop resisting, afterwhich he placed her on theground. Kennedy allegedly dugher fingernails into the officer'sarm after she was put on theground.

Kennedy's required courtappearance is scheduled July 23.

DUI arrestsScott Brian Rankin, a food-ser-

vices employee, 52, of 514 23rdSt., Niceville, was arrested byNiceville police for DUI at SR 20and North Highway 85, Niceville,June 15 at 2:24 a.m.

Rankin was also cited for fail-ure to maintain a single lane. Hisrequired court appearance is July2.

***Jesse Dalton Rhodes, a ranch-

er, 18, of 1111 Triple J Lane,Ponce de Leon, was arrested bysheriff's deputies for DUI at 4512E. SR 20, Niceville, June 16 at7:24 p.m.

Rhodes' required court appear-ance is July 9.

TheftsA Niceville resident reported

June 16 that someone took herchild's iPhone while she was at aswimming pool in Bluewater Bay.

***A DeFuniak Springs resident

reported June 15 that someonestole the motor from his boatwhile it was docked near 821Bayshore Drive, Niceville.

***A Niceville resident of the

2100 block of Bayshore Drivereported June 13 someone stoleher purse from her unlocked vanparked at her residence.

The complainant said she hadtaken her wallet and phone out ofthe purse before she left it in thevan. The purse, worth $150, con-tained two gold wedding ringswith diamonds on them, worth atotal of $600, a Destin Commonsgift card worth $100, an eye brushworth $10, lipstick worth $18 andother miscellaneous items.

***A Niceville resident of the first

block of 7th Street reported June15 someone stole the gas tankfrom his boat.

***Niceville police received a call

June 16 reporting someone stole awasher, dryer and other appliancesafter moving out of a residence onthe 300 block of Reeves Street,Niceville.

***Niceville police received a call

June 15 reporting someone stolegasoline from the tank of an 18-wheel food service truck parked atthe business at 101 N. Highway85, Niceville.

***A Valparaiso resident of the

first block of South NordbergAvenue reported June 18 someonehad stolen several items from himover the past two months.

The complainant reported twoplow blades worth a total of$2,700, a backhoe bucket worth$500, a miniature backhoe starterworth $200 and a track hoesprocket and rollers were stolen.

Criminal mischiefSheriff's deputies received a

call June 16 reporting someonehad damaged the license plates offive cars parked at the business at4400 Ansley Drive, Niceville.

A deputy investigated the scene

and also found that pool furniturehad been thrown in the swimmingpool at the business. A handicaplift chair worth $3,299 had alsobeen pushed in the pool. Themanager of the business believedthe chair to be broken.

OtherA Niceville resident reported

June 15 that five people pulled upto his house in two cars and askedif he "wanted to hang out." Thecomplainant reported knowingone of the people, and got in oneof the cars.

The complainant reported thatwhile the car was moving, one ofthe car's occupants said "righthere's good" and the driverstopped the car at the intersectionof Coldwater Creek Circle andBlossom Creek Run, Niceville.

The complainant said all ofthe occupants got out of the car,and one of them told him toempty his pockets. The com-plainant said he didn't comply,and one of the car's occupants hithim in the face with a closed fist.The complainant fell to theground and his glasses fell off.He got up, and one of the car'sother occupants handed him his

glasses and fled on foot. The complainant showed

police a bruise from where hewas punched.

***A Valparaiso resident of the

300 block of Okaloosa Avenue

reported June 15 someone hadopened one of her bedroomdoors, removed her back windowand unlocked the back door to herresidence. The complainant saidshe did not find anything missingor disturbed.

Police BlotterThe following accounts of the activities of police are according to records of the Niceville and Valparaiso police departments,

the Okaloosa County and Walton County sheriffʼs offices, otherlaw-enforcement agencies, and the Okaloosa County and

Walton County jails.

Fire Department Reports

NicevilleThe Niceville Fire Department responded to the following callsfrom June 17, 2013 through June 23, 2013.

1 Structure Fire 26 Emergency Medical Calls0 Vehicle Fire 6 Vehicle Crash 0 Other Fire 0 Vehicle Crash with Extrication0 Illegal Burn 3 Other Emergency Calls1 False Alarms 0 Hazardous Conditions

STREET SITUATION DATE TIMEE. John Sims Pkwy...............Alarm activation .........6/17/13 ........................06:37Marquette St. ........................Medical.......................6/17/13 ........................20:03Peachtree Way .....................Medical.......................6/17/13 ........................20:23Hickory Ave...........................Medical.......................6/18/13 ........................05:31S. Palm Blvd.........................Medical.......................6/18/13 ........................09:38W. John Sims Pkwy. .............Vehicle crash..............6/18/13 ........................10:14E. John Sims Pkwy...............Vehicle crash..............6/18/13 ........................12:42N. Partin Dr...........................Medical.......................6/18/13 ........................13:56Reeves St. ............................Medical.......................6/18/13 ........................19:2037th Street............................Alarm activation .........6/18/13 ........................22:32Hickory Ave...........................Medical.......................6/18/13 ........................22:53N. Partin Dr...........................Vehicle crash..............6/19/13 ........................12:17Lanman Rd...........................Medical.......................6/19/13 ........................21:10N. Partin Dr...........................Medical.......................6/20/13 ........................13:58Kelly Rd. ...............................Medical.......................6/20/13 ........................18:0222nd Street...........................Medical.......................6/21/13 ........................02:20N. Partin Dr...........................Medical.......................6/21/13 ........................05:40E. John Sims Pkwy...............Medical.......................6/21/13 ........................06:29Partin/Palm Blvd. ..................Vehicle crash..............6/21/13 ........................08:16Royal Palm Dr. .....................Medical.......................6/21/13 ........................09:55Parkwood Ct/BWB................Structure fire ..............6/21/13 ........................10:09Als Drive ...............................Medical.......................6/21/13 ........................10:29Hudson Cir............................Medical.......................6/21/13 ........................10:35Everglade Dr.........................Medical.......................6/21/13 ........................13:0326th Street............................Medical.......................6/21/13 ........................13:14W. John Sims Pkwy. .............Vehicle crash..............6/21/13 ........................15:20Partin/Palm Blvd. ..................False call ....................6/21/13 ........................17:09Edgewater Dr........................Medical.......................6/21/13 ........................17:29N. Partin Dr...........................Medical.......................6/21/13 ........................20:17Nathey Ave. ..........................Medical.......................6/22/13 ........................07:15N. Partin Dr...........................Medical.......................6/22/13 ........................11:13N. Partin Dr...........................Medical.......................6/22/13 ........................15:46E. John Sims Pkwy...............Vehicle crash..............6/23/13 ........................11:18N. Partin Dr...........................Alarm activation .........6/23/13 ........................11:55N. Partin Dr...........................Medical.......................6/23/13 ........................19:25Nathey Ave. ..........................Medical.......................6/23/13 ........................19:36Bayshore Dr..........................Medical.......................6/23/13 ........................20:19

Weekly Safety Tip: The National Fire Protection Association reports in 2010 fire-works caused an estimated 15,500 reported fires, including 1,100 total structurefires, 300 vehicle fires, and 14,100 outside and other fires. These fires resultedin an estimated eight reported civilian deaths, 60 civilian injuries and $36 millionin direct property damage.

Like the Niceville Fire Department on Facebook

North BayThe North Bay Fire Department responded to the following calls from June 17, 2013 through June 23, 2013.

STREET SITUATION DATE TIMESt. Martin Cove....................Lightning strike.........................6/17/13........................06:41Fairway Lakes Dr. ...............Medical.....................................6/17/13........................15:57Oakmont Cir.........................Medical assist ..........................6/18/13........................13:00W. Parkwood Ln..................Medical.....................................6/18/13........................16:52N. White Point Rd................Medical.....................................6/18/13........................19:20Hickory Street ......................Medical.....................................6/18/13........................21:13Legendary Dr./Destin ..........Alarm system sounded ...........6/18/13........................23:39Live Oak Street....................Accidental medical alarm........6/19/13........................09:58N. White Point Rd................Medical.....................................6/19/13........................12:18Bay Drive .............................Smoke or odor removal ..........6/19/13........................13:49Cougar Cir............................Alarm activation.......................6/20/13........................05:47Jamaica Way.......................Medical assist ..........................6/20/13........................07:27Hwy. 20/W of Range Rd. ....Vehicle accident.......................6/20/13........................19:59Range Rd/Bluewater Blvd. .Dispatched & cancelled ..........6/21/13........................07:40Parkwood Ct. .......................Building fire ..............................6/21/13........................10:10Cat Mar Rd. .........................Medical.....................................6/21/13........................12:43Range Rd.............................Dispatched & cancelled ..........6/21/13........................23:44E. Hwy. 20............................Vehicle accident.......................6/22/13........................14:41S. Midbay Bridge.................Dispatched & cancelled ..........6/22/13........................16:05Troon Dr. W .........................Medical.....................................6/23/13........................10:37Hwy. 20/Ansley Dr. ..............Dispatched & cancelled ..........6/23/13........................12:00Glenlake Cir. ........................Dispatched & cancelled ..........6/23/13........................18:07Windward Lane ...................Unintentional transmission......6/23/13........................22:13

Visit northbayfd.org for more information.

This information is from reports by the Okaloosa CountySheriffʼs Office. A reward is offered by Emerald Coast Crime

Stoppers, 863-8477, or 1-888-654-8477. Information can alsobe provided anonymously by texting “TIP214 plus the

message” to CRIMES (274637)

Okaloosa seeks fugitivesThis information is from reports by the

Okaloosa County Sheriffʼs Office.

Name: Clifford W. Booty Wanted for: FTA-GrandTheft/Making False Statements toObtain Credit Report/Conspiracyto Commit a FelonyHeight: 6-feet, 0-inches Weight: 250Age: 52Date of birth: 05-01-1961 Hair: Unknown Eyes: Blue

Name: James S. BrannonWanted for: VOP-DUIHeight: 5-feet, 9-inches Weight: 160 Age: 59Date of birth: 06-19-1954 Hair: Gray Eyes: Blue

Name: Robert Gregory Ramer Wanted for: VOP-Driving WhileLicense Suspended or RevokedHeight: 5-feet, 8-inches Weight: 140Age: 53Date of birth: 10-18-1959 Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue

Page A-4 Wednesday, June 26, 2013 THE BAY BEACON

STEMMFrom page A-1

end, though no final decision hasyet been announced.

Valparaiso resident ClarkBrowning, present at the citycommission meeting Monday,suggested the city post emaillinks to state and U.S. senatorsand representatives who repre-sent Valparaiso, so residents cancontact elected officials withease. Arnold agreed this was agood idea, and City ClerkTammy Johnson said she wouldwork to institute it.

Arnold said the effectivenessof the city's case against F-35noise would also hinge on resi-dents' unity in a public hearingscheduled July 9 at the FirstBaptist Church of Valparaiso,444 Valparaiso Parkway, from5:30-8 p.m., where the Air Forcewill hear public commentsregarding an environmentalstudy released earlier this monthcovering, among other issues, theincreased jet noise expected fromthe Air Force's "preferred alterna-tive," which would shift many F-35 flights to Eglin's north-southrunway from its east-west one.

In preparation for the hearing,Arnold said, the city will postlarge, detailed maps ofValparaiso, overlaid with the pro-jected noise contours released bythe Air Force, in city hall for pub-lic viewing. Arnold said this willenable each Valparaiso residentand business owner to more fullyunderstand the impact the AirForce findings would have ontheir lives, thus allowing them tomore effectively articulate theirpositions at the hearing.

Commissioner Joe Morgansaid that the commission neededto work to be on the same pagebefore the public hearing.

Commissioner Kay Hamilton,

who was in Mexico and partici-pated in the commission meetingby speakerphone, said the com-mission's unity on this issueshould be a given.

"I think this is one of thoseissues where we'll all be in prettysolid agreement," Hamilton said.

Elsewhere and separately, inresponse to questions by the BayBeacon, local officials and otherleaders discussed their thoughtson the Air Force's "preferredalternative" for F-35 flights.

Sal Nodjomian, a Nicevillecity councilman and formerEglin installation commander,said it would not be practical toattempt to replicate Eglin's F-35infrastructure in a new, less noisylocation such as Duke Field.

Nodjomian also said that evenwith an end of the current run-way restrictions, the new envi-ronmental study indicates that F-35 operations would be lessnoisy over civilian areas thanpreviously believed.

"As I understand it, the (AirForce draft environmental study)shows a reduction of nearly30,000 operations, which willhave a corresponding reductionof noise impact on surroundingcommunities," Nodjomian said."I recognize that many peoplethat live in close proximity to theinstallation may not considerAlternative 1A the best choice,but given current and projectedDepartment of Defense funding,the idea of replicating F-35 sup-port infrastructure at Duke orother outlying fields is a non-starter."

Nodjomian said he believesthe positive impacts of the F-35beddown at Eglin outweigh thepotential noise.

"Speaking specifically aboutNiceville, I feel there may besome localized noise impacts,"Nodjomian said. "But when

weighed against the positivevalue of hosting the world’s pre-mier fighter and the numerousbenefits that brings to our com-munity, it’s a trade-off we shouldbe willing to make."

David Goetsch, Niceville, for-mer chairman of the OkaloosaCounty Economic DevelopmentCouncil, said he is surprised thatthe Air Force's preferred alterna-tive would end the restrictions onEglin's north-south runway. Hesaid such a move could erase ear-lier progress made on the issuebetween the Air Force and near-by communities.

"I'm surprised they would (liftthe runway restrictions), becauseI don't think it's necessary,"Goetsch said. "Now it's likewe're right back to where westarted."

Goetsch said he does notthink Valparaiso Mayor BruceArnold was being hyperbolicwhen, at a city commission meet-ing June 17, Arnold said thenoise resulting from regular useof the north-south runway by F-35s may lead to a decrease inValparaiso's population, whichcould in turn lead to a fall indemand for city services, leavingthe city unable to pay off itsbonds.

"If you're the mayor ofValparaiso, that's the type ofthing you have to be thinkingabout," Goetsch said.

Goetsch said by allowingoperations that could be detri-mental to surrounding communi-ties, Eglin could hurt itself in afuture round of Congressionalbase realignment and closurecommission (BRAC) decisions,which he expects in 2017.

"When the BRAC peoplecome here in 2017, they mighthear from unhappy Valparaisopeople," Goetsch said. "That'snot what [Eglin] wants."

NOISEFrom page A-1

Please see FUTURE, page B-3

The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso since 1992

north end of the Mid-Bay Bridgeto State Road 85 immediatelynorth of Niceville, costs approxi-mately $137 million. Phase I ofthe project, which connects SR 20and Range Road to the bridge,opened in May 2011. Phases 2and 3, connecting SR 85 with thealready opened section, andbypassing Niceville, will be openupon completion, expected inJanuary.

VanSteenburg also said thatconstruction of a link between thebridge connector road and ForestRoad at College Boulevard,Niceville, is expected to be com-pleted by July 4. He said heexpects that local residents alongCollege Boulevard will be pleasedto see that part of the constructionproject, which has bottleneckedtraffic at Forest and College forover a year, come to an end.

VanSteenburg said the comple-tion of that section, on which workstarted in early May 2012, wouldmean the removal of barricadesrouting traffic streams whereForest Road turns into CollegeBoulevard.

Another upcoming milestonein the project, said VanSteenburg,will be the emplacement of girdersfor the overpass taking the bridgeconnector road over State Road285, which is expected to takeplace shortly after July 4.VanSteenburg said that when thegirders arrive, putting them intoplace will require about a day’stemporary shutdown of StateRoad 285 between CollegeBoulevard and Interstate 10.

In other business at Thursday’smeeting, MBBA ExecutiveDirector Jim Vest said that in con-junction with the bypass road con-struction, the MBBA has beenworking with Eglin Air ForceBase personnel to search for, andif necessary, remove unexplodedordnance from culverts and otherkey areas within the Eglin reserva-tion which are undergoing ecolog-ical restoration projects as part ofthe MBBA’s compensation toEglin in exchange for access to AirForce controlled land where mostof the bypass road is being con-structed.

Vest said that metal detectorsand other equipment have beenused to check project areas for anylive bombs or shells before doingactual restoration work.

Vest also told MBBA boardmembers that Mid-Bay Bridge tollrevenue for the month of May waswithin less than a half of one per-cent of the toll revenue collectedduring the same month last year.

Although the Memorial Dayweekend was reported by somelocal news media to be one of thebusiest ever for Emerald Coasthotels and tourist related business-es, said Vest, traffic over the bridgeremained about the same as duringMay of the previous year.

Vest also said that reports ofwater use in the Destin area,another indirect measure of localeconomic activity, also remainedabout the same during May of thisyear as during last year.

Vest added, however, that thusfar in the month of June, trafficappears to be higher than duringthe same month last year. He alsosaid that Sunpass toll revenue hasincreased this June, possibly indi-cating an upward trend in the localeconomy, as Sunpass transpondersare used by many local commutersas they travel to and from employ-ment along Emerald Coast beachareas. The Sunpass transpondersprovide a toll discount for frequenttravelers over the bridge.

Vest also told the board that

efforts to increase the amount ofvegetation between the already-open portion of the bridge con-nector road south of State Road20 and the nearby ChardonnayEstates residential area is “mov-ing along.” He said that since thebridge authority has begun irri-gating plants in that area, thethickness and density of vegeta-tion appears to have begun toincrease.

Some residents ofChardonnay Estates have com-plained to the MBBA during thepast year, saying that they havebeen bothered by traffic noise

from the bridge connector and byheadlights shining into theirhomes ever since the connectorwas built, which removed muchof the forest that had borderedChardonnay Estates previously.

MBBA board chairmanGordon Fornell agreed with Vest,saying that he has observed thatvegetation in that area looksthicker, and will hopefully reducethe amount of light and noisereaching nearby homes.

The next meeting of the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority is sched-uled for 9 a.m., July 18 atNiceville City Hall.

THE BAY BEACONWednesday, June 26, 2013 Page A-5

The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso since 1992

THE INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER —by Mike Griffith

“I donʼt mind at all. The only oneswho should mind are the terrorists.If youʼre doing nothing wrong, whyworry about someone seeing your

phone records? Itʼs for theprotection of our country.”

Mark Wise, 33, Niceville, engineer

“I think itʼs bogus. Thegovernment is invading

peopleʼs privacy – taking ourrights away.”

Toni Martinez, 24, Navarre,

entrepreneur

Emily Martinez, 51,Navarre, engineer

Melanie Morse, 36, Fort Walton Beach,

nurse

What should we ask next week? Email your suggested question to: info@baybeacon.com Include "Suggested IP question" in the "subject" field.

What do you think about reports that the US government hascollected and scanned the email and phone records ofmillions of Americans in an attempt to find evidence of

planned terrorist attacks?

Marcia Lee, 38, Valparaiso,

optical technician

Locations: Lincoln Park and Parkway East Shopping Center

“If youʼve done nothing wrong,what do you have to worry

about? We as Americans arefighting the war on terrorism, andmust do whatever is necessaryto protect the United States.”

“Iʼm torn on that one. Wehave to get our armsaround terrorism, but I

donʼt like the governmentgetting into things that areno one elseʼs business.”

Kristin Regaus, 32, Niceville,

mom

“Bring it on. Iʼve got nothingto hide.”

“While it is necessary to keepus safe, I donʼt think it is

necessary to invade peopleʼsprivacy to that extent.”

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HIGHWAYFrom page A-1

Beacon photo by Daniel Elsesser

A construction bottleneck at Forest Road and the Mid-Bay Bridge Connector should be relievedby July 4, according to an engineer.

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Page A-6 Wednesday, June 26, 2013 THE BAY BEACON

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Let Kiwanis Raise Old Glory At Your House Or Business

Niceville/Valparaiso

Kiwanis Club

There are seven times a year when flying our flag is the perfect way toshow your family or business’ patriotic spirit. Kiwanis can make it easy!

For just $35 a year, we will install a permanent in-ground base foryour flag. Then, just before LABOR DAY and 9/11, VETERANS

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your home or business. And take it down afterward.Kiwanis does it all, you do nothing but look proud!

The modest $35 a year supports Niceville-Valparaiso Kiwanis Club’snumerous children’s programs throughout our community.

Time’s a wastin’. Act now!Call Bill at 897-4396 or Jim at 897-3068 & order a flag.

Serving the Children of the World

As you have noticed during thelast few weeks, the temperatureand humidity here in NorthwestFlorida can be extreme during ourlong hot summers, causing us tospend much of our time indoors,relying on air-conditioning to keepourselves comfortable. Thismeans that an efficient, reliableair-conditioning system is vital toyour comfort and health.

A good air-conditioning systemdoes much more than just cool theair.

The term “air-conditioning” isdefined by professionals as “theprocess of altering the propertiesof air in an enclosed area byremoving heat for comfort andreducing humidity to a pleasinglevel while filtering out theunhealthy particles that are dan-gerous to our respiratory system.”

For example, reducing humiditymakes the air in your home feelcooler. This makes you more com-fortable at a relatively higher tem-perature, reducing your need tospend excess energy and moneycooling the air to a lower tempera-ture than you really need.Reducing humidity also helps pre-vent mold from growing insideyour home, thus protecting thehealth of you and your family.

Filtering out dust, pollen, moldspores, smoke and other particlesfrom your air is also important toyour familyʼs health.

You can improve your comfortand reduce your energy bills byfollowing these energy saving tips:

+ Replace your air filter regu-larly.

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the State Senate. “I have never offered more or

less appropriations forNorthwest Florida State Collegeif Dr. Handy stayed or left,"Gaetz said. "That is not why thelegislature appropriates money

for colleges, and it is not who Iam.”

State Sen. Greg Evers (R;Dist 2), whose district includesnorthern Okaloosa County andNWFSC’s Crestview campus,was also phoned by the Beacon,but had not responded by presstime as to whether he may havebeen the senator mentioned inHandy’s statement.

The Beacon askedHandy if he knew thename of the senator whoByrne allegedly said wasworking with him to oustthe college president.Handy replied: "Mr.Byrne was careful not touse a specific name, onlyto imply."

Gaetz said he had no

knowledge ofByrne’s acknowl-edged attempt topush Handy out ofoffice.

“I have knownPat Byrne for over20 years,” saidGaetz. “Byrne isthe former chair-man of the state

board of community colleges. Irecommended Pat for theNWFSC Board of Trustees,even though I am a Republicanand he is a Democrat, becauseof Pat’s long service to the stateand the college, and because Iknow him as a trustworthy per-son.”

Gaetz expressed dismay atthe conflict between Byrne and

Handy. “Northwest FloridaState College has gone througha rough patch in the last severalyears, to include the scandalinvolving former college presi-dent Bob Richburg and formerSpeaker of the Florida HouseRay Sansom, and the recentbreach of the college’s computersystem,” he said. “The collegedoesn’t need another scandal.”

SENATORFrom page A-1

Sen. Greg Evers

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By Angela Yuriko SmithBeacon Staff Writer

The winning design for the2013 Boggy Bayou Fireworks T-Shirts has been selected andannounced at the NicevilleChamber of Commerce breakfaston June 12.

Madison Brake, a rising juniorat Niceville High School, had hersubmission picked from 40entries, all from NHS art stu-dents.

Madison was enrolled inAdvanced Placement Art last year

with Ms. Nihill-Taylor as herteacher, the same teacher whoinspired her to try her hand atpainting for the first time.Madison honed her skills bypainting several murals at thehigh school.

Her design, presently on dis-play at the Niceville PublicLibrary just outside the entranceto their Youth Services depart-ment, will be printed on 925shirts available for sale at theNiceville Public Library for $10each.

The shirts will also be for salein the Niceville and Valparaisoutility billing offices, theNiceville building inspector’soffice, the Niceville ValparaisoChamber building, 1055 EastJohn Sims Pkwy. and CaféBienville, 314 Bayshore Dr.,Niceville. American AthleticUniforms, the printers of theshirts, will also have them forsale.

Sales from shirts help pay forthe firework’s show every year.The annual display uses no taxpayer money and costs approxi-mately $28,000 a year.

In addition to sales from T-shirts, Niceville and Valparaisoboth have an aluminum recyclingprogram and the option for resi-dents to donate each monththrough their water bill.

The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso since 1992

BBeeaaccoonn EExxpprree ss ss OUR TOWNPPaaggee BB--11 WWeeddnneessddaayy,, JJuunnee 2266,, 22001133

Eglin AFA sponsors exhibitMembers of the Eglin Chapter of the Air Force Association Board of Directors and AerospaceEducation Foundation Committee at the NWFSC Doolittle Raider History Exhibit.  They are joinedby a few key community partners.  The wall plaque recognizes key contributors to the exhibit.  TheEglin Chapter of the AFA and the Aerospace Education Foundation donated $5,000 to help fundthe exhibit.

Fireworks Fund T-shirt winner

Garden Club officers installedThe Niceville Garden Club Installed their new officers for 2013.From left, Mary McCann as president, Rod Debs as vice presi-dent, Marsha Palmer as publicity chairman, Renee Gollehon ashistorian, Tracey Walker as secretary and Beth Bish as treas-urer. Now on summer break, the club will resume their regularmeetings in September in the Community Center across fromthe Niceville Library every fourth Tuesday at 6 p.m.

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Madison Brake was honored June 12 at the Niceville Chamber ofCommerce breakfast for her winning design for the new FireworkʼsFund T-shirts. Proceeds from T-shirt sales go to help pay for theannual show on Boggy Bayou.

Who’s News

Tom Culver has beenappointed Band Director forRocky Bayou Christian School.Culver is originally from theChicagoarea and hastaught in anumber ofpublic andprivateschools forthe past 30years,includingIowa,Illinois,South Dakota, Michigan,Tennessee, Mississippi andWisconsin. Culver has special-ized in small school programsand has garnered multiple awardsat State Band Festivals inWisconsin and Michigan.

***Matthew Turnbull of

Niceville has earned high honorsfor the spring semester of the2012-2013 academic year at theUniversity of New Hampshire.

***Sarah Wainwright, a resi-

dent of Niceville received aBachelor of BusinessAdministration in accountingduring the May 2013 SMUCommencement ceremony. Afterthe University-wide

Tom Culver

Please see WHOʼS NEWS, page B-2

FOR A GREAT BEGINNINGOR A HAPPY ENDING…

LINDA ZICKLER,Realtor

(850)-621-7233lzickler@gnt.net

www.nicevillekw.com

4534 Hwy 20 East,Bluewater Bay (Merchants Walk)

Each office independently owned and operated.

This great Parkwood Cove home inBluewater Bay is perfect for buyerswho are just starting out or who aresizing down. The 1769 SF, 3/2 splitbedroom floorplan suits so manyfamilies! A brand new roof, hardwoodfloors, and a screened porch arejust a few of its attractive features.Welcome home for $240,000!

Selling this summer?Call Linda Zickler today!

The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso since 1992

Page B-2 Wednesday, June 26, 2013 THE BAY BEACON

1181 E. John Sims Parkway, Niceville, Florida 32578(850) 678-1080 • info@baybeacon.com

Fax 1-888-520-9323

The Bay Beacon& Beacon Express

The Bay Beacon and Beacon Express, incorporating the Bluewater Breeze, ispublished every Wednesday by Bayou Enterprises Inc. Free total-market homedelivery 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.

PALLEAGUE

Fun Recreational Soccer! Ages 5-18

For info: Howard Hill, 678-2182or www.nicevillepalsoccer.com

RegistrationSat., June 29, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., NHS CafeteriaSat., July 13, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., NHS CafeteriaSat., August 3, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. NHS Cafeteria

Cost: Resident, $60*; Non-Resident, $70**(*Includes $10 user fee that goes to City of Niceville.)

(**Includes $10 user fee plus $10 fee for players residing outside citylimits of Niceville or Valparaiso; both fees go to City of Niceville.)

Waiting list after August 3Bring state-issued birth certificate for playersnot registered with PAL Soccer in Fall 2012.

Age Group BirthdatesVIP(Children w/ disabilities) Aug 1, 94–Dec 31, 08U6 Aug 1, 07–Sep 1, 08U8 Aug 1, 05–Jul 31, 07U10 Aug 1, 03–Jul 31, 05U12 Aug 1, 01–Jul 31, 03U14 Aug 1, 99–Jul 31, 01U19 Aug 1, 94–Jul 31, 99

1. U6 and VIP teams are co-ed. Separate girlsʼ and boysʼ teams in U8, U10, U12, U14 and U19.2. Uniforms provided (jersey, shorts, socks for VIP & U6 through U14; shirt only for U19). Players keep uniforms.3. Accidental medical insurance and registration with Soccer Association for Youth included.

Beginning Referee Course: August 10,15 & 21Go to fsr-inc.com, “Become a Referee” tab to register.

COACHESNEEDED

Sign up at registration

TEAM SPONSORS NEEDED$200 for U6 through U14;

$100 for Each Subsequent Team. $100 for U19

Start Smart Soccer! Ages 3-5Cost: $25 - Parent participation required.

Call Nikki Hobbs, 279-3081, for information.

Donate used, good-condition soccer cleats.Exchange or buy at registrations.

Contact Jody Osborne, 410-404-6799 or jodybosborne@gmail.com.

NVLL Major Baseball championsThe Orioles, sponsored by Niceville Insurance Agency, are the2013 NVLL Major Baseball champions after playing on RarickField Saturday, June 1, during the closing ceremonies for theNVLL. Pictured front row from left, Ethan Evans, Ryan Alford,Zach Johnson, Franklyn Brognano and Bill Danielak. Secondrow from left, Blake Skinner, Sean Reidy, Zach Coldsnow,Colton Biggs, Owen Williams and Maclane Baucom. Back row,Manager Robbie Williams and Coach Christopher Baucom.

RAD FC U10Boys Goldwin cup RAD FC U10 Boys Gold teamwon the Emerald Coast Cupon May 5 in Destin. Picturedfrom bottom left are DanielFadida, Carson Hickok, SamSheffield, Ashlyn Fernandez.From top left, Coach JohnCross, Zeke Oswald, DavidMejia, Austin Paugh, TheoCross, Devon Vondensteinand Coach Kevin Brink.

Softball ʻCrushersʼwin districtThe Niceville Maroon Team, alsoknown as “The Crushers”, are the2013 7-9 year old Machine PitchSoftball Champions. The tournamentwas held in Crestview at Garden CityPark. The Crushers went 4-0throughout the tournament to win theDistrict Banner. Front Row from left,Paige Criddle, Katie Sjostrom, GraceLangston, Macey Kidder, SabrinaSquire and Haleigh Sallee. Middlerow from left, Emma Coldsnow,Chloe Ellis, Bailey Carter, KayleeKedroski, Chloe Christianson andMcKenna Adams. Back row from left,Coach Dennis Criddle, Coach JasonSallee and Coach Chris Kidder.

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that I would always provide for her, no matter what.

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Commencement, SMU’s schoolsand departments held individualreceptions throughout the day tohonor graduates.

***Elizabeth Gadzinski gradu-

ated fromR o c k yB a y o uC h r i s t i a nSchool hav-ing earnedan honorsd i p l o m a .She will bea t t e n d i n gNorthwestFlorida StateCollege toearn an associate’s degree, thentransferring to the University ofCentral Florida to major in foren-sic science.

***Zachary

Gadzinskir e c e n t l ygradua tedf r o mNorthwestFlorida StateCollege withhonors. Heplans totransfer onto theUniversityof Central Florida in August tomajor in digital media.

***Jessica Jade Reindl is the

recipient of this year’s OkaloosaCounty Democratic Women’sClub Scholarship. Reindl is agraduate ofN i c e v i l l eH i g hS c h o o l ,where shewas official-ly recog-nized May31 at theS e n i o rA w a r d sCeremony.

R e i n d lwas chosenbased on outstanding academicachievement and communityinvolvement. One such achieve-ment is her participation in theNatural Geography in Shore AreaProject. Her poem “GringaThoughts” was recently publishedin the Blackwater Review,Northwest Florida State College’sannual literary magazine.

She plans to complete her AAdegree at NWFSC and later attendFSU. Reindl is the daughter ofBeth Reindl of Niceville.

***Ken Hinrichs, a resident of

Bluewater Bay in Niceville, hasaccepted the position ofPresident/CEO of the United Wayof Okaloosa and Walton Countieseffective July 1.

Ken, a 30 year plus UnitedW a ye m p l o y e ehas servedmost recent-ly as InterimExecut iveDirector fort h eLouis ianaPartnershipfor Childrenand Familiesin Baton Rouge following serviceas the Interim President and CEOof the Boys and Girls Clubs of theEmerald Coast here in FortWalton Beach. His United Wayexperience includes tenure serv-ing as President/CEO of theUnited Way of SoutheasternConnecticut in Gales Ferry,Connecticut, as President/CEO ofthe Capital Area United Way inBaton Rouge, Louisiana, and theUnited Way of SouthwestMichigan in Benton Harbor,Michigan.

***Timothy Benton is part of the

w i n n i n gsoccer team,the SSABul ldogs ,that tookhome theMississippiState Cup atthe champi-onship tour-nament heldMay 25-26in Meridian, MS. The Bulldogsmoved up to become the numberone ranked team in Mississippi inboth of the major national soccerranking systems. Timothy is thegrandson of Mr. and Mrs. RobertBenton of Niceville.

WHOʼS NEWSFrom page B-1

ElizabethGadzinski

ZacharyGadzinski

Jessica JadeReindl

Ken Hinrichs

Timothy Benton

Ruckel team undefeatedRuckel won the county middle school softball championship by going undefeated 8-0. Teamincludes Allison Brown, Raiven Bryant, Sydney Byrd, Mary Kate Cary, Madison Childress, MelissaClick, Dallas Harrellson, Katelynn Inness, Liz Kelton, Katie Lightfoot, Rebecca Morrow, KaleePolson, Hannah Turley, Katie Quinn, Head Coach Amanda Moore and Assistant Coach Jeff “Padre”Moore.

Eagles 10U win ʻWarmupʼCongratulations to the 10U Niceville Traveling Eagles who placed first in the “World SeriesWarmup” Tournament, June 8-9 in Pensacola at the Northeast Pensacola Ballpark. This was theirthird tournament championship this season. Pictured from left top row, Manager GerryMcDermott and Garrett Norman. Second row from left, Keagen Norman, Jay Marquardt, KadenGeisler, Nathan Tiller, Hayden Hubbard and Cade Johnston. Bottom from left, Brady Koger, ZaneSteele, Trey Wainwright, Jaxon Topel and Dominic Mahoney.

Kelly McHugh PitanKelly McHugh Pitan passed

away June 5, 2013, inHattiesburg, Mississippi. Shewas born to her parents Patrick“Skip” and Stacy McHugh onJanuary 23, 1984 on ElmendorfAFB, Anchorage, Alaska. Kellygraduated Magna Cum Laudefrom Niceville High School,class of 2002. She was captainof the varsity soccer team andthe Northwest Florida DailyNews Soccer Player of the Year.

Kelly received her degree inChemistry from Florida StateUniversity, where she invented

nano-particles to be used in can-cer treatment. She also playedon, and served as, president ofthe FSU Women’s Soccer Club.

Kelly worked for the FloridaBureau ofF o r e n s i cFire andExplosivesA n a l y s i sand decidedto continueher educa-tion earninga Master’sDegree inFo r e n s i c sS c i e n c eAnalysis from the University ofCentral Florida. Kelly per-formed her research at theNational Center for ForensicScience, the results of whichhave been published in the

“Forensic Science InternationalJournal”.

She was employed at A2Research, located at NASA’sJohn C. Stennis Space Center, asa research scientist. She wasalso a member of the AmericanChemical Society.

Kelly is survived by her hus-band, Dustin, stepdaughterIzabella “Bella”, her father,Patrick “Skip”, her mother,Stacy, her brother, Keegan,aunts, uncles, cousins andfriends.

The service for Kelly washeld at Saint John LutheranChurch in Hattiesburg. The fam-ily request that, if you would liketo make a donation, please do soin Kelly’s name to your local petrescue facility.

She will be in our hearts for-ever and missed immeasurably.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013 Page B-3

F-35 Public HearingYou Are Invited!

The United States Air Force, through Eglin Air Force Base, has prepared a Revised Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement that analyzes the potential environmental impacts associated with where the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft may ultimately beddown on the Eglin Reservation, how they might be operated, and the degree in which other mitigation measures are possible. The Revised Draft SEIS contains analyses of operational alternatives and presents potential mitigations for up to 59 F-35 aircraft to be delivered to Eglin AFB under the February 2009 Record of Decision.

A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at the First Baptist Church of Valparaiso, 444 Valparaiso Parkway, Valparaiso, Fla. 32580. This hearing provides the public information about the Revised Draft SEIS and ensures the public has a fair and equal opportunity to consider and comment on the document. All interested members of the community and organizations are encouraged to attend.

Public Hearing Schedule:5:30 to 6:00 p.m. — Open House6:00 to 6:30 p.m. — Air Force Presentation6:30 to 8:00 p.m. — Public Hearing

Comments must be postmarked by July 29, 2013 to be considered in the Final SEIS.

For more information, please contact:Eglin AFB Public Affairs 96 TW/PAATTN: Mike Spaits101 West D Avenue, Suite 238Eglin AFB, Florida 32542spaitsm@eglin.af.mil850-882-2836

The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso since 1992

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Womanʼsclub gives toTake StockThe Twin Cities WomanʼsClub recently presented a$1,000 donation to the TakeStock in ChildrenScholarship Program of theOkaloosa Public SchoolsFoundation. Through theefforts of members of theChildhood ConcernsCommittee, chaired by JoAnn Dunnam, this fundingwill provide student sup-port services for TakeStock Scholars throughoutOkaloosa County. Picturedfrom left, Cindy Frazier theTake Stock ProgramCoordinator, Lillian Lewis,president of Twin CitiesWomanʼs Club, and DebbieBuchanan, vice presidentof the Okaloosa PublicSchools Foundation.

Obituary

Kelly McHughPitan

You’reINVITED

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Sunday Worship - 10 AMSunday Evening Worship - 5 PM

“The Riches of Jesus.”Gospel Meeting with Willie Franklin

July 10-14

Willie Franklin is aformer NFL footballplayer. He gave up pro-football to attendHarding University topursue a preachingdegree. He traveled allover preaching andteaching the gospel.

Willie continues to be a“man on a mission” - toseek out & save the lostis his heart’s burningdesire.

850-678-2911 | 801 E. John Sims Parkway, Nicevillewww.nicevillechurchofchrist.org | www.facebook.com/nicevillechurchofchristThe briefing discussed the

accomplishments of theSTEMM center since it was cre-ated, honors achieved bySTEMM students, current andprojected enrollment figures,and plans for the future.

Soria's version of the brief-ing, but not Tallman's, endedwith the following statements:"The school district has notcleared the air about their sup-port. The lack of clear supportfrom the school district isimportant. We may not agree onan issue, but once the schoolboard approves it, we need toget behind it. We have, our par-ents have, our students have andour community has. We hopethe school district will as well."

Following Tallman’s truncat-ed version of the briefing, theboard was addressed by eightvisitors, mostly faculty, parents,and students affiliated with theSTEMM center.

The first such speaker wasEileen Wittic, whose daughter isa student at the center. At first,said Wittic, her daughter wasapprehensive about attendingthe science school, because itdid not initially appear to be asmuch fun as her previouslyplanned enrollment at RuckelMiddle School. Her daughterthought she faced “only hardwork, and few familiar faces,"Wittic said. "The first monthwas very hard.”

However, said Wittic, as theyear progressed, her daughterfound new friends, took a firstprize in a science fair, andhelped her teammates on theRuckel swim team becomecounty champions. Wittic saidshe and her daughter are nowenthusiastic supporters of theSTEMM center. “My hope isthat you will make STEMMfunding a priority,” said Wittic.“Students at the STEMM centerare not one-dimensional, theyare actually very diverse.”

Next to speak was RobertMishra, who said he refers toSTEMM students as “myfavorite nerds.”

Mishra warned the schoolboard not to shut down theSTEMM center, saying, “Natureabhors a vacuum. If we don’t doSTEMM, some other communi-ty will.” Mishra said that money

to support the STEMM centercan be obtained by attractingbright students, and pursuingpartnerships with industry andthe U.S. military. He called theSTEMM center “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We shouldbe the first in the U.S. to imple-ment this, and to create the stan-dard of the future.”

Mishra also said that as adoctor he has learned that it isbetter to prevent problems thantry to solve them later. He saidthe students who are trained atthe STEMM center today willbecome the doctors, scientists,engineers and job creators of thefuture.

Mishra also told the schoolboard, “Don’t quit while we’reahead.”

Schools SuperintendentJackson did not attendMonday's school board meetingdue to a reported conflict with ameeting of a state athleticsboard.

Deputy SchoolsSuperintendent Kay McKinleytold board members thatJackson had never intended toclose the center. McKinleyadded, however, “Every schoolmust meet its financial obliga-tions.”

School board memberDewey Destin asked Tallmanhow much grant money theSTEMM center has received sofar.

Tallman said the STEMMcenter has received about$400,000 in government startupgrants, as well as about$500,000 from partners such asBoeing Aircraft and the military.

Rodney Walker said thatwhile grant money is welcome,it often comes with restrictions.For example, he said, it oftencannot be spent on salaries forfaculty or school staff. “Theremay be more grant money outthere,” said Walker, “but FTE(full time enrollment) is whatreally drives a school system’sbudget. We’ve always had sup-plemental programs, such as theballet academy and theCHOICE program. When I orig-inally voted for the STEMMAcademy, I knew it would haveto be self-sufficient in order tocontinue.”

Destin said he had taken atour of the STEMM Academyearlier Monday, and was muchimpressed.

School board member CindyFrakes said that STEMM educa-tion is important to the future ofthe U.S. She said that in arecent recruitment effort toselect a senior science facultymember for an American col-lege, only three of the 200 appli-cants had been born in America.

“We must start in the earlyyears to generate interest andenthusiasm for science,” Frakessaid. “I’m 100 percent in sup-port of STEMM education.”

Board member CathyThigpen suggested that enroll-ment at the STEMM centercould be increased if the schoolwere to lower admission stan-dards.

Board member MelissaThrush said that she was theonly member who did not votelast year to establish theSTEMM Academy, which oper-ates on the site of the formerValparaiso Elementary School,closed the year before due tolow enrollment. She said it isimportant to continue to receivebudget information before mak-ing any decision about theschool.

“I understand the need forSTEMM and the need toincrease academic rigor,”Thrush said, but added that theschool system already has othersupplemental programs such asthe CHOICE program, whichoffers high school training incertain trades and professions.“We need to ignite the enthusi-asm of all our students,” shesaid. “We need welders andconstruction workers, as well asscientists. We also need to rec-ognize that our lower-perform-ing students have the samedesire to be engaged and ignit-ed.”

As the discussion of theSTEMM school concluded,board chairman Walker remind-ed everyone that no decisionwas being made Monday night.Such a decision, he said, willnot be made until the superin-tendent presents a proposedbudget to the school board forthe 2013-14 year, and until theschool board “gets a handle” onthe number of students likely tobe enrolled in the school.

“I believe the majority of thisboard supports some form ofSTEMM center,” said Walker.”If at least three of us decidethat it should, it will take place.”In any case, said Walker, “We’lltry to do the right thing.”

FUTUREFrom page A-4

The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso since 1992

Page B-4 Wednesday, June 26, 2013 THE BAY BEACON

Jeans Day raises funds for CIC At center Ken Hair, president and CEO of Children in Crisis, is presented a check of $172.50 from the employees of Beach CommunityBank. The donation funds were collected by the BCB Team during their “Jeans Friday” fundraisers.

Pictured, Ariel Schesniak, Elizabeth Mackey, Devon Lewis, Hannah Augustin, Charis Allen, JinKim, Meredith McIntosh, Cameron Esses, Ian Kampert, Natalie Ouma, Savannah West, SoHeeYoo, Darla Lyon, James Sung, Christian Garner, Robby Yoo, Ben Esses, Cody Craine, DrewKirkpatrick and Stefan Makarov. Not all students who placed were available for photo.

RBCS shines at Math Olympiad47 students from Rocky

Bayou Christian Academyparticipated in the 2013Wallace College Math andScience Olympiad held inDothan, Alabama on March 1.All students who participatedhad to qualify and be selectedfor this event.

Twenty-one place awardsin eight subject categorieswere awarded to RBCS stu-dents, with trophies going tofirst through third places, andfourth through seventh placesreceiving ribbons. Six stu-dents scoring in the top tenplaces are also mentioned dueto the large competition classsize.

Individual places in all cat-egories are as follows:Computer Literacy (21 testersin Class C): Ian Kampert sec-

ond, Christian Garner fifth,James Sung seventh andCameron Esses ninth. AlgebraI (52 in class C): MeredithMcIntosh first, Jin Kim sec-ond and Ariel Schesniakeighth. Pre-Algebra (out of41): Hannah Augustin second,Devon Lewis third andElizabeth Mackey fourth.Micro Computer Applications(out of 19): James Sung fifth,Cody Craine sixth andChristian Garner tenth.Advanced Math (out of 37):SoHee Yoo fourth, CameronEsses sixth and Trever Knieeighth. Algebra II (out of 52):Robby Yoo third, StefanMakarov sixth and AbigailAlldredge ninth.Comprehensive Exam (out of49): Cody Craine third,Savannah West fourth, Darla

Lyon fifth, Drew Kirkpatricksixth and Natalie Ouma sev-enth. Geometry (out of 51):Charis Allen fourth, Ben Essesseventh and Casey Ponderninth.

Special congratulations goto the students that not onlyplaced in our school’s size cat-egory, but also were in the topten percentile of all studentstesting from schools of allsizes in this event: Of 121Algebra I students, MeredithMcIntosh, ranked fifth and96th percentile while Jin Kim,ranked ninth and 93th per-centile overall. Of 98 Pre-Algebra testers, HannahAugustin, ranked eighth and92th percentile overall. Of 125Geometry testers, CharisAllen, ranked ninth and 93rdpercentile overall.

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Close knit groupThe Valparaiso Library Knitting

Group is now meeting everyWednesday afternoon from 12:30-2:30 p.m. The group does volunteerknitting projects when needed andgroup projects to learn new skillstogether. The group also acceptsdonations of worsted weight yarn andbaby yarn for charity projects likeprayer shawls, cancer caps and babybooties. For additional informationcall the library at 729-5406.

Historical volunteersThe Heritage Museum of

Northwest Florida is seeking volun-teers for shifts 10 a.m.-1 p.m. or 1-4p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Interestedindividuals may call 678-2615 or stopby the Museum at 115 WestviewAvenue in Valparaiso, during regularbusiness hours, Tuesday-Saturdayfrom 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Movie ThursdayThe Valparaiso Community

Library invites everyone June 27 tobeat the heat at Movie Thursday. The

movie will be BeautifulCreatures at 2 p.m. Call729-5406, emaileruff@valp.org, or checkvcl.valp.org for more

movies and dates.

Stitch in timeThe Sand Dunes Chapter of

Embroiderers’ Guild of America cele-brates various forms of hand embroi-dery. Their next summer stitch-in willbe Thursday June 27, 6-9 p.m., at theNiceville United Methodist Church,room 400. Visitors are welcome. Formore info call 496-3466.

Summer book discussionBeat the heat this summer and join

the Friends of the Niceville Library asthey host the Summer BookDiscussion for adults on Wednesday,June 27 at 10:30 a.m.

In celebration of VivaFlorida 500 they will readand discuss “A LandRemembered” by Patrick DSmith.

Limited supplies of books areavailable at the Niceville Library’sReference desk or through theOkaloosa County Public LibraryCooperative online catalog. Call theNiceville Library at 279-4863x1504.

Republicans meetThe Okaloosa County Republican

Club will host its monthly meeting onThursday, June 27 at AmericanLegion Post 235, 105 S.W. HollywoodBlvd., Fort Walton Beach. Social hourbegins at 6:30 p.m. with dinner servedat 7 p.m.

Dan O’Byrne, Executive DirectorOkaloosa County TouristDevelopment Department (TDD) willspeak. Price of dinner is $12. Visitorsare encouraged. For more informationcall President Marvin Brigman at 609-3341. Please RSVP to Jane Dale at651-5049.

Author book signingsLynette Miesen has combined her

work as a plein air painter with herpoetry in her first book: ‘The Poetry ofArt’. She will be at the Library onThursday, June 27 at 10:30 am -11:30am. Copies will be available for pur-chase. Stop by and visit with Lynetteand enjoy her art and the feelingsexpressed through her poetry at theNiceville Library, 206 N. Partin Dr.Call 279-4863 ext. 1507 for more info.

Beer tastingMalibu Jacks, 981 Hwy 98 E

,Destin, will host a craft beer tasting tobenefit the Heritage Museum ofNorthwest Florida, Saturday, June 29from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Sample a variety of beers, enjoygreat music and fun door prizes.Admission is $15 or $12 for MuseumMembers. Spend time with familyand friends and help “Save History!”For more info call 678-2615.

All American celebrationERA American Realty will be also

be launching their first annual “All-American Days” Independence Daycelebration at 1069 E John SimsPkwy., Niceville, June 29 from 10a.m.-1 p.m. There will be lots to dowith a pet parade, face painting, abouncy house, giveaways, hot dogs,snow cones and popcorn. The ERAteam will have flags to give out.

Fellowship for friendsCelebrate Friend’s Day, Sunday,

June 30 with a Single Sunday Serviceat 2 p.m.

All are invited for a day of friendlyfellowship for young and old. Therewill be preaching, food, singing andgames at the First UnitedPentecostal Church ofNiceville, 1217 Finck Rd.

For more informationcall Pastor Moye at 232-6315 or visitNicevillePentecostalChurch.com

Mac users meetThe July meeting of the Mac Users

Group will be held on Monday, July 1at 6:30 p.m. at the NWF State CollegeStudent Services Building, room 132.James Savage will present “The basicsof the Application Drop Box forMacOS and iOS”. Attendees will begiven an opportunity to share informa-tion and/or ask questions about theircomputer, iPhone or iPad. There areno fees nor is a reservation required.For more information, visitFWBMug.com or contact Jean Duttonat jeancdutton@mac.com or 862-3327.

Open mic poetry nightJoin fellow poets July 3 and every

first Wednesday of the month for “Saythe Word”, an open mic poetry read-ing at the French Quarter Bar & Grill,714 Howell Rd., Niceville, at 7 p.m.

The event is free of charge and allare welcome to take the mic. Eachperformer should plan to share about2-3 pieces. July’s Open Mic will alsofeature music by Damian Churchwell.

Whatʼs in your genes?Valparaiso Library will be hosting

a three part genetics and genealogypresentation by Charlene H. Grafton,based on her new book “What’s InYour Genes?: Human ThreadsLinking Genetics and Genealogy”.

The second session is on July 3, at10 a.m. and the final session will beSeptember 4, at 10 a.m. A book sign-ing will be available prior to and aftereach session. For more informationplease call David Weatherford, librarydirector at 729-5406.

Boat launches closedDue to the Fourth of July festivi-

ties, the boat launching facility inLincoln Park, Valparaiso, will beclosed at 11 p.m. on July 3 and willreopen at 11 p.m. on July 4.

Any unattended boats and trailersleft in the parking lot during that timewill be towed at the owner’s expense.

Alternate boat launching facilitiesin the area are located at Florida Parkin Valparaiso and Lions Park inNiceville.

Twin Cities Park, across fromDoolittle Park on John Sims Pkwy.,will also be closed from July 2 at 8a.m. until July 5 at 8 a.m. for safetypurposes as it will be used for thepreparation and storage of the fire-works barge.

Free museum admissionBring your family and friends to

the Heritage Museum of NorthwestFlorida, 115 Westview Avenue,Valparaiso, on Thursday, July 4 andreceive free admission from 10 a.m.-4p.m.

Historic exhibits include NativeAmerican, Panhandle Pioneers andindustries such as turpentine, boatbuilding and fishing. All guests willreceive a free American flag whilesupplies last.

For more info call 678-2615 orvisit heritage-museum.org

Patriotic celebrationThe First Baptist Church of

Niceville is holding their annualFamily Fourth Celebration onThursday, July 4. The celebrationbegins at 5 p.m. in the evening atFreedom Field on the corner ofBayshore and Partin Drive with food,games and great entertainment. Wewill end the evening with a fireworksshow over Boggy Bayou.

The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso since 1992

Wednesday, June 26, 2013 Page B-5THE BAY BEACON

CHURCH DIRECTORY

ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCHand PRESCHOOL, ELCA

Sunday Services: 8:30 a.m. Liturgical, 10:30 a.m. PraiseSunday June 30th: Only one service, 10:00 a.m.Adult Classes: 9:30 a.m. Nursery provided.

St. Paul Preschool now enrolling for Fall 2013.1407 E. John Sims Parkway, Niceville Phone: 850-678-1298

www.stpaulniceville.com

IMMANUEL ANGLICAN CHURCHSunday Morning Services9 a.m. Traditional Spirit-filled Worship with Holy Communion

Nursery, ages 6 wks.-2yrs.; Sunday School, ages 3-711:01 a.m. Walk In…Worship(Contemporary Worship with Holy Communion)

Nursery & Sunday School providedImmanuel Anglican YouthWednesday Nights 6:30-8p.m. @ The Shed

Hang out; engage; worship; growwww.iacdestin.org “Pointing The Way To Jesus”

250 Indian Bayou Trail, Destin | Church Office: 850-837-6324

First Baptis t Church of Valparaiso

ENGAGING GOD,CONNECTING WITH OTHERS,

SERVING ALL

444 Valparaiso Pkwy.850-678-4822

www.fbcvalparaiso.org

SundaysBible Study • 9:30amCelebration Service • 11:00amDiscipleship • 5:00pm

WednesdaysAdults, Youth, & Children • 6:00pm

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E-mail items toinfo@baybeacon.com

CALENDAR

Beacon photo by Mike Griffith

Launch to be closed on the 4thDue to the Fourth of July festivities, the boat launching facilityin Lincoln Park, Valparaiso, will be closed at 11 p.m. on July 3and will reopen at 11 p.m. on July 4. Any unattended boats andtrailers left in the parking lot during that time will be towed atthe ownerʼs expense. See full details in the calendar.

eBooks for free fromthe libraryVisit the NicevilleLibrary and find outhow to check outeBooks free for yourdigital reading device.You can also visitOka loosa . l ib .over -drive.com from yourhome computer, log inusing your library cardand browse the evergrowing selection.Library patrons maycheck out up to threeeBooks per month.

Candlewood Suites isseeking an energetic,guest-oriented customerservice representativewith a beautiful smileand excellent customerservice skills forCandlewood Suites inMiramar Beach. IHGOpera experience aplus. Must be flexiblewith shifts and able towork weekends.Premium pay forpremium associate! Nophone calls please.Apply in person.

COMMERCIALPLUMBERS WANTED

Must be drug free, will betested, have own handtools, be dependable.Call 352-728-6053 orsend resume to ross-plbg@aol.com

CAMP TIMPOOCHEENEEDS YOU!

4-H Camp Timpoocheeneeds kitchen staffIMMEDIATELY. $8/hr,flexible scheduling, workpart or full time. NOEXPERIENCE NECES-SARY, just a cheerful atti-tude and willingness towork hard. ContactJennifer Williams at 850-897-2224 or timpoochee4-h@ufl.edu

Candlewood Suites isseeking an enthusiastic,motivated housekeepingassociate that can workwell with others and ontheir own. The perfectapplicant will possessattention to detail, abeautiful smile, and astrong work ethic. Mustbe able to workweekends. Premium payfor premium work! Nophone calls please.Apply in person.

2-BR, 2-BA townhousenear Eglin AFB in BWB,Niceville, FL. 1300 sfwith central heat and air,washer and dryer, closeto pool, tennis, golf andbiking trails. $900/mo.Damage deposit andlease required. No pets.850-830-2807 or 850-830-5026.

Dr. Thomas Holt will beretiring from the practiceof medicine effective July19, 2013. Your medicalrecords will remain atWhite-Wilson MedicalCenter and be availablefor other White-Wilsonphysicians. Or, you mayrequest copies of yourrecords for physiciansoutside of White-Wilsonby calling the MedicalRecords Department.

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MAIL: Beacon Newspapers, 1181 E. John Sims Pwky., Niceville, FL32578. Please enclose check.DROP IN: The Bay Beacon, 1181 E. John Sims Pkwy., Parkway EastShopping Center. Office hours: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. M-F. After hours, use mailslot in our door.E-MAIL: classified@baybeacon.com Type "Classified" in subject field. (Donot include credit card information. We will call you for credit card info. $5processing fee.)

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NEWSPAPER REPORTERThe Bay Beacon has an opening for a full-timereporter. The job requires a hardworking, self-starting, organized journalist with high standardsfor accuracy, the ability to meet deadlines, a nosefor news, and concern for readers. Paid holidays,paid vacation, IRA plan. Applicants should havereporting experience. Apply at the Beaconʼs office1181 E. John Sims Pkwy, Niceville. Submitcopies of samples of your written work.

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Dear Bay Beacon Staff,We want to tell you about the amazing results we have

experienced since placing an ad in the Bay Beacon a few weeksago. As a new business we have faced multiple challenges ingaining recognition in the community. Advertising is done bytrial and error and sometimes at a great expense. This has notbeen the case in advertising with your paper. In fact, we havebeen delightfully surprised and appreciative of the folks whohave contacted us in response to our ad.

We thank you for your cooperative and helpful response toour advertising needs. It has also afforded us the opportunityto meet a lot of “nice” people in Niceville.

Advertising in theBay Beacon getsresults! Here’s proof!

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Jason and Kimberly Coone ofCrestview are proud to announcethe birth of their daughter, KayleeJean Coone.

Kaylee Jean arrived at 5:47p.m. on June 4, 2013, at FortWalton Beach Medical Center.She weighted 6 pounds and was19 and a half inches long.

Maternal grandparents areChuck and Pamela Hamilton ofValparaiso. The paternal grand-parents are Mark and WandaCoone of Burns, Tennessee. Thegreat grandparents are Irv andDoris DuVall of Fort WaltonBeach and Kenneth and EstelleSullivan of Fairview, Tennessee.

Births

The voice of Niceville, Bluewater Bay and Valparaiso since 1992

Page B-6 Wednesday, June 26, 2013 THE BAY BEACON

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Fourth of July

Thrivent gives to Sharing and CaringOn June 2, Jim Debord, Thrivent for Lutheranʼs Associate Representative, presented a check toJim Vohs, volunteer for Sharing and Caring, in the amount of $2,128. The grant was written byAudrey Hains for St. Paulʼs Lutheran Church, through which the funds were passed. From left, JimVohs, Karen Debord, Jim Debord and Audrey Hains.

Dash supplies ECCACEagle Scout candidate Spencer Mailes organized a 4K DiaperDash to benefit the Emerald Coast Childrenʼs Advocacy CenterApril 27. Families and individuals were asked to bring a bag ofdiapers or a package of wipes as their entry fee. 130 entries ofall ages participated in the race that took place at the Churchof Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Niceville.

Dancers at the airportBallerina Ariana Ammons admires the poster for the newOkaloosa Public Arts exhibit displayed at the NorthwestFlorida Airport. Celebrating the Northwest Florida Ballet, theexhibit is scheduled to run through December. Ariana hasbeen invited to attend a summer program at the Joffrey in NewYork City.

Air Force Airman Cory L.Garland graduated from basicmilitary training at Joint BaseSan Antonio-Lackland, SanAntonio, Texas.

The airman completed anintensive, eight-week programthat included training in mili-tary discipline and studies, AirForce corev a l u e s ,p h y s i c a lf i t n e s s ,and basicw a r f a r eprinciplesand skills.

Airmenwho com-plete basict r a i n i n gearn fourcredits toward an associate inapplied science degree throughthe Community College of theAir Force.

Garland is the son ofColleen Garland of IreneCourt, Niceville. He is a 2010graduate of Niceville HighSchool.

Pictured, Tim Parsons, Kiwanis advisor to NHS Key Club, Cassidy McAllister, Melody Zargari andCaroline Armstrong.

Kiwanis lauds NHS students

Airman CoryGarland

Kiwanis Club of Niceville-Valparaiso presented awards tothree Niceville High SchoolSeniors. Tim Parsons presentedthe Danny Kittrell MemorialLeadership Award for 2013 toMelody Zargari. Melody servedas the NHS Key Club Presidentthe past year and plans to attend

the University of Florida. Steve Baldock, Kiwanis Club

President, also presented KeyClub Leadership Awards toCassidy McAllister andCaroline Armstrong in recogni-tion of their individual initia-tive, creativity, responsibility,cooperation and leadership abil-

ity.Parsons is the Kiwanis advi-

sor for the Niceville HighSchool Key Club. He gives allthe credit for the club’s successto the students and the facultysponsor, Jennie Allison withsupport from principal RodneyNobles.

In the Service

Kaylee Jean Coone