-- The Fort Walton Beach Police Department announced Monday that their "School Zone Traffic Cameras" recorded over 3,000 speeding violations during their 30-day warning period in April Police say they caught some drivers going over 60 mph in some of the school zones a $100 citation will be issued to drivers going 11 miles above the speed limit DESTIN — Divers from across the United States will descend on Destin-Fort Walton Beach from May 16-18 to compete in the Emerald Coast Open known as the world’s largest lionfish tournament with more than $100,000 in prizes on the line The annual event aims to curb the spread of invasive lionfish in Gulf waters more than 100 divers removed nearly 12,000 lionfish and organizers expect to surpass that number this year Prizes will be awarded for categories including most lionfish “Marine conservation is a key component of Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s tourism initiatives.” A weeklong "Restaurant Week" will precede the tournament showcasing lionfish dishes prepared by local chefs restaurant week will begin May 9 at the Crab Trap Destin The free Lionfish Festival will be held at HarborWalk Village in Destin from May 17 to 18 The event will feature conservation exhibits Tournament winners will be announced May 18 at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar “Each year the Emerald Coast Open demonstrates the very best in how our businesses and diving community collaborate to create an exciting atmosphere for residents and visitors,” Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon said in the release More information and registration details are available at www.emeraldcoastopen.com. For travel and destination info, visit www.destinfwb.com After recording more than 3,000 speeding violations during a 30-day warning period Fort Walton Beach will begin issuing citations from its new school zone speed cameras starting Wednesday “Let’s prioritize the safety of our students Obey posted limits,” the police department stated in a social media announcement Monday The city will begin issuing citations May 7 under Florida State Statute 316.1896, which authorizes automated enforcement of school zone speed limits. The camera systems were installed at nine schools throughout Fort Walton Beach after the City Council unanimously approved the program in January Unlike traditional school zone enforcement that operates only during arrival and dismissal times the cameras will monitor speeds throughout the entire school day The enforcement system will be active 30 minutes before school starts and 30 minutes after school dismissal or other times when school is not in session Police Chief Robert Bage previously expressed hope that the warning period would be sufficient to change driver behavior “We would hope that we don’t write the first speeding ticket,” Bage said at the January council meeting “I would hope that during the warning period and the educational period when people know that there’s a repercussion for speeding through the school zones that nobody speeds through a school.” speeding in the county and the cities is completely out of control I feel the law enforcement is failing the people who live here and pay taxes It all start with neighborhoods and local roads by the time they get to highways like 85 it all Mad Max beyond thunder dome Join the best local newsletter read by thousands of locals each weekday morning -- Video shows a black bear on the loose inside Gulfarium Marine Park in Fort Walton Beach Megan Richardson sent WEAR News the video Wednesday on ChimeIn saying that the black bear caused the park's guests "to scramble." The park temporarily moved all visitors indoors "We were waiting for the Sea Lion show to start when this bear came charging off the beach," Richardson said "Too close for comfort," she added billed as the world’s largest lionfish tournament returns to Destin-Fort Walton Beach from May 16–18 Organizers expect this year’s haul to top last year’s total of nearly 12,000 lionfish caught by more than 100 divers The goal: help manage the Gulf’s invasive lionfish population which threatens native species and coral reef ecosystems “The tournament removes thousands of lionfish from our waters and raises public awareness at the same time,” said Alex Fogg Events surrounding the tournament include Restaurant Week and the Lionfish Festival at HarborWalk Village in Destin For rules and registration, visit emeraldcoastopen.com 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who we are ✝️ Our Patron Saint, St. Francis de Sales 🌆 Merge Our Cities 📲 On Social Media 🗞️ Through our Newsletter 👨🏻‍💻 Email Us 💥 Advertise With Us 🫱🏾‍🫲🏻 Our Advertisers 🔼 Support Us 📎 Terms and Conditions 🌀 Hurricanes ✏️ Niceville Area Schools Safe Connections celebrated the opening of its new facility at 40 Beal Parkway SW with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday “We provide supervised visitation when there’s interventions by the state DCF,” said Audrey Frank case manager at the DeFuniak Springs location “We provide an environment where we have staggered arrivals separate entrances and exits for both parties to keep everyone safe.” These safety measures ensure parents don’t interact during visits “The visiting parent comes in one door the custodial parent comes in another door And then staggered arrival so that nobody’s sitting at a light right next to each other following each other out,” Frank explained Safe Connections fills a critical need in the region Families travel from as far as Panama City and beyond to use their services The organization purchased the building two years ago with $400,000 in ARPA funds secured through Okaloosa County Commissioners emphasized the community support that made the facility possible Several local companies donated materials and labor which replaced ceiling tiles with materials donated by REW Materials we wouldn’t exist,” Frank said that we’ve been afraid we’ve got to shut the doors.” Safe Connections operates three centers across the Panhandle Each center typically has one staff member managing about 30 active cases with the organization serving approximately 600 families yearly The limited staff leads to waiting lists for families needing services With centers open Tuesday through Saturday each location can only accommodate one 90-minute visit during after-school and after-work hours “If you’ve got one person working there that’s only one visit when everybody’s out of school and everybody’s off of work,” Frank noted Most visits are court-ordered in cases involving domestic violence or reconnecting children with parents after absences due to various reasons The nonprofit faces significant funding challenges Safe Connections now relies on a combination of nonprofit grants through the county explained their approach to fees: “We work on a sliding scale It’s hard to ask people that don’t have money to pay.” Lynch recalled accepting just one dollar from a client who was struggling financially “It’s showing you’re trying the best that you can,” she said noting that many clients are poverty-stricken The new facility provides a comfortable environment for crucial family interactions who has been a case manager at the Fort Walton Beach location for nine months who has been doing supervised visitation work for nearly 15 years expressed her personal connection to the mission “I don’t trust anybody else to care about the families the way that I do,” she said “I grew up in a place that somebody should have come into It’s so healing for me to be able to be that safe place for those kids.” who founded Safe Connections nearly 28 years ago at Shalimar United Methodist Church attended the ribbon-cutting and reflected on the organization’s impact “The things that haven’t happened because Safe Connections is here are hard to quantify,” Rogers added “I can tell you what has happened in communities that don’t have a supervised visitation center to provide a safety net for families lifetimes of harm to children all the way to death of people.” Community members interested in supporting Safe Connections can donate snacks or funds to help the organization continue its mission “We’re a nonprofit and of course we need donations,” Lynch said emphasizing the organization’s reliance on community support to keep its doors open -- A structure fire on Kanuha Drive in Fort Walton Beach left residents displaced on Sunday according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office The Ocean City-Wright Fire Control District responded to the blaze at 445 Kanuha Drive around 2:30 p.m. where the fire began on the outside of a middle unit in a quadplex It extended up the rear wall into the attic space of the two middle units which suffered the most significant damage according to the Ocean City-Wright Fire Control District The American Red Cross is assisting with temporary housing for those impacted Crews worked aggressively to contain the fire and limit further damage with critical scene support from Okaloosa County EMS and the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Station backfill was provided by the Eglin AFB Fire Department and the Florosa Fire Department Deputies responded to multiple 911 calls about 2:10 p.m. he found a 23-year-old man bleeding from a gunshot wound at Shirley Drive and Marler Street The deputy immediately provided aid until EMS arrived and took the victim to a local hospital Investigators are working to identify suspects Anyone with information is asked to contact the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office at 850-651-7400 Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-TIPS One man was killed and another person was injured in a shooting Saturday afternoon in Fort Walton Beach according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office The Fort Walton Beach Police Department assisted in the response Officials provided no immediate information about potential suspects or the condition of the injured person and authorities said they will release more details as facts are determined Anyone with information is asked to contact the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office at 850-651-7400 or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers -- A shooting near the intersection of Shirley Drive and Marler Street left one man dead and another injured on Saturday afternoon The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office received multiple 911 calls from residents is the area reporting hearing numerous gunshots at approximately 2:10 p.m The first deputy to arrive found a 23-year old man in the intersection of Shirley Drive and Marler Street bleeding from a gunshot wound OCSO says the deputy immediately began to render aid until EMS could arrive and transport him to an area hospital A check on a second individual underneath a nearby tree revealed he had been killed in the gunfire The Fort Walton Beach Police Department assisted in the response OCSO Investigators are working to piece together the case and find who is responsible They ask that anyone with information please call the OCSO at 850.651.7400 or contact Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850.863.TIPS Divers from across the country will descend on Destin-Fort Walton Beach later this month for the Emerald Coast Open with competitors vying for over $100,000 in prizes aims to help manage the invasive lionfish population that threatens native species in Gulf waters Last year’s tournament saw more than 100 divers harvest nearly 12,000 lionfish and organizers expect to surpass those numbers this year including the main competition where divers compete for top prizes in categories for the smallest Emerald Coast Open Restaurant Week will showcase local chefs’ lionfish dishes from May 9-17 Different restaurants will be featured each day starting with Crab Trap Destin on May 9 and concluding with an all-day special at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar on May 17 “The Emerald Coast Open tournament not only helps remove invasive lionfish keeping our fisheries healthy but also provides valuable education and awareness through the Festival and Restaurant Week,” said Alex Fogg “Marine conservation is a key component of Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s tourism initiatives and these events help maintain the health of our waters and marine life.” Each restaurant will create unique lionfish dishes The winning restaurant will be announced at the end of the week The free Lionfish Festival will take place along HarborWalk Village in Destin Tournament awards will be announced on May 18 at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar The Emerald Coast Open is part of broader conservation efforts to control the lionfish population which has no natural predators in the Gulf and can devastate native fish populations For more information on the tournament including registration and rules, visit here. For details about Destin-Fort Walton Beach, visit here. Local tech company Beast Code broke ground Tuesday on its new 36,000-square-foot headquarters at Freedom Tech Center bringing the homegrown defense contractor’s 230-plus employees closer to their new home after outgrowing facilities in Mary Esther “We started Beast Code because we’re tired of the traditional corporate ways We wanted to build a cool software company that was relevant,” Zimmerman said during the ceremony “We wanted to attract the best talent from around the nation to solve really hard problems.” which specializes in creating virtual reality training environments and digital transformation solutions for military clients The company has expanded its mission beyond its original Navy visualization projects to support multiple branches of the military Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce CEO Ted Corcoran highlighted the remarkable growth of Beast Code “What started with seven founders around a folding table working with the US Navy to visualize a design for a new ship has morphed into one of the largest organizations in all of Okaloosa County if not Northwest Florida,” Corcoran said whose Jay Odom Group owns Freedom Tech Center described the 54-acre development as a unique opportunity in Fort Walton Beach Executive Director of One Okaloosa Economic Development Council shared how he introduced Zimmerman and Odom over barbecue in 2021 when Beast Code was searching for space to expand “Matt shared that Beast Code had outgrown the space they were in and he also shared that they wanted to be in an environment that offered outdoor amenities and had a first-class presence,” Sparks said “I knew Freedom Tech Center was perfect.” Northwest Florida State College President Mel Ponder emphasized the project’s significance for the region The project is scheduled for completion in September 2026 The two-story building will be located at 690 Liberty Lane NW on property leased from the Air Force Beast Code secured a $500 million contract with the Navy for its technology that creates “digital threads” across 3D models Here goes the “lack of affordible housing” ?land -- Students are getting ready for the workforce It's what the roughly 1,600 students at Fort Walton Beach High School did at a career fair Friday morning summer jobs and long-term careers were on display for students For students who work part-time jobs under Florida law Some Florida lawmakers want to do away with those requirements A sea of students were hunting for jobs at Fort Walton Beach High School at the second annual Viking Voyage Career Fair "It's grown exponentially," said Principal Lindsey Smith we're gonna have to go into two different buildings if it gets any bigger." The entire student body received resources for post-graduation presenters and companies were in attendance who are graduating high school either this year or next year looking at staying close to home," said Joshua Fillion a Northwest Florida State College representative But if college isn't the path students want to go down after high school people with opportunities and not just summer jobs -- not just summer jobs but careers -- actual ways you can get internships," said Boston McGhee a job she says has opened the door for her future She was recently accepted into the Florida Institute of Technology "All of that really started from here that's how I decided what I want to do with my life." "I have a single mom," McGhee said But if a bill that would ease labor restrictions for minors is passed in the Florida legislature her peers who also work part-time will have the opportunity to work more hours 16- and 17-year-olds cannot work earlier than 6:30 a.m There's a limit of eight hours a day and 30 hours a week unless they have permission from parents or school "It gives people who don't have the picket fence life ways to improve and help themselves and their families," McGhee said Marrie Gray is the community liaison for Elder Services of Okaloosa County working to inform students about the organization and what job opportunities are available "Having grown up in a single-family household I know that would've been very helpful to my mom being in that position," Gray said "I think it's totally up to the parents what the kids do," she said Academy Sports + Outdoors has announced it will open its new Fort Walton Beach store in May 2025 marking the retailer’s 20th location in Florida According to a press release issued Monday the new location will span more than 65,000 square feet and is expected to create approximately 60 new jobs in the community Construction work is currently underway following permits issued by the city last August An alteration build out permit was issued on Aug with the value of the permitted work at $4,300,000 The renovation project includes a complete buildout of the existing structure resurfacing and restriping of the western parking lot and expansion of the eastern parking lot and truck docking area The total project area encompasses approximately 131,241 square feet or 3.0 acres The store will offer sports and outdoor merchandise from brands including Nike along with the retailer’s private label brands such as Magellan Outdoors and BCG This will be the first Academy Sports + Outdoors location in the Fort Walton Beach area Customers can sign up for the retailer’s rewards program or text FTWALTON to 22369 for information about grand opening deals and events Sea turtle nesting season begins May 1 along Destin-Fort Walton Beach with local patrol teams preparing to monitor the beaches daily through October 31 “They typically do this in the middle of the night to help protect them from predators The patrol team will be on the beaches every morning looking for new nests marking them and monitoring them until they hatch Valek outlined several ways locals and visitors can help protect nesting sea turtles flattening sandcastles and removing all belongings from the beach at the end of the day Keeping beaches dark is also critical for sea turtle protection Valek advises shutting off external lights for beachfront properties and avoiding white flashlights on the beach at night “If you do have to use a light on the beach at night we ask that you use a red sea turtle friendly flashlight,” Valek said Red sea turtle friendly flashlights are available at any Destin-Fort Walton Beach Welcome and Adventure Centers Valek encourages anyone who spots a nesting sea turtle sea turtle nest or hatchlings to call the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Sea Turtle hotline at 850-461-2885 Young pirates will take over downtown Fort Walton Beach next month for an afternoon of treasure hunting and trick-or-treating during the annual Little Scallywags Pirate Walk The walk follows a designated route through downtown with participating merchants offering treats to costumed children in a format similar to Halloween trick-or-treating but with a nautical twist Organizers encourage families to “dress in your best pirate attire” to enhance the festive atmosphere as children navigate the downtown streets in search of treats The event provides local businesses an opportunity to engage with the community while introducing families to the downtown area potentially increasing visibility for merchants The Little Scallywags Pirate Walk functions as the opening celebration for the larger Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival Weekend one of Fort Walton Beach’s signature annual events The event is free and open to the public. Parents can find additional information on the ‘Little Scallywags Pirate Walk’ Facebook event page The City of Fort Walton Beach finalized its search for a new city manager Friday signing an employment agreement with Jason Davis following the City Council’s approval of the contract earlier this week The agreement states Davis will receive an annual base salary of $220,000 paid in bi-weekly installments He will also receive either a city-supplied vehicle or a $500 monthly vehicle allowance and a $100 monthly cell phone allowance Davis brings more than 20 years of public service experience to Fort Walton Beach His career includes extensive work in Palm Beach County from 2007 to 2023 where he served as a division director managing 12,000 full-time employees with a budget of $7.8 billion he has worked as Deputy County Administrator in St overseeing a staff of 942 employees and a budget of $760 million Davis identified several challenges facing Fort Walton Beach and handling large capital projects that require creative budget concepts As for his reason for leaving his current position “I love the west coast of Florida and saw the opportunity Opportunities like this do not come along very often… The possibility of working my next 30 years in Fort Walton Beach is too appealing for me not to apply.” Davis holds a doctorate in organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University as well as an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Florida State University “It’s an exciting time for our great city,” said Mayor Nic Allegretto on Friday afternoon “As we enter a new chapter with our city’s newest leader we look forward to working together to give our residents the best version of Fort Walton Beach!” The city’s employment agreement includes a $5,000 relocation reimbursement participation in the city’s retirement plan and professional development opportunities The contract specifies that Davis will serve at the pleasure of the City Council as an at-will employee who has been serving in the position while the city conducted its search.  Television personality Mark Consuelos shared fond memories of visiting Fort Walton Beach during his childhood on Thursday’s episode of “Live with Kelly and Mark.” “I would then go to Fort Walton Beach, Florida,” Consuelos said on the April 24 broadcast Consuelos explained that his father would schedule meetings at the base to coincide with spring break allowing the family to travel from Illinois to Florida for vacation Consuelos shared nostalgic memories of the amenities at these hotels and the distinct smell of cigarette smoke that was common in hotel rooms during that era His co-host and wife Kelly Ripa added context about how attitudes toward indoor smoking have changed noting that “smoking indoors with children was not a concern” at that time A fire at a quadplex on Kanuha Drive in Fort Walton Beach has displaced all residents from the building “The fire originated on the exterior of a middle unit in a quadplex and extended up the rear wall into the attic space of the two middle units which sustained the most significant damage,” according to the fire district All four units in the building were affected by the fire The American Red Cross is providing temporary housing assistance to the displaced residents Multiple units from the Ocean City-Wright Fire Control District responded to contain the blaze The Fort Walton Beach Fire Department provided mutual aid with Battalion 6 Fire officials said they are grateful for the quick response of all crews and support from partner agencies Their thoughts are with the affected residents as they begin the recovery process The former Winn-Dixie location at 798 Beal Parkway will reopen as an ALDI grocery store on Thursday completing the conversion announced last year “At our new Fort Walton Beach ALDI store shoppers will find that every decision we make from our product selection to store layout is to provide our customers with the best products at the lowest possible prices of any national grocer,” said Heather Moore customers can save up to 36% on an average household’s shopping list with families saving nearly $4,000 on their grocery bills by purchasing ALDI-exclusive products instead of name brands ALDI will give the first 100 customers a gift bag containing samples of exclusive products and a gift card through its “Golden Ticket” giveaway program Shoppers can also enter a sweepstakes for a $500 ALDI gift card during opening weekend The new location is part of ALDI’s broader expansion plan to open 800 stores nationwide by the end of 2028 Shoppers will have access to online ordering and curbside pickup services through the company’s website Crash on Racetrack Road leads to shooting investigation in Fort Walton BeachNorthwest Florida Daily NewsFORT WALTON BEACH — A reported car crash on Racetrack Road early Saturday morning led to a shooting investigation according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Deputies were called to the area about 3:30 a.m and found a crashed van near 218 Racetrack Road but no driver or passengers were found at the scene Investigators determined someone had jumped a nearby fence a Fort Walton Beach man arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism and Saltwater Restaurants are preparing for the annual Earth Day Beach Cleanup on Saturday Organizers have positioned cleanup stations at the following locations throughout Okaloosa County:  Participants will receive free event T-shirts while supplies last The Crab Trap and The Surf Hut locations will be treated to a complimentary breakfast afterward.  “The Earth Day Cleanup is a great way to bring the community together and do good for the environment,” said Jessica Valek Coastal Resources Coordinator for Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism “Removing trash and debris not only protects the environment but also the health of our communities and local wildlife.” event volunteers collected 3,000 cigarette butts from local beaches highlighting the significant problem marine debris poses for the local ecosystem. Organizers encourage volunteers to bring their own buckets along with water bottles and sun protection organizers recommend it since T-shirts and breakfast will be limited in quantity Participants who register online should arrive at their designated cleanup location on time.  “Although the Earth Day Cleanup is held only once a year we should treat every day like Earth Day to ensure future generations have a clean and safe home,” Valek said.  Those with questions about the event can email Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism here A car crash call early Saturday morning turned into a shooting investigation after Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies found an abandoned vehicle and blood trail Investigators discovered evidence that someone who was bleeding had jumped a nearby fence a Fort Walton Beach area man was located at an area hospital with a gunshot wound The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the incident Anyone with information is asked to contact the OCSO at 850-651-7400 or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-TIPS Okaloosa County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to purchase waterfront property at 326 Miracle Strip Parkway for $3.5 million with plans to potentially develop it as a museum site Deputy County Administrator Craig Coffey presented the opportunity as part of the county’s long-term efforts to expand waterfront offerings and address tourism demands on a highly traveled street,” Coffey told commissioners “It’s in relatively good shape It’s been well maintained and kept up well.” Coffey outlined several potential uses for the property children’s activities through Little Adventures The location also offers opportunities for partnerships with the adjacent Liza Jackson Park The property was appraised at $3.75 million slightly above the negotiated purchase price Coffey noted that replacing the building alone would cost more than $6 million today who made the motion to approve the purchase called it “a great opportunity to continue to serve the tourism function” while also providing “an amenity for locals to enjoy.” “It’s the money that everybody pays when they come to hotels only and we’re able to utilize some of it for different wonderful things like this purchase,” Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel explained While officials have discussed using the site for a museum potentially related to the SS United States ship Goodwin emphasized that the purchase makes sense regardless of whether that specific project moves forward Additional funds have been allocated for master planning and any immediate building repairs Coffey indicated that specific reuse plans will require future board approval They spend 3.75 MILLION dollars of tax payer money and don’t know what they are going to do with the property If your child came in your home and said something like this to you about money you were giving them would you agree with their decision Just being a “good deal” does not mean you should buy it If it’s that great why hasn’t it been snatched up long ago Something seems shady or better yet fishy It’s from the bed tax otherwise known as tourism money from the hotels Tourism increase when you can’t get anywhere by car because of the traffic It’s not some random purchase: Its right next to the park property appraised at higher than they acquired it for Why not fix the dog parks adjacent to red lobster I like the idea of it being an event rental space it would be beautiful for weddings and receptions but another “charter boat hub” please quit trying to make Fort Walton another Destin And anything to do with that that 10 million dollar ship they bought to sink is ridiculous buying the ship was a great idea and will be a wonderful place to snorkeling I agree with the idea of making it an event place Whether for weddings or parties or businesses that want to hold lectures or meetings.Also a place for groups like the Krewes to use when Mardi Gras or Christmas parades Wife and I were thinking of making an offer for the property I think this is a great idea – unique property with waterfront on 98 – and built with bed tax dollars to draw more vacationers I used to work at the Red Mobster 15 or more years ago making the biscuits and baking potatoes My vote is for it to be a public owned event space that can actually be rented out for a reasonable cost to individuals and free for not for profit organization to reserve -- A Fort Walton Beach man was charged with video voyeurism and burglary on Wednesday The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office arrested 30-year old Jason Carpenter Deputies say a woman found a camera hidden in an air vent in her home on April 11 after noticing a glare while cleaning The sheriff's office says the camera had been recording the victim in her bedroom since February This includes her getting undressed on several occasions Deputies say the footage shows Carpenter setting up the camera FORT WALTON BEACH — An agreement between the city of Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa County could knock a few years off the "Around the Mound" timeline On Tuesday, the Fort Walton Beach City Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with Okaloosa County to fund the design phase of the "Around the Mound" project Highway 98 north of the Indian Temple Mound to help alleviate traffic concerns through downtown Fort Walton Beach Each entity will provide a $675,000 50/50 match and the project will be added to the county's Capital Improvement Plan According to documents provided by Okaloosa County Public Works Director Jason Autrey the agreement allows the city to apply for a Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) grant which was created to improve regionally significant transportation facilities in "regional transportation areas." Fort Walton Beach Growth Management Director Christopher Frassetti noted at Tuesday's meeting that the TRIP grant would cover half of the $2.7 million in design costs and could accelerate the project's timeline by at least five years Councilman Travis Smith further clarified the process telling those in attendance that once the Project Development & Environmental (PD&E) study is completed the city also will use grant funding from the Safe Streets and Roads for All program which could advance the project by 18 to 24 months according to Smith's conversations with the Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization "We're presented with a unique opportunity here to advance a government project that —we all know that when the government is involved it usually takes a lot longer to get things done," said Smith "I feel like this is a once in a lifetime deal that we got right here." Smith also noted how important the project is especially to local military installations which currently are finding ways in order to get on-base personnel to Hurlburt and Eglin in a timely manner The long-vacant former Hardee’s location on Beal Parkway could soon be serving burgers again pending approval of plans for a new concept focused on sliders The site has been a frequent topic on social media over the years with many residents lamenting the loss of their favorite breakfast spot plans are in motion that could transform the property into one of Smalls Sliders’ signature “Smorange” colored modular shipping container buildings The brand offers a streamlined experience with drive-thru and walk-up windows specializing in cooked-to-order cheeseburger sliders This development is part of a broader expansion announced in August 2024 when Smalls Sliders signed a multi-unit agreement with DPC Smalls Investments to open four locations across Northwest Florida the now Atlanta-based chain has garnered industry recognition including being named one of Nation’s Restaurant News “Breakout Brands of 2023” and appearing on QSR Magazine’s annual Contenders list in both 2023 and 2024 The company was founded by restaurateur Brandon Landry and counts former NFL star Drew Brees among its investors To state we don’t have a decent variety of restaurants in the area calls into question your knowledge of the area The Niceville-FWB-Destin area is blessed with a number of good restaurants so I’m not surprised we get yet another trashy food option your poor planning and blind eye to the model city we are supposed to be aiming for strikes again Fabric and craft retailer JOANN plans to close its Fort Walton Beach location at 224B Eglin Parkway NE as part of a larger restructuring that will shutter approximately 500 stores nationwide, according to new documents The retailer says right-sizing its store footprint is crucial for ensuring the company’s future The Fort Walton Beach location is among hundreds listed in court documents for closure though no specific timeline has been announced “The last several years have presented significant and lasting challenges in the retail environment coupled with our current financial position and constrained inventory levels forced us to take this step,” said Michael Prendergast the company says stores and JOANN.com will remain open with employees continuing to receive pay and benefits LLC is serving as the “stalking horse” bidder in the court-supervised sale process growing from a single Cleveland storefront into a national chain with over 800 stores across 49 states The company says it remains committed to serving its customer base of sewists crocheters and crafters throughout the restructuring Fort Walton Beach City Council has selected three finalists from a field of 11 candidates to potentially become the city’s next permanent city manager During last Tuesday night’s regular meeting The public will have an opportunity to meet the three finalists during a reception scheduled for 5 p.m at the City’s Public Works and Utility Services Field Office Complex the city council hired Colin Baenziger & Associates to conduct a nationwide search for qualified candidates which also assisted with previous city manager searches conducted extensive background checks on all applicants before presenting the council with a list of recommended candidates The final selection follows the council’s January discussion about the importance of separating the interim and permanent positions council members expressed concern that having an interim manager who wanted the permanent position might discourage other qualified candidates from applying Reeves was appointed by a 6-1 vote in January with the understanding that he would serve temporarily while the permanent search was conducted The city charter requires appointment of a permanent city manager within 180 days The council is expected to make its final selection following interviews with the three candidates and feedback from the public meet-and-greet session -- Two men were arrested on fentanyl charges after a search warrant Thursday morning at a Fort Walton Beach home Members of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Agency Drug Task Force executed a narcotics search warrant at 4 Allen Drive near Fort Walton Beach Deputies located a trafficking amount of fentanyl -- They take your calls during times of emergency but they rarely see the resolution 911 dispatchers are being celebrated as part of "National Public Safety Telecommunications Week." like the Fort Walton Beach Police Department staff say they're having to bring in others to help bear the 24/7 load we don't have anything," said Fort Walton Beach Police Department Lt "They are our lifeline when we are out in the field we're down about two people," said Kira Huyghue "And we have one person whose getting ready to go into the academy so we'll be down about three people full-time And we're also getting one part-time person." Staff are working extra shifts to cover the open spaces we'd probably be hurting right now," Huyghue said holidays and handling crises are all tough Not to mention potentially higher pay at other agencies since I've been here is the dispatchers that come in tend to go toward law enforcement so we put them through the academy," said Stalls "They become law enforcement officers then we're looking for more dispatchers to fill that role." Santa Rosa and Escambia counties report only needing a few positions filled keeping in mind the long hours and intense calls WEAR News asked eight- year veteran Huyghue what she finds most rewarding about being a dispatcher "Helping people and being the person that's able to answer the phone when they're in a panic," Huyghue said we're the voice and the person there to help them out." Fort Walton Beach Police have a program where interested people can sit in with dispatch to see if they want to work there It's similar to how police do ride-alongs with potential recruits The Fort Walton Beach High School girls tennis team captured the district championship with a dominant performance over runner-up Panama City Bay Haven on Tuesday Gigi Biro won the singles championship at the No while Katie Eubanks claimed both singles and doubles championships at the No Kinley Driver earned a doubles championship while finishing second in her No The district championship earns the Vikings home-court advantage for the upcoming regional tournament District 2 runner-up in Tuesday’s regional semifinal at the Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center A victory would allow them to host the regional final at the same location on Thursday In a wide-ranging forum last Tuesday evening that highlighted both consensus and division on key issues facing Fort Walton Beach seven city council candidates presented their qualifications and visions for tackling challenges from fiscal management to affordable housing and infrastructure development It’s important to note that candidates were often not asked the exact same questions Each candidate brought distinct experiences and motivations to their campaign.  Incumbent Travis Smith emphasized his deep roots and continued commitment to ongoing projects “Initially probably didn’t have the intent of running the second go around but something else lit a fire underneath me,” Smith said noting his desire to “finish what I started” with several city initiatives presented himself as someone ready to move from criticism to action “We just hit a stage in life where we didn’t want to complain when there was things going on with the city,” Merrell explained “I thought it was a great time for me to dig in roll up my sleeves and tackle some projects.” Brandon Bishop highlighted his hands-on approach to understanding city operations “I go on ride-alongs with them to see how they work their shifts… I do a lot of ministry stuff emphasized her extensive community experience “I’ve had 25 plus years experience working with the people and listening to their voices learning the things that are most disturbing to them,” she said I don’t want to build a resume.” Jason Harwell pointed to his grassroots community work “I’m the founder of an environmental organization citing accomplishments including “cleanups of homeless encampments Logan Browning brought municipal government experience to his candidacy and then just the education that I learned while I was with the city,” he said emphasized her community outreach work and focus on affordability issues “ I’m basically focusing on local businesses But what good are the jobs if they’re not paying you enough to actually live here?” The recently implemented 3% budget cap emerged as a crucial topic with candidates offering varying perspectives on its implications and management Smith expressed confidence in maintaining services despite the cap “Every year at the end of a budget season we usually have a budget amendment and that budget amendment usually rolls over a bunch of excess dollars,” he explained noting approximately $1 million in surplus funds from the previous year.  Riley voiced concerns about long-term implications and flexibility you’re going to have to be projecting out three almost like having a savings account on a rainy day Merrell emphasized the importance of transparency and citizen engagement in budget decisions “It’s as much on us as council to be transparent as much as it is on the citizen to want to be aware,” he said noting that “every council meeting is recorded The candidates presented diverse approaches to addressing housing affordability while managing development Smith advocated for market-based solutions rather than direct city intervention “I don’t think it’s incumbent upon us to use taxpayer dollars to supplement what private industry already can do,” he said noting that previous city housing funds had seen limited use until recent housing authority projects Harwell connected housing costs to broader quality of life issues “When I ask people on social media what are the reasons that they are leaving the city and there’s not enough things to do with their families,” he said The Around the Mound project received unanimous support with all candidates rating it 10 out of 10 in importance though they emphasized different aspects of its impact “Being a waterfront community and looking around and accesses that we have for our citizens to access the waterway it’s pretty piss poor if you ask me,” he said describing plans to expand the Liza Jackson boat launch through a partnership with county tourism dollars Browning emphasized preserving local character while embracing growth “We definitely want to keep the structure in the way that it is and keep Fort Walton Beach but also improve it so when you’re coming over that beautiful new bridge Merrell addressed concerns about pontoon boat rentals from his perspective as a business owner “We can sit up here and we can all pick one thing we’d love to take out if we didn’t want it… But at the end of the day it’s a business and I am for small business,” he said emphasizing the need for legal and safe operations The search for a new city manager generated substantial discussion about qualifications and priorities Merrell framed the position in business terms “If the city of Fort Walton Beach is a $60 million corporation then the city manager is a CEO… and the council would be the board that they answer to,” he said adding that the position requires someone who can “assure his staff and assure the people that Fort Walton Beach is going to continue to grow.” most important attribute that a new city manager can have,” he said “We need someone that can create a positive environment Riley outlined specific qualifications needed “You need to have some type of background or experience in business or public administration… you need to understand policies and procedures you need to understand mandated statutes,” she said Harwell focused on interpersonal qualities that energy is going to bleed over to the employees,” he said emphasizing the importance of creating a positive work environment Candidates emphasized different approaches to citizen engagement and representation Bishop stressed direct citizen interaction “I’ve been doing a bunch of door knocking the last election because that’s what Fort Walton is all about,” he said “It’s not about what I want done it’s about what Fort Walton Beach wants done.” Faison-Vazquez proposed neighborhood-level engagement “My plan is to build workshops in these neighborhoods so you guys can sit down and talk to me and let me know what your needs are,” she said candidates offered final pitches that crystallized their campaign messages and visions for the city Merrell reflected on his evolution from concerned citizen to candidate “I’ve been to council meetings I’ve been to commission meetings and sometimes I saw a hundred people show up and I saw a change and sometimes I saw a hundred people show up and things voted Smith drew on his council experience to emphasize the gravity of upcoming decisions there’s this spark that gets you involved you realize that was 5 percent of the whole thing,” he said Bishop emphasized his community connections and commitment to public safety and we got very professional guys up there stressing the importance of retaining city employees and creating a trustworthy environment Riley positioned herself as a community advocate “I’m a fighter and I believe in fighting for the people my goal is to fight as hard as I can for the citizens of Fort Walton Beach,” she said emphasizing her desire to prevent Fort Walton Beach from becoming “a desert town.” Browning highlighted his understanding of city operations “I fully understand the inner workings of the city and responsibilities of council gained through knowledge of working for the city clerk and the city manager,” he said noting his existing relationships with city staff Harwell presented himself as a voice for working-class residents “My worries aren’t your typical worries of most of your councilman or politicians I’m not worried about where I’m vacationing I’m worrying about what bill I got to pay,” he said and I want to bring the city of Fort Walton Beach with me.” emphasized her hands-on approach to community service I’m going to be out there doing the work,” she said The municipal election is scheduled for March 11 they all moved out to Destin and San Destin I don’t want to drive through Destin just to buy some new cloths or towels Keeping downtown like it’s really a downtown any more is ridiculous before the construction it was loud and louder why is there a bridge going right through the downtown I’m sure I’m not the first to say that and it’s a little late to be talking about it I expect all those expensive condos will be sold soon the noise from construction isn’t the same as lapping waters on the shore and the sound of traffic isn’t pleasant either I live in Elliots point and I can hear it loud and clear at my home I can hear the music when partying is going on at the island and traffic going across the bridge before the construction how loud is it going to get when it’s done Since before Covid the city said they would put bicycle paths on Hollywood Blvd There isn’t anyone controlling traffic If the police department needs more money they can make a small fortune from ticketing drives who don’t use their turning signals or run red lights and stop signs or just speeding down Eglin Parkway Why isn’t the city taking care of these problems I know I’m not the first one to mention any of these problems FWB is dying and it brought it upon itself these people don’t have real solutions they are all just talk deputies responded to multiple 911 calls about 8:10 p.m Investigators found multiple bullet casings outside a home along with bullet holes in the house and a vehicle parked in the driveway A woman inside the home with her three children told deputies she heard multiple gunshots and the sound of glass breaking Another unoccupied home nearby was also hit The Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation and urges anyone with information to call 850-651-7400 or contact Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers The shooting follows two other incidents the previous weekend one on Shrewsbury Road in Mary Esther and another on Elaine Avenue off Lovejoy Road Sheriff's investigators have not determined whether the shootings are connected Authorities encourage residents to report any suspicious activity immediately A similar shooting took place in May last year on Connor Drive in Crestview Deputies found about 45 shell casings in a yard with three vehicles and one home struck by bullets The City of Fort Walton Beach will begin using automated cameras to enforce speed limits in school zones starting April 1, implementing a program unanimously approved by the City Council in January Camera systems and informational signs have already been installed at the selected locations which were chosen following a 2024 traffic study that identified these areas as having more than 200 speeding violations per day “This system is an effective tool to encourage compliance with speed limits ultimately protecting students and pedestrians,” said Police Chief Robert Bage “Photo enforcement ensures consistent and equitable speed enforcement every school day regardless of police staffing levels.” Unlike traditional school zone enforcement that operates only during arrival and dismissal times The program will begin with a mandatory 30-day warning period starting April 1 speeders will receive warning notices rather than citations as part of an effort to educate drivers about the new enforcement system Violations will result in a $100 civil citation issued to the registered owner of the vehicle Officials emphasized that the citations are civil infractions that do not result in driver’s license points or impact insurance rates City Councilman Bryce Jeter voiced strong support for all-day enforcement during the January meeting “100% [this] needs to be all day long because if you volunteer at a school or… your daughter goes late checks out early…between doctor’s appointments mom’s volunteering,” Jeter said “I’ve personally seen cars speed during the day and there’s a kid crossing the road at 11 o’clock.” The city’s contract with RedSpeed includes provisions allowing the City of Fort Walton Beach to terminate the program with notice and without equipment removal fees Police maintain final approval authority over all citations Similar programs in other states have shown promising results Maryland saw a 39% decrease in speeding violations after implementing full-day enforcement reported a 30% drop in injury crashes near cameras after one year Camera systems and informational signage have been installed in the following schools: Note: This story has been updated to clarify the start and end times So if I want to question my accuser in court and be friends with someone in high places Just make your way to paradise and discuss it with him I have homes in both Okaloosa County and Tennessee after about a million complaints and multiple legal challenges banned ALL speed cameras in the entire State a few years ago I’m actually surprised that FWB is doing this (not) because it’s been deemed unconstitutional due to an Officer not being present Reinstate the 45 MPH speed limit on Racetrack There is no charge for obeying the speed limits So Red Speed is going to make 20% on every ticket I am guessing Red Speed approached the city Does this arrangement have a limited time or is it indefinite I see no reason why drivers won’t be happy to slow down to protect our children The streets in our towns look like the Daytona 500 which has shown most accidents to occur because of speeders Who would ever want to chance hitting a child It’s not that hard to slow down for these schools It would be nice we would do the speed limits everywhere A 41-year-old Pensacola man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly pointing a firearm at people outside Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson and throwing an explosive device that damaged a nearby Jimmy John’s restaurant and injured an employee Saturday Witnesses from a motorcycle club told deputies that Simonds drove up to them and pointed a weapon before tossing an item from his window that exploded near the restaurant at 792 Beal Parkway The explosion broke glass at the drive-thru and caused minor cuts to an employee’s back Deputies spotted Simonds on Lewis Turner Boulevard and conducted a traffic stop near Highway 85 and Nomad Way They observed a black firearm on the front passenger seat and what appeared to be an explosive device Simonds is being held in the Okaloosa County Jail in Crestview “This type of menacing behavior won’t stand and we will use all resources of local and federal government to protect the public from this type of violence,” Sheriff Eric Aden said The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners approved a contract Tuesday for the demolition of a portion of the old Fort Walton Beach Hospital with one commissioner suggesting the site could eventually be used for affordable housing Located at 215 Hospital Drive NE in Fort Walton Beach the facility will be demolished following asbestos abatement work completed by Cross Environmental Services in May 2024 That abatement allowed the county’s Facilities Maintenance department to move forward with contracting the demolition During the “Commissioners Minute” portion of the meeting Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel proposed that the county consider using the property for affordable housing once the demolition is complete Ketchel noted the site’s central location and proximity to the Health Department would benefit Fort Walton Beach and the entire South End area She referenced a senior apartment complex built in Sylvania Heights as an example of what might work at the location County Administrator John Hofstad responded that additional work remains at the site as some offices will still be occupied after the current demolition phase Hofstad assured the commission that his office would coordinate with them on the best use of the property going forward The approved demolition work includes removing existing structures weatherproofing the remaining building occupied by Elder Services by constructing a brick wall to seal the structure 2025 at 8:02 AM UTC·1 min readFor the first time in 26 years the Fort Walton Beach girls tennis program is headed to state is looking for a repeat of 2014's state title run The old rivals skirted doubles play Thursday as they dominated their respective region championships the Vikings beating North Bay Haven 4-1 in singles play for the Region 1-2A crown at Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center and the Eagles downing Chiles 4-1 for the Region 1-3A title at Eagle Ram Tennis Center Audrey Hill improved to 21-1 on the year at No Regional baseball roundup: Choctaw, South Walton sweep their way into semifinals Region baseball: Niceville sweeps Milton, gears up to host Columbia in Region 1-5A semifinals Reese Armstrong and Penelope Gordon easily handed business in the top two spots and Kinley Driver clinched the region title with a 10-7 third-set tiebreaker victory State begins Monday for Niceville at Sanlando Park in Seminole County and Wednesday for Fort Walton at Red Bug Lake Park in Seminole County This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: FWB wins FHSAA Region 1-2A title; Niceville captures Region 1-3A crown FORT WALTON BEACH — Josh Pulliam prepared a list of talking points for his first speech Thursday as head football coach at Fort Walton Beach I choked up and got teary eyed," he laughed So we go to meet the players on the Viking head (at Steve Riggs Stadium) and all the administration is there and Mrs I had things I wanted to say and I didn't get to because It just hit me hard in that moment." I'm super thankful to my family and Fort Walton believing in me." What he did say to the players represented his love for them and their future "My message to the guys was I want them to shine I want them to shine in any way possible," Pulliam said "I've said this to you before when I was named wrestling coach of the year my thing is making sure my players leave this program as better people I've been blessed to work with a lot of good players but even better human beings Big hire: Vernon welcomes former Niceville offensive coordinator as head coach His love for football shined at Choctawhatchee High where he graduated as a dual-sport scholar athlete in 2003 And it shined when he returned to the Sunshine State and embraced humility as he became a jack-of-all-trades coach indispensable to multiple position camps As a grad assistant at the University of South Florida he entered any position meeting that would have him along with cutting his teeth of going the extra mile of changing weights and getting the small grunt work done the defensive line and the strength and conditioning program established a tradition of hosting the players he coached for a big dinner during fall camp No one was more happy for Pulliam than Allison a 2005 FWB graduate and the mother of his two sons: 10-year-old Harvey and 4-year-old Gibson "Allison is more jacked up than I've been," said Pulliam who plans to return to that dinner tradition this fall after it was halted because of the pandemic Pulliam segued that college experience into a strength and conditioning role for three Tampa-area schools in Braden River Sarasota and Palmetto before running into former Choctaw principal Cindy Gates at a dance competition for his niece in Orlando That fortuitous meeting led him back to Choctaw in 2011 weightlifting and became one of Greg Thomas' most trusted coaches on the gridiron coaching the freshman team and working with both lines as Choctaw celebrated a Final Four berth in 2014 Pulliam then made the move to Fort Walton Beach in 2018 and worked with the defensive line eventually becoming Chip Petree's right-hand man in an era defined by the pandemic and the Vikings' propensity to schedule tough programs Pulliam had dreamed of helming his own program one day That opportunity came when Bobby Clayton left for Pensacola Catholic following an 8-12 tenure with the Vikings Pulliam was the answer to lead Fort Walton back into the spotlight "Head coach was always been in the back of my mind when you apply for jobs every year," Pulliam said Fort Walton Beach has it in them to be great It's my job to make our kids shine as best as possible It's what they deserve and it's what the community and fans deserve Never has the transfer portal been so open and that was represented as the Vikings brought in a slew of transfers in 2023 only to lose East Carolina signee Eddie Love Division-I bound JJ Lewis and Ole Miss bound Dante Core to rival schools "It's one of those things that if you build it "If you're having fun and working hard and your players believe in you and what you got going on it'll translate to players wanting to play here." the Vikings are coming off a 3-7 campaign despite breaking its rivalries with Niceville and Navarre and having a 2.0 strength of schedule 5A Crestview a 7.71 SOS and 4A Choctaw a 6 and as we learned the FHSAA exceedingly rewards schools for their SOS rather than wins against lowly opponents Pulliam couldn't say whether or not the Niceville rivalry will return but he understands there's a middle ground to scheduling between the Petree mindset of "to be the best you got to beat the best" and the last couple of years of more winnable games 'We want to be as competitive as possible," Pulliam said and if we do that it should take care of itself The schedule is something we have to look at and put our kids in the best position to compete but we also have to recognize what is going on with the FHSAA standings I'm going to do my best to put them in that competitive environment against area programs." He also recognizes the offense has to score more points Last year's 114 total points over 10 games were sadly a continuation of offensive struggles dating back more than a decade The last time the Vikings averaged 30 or more points was in 2012 so hiring an offensive coordinator will be high priority Pulliam said he understands that and will be networking through all his contacts but for now he's just excited to ramp up the strength and conditioning and get his players prepared for spring football "We have to hit the ground running and keep up with the Joneses," Pulliam said "We're ready to put in the work and and get everyone on the same page." some with husbands involved in the local Krewe of Bowlegs organization has evolved into one of Fort Walton Beach’s most vibrant social organizations as the Mardi Gras Club celebrates its 50th anniversary this year In their search for the inaugural ball venue club founders met with an Eglin Air Force Base colonel about using the Officers Club When asked about their organization’s purpose they simply stated they partied and had a good time.  The colonel’s response – “So you have no social redeeming values?” – became an unexpected source of pride After relocating the event to the Ramada Inn on Okaloosa Island the club embraced the colonel’s criticism adopting “NSRV” as their motto which members still display proudly in rhinestones today.  we’ve created something much more meaningful over these 50 years,” Woodall said “We’re a sisterhood that supports each other through life’s joys and challenges These women aren’t just club members – they’re lifelong friends.” Today’s organization maintains a selective membership of 90 active participants with special designations for past Queens and long-term members The waiting list for new members stretches three to four years with all candidates requiring sponsorship from current members “Our performances have evolved beyond the early days of simple skits,” Woodall said “Members now perform 10 choreographed dance numbers in custom-made costumes designed by the Queen and crafted by a local seamstress which changes annually to match the Queen’s theme has won multiple first-place awards in community parades.” with members ranging from 21 to 91 years old have a great time and bring a bit of fun to all that participate and support us,” Woodall said The public can see the Mardi Gras Club in action during Fort Walton Beach’s annual Mardi Gras Parade and Downtown Throwdown on Sunday featuring a parade through downtown and live music from Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe By Kim Lanier-HuntPublished: Apr. 2, 2025 at 5:16 PM CDTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInFORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (WALA) - Three Fort Walton Beach residents were arrested on drug-related charges after authorities in Okaloosa County executed a search warrant at a residence in Fort Walton Beach on Tuesday Members of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Agency Drug Task Force with assistance from the Special Response Team served the search warrant in the 100 block of London Avenue where authorities said they found fentanyl and drug paraphernalia Those arrested were 60 year-old James Carter on a charge of keeping a public nuisance structure for drug activity; 50 year-old Kimberly Blair on a drug paraphernalia possession charge; and 42 year-old Misty Woodhams on charges of possession of fentanyl and possession of a controlled substance in a detention facility Woodhams also had an active felony warrant for possession of a controlled substance Tuesday’s search marks the second time this year that the task force executed a narcotics search warrant at the residence The task force includes the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Fort Walton Beach Police Department and Niceville Police Department FORT WALTON BEACH — The days are getting warmer which means it's time to get out and enjoy everything the Emerald Coast has to offer the Nashville-based pop/punk duo Stranger Boy will kick off five weeks of free music for locals to enjoy Scratch 2020 will perform live music before the city's annual firework display Voters have elected three new members to the Fort Walton Beach City Council while Niceville residents approved one charter amendment but rejected another in Tuesday’s municipal elections Debi “Debra” Riley led all candidates in the Fort Walton Beach race with 878 votes (21.59%) followed by Logan Browning with 820 votes (20.16%) and Ben Merrell with 697 votes (17.14%) A total of 4,067 votes were cast in the Fort Walton Beach City Council election officials have announced a recount after two candidates tied for the second position Amanda Rosen received the most votes with 25 (36.23%) while Mike Blizzard and Shawn Cogan each received exactly 22 votes (31.88%) Niceville voters decided on two charter amendments with mixed results Voters rejected a proposal to eliminate the city residency requirement for the City Clerk with 416 “No” votes (53.82%) against 357 “Yes” votes (46.18%) residents approved a second referendum granting the mayor authority to vote and break ties when filling City Council vacancies This measure passed with 473 “Yes” votes (61.35%) compared to 298 “No” votes (38.65%) The smell of freshly baked cookies will soon fill the air at 180 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE as THICK Cookie Co The journey to opening day has been anything but simple for the couple who met while playing collegiate sports in Arkansas five years ago a Texas native from the small town of Giddings baking has been a lifelong passion that started in her grandmother’s kitchen That childhood hobby followed her to college and she played college softball,” Minnix explained “Morgan started baking cookies for the football team and our friends What began as sharing homemade treats with teammates evolved when a friend suggested they start selling the cookies Minnix came up with the name THICK Cookie Co as a playful nod to Page’s interest in bodybuilding “We made our own little logo and started doing small markets in Russellville “People really responded well on Facebook.” the couple expanded to nationwide shipping and local pickup operations from their apartment with customers lining up 20 cars deep in their parking lot After Page graduated with a degree in exercise science and struggled to find a job in her field she began focusing on the cookie business full-time The couple then looked further north along the Gulf Coast “She was looking around the Destin area and pointed to Fort Walton Beach,” Minnix recalled When they saw the former Artesano building was available Minnix said they were surrounded by local business owners and residents welcoming them to the community Despite seeing “a huge puddle of water on the floor” during their first visit they signed the lease last June and began the renovation process widened the interior by removing sheet rock walls installed a sneeze guard for the service counter the couple has maintained their online shipping business and participated in local markets to build brand awareness Their business model revolves around customer engagement with monthly votes on social media determining new cookie flavors Options have included creative flavors like strawberry Pop-Tart and Butterfinger Reese’s combinations The store will offer two main cookie categories: classic cookies weighing four ounces ($4 each) and giant cookies starting at seven ounces ($6.75 each) They also plan to add ice cream and drinks to their menu Page is particularly excited about having a storefront where customers can enjoy cookies fresh from the oven The timing of their grand opening coincides with the start of spring break for Okaloosa County While this wasn’t their original plan “We wanted to open beforehand to get all the kinks out,” Page admitted “But I’m super excited to see how it goes.” The couple has designed the shop with social media sharing in mind The grand opening will take place at 11 a.m The first 15 people in line will receive a free classic cookie with their purchase the couple plans to eventually offer delivery through DoorDash and potentially build a team to help with operations they’re focused on becoming Fort Walton Beach’s newest sweet spot “I’m really excited to share that fresh-out-of-the-oven experience with everyone…Finally,” said Page Looking forward to being there opening day LOVE COOKIES & LOVE FOR MY 2 NEW FRIENDS Green found out Tuesday he'd been selected as the next head football coach at Fort Walton Beach High the former All-American at Florida State University and NFL alumnus called it "a dream come true "My dad (FWB Hall-of-Famer Ernie) was at Fort Walton Beach for 30-something years and always wanted to be head coach," said Green who helped lead the 1991 Vikings football team to a 39-14 win over St Thomas Aquinas for the 4A state championship "It was a surreal moment being told I was hired to be just that." his loyalties didn't rest with his alma mater freedom and the financial stability he saw fit to operate the program ready to finish what he started three years ago as the Sharks embark on their first football season with FHSAA postseason eligibility Region QF Soccer: Johnson, defense lead Niceville girls into Sweet 16 matchup with Navarre AOTW voting: Vote for the NWF Daily News Athlete of the Week for Jan. 27-Feb. 1 I wholeheartedly believe that my mission at Destin High School is to continue building the football program that I founded into a legacy football program," Green released through a statement from Destin High School "I made a commitment to the young men and women at Destin High to continue laying the foundation and I am excited to see the program grow into something the Destin community can be proud of for generations to come." Green's coaching chops have taken him all over Florida — Freedom High as offensive coordinator American Heritage Plantation as wide receivers coach and the latest Destin's first-ever head coach beginning with its inaugural year in 2022 Green has ushered in a series of firsts for the upstart program: first win (28-21 over North Bay Haven in just its second game ever) and first winning season the Sharks going 7-3 in just his second year The transfer portal — all-area quarterback Hugh Boudreaux left for Choctaw — and lack of FHSAA playoff eligibility hindered the program's progress in 2024 as the Sharks went 1-8 but FHSAA eligibility this season should only help Green's crew rebound this season "I love Destin and I love what we've built," Green said "Destin is a great community filled with great people Bobby Clayton was hired at Fort Walton Beach in 2023 The Gulf Breeze native went 8-12 over the last two seasons as the Vikings took Niceville and Navarre off the schedule and focused on setting up a schedule full of winnable games Whomever is the next Fort Walton Beach head coach will look to bring stability to a program that's gone through five head coaches in 10 years and will welcome a sixth before spring football Tommy Johnson's run lasted just a season after failing to pass teaching certification requirements Phil Dorn went 9-29 over the next four seasons and then Chip Petree began his three-year tenure promisingly with a 2-1 start to the pandemic-ravaged 2020 whose promise of being competitive didn't land the Vikings any playoff trips His departure for Pensacola Catholic earlier this year surprised no one It was Mike Owens who led the Vikings to their last true playoff trip in 2012 although in 2020 the pandemic made playoff admittance automatic for every team advanced to the playoffs nine times and finished with an 81-76 record Only time will tell if the next hire can right the ship and return to those days The City of Fort Walton Beach announced plans for its 2025 Mardi Gras Parade and Downtown Throwdown participants will proceed north on Eglin Parkway and continue with a slight right onto Ferry Road before concluding at First Street attendees can enjoy live music from Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe performing downtown on Ferry Road between First Street and Miracle Strip Parkway The performance will take place at the corner of Ferry Road SE and First Street SE The city-sponsored event is free to the public Joann, the fabric and craft store that became ubiquitous across the United States, is now about to close more than half of its locations and Florida will be among the states hit hardest The Fort Walton Beach store is on the list of sites that will close According to the list the retailer posted on its restructuring website Joann is closing 500 of its 800 locations and 36 of them are in the Sunshine State with 61 stores on the list.) That leaves us 12 Joanns left in Florida "This was a very difficult decision to make given the major impact we know it will have on our Team Members our customers and all of the communities we serve," Joann said in a statement to USA TODAY on Wednesday "A careful analysis of store performance and future strategic fit for the Company determined which stores should remain operating as usual at this time." When are the Joann stores closing?On Wednesday Joann filed a motion seeking court authority to close approximately 500 stores February 15," Joann spokesperson Amanda Hayes told TCPalm.com "but we do not know how long they will run any timelines are subject to change and could shift on a store-by-store basis." According to Joann's restructuring website only 12 were not named on the restructuring list: Brandon (This story was updated with new information.) Former Fort Walton Beach City Councilman Dennis Reeves will serve as interim city manager following a 6-1 vote by the city council Tuesday night to fill the position being vacated by Jeff Peters Councilman David Schmidt’s initial motion to appoint Kopp received support from Councilmen Bryce Jeter and Nic Allegretto but failed in a 4-3 vote to appoint Reeves for a 90-day term that could be extended to 180 days or until a permanent city manager is hired Several candidates expressed interest in the interim position, including former Destin City Manager Lance Johnson who attended Tuesday’s meeting and indicated he would consider the permanent position if offered The council’s discussion centered largely on whether to appoint someone interested in the permanent position Councilman Travis Smith cited advice from a former councilman suggesting interim managers often become permanent potentially discouraging other qualified candidates from applying expressed concerns about the rapid appointment process “We’re not offering the opportunity at all to the public to anyone that’s interested to be the city manager on an interim basis,” Allegretto said Reeves himself said he didn’t know about it until this morning when he received a phone call from members of the community.” When Councilman Jeter asked if Reeves would still be interested in serving as interim manager if the decision was delayed two weeks who previously served on council for 6 years and is listed as the chairman of The Watch Group emphasized he was only interested in serving temporarily “I have no interest in the long term,” he said “I came tonight because I thought we were going to make a decision I didn’t really have to think about whether I wanted to put myself out on the line with all the social media scrutiny.” The city charter requires the council to hire a permanent city manager within 180 days the council unanimously approved hiring Colin Baenziger & Associates to conduct the search for a permanent city manager at a cost of $29,500 told council members the search process would take between 90 and 120 days and include a national recruitment effort The firm maintains a database of about 10,000 potential candidates and will conduct comprehensive background checks on all finalists The process will begin with individual meetings between the firm and council members starting January 17 The recruitment phase is expected to take place in February Final candidate selection is anticipated for early April Councilman Travis Smith emphasized the importance of efficiency in the search process “I want to get this thing done as quickly as we can,” Smith said The selection process will include individual interviews with candidates and a public meet-and-greet session to gather feedback from constituents FORT WALTON BEACH — The city of Fort Walton Beach announced on Dec 31 that City Manager Jeff Peters would resign on Jan 24 to pursue a position with Okaloosa County government Peters joined the city as the recreation director in 2006 and held that role until October 2022 when he was named as the interim city manager to replace outgoing City Manager Michael Beedie the Fort Walton Beach City Council selected Peters as the permanent city manager “The 19 years I’ve spent with the city as the recreation director and city manager has been truly amazing,” Peters said in a news release “I’ve worked alongside so many great employees and built tons of relationships with people in the community that will last a lifetime I’m looking forward to this next challenge with Okaloosa County and being a part of their great team Pending approval from the Okaloosa County Commission Peters will become the county's facility and parks director the Fort Walton Beach City Council will address Peters' resignation and work to find a replacement The city's charter allows 180 days for the city council to appoint a permanent replacement The Fort Walton Beach City Council approved a $613,710 project Tuesday to renovate all 18 greens at the Pines Course of the Fort Walton Beach Golf Club “They’ll dig out about six to eight inches and then sprig it to let it grow into place they’ll be immaculate,” Peters explained during the council meeting King Villages Landscaping & Golf Construction Inc of Gainesville submitted the lowest bid among five companies vying for the project Construction is scheduled to begin in early March with completion of sprigs expected by early May argued that while he supports improving the course “I think that we need to do a full rate study out there and bring this thing up to market,” Smith said. “If the golf course was self sustaining, we could spend this TDC money somewhere else. We just saw that Eglin closed nine holes of its golf course Now that’s going to do is push more traffic towards our golf course.” The project will be funded with $584,000 from the FY 2024-25 TDC Fund with the remaining $29,710 coming from the Half Cent Fund Balance Current non-member rates at the course are $52 per round Annual membership fees are $200 for city residents and $300 for those living outside city limits