Get The Coast

12/20/2024

SCHOOL SAFETY: Fort Walton Beach High School was temporarily locked down Friday after reports of a suspicious person on campus, with the individual being quickly detained by authorities, school officials said.

The Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office has charged a 16-year-old Mary Esther teen with trespassing after a warning. The teen had been told he was not to return to school grounds at Fort Walton Beach High School today but was seen around 11:20 a.m. walking through the parking lot and detained, according to the OCSO.

No weapons were found during the incident, and no shots were fired. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.

“We are incredibly grateful for the immediate and professional response from the Fort Walton Beach Police Department, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Okaloosa School District Office of Safe Schools, and the staff at Fort Walton Beach High School,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “Their swift actions were instrumental in protecting the safety of our students and staff, which remains our top priority.”

District officials noted that during the incident, misinformation spread on social media platforms caused unnecessary confusion and concern. They emphasized the importance of relying on verified information from the district and law enforcement agencies during emergencies.

Fort Walton Beach High School's safety protocols were activated after a suspicious individual was spotted on campus, leading to a swift response from law enforcement and school officials.

12/20/2024

TREE TREK WINNERS: The Fort Walton Beach Woman’s Club has announced winners of its first Festival of Trees and Holiday Tree Trek competition, which united local businesses and community members in a holiday-themed contest benefiting local scholarships.

Kyleigh Schindler claimed the $500 grand prize in the Holiday Tree Trek competition, which challenged participants to photograph themselves with decorated trees at participating businesses throughout the city. Schindler went to all 46 locations.

Here is the full list of winners from the Fort Walton Beach Woman’s Club

Festive community event featuring 46 local businesses awards $500 grand prize, while unique trees from Fokker's Restaurant and Salt Hop Brewery earn special recognition.

12/20/2024

'DREAM HOME' IN NICEVILLE: Welcome to the Building Industry Association's 2024 Dream Home from JP Carducci Inc. Construction Services in Deer Moss Creek.

This luxurious home features 13' ceilings in the main living area and 9'' wide LVP flooring throughout with tile in the wet areas. The kitchen showcases granite countertops, American Standard fixtures, custom cabinets, & LG Signature series appliances.

There is also a MASSIVE HIDDEN WALK-IN PANTRY!

The primary bath offers a full tile shower and freestanding tub. There is a seamless indoor-outdoor living area thanks to a 16' panoramic door leading to a heated (and chilled!) pool, firepit with paver seating, & gas grill connection, surrounded by a 6ft privacy fence.

Both porches have herringbone brick floors with wood tongue-and-groove ceilings. This home also has many more upgrades, some including an integrated speaker system, EV charger port, central vac.

The home is located at: 202 Safflower Ln, Niceville, FL 32578

12/20/2024

NEW ROCK RADIO STATION: JVC Broadcasting will launch its new rock radio station at 10 a.m. today, transforming WECQ-Rock 92.1 FM into WBON 92.1 The Bone, promising listeners an extensive library of rock music spanning six decades.

The station kicks off its debut at 10 a.m. with a promise to play 9,000 songs in a row, emphasizing its commitment to musical variety and deep cuts from well-known artists.

Details: https://www.getthecoast.com/jvc-broadcasting-launches-new-panhandle-rock-station-92-1-the-bone/

12/19/2024

GROUNDBREAKING IN CRESTVIEW: Local officials and community leaders gathered Thursday morning to break ground on Pineview School, launching construction of Okaloosa County School District’s first new school since 2008.

The ceremony, which featured presentations by the Crestview High School Junior ROTC and chorus, represented the culmination of six years of planning and community support, according to Superintendent Marcus Chambers.

“Six years ago, we set out on a venture. We said that we need to look at a half-cent sales tax for Okaloosa County,” Chambers said. “Because of the community, because of the citizens today, we’ve raised over $40 million more than anticipated.”

While Pineview School itself isn’t funded by the half-cent sales tax, Chambers explained how the tax initiative made the project possible. “This project that you see behind me… it’s not a half-cent sales tax project, but because of the half-cent sales tax project, it’s made our capital budget even stronger,” he said.

The new 1,200-student K-8 campus comes at a critical time for the district. While educational experts recommend planning new schools when existing facilities reach 80% capacity, Chambers said almost every school in Okaloosa County is operating at 95% capacity or higher, with many exceeding 100%.

When Pineview opens in August 2026, it will enroll approximately 1,000 students, providing immediate relief to overcrowded schools while leaving room for future growth, according to Chambers.

“Almost every elementary school in the Crestview area is going to be impacted. Both middle schools will be impacted,” Chambers said. “There’s going to be more room at the elementaries. There’s going to be more room at the middle schools because this school behind me is going to be built.”

Full story: https://www.getthecoast.com/okaloosa-school-district-breaks-ground-on-new-pineview-school-in-crestview/

12/19/2024

NEW CITY MANAGER: The Destin City Council voted unanimously to begin contract negotiations with Interim City Manager Larry Jones for the permanent position, replacing former manager Louis Zunguze.

Zunguze, who has been on medical leave since late summer, is returning to a position he previously held from December 2018 to June 2024.

The Destin City Council voted unanimously to begin contract negotiations with Interim City Manager Larry Jones for the permanent position, replacing former manager Louis Zunguze.

12/19/2024

NEW CRESTVIEW SCHOOL: Local officials and community leaders gathered Thursday morning to break ground on Pineview School, launching construction of Okaloosa County School District’s first new school since 2008.

When Pineview opens in August 2026, it will enroll approximately 1,000 students.

The state-of-the-art facility will feature modern amenities including specialized band and chorus rooms, a media center, and advanced classroom technology. The campus design includes two-story classroom wings, a gymnasium with PE/Athletic locker rooms, and a cafeteria designed as an Enhanced Hurricane Protection Area.

Full story below:

Okaloosa school officials broke ground Thursday on Pineview School, a new 1,200-student K-8 campus aimed at relieving overcrowding in Crestview-area schools.

12/19/2024

Gearing up for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Pineview school in Crestview!

12/19/2024

SS UNITED STATES ARTIFICIAL REEF UPDATE: The SS United States currently remains in Philadelphia as county officials work to satisfy U.S. Coast Guard requirements for the vessel’s stability, Okaloosa County Natural Resources Chief Alex Fogg told the Tourist Development Council Tuesday morning.

The Coast Guard issued a Captain of the Port order in mid-November requiring additional documentation before the historic ocean liner can begin its journey from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Mobile, Alabama.

“We had to satisfy specific items within that order,” Fogg said. “One was to provide more information related to the tow plan, another was to prove that the contracted tugboats are capable of pushing around a vessel of this size, and probably the biggest sticking point was to prove that the vessel was stable enough to make it from Philadelphia all the way down to Mobile.”

The county has hired an independent naval architect to conduct onboard tests to calculate the vertical center of gravity which is essential in determining vessel stability.

Addressing recent media reports about project costs, Fogg clarified that the total $10.1 million budget, including $1 million specifically allocated for a land-based museum, remains unchanged. The project is funded through tourist development tax dollars.

On Tuesday, the Escambia County Tourist Development Council approved contributing $1 million toward the project.

Here are the full details on what will soon be the world's largest artificial reef.

Okaloosa County officials detail progress on vessel stability tests, clarify $10.1 million project budget, and address misconceptions about the historic ocean liner's future as an artificial reef.

12/18/2024

FIRST LOOK: What could Destin look like in the next 15 years? The Destin City Council just received a comprehensive Town Center Master Plan that reimagines key areas of the community:

🏛️ A new City Hall and expanded Community Center at Morgan Civic & Recreational Complex featuring basketball courts, fitness areas, and improved recreation spaces.

🎣 A historic Fishing Village celebrating Destin's heritage with a museum, replicas of historic buildings, and community gathering spaces.

🌅 A waterfront park at Harbor One with boardwalks, hammocks, and sunset viewing areas.

The $65.5M vision emerged from extensive community input, including 301 survey responses - one of the city's largest ever.

While implementation would occur over many years, this plan provides a possible roadmap toward the new Town Center.

Want to learn more and see more pics? Full story: https://www.getthecoast.com/destin-receives-transformative-town-center-master-plan-charts-course-for-citys-future/

12/18/2024

NICEVILLE STUDENTS SHINE IN JAPAN: Eight Niceville High School students recently returned from Japan where they presented their marine biodiversity research at a prestigious international congress. The students are part of the school’s Natural Geography of In-Shore Areas (NaGISA) program.

The students attended the 2nd World Congress of Marine Stations in Shizuoka during their 11-day trip over Thanksgiving break. As representatives of the only U.S. high school affiliated with the NaGISA program, they shared their work alongside researchers from top universities worldwide.

Four students — Jocelyn Wheeler, Noah Stickler, Hannah Castor, and Sasha McCraine — conducted a poster session on November 28, demonstrating their program’s collection and analysis protocols.

Seniors Lily Suttlemyre, Craig Falzone, Jacob Milz and sophomore Julia Milz delivered a main presentation titled “The Northwest Florida NaGISA Program as a Blueprint for Scientific Outreach,” which detailed their innovative “Sandy Beach” protocol.

Here are the details and pics from the trip...

High school students from Florida presented their marine biodiversity research alongside scientists from leading universities at the 2nd World Congress of Marine Stations in Shizuoka, Japan, becoming the only U.S. high school involved in the global NaGISA program.

12/18/2024

VETERAN-SAFE COMMUNITY: The City of Destin has become the second city in Florida to receive the Fire Watch Certification, marking a milestone in the state’s efforts to prevent veteran su***des through community engagement.

Derek Collins, Regional Programs Director for North Florida at The Fire Watch, presented the certification on Monday, December 16, recognizing Destin’s achievement as the state’s second Veteran Safe Community.

The initiative, led by Dr. Tamara Young, the city’s public information manager, and Bobby Wagner, Mayor of Destin involved extensive community outreach through business presentations, door-to-door engagement, and magazine articles. Their efforts doubled the number of Watch Standers in Okaloosa County in less than three months.

Here are the details.

As Florida's second city to earn veteran-safe status, Destin's su***de prevention program trained over 100 local Watch Standers in under three months.

12/18/2024

LOOKING FOR LOCAL CHRISTMAS GIFTS? Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide is your one-stop resource for discovering the Emerald Coast’s finest local treasures.

Browse through handcrafted jewelry from Sea Gems by Karrah, premium children’s wear at La Luna boutique, expert surf gear from Fluid Surf Shop, and unique finds from dozens of other local favorites.

Explore:

Discover the perfect holiday gifts curated from our area’s finest local artisans and shops. Each item in our guide has been thoughtfully selected to showcase unique treasures made and sold right here in our community.

12/18/2024

SEASIDE SCHOOL EXPANSION: Triumph Gulf Coast’s board unanimously approved moving forward with term sheet negotiations for a $9.5 million grant to expand The Seaside School’s South Walton campus in partnership with Northwest Florida State College.

The grant will support staffing, equipment and professional development as part of the school’s $40 million capital campaign. The new campus, set to open in fall 2025, will offer both high school and college courses, allowing students to earn an associate degree alongside their high school diploma.

A proposed $9.5 million grant will help high school students earn college degrees and professional certifications at a new campus in South Walton, creating a pipeline of skilled workers while saving families thousands in tuition costs.

12/17/2024

PURPLE STAR SCHOOL DISTRICT: Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Okaloosa County School District has become one of five districts in Florida to receive the Purple Star District designation.

The designation indicates that every school in the district has met the requirements to be named a Purple Star School of Distinction. Okaloosa County serves the highest percentage of military students among Florida counties.

“Earning the Purple Star District designation is a testament to the incredible work of our schools and staff,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “We are deeply committed to supporting military families and ensuring their children thrive in our schools.”

Full story: https://www.getthecoast.com/okaloosa-county-school-district-earns-purple-star-designation-for-military-family-support/

12/17/2024

WALTON COUNTY NEW STATE PARK: Florida officials approved the purchase of 2,483 acres in Walton County Tuesday to establish the state’s newest park.

During a meeting of the Governor and Florida Cabinet, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis approved the land acquisition from The Trust for Public Land.

The property is located approximately one mile north of the Eglin Reservation within the Upper Shoal River watershed.

Florida Cabinet approves purchase of 2,483 acres near Eglin Air Force Base to create a new state park offering camping, hiking and biking opportunities while protecting water resources.

12/17/2024

TESTING AT HURLBURT: The Next Generation Aircrew Protection team has completed a six-month v***r purge testing program on an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship, marking a shift toward evaluating mobility aircraft for chemical defense capabilities.

The testing, conducted from June 24 to December 6, 2024, assessed how quickly the aircraft could purge harmful chemical v***rs and evaluated the effectiveness of standard aircraft systems in protecting aircrews during chemical v***r attacks.

Next Generation Aircrew Protection team evaluates aircraft chemical defense systems and tests v***r purge capabilities on special operations gunship during six-month program at Hurlburt Field.

12/17/2024

LEGACY OF LOVE: In the heart of Fort Walton Beach, a father's legacy continues to shape smiles and lives. Dr. Peter Bayer, who passed away on December 16, 2023, left behind more than just a successful orthodontic practice – he created a lasting impact that his daughter, Dr. Leigh Curtis, now carries forward with the same dedication and passion that defined her father's career.

"Working with him was the BEST," says Dr. Curtis, who practiced alongside her father for 20 years. "We shared time going over patients' treatment plans, traveling to continuing education meetings, and just enjoying the time together professionally and personally."

Full story on Bayer & Curtis Orthodontics:

One year after Dr. Peter Bayer's passing, his daughter Dr. Leigh Curtis carries forward her father's vision of combining engineering precision with compassionate orthodontic care in Fort Walton Beach, creating smiles and continuing a beloved family practice.