Get The Coast

01/16/2025

$43 MILLION: A Florida Lottery ticket worth $43 million remains unclaimed after being sold at a Tom Thumb convenience store in Destin, lottery officials announced.

The winning ticket matched all six numbers – 7, 8, 24, 37, 43, and 49 – in Wednesday’s Florida Lotto with Double Play drawing on January 15, 2025.

A Florida Lottery ticket purchased at a Destin Tom Thumb convenience store matched all six numbers in Wednesday's drawing, winning the $43 million jackpot.

01/16/2025

SCHOOL ZONE SPEED CAMERAS: The Fort Walton Beach City Council unanimously approved implementing photo speed enforcement cameras that will operate during entire school days rather than just during arrival and dismissal periods, following a presentation from Police Chief Robert Bage at Tuesday’s meeting.

The automated system will issue citations to drivers exceeding the speed limit by 11 mph or more in school zones.

After months of research showing 15 out of 18 states use all-day enforcement, the Fort Walton Beach City Council voted 7-0 Tuesday to implement speed detection cameras throughout school hours rather than just during arrival and dismissal times.

01/16/2025

LOCAL TEACHER, TOP HONOR: Jacqueline Sheffield, a veteran mathematics teacher at Fort Walton Beach High School, has been named a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

President Joe Biden announced Sheffield as one of 336 recipients of the PAEMST and Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring on Jan. 13.
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Sheffield, who has taught mathematics for 28 years, including 24 years at Fort Walton Beach High School, teaches Algebra 2 Honors and Advanced Placement Statistics. Before joining Fort Walton Beach High School, she taught at Davidson Middle School.

A Fort Walton Beach High School mathematics educator was among 336 teachers nationwide to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the highest U.S. government recognition for K-12 math and science teachers.

01/15/2025

AROUND THE MOUND: The Fort Walton Beach City Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with Okaloosa County Tuesday night to jointly fund the design phase of the “Around the Mound” traffic project, with each entity committing $675,000 in matching funds.

The agreement enables the city to apply for a competitive Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) grant that would cover half of the $2.7 million design costs, Growth Management Director Christopher Frassetti told council members.

“This could substantially speed up the process,” Frassetti said. “Currently it’s not funded in the five-year program with FDOT for design.”

Councilman Travis Smith said the project could advance by 18 to 24 months if the grant is approved. “This is a once in a lifetime deal that we got right here,” Smith said. “According to both [FDOT and TPO], it’s very unheard of to advance a project.”

The project aims to increase capacity on US 98 and address existing and future traffic issues through downtown Fort Walton Beach. A Project Development & Environmental study is currently underway, with a preferred route alternative expected to be selected in November 2025.

Fort Walton Beach City Council voted to split the cost of designing a major traffic project with Okaloosa County, potentially accelerating the timeline by up to two years.

01/15/2025

INTERIM CITY MANAGER: 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.

In a subsequent vote Tuesday night, the council unanimously approved hiring Colin Baenziger & Associates to conduct the search for a permanent city manager.

Full details:

Fort Walton Beach City Council selected former councilman Dennis Reeves as interim city manager Tuesday and approved hiring a recruiting firm to conduct a national search for a permanent replacement.

01/14/2025

SCHOOL ZONE CHANGE: The Okaloosa County School Board is moving forward with plans to hold a public hearing on rezoning an attendance area currently shared between Ruckel Middle School, Bluewater Elementary School, and Destin Middle School.

During the Jan. 13 board workshop, Assistant Superintendent Grant Meyer reported that just over 30 students currently use transportation services from the north side of the bridge to attend Destin Middle School, with 18 of those being eighth graders who will advance to high school next year.

Full story:

The Okaloosa County School Board discussed a proposal that would end dual-zone transportation services to Destin Middle School for students north of the bridge.

01/14/2025

HURLBURT FIELD: Military officials at Hurlburt Field are reminding local residents that flying drones within 5 miles of the base is illegal, citing flight safety concerns.

The base stated that no exceptions will be made for recreational drone pilots, as Hurlburt Field’s airspace will remain restricted for UAS operations.

Full story: https://www.getthecoast.com/hurlburt-field-reminds-residents-of-5-mile-no-drone-zone/

01/14/2025

DESIGNER HANDBAG BINGO: A designer handbag bingo fundraiser for childhood cancer research will take place at the Crestview Community Center on Sunday, February 9, from 2 to 5 p.m.

The event, organized by the “Phinley’s Phighters” challenge team, benefits the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research. Each bingo winner will select from designer handbags valued over $100.

“I was introduced to Rally after meeting Jessie Huisken and following the journey of her daughter Phinley Kate,” said Kimberlie Birr Griggs of The Property Group 850. “Although I never met Phinley here on earth, she is a part of my heart and I see and think of her often.”

Phinley Kate Huisken, who inspired the “Phinley’s Phighters” challenge team, died in 2022 after battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

The Property Group 850 organizes a community bingo event featuring designer handbags to benefit Rally Foundation's childhood cancer research, inspired by a young girl's battle with leukemia.

01/13/2025

EGLIN GOLF COURSE CLOSURE: Eglin Air Force Base permanently closed its nine-hole Falcon Course on Jan. 13, citing rising maintenance costs and declining usage among the factors behind the decision.

“Our management team’s decision to close the FC was not made lightly,” said Lt. Col. Laura Evans, 96th Force Support Squadron commander. “We believe it is necessary to focus our resources on enhancing the facilities to ensure the sustainability of the Eglin Golf Course.”

While the Falcon Course will close, the base’s Eagle Golf Course will remain operational. Holes 1 and 18 of the Falcon Course will be maintained as short game practice areas.

The Falcon Course closure comes after evaluation revealed increased maintenance costs and declining usage at the golf facility, which had been open to the public since August 2023.

01/13/2025

COLD-STUNNED SEA TURTLES: Eight cold-stunned Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are receiving critical care at the Gulfarium CARE Center after their rescue and transport from the New England Aquarium on December 10.

The endangered turtles, rescued from cold northern waters, were transported to Florida facilities through a collaborative effort led by Turtles Fly Too. Upon arrival, the rehabilitation team gave them seasonal names: Frosty, Garland, Jingle, Joy, Kringle, Snow, Tinsel, and Winter.

Full story: https://www.getthecoast.com/gulfarium-care-center-welcomes-eight-cold-stunned-sea-turtles-for-rehabilitation/

01/13/2025

FWBHS: Fort Walton Beach High School junior Reese Armstrong has been selected as Okaloosa County School District’s 2024-2025 Sunshine State Scholar, joining more than 100 of Florida’s highest-achieving 11th-grade STEM students.

Armstrong, who maintains a 4.59 GPA, plans to pursue a career in medicine, specializing in either oncology or pediatrics.

The Sunshine State Scholars program celebrates Florida's top 11th-grade STEM students through a rigorous selection process examining academic achievement and community involvement.

01/13/2025

DESTIN CHAMBER: The Destin Chamber of Commerce installed its 2025 Board of Directors during its January breakfast meeting, with Jenni Brunson of Okaloosa Gas taking the helm as Chairman.

Full story: https://www.getthecoast.com/destin-chamber-welcomes-new-leadership-sets-goals-for-2025/

01/12/2025

Congrats to the Stars Dance Team!!

01/10/2025

TRAFFIC: The week of January 13, Florida Blanca Place SE from First Street to Brooks Street will be temporarily realigned and converted to a one-way traffic configuration.

The duration of this temporary configuration is weather dependent and is currently expected to be in place through mid-February while crews perform drainage work, according to FDOT.

The one-way configuration will be for Florida Blanca Place SE eastbound traffic. All westbound Florida Blanca Place SE drivers, from Brooks Street to First Street, will be detoured via Alconese Avenue SE and First Street. Detour signage will be in place to direct drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

01/10/2025

NICEVILLE FIRE STATION: The city of Niceville will receive $396,800 in state funding to design two new emergency facilities that will serve both the community and nearby military installations.

The grant, announced by FloridaCommerce on Monday, will support architectural and engineering plans for a Category 5-rated Range Fire Station and a Fire Rescue Emergency Equipment Storage Facility. The proposed facilities will be located in the Deer Moss Creek® neighborhood.

The grant will fund architectural and engineering plans for two facilities: an 8,600-square-foot Range Fire Station and a 3,500-square-foot Fire Rescue Emergency Equipment Storage Facility.

01/10/2025

NICEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Surrounded by fellow students, staff, family members and All Sports Association representatives in Niceville High School's media center, seniors Max Diehl and Sophie Broutin received surprising news Friday morning – they are the 2025 All Sports Association Scholastic Award winners.

Diehl, who maintains a 4.77 weighted GPA and ranks first in his class of 475 students, serves as captain of the boys’ lacrosse team. He has led the team to state playoff appearances in consecutive seasons.

Broutin, who also holds a 4.77 weighted GPA, was named NHS Volleyball MVP and Most Valuable Offensive Player of the Year. Her athletic achievements include earning bids to compete at both Beach and Indoor Nationals.

Full story:

The All Sports Association selected Maxwell Diehl and Sophie Broutin from Niceville High School as winners of its 2025 Scholastic Awards for student-athletes.

01/10/2025

MEET MILO: The Fort Walton Beach Police Department has added a new member to its ranks: Milo, a 2-month-old labradoodle who will serve as the department’s first Community Wellness K-9.

Donated by Sunrise Australian Labradoodles, Milo will provide comfort to witnesses and victims involved in traumatic events after scenes are secured.

FULL STORY: https://www.getthecoast.com/meet-milo-fort-walton-beach-police-welcomes-first-wellness-k-9-to-support-trauma-victims/

01/09/2025

RESURFACING DESTIN STREETS: The Destin City Council approved a $1.2 million street resurfacing project on Jan. 6 that will improve 11 streets across the city, many of which haven’t been repaved since their initial installation.

HERE ARE THE STREETS:

Eleven streets will get fresh pavement under the city's renewal plan, targeting roads that haven't been resurfaced in over two decades.