Get The Coast

08/01/2025

BOAT DAYS: A typical boat day for the Pulliam family is a blend of high adventure, peaceful floating, fishing fun, and unforgettable memories.

Meet the crew: Josh and Allison Pulliam and their two boys, Harvey (10) and Gibson (5) – plus their spirited giant schnauzer, Greta, who often tags along.

Josh and Allison both grew up on the Emerald Coast, so being on the water has always been a part of life. They’ve owned their own boat for about seven years now, and it’s become the heart of their family’s favorite pastime.

Josh is the head football coach at Fort Walton Beach High School, as well as Girls/Boys Weightlifting Coach (USAW). Allison is a 3rd grade teacher at Florosa Elementary.

Learn about their favorite spot to anchor and spend the day, what's packed in the cooler, the time they FORGOT THE PLUG, and more!

Story details below...

07/31/2025

BUSINESS: Blush Beauty Lounge will celebrate the grand opening of its second location at 32 East County Highway 30A, Suite 202, on Thursday, July 31, expanding the local beauty destination to Grayton Beach.

The new 2,000 square-foot space in Grayton Corners features four private treatment rooms and two brow and makeup stations. Owner Megan Burns said the location was a natural fit for the business.

The spa will celebrate its grand opening July 31 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and community event.

07/31/2025

OKALOOSA MAN TO BE EXECUTED: Edward Zakrzewski is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection at 6 p.m. EST today, Thursday, July 31, at Florida State Prison for the 1994 murders of his wife and two young children at their Mary Esther home.

At the time, Zakrzewski had been stationed at Eglin Air Force Base. According to reports at the time, his wife Sylvia was considering a divorce following various marital issues.

On June 9, 1994, Zakrzewski murdered his wife Sylvia, along with 7-year-old son Edward and his 5-year-old daughter Anna. The killings were premeditated, according to court records.

Zakrzewski fled to Hawaii after the murders and changed his name to Michael Green. He was living with a minister at the time when his picture was shown on the television show “Unsolved Mysteries.”

The minister reportedly told Zakrzewski, “This guy looks like you,” referring to the fugitive on screen. Zakrzewski surrendered to police on Molokai Island the next day and told them who he was, according to police reports.

Zakrzewski pled guilty to three counts of first-degree murder on March 19, 1996. Following a penalty phase proceeding, a jury returned a seven-to-five recommendation for death sentences on the murders of Sylvia and Edward, and recommended life in prison without parole for Anna’s murder.

On April 19, 1996, Circuit Judge G. Robert Barron sentenced Zakrzewski to death for all three murders, overriding the jury’s life recommendation for Anna, court records show.

The Florida Supreme Court affirmed his convictions and death sentences on June 11, 1998. Over the following decades, Zakrzewski filed numerous appeals and postconviction motions in both state and federal courts, all of which were denied.

On July 1, 2025, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant scheduling Zakrzewski’s ex*****on. On July 22, 2025, the Florida Supreme Court denied Zakrzewski’s appeal against his death sentences. On July 30, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Zakrzewski’s final appeal for a stay of ex*****on.

Executive clemency was considered and determined to be inappropriate, according to the death warrant.

Full story below...

07/31/2025

'CLEANEST CITY': The City of Fort Walton Beach has announced the launch of a new "Cleanest City on the Emerald Coast" initiative, a comprehensive beautification effort that begins with city-owned properties and expands to community-wide improvements.

Fort Walton Beach City Manager Jason Davis has announced the launch of a new "Cleanest City on the Emerald Coast" initiative, a comprehensive beautification effort that begins with city-owned properties and expands to community-wide improvements.

07/30/2025

LIVEOAK IN NAVARRE: LiveOak Locale is back at Juana’s Pagodas tonight with a social at the Navarre Beach restaurant, celebrating Juana’s recent addition as a LiveOak Fiber business customer.

“We’re back at Juana’s Pagodas for our next LiveOak Locale Social, and this one comes with perks,” Community Engagement Manager Tiffany Orner said.

Attendees can enjoy coastal views during an evening of conversation and community connection, with the first drink and light appetizers provided by LiveOak Fiber.

Event Details:

- Date & Time: Wednesday, July 30, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Location: Juana’s Pagodas and Sailors’ Grill, 1451 Navarre Beach Causeway, Navarre
- LiveOak Offering: First drink and heavy appetizers included
- Link: https://liveoakfiber.com/events/liveoak-locale-social-at-juanas-pagodas-and-sailors-grill-2/

07/30/2025

'CLEANEST CITY ON THE EMERALD COAST': Fort Walton Beach City Manager Jason Davis has announced the launch of a new “Cleanest City on the Emerald Coast” initiative, a comprehensive beautification effort that begins with city-owned properties and expands to community-wide improvements.

Davis, who has been in his role for a month and a half after coming from South Florida, said the initiative stems from direction from the City Council regarding rebranding the city’s strategic plan.

Drawing from his experience in Palm Beach County, where he witnessed areas that either thrived through proactive planning or declined without proper attention, Davis emphasized the importance of taking action now.

“I think if we start now, we can get ahead of it,” Davis said. “If we don’t, we might start drifting towards some of those South Florida issues.”

The city is beginning with its own facilities, acknowledging that municipal properties need attention before asking residents to participate. Davis pointed to city hall as an example, noting that the building requires significant improvements. The city is currently reviewing its budget proposals to address buildings that need repairs, along with improving mowing contracts, pressure washing, and painting projects.

“We’re looking at it from every angle we can, whether it’s painting and pressure washing, to whether it’s contracted or in-house,” Davis said.

Full story below...

07/30/2025

HOW I WORK: Crestview's Kimberlie Griggs is a Broker Associate and Realtor with The Property Group 850 who proves that success in real estate comes from genuine connections and treating everyone fairly.

When she’s not helping clients navigate the housing market or serving on local boards, you’ll find her adding surprise animals to her farm (much to her firefighter husband’s amusement...Llama anyone??) or enjoying golf cart rides with her family.

From her go-to coffee order at ‘Caffeine and Chaos’ to her love of podcasts and Taylor Swift, Kim shares the routines and philosophies that keep her thriving in an industry where no two days are the same.

Story below...

07/29/2025

OVERCROWDED OKALOOSA JAIL: Okaloosa County’s jail is currently housing 728 inmates in a facility rated for 594, forcing officials to use makeshift sleeping arrangements to accommodate the overflow population, according to discussions during the county’s July 22 budget workshop.

The overcrowding situation has long-reached the point where officials place upside-down totes on floors with mattresses on top to elevate inmates above floor level, meeting standards that prohibit sleeping directly on the ground, Chairman Paul Mixon explained during the workshop.

Corrections Director John Moring, who has been in the position for four months, attributed much of the population increase to mental health issues, noting some individuals are admitted four times in one week with few alternative placement options.

Less than 6% of the jail population consists of sentenced inmates, with the majority being pre-trial detainees, officials noted during the workshop. According to stats from Moring, well over 80% of people that are processed into Okaloosa County jail leave with no criminal record.

Full story below…

Okaloosa County's jail is currently housing 728 inmates in a facility rated for 594, forcing officials to use makeshift sleeping arrangements to accommodate the overflow population, according to discussions during the county's July 22 budget workshop.

07/29/2025

KINDERGARTEN KICKSTART: The Okaloosa County School District recently completed its annual Kindergarten Kickstart program, a four-day initiative designed to help incoming kindergarten students transition smoothly into their educational journey before the school year officially begins.

Held from July 21 to 24 at eleven Title I schools across the district, the program served 330 students in a low-stress environment where they could explore their new surroundings and learn classroom routines. Participating schools included Edwins, Elliott Point, Kenwood, Laurel Hill, Lewis, Longwood, Mary Esther, Northwood, Riverside, Walker, and Wright Elementary.

The program, funded by the Title I District Initiative, provided each student with a school-success kit containing a Summer Express learning book, Scholastic school-readiness literature, and essential school supplies. Complimentary breakfast, lunch, and transportation were also offered to ensure full access and participation.

The four-day Kindergarten Kickstart program served 330 students across eleven Title I elementary schools, offering familiarity and confidence-building before the school year begins.

07/29/2025

BACK TO SCHOOL BASH: Destin Commons will host a Back to School Bash on Aug. 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering families a free celebration to kick off the new school year.

The event at 4100 Legendary Drive will feature live entertainment, interactive activities, face painting, balloon art and photo opportunities at the shopping and dining destination. All activities are free to attend.

The bash partners with the Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center to support their Back to School campaign through a school supply drive. Donation boxes will be available on-site from Wednesday, July 23, through Aug. 9 to collect new school supplies for local students.

Destin Commons plans to announce tenant offerings and event-day surprises as the date approaches. Additional ways for the community to get involved will also be revealed.

The celebration will include a "Nominate a Teacher" initiative designed to recognize educators making a difference in the community.

Details below...

07/29/2025

ARE YOU A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ABOUT TO PAINT YOUR PARKING SPOT???

Here are some helpful tips from local artist Christina Custom Art who is known around the community for her beautiful murals.

"I know some of you will be starting your parking space painting as early as next week! I took some time to put a video together to hopefully answer any questions you may have," wrote Christina.

The video is a bit long but here are some of the points to skip ahead to:

00:22 Buying Supplies
02:05 Sketching Your Design
05:24 Paint Day Demo
09:20 Supply List

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=741284121962264

07/29/2025

LIKE WORDLE, BUT LOCAL: We’re excited to launch WordroW, our brand-new word puzzle game that puts a local twist on the Wordle format you know and love.

Just like our popular weekly mini crosswords, WordroW features words rooted right here in our community. Think local landmarks, regional slang, hometown heroes, and all those little details that make our corner of the coast special.

You’ll get six chances to guess the mystery word, with helpful color-coded hints along the way. Whether it’s the name of that beloved beachside café or a term every local knows by heart, WordroW Local celebrates the words that define our community.

Ready to play? The first WordroW puzzle drops today – good luck! https://www.getthecoast.com/wordrow-july-29-2025/

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