Get The Coast

01/13/2026

OKALOOSA SCHOOLS REZONING: The Okaloosa County School Board approved advertising a public hearing Monday night on a comprehensive rezoning plan that would redistribute students from Mary Esther Elementary and Longwood Elementary to six receiving schools across south Okaloosa County.

The proposed rezoning would assign affected students to Shalimar, Kenwood, Wright, Elliott Point, Edwins and Florosa elementary schools beginning with the 2026-27 school year, if approved at the Feb. 23 public hearing.

District officials presented detailed capacity analyses showing the receiving schools can absorb additional students without overcrowding or significantly increasing class sizes under the proposed plan.

Assistant Superintendent John Spolski said each of the six receiving schools currently has empty classrooms available.

“Each of these schools has empty classrooms. Some have one, some have two, some have three, some have six,” Spolski said. “Because capacity wasn’t established over the last few years by the number of classrooms as much as it was by teachers being allocated.”

Superintendent Marcus Chambers addressed concerns about class sizes increasing under the rezoning plan.

“So if you’re doing this, does that mean now we’re going to have class sizes of 30, 32, 34? Are we going to be substantially different than we are currently? That answer is no,” Chambers said.

Chambers said class sizes would remain “right in the area of where we are now” if the closures move forward.

The district has built new cafetoriums at several schools in recent years, allowing former cafeteria spaces to be converted into additional classrooms. Chambers noted this infrastructure investment has created capacity that becomes critical under the rezoning plan.

“We have cafeterias that were cafeterias that are no longer cafeterias,” Chambers said. “We’ve purposely started the building of those empty cafeterias to become classrooms in order to have additional capacity.”

Here's a look at the boundaries, potential timeline, and next steps

https://www.getthecoast.com/okaloosa-school-district-outlines-proposed-rezoning-plans-mary-esther-longwood-elementary-students/

01/13/2026

MARY ESTHER + LONGWOOD: The Okaloosa County School Board voted Monday night to authorize a public hearing on Superintendent Marcus Chambers’ recommendation to close Mary Esther Elementary and Longwood Elementary schools, citing declining enrollment, budget constraints and the impact of Florida’s scholarship programs.

The public hearing is scheduled for Feb. 23, with a final vote expected that evening. If approved, both schools would close at the end of this school year, with students rezoned to six other elementary schools in the south end of the county.

Chambers detailed how the district’s funding has failed to keep pace with rising costs. The state increased the base student allocation by $41.62 per student this year, down from $191 the previous year, according to the Superintendent.

However, state-mandated increases in retirement contributions alone cost $33 per student, with property insurance adding another $7.94 per student. The district provided a 1% employee raise costing $67 per student.

“So we started with $41 of an increase to the base student allocation, and when you do just those things – and that doesn’t get into supplies and other things – that’s a deficit of $66.85 right off the bat,” Chambers said.

To break even, Chambers says the district would need an additional $342 per student in base funding. State-mandated textbook adoptions, which occur yearly, will cost about $6 million this year for English Language Arts alone, while the district receives only $1.8 million in textbook funding after charter school allocations.

Chambers spent considerable time addressing public questions about why the district continues building projects and installing turf fields while facing budget shortfalls, explaining the legal distinction between capital and general funds.

The disconnect frustrates residents who see construction activity while hearing about budget cuts. State statute dictates exactly how each funding stream can be used, with no flexibility to shift capital dollars to operational needs, according to the District.

Many residents including teachers and city council members spoke in support of keeping the schools open.

Full Story: https://www.getthecoast.com/okaloosa-school-board-approves-public-hearing-on-mary-esther-longwood-elementary-closures/

01/12/2026

FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE: Jason Carducci wanted to find more ways to connect with his daughter and create special moments together, but the options felt limited.

“I’ve had the idea of doing something for a while to bond with my daughter because it’s super hard as a dad to find ways to connect,” Carducci said. “She wants to get her nails done every weekend, and that gets expensive. So I thought, why not create an event that gives dads and daughters something special to do together?”

That idea became Ties and Tiaras, a father-daughter dance scheduled for Jan. 24 at Emerald Coast Harley Davidson in Fort Walton Beach. All proceeds will benefit Children in Crisis, a local nonprofit providing emergency shelter and foster care for children across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.

The event runs from 6-9 p.m. and will feature DJ Zoran, food, drinks, a mocktail bar for children, photo booths and bouquets provided by Our Greenhouse Floral. Tickets cost $35 for a father-daughter duo, with family packages available for $60 covering a father and up to three daughters.

Carducci co-organized the event with Megan Serafin, community engagement manager at Children in Crisis. The idea crystallized after Carducci saw photos from the organization’s Blue Moon Gala, an annual mother-daughter event held each September for girls in their care. He wondered why there wasn’t something similar for dads and daughters. (Or for uncles or grandfathers who play a vital role!)

After visiting the Children in Crisis campus, he wanted to create that opportunity for the girls there while offering it to the whole community.

Organizers have capped attendance at 200 people and hope to raise $10,000 for Children in Crisis, with about $5,000 already secured through sponsorships. Several local businesses are contributing services at no charge, including Just Think Cake providing desserts and photographer Lindsay Buckley handling event photography. DJ Zoran is providing his entertainment services and Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson offered up their facilities for free.

For families unable to afford tickets, sponsors have purchased tables specifically to provide free admission.

Full Story and Ticket Details: https://www.getthecoast.com/ties-and-tiaras-father-daughter-dance-in-fort-walton-beach-to-benefit-children-in-crisis/

01/12/2026

SCHOOL START TIMES: A public hearing on school start times is required by Florida law — but the Okaloosa County School District has no plans to change when students begin their day.

District officials addressed confusion at Monday morning’s School Board workshop ahead of tonight’s public hearing, emphasizing that the meeting is a compliance checkbox rather than a signal of impending schedule changes.

“It’s a little confusing to put out that we’re going to take a hearing on something we’re not going to do,” Chairman Linda Evanchyk said. “And that’s what it amounts to, but that’s what we have to do as a board and as a district.”

The confusion stems from a 2023 state law that originally mandated middle schools start no earlier than 8 a.m. and high schools no earlier than 8:30 a.m. After pushback from districts across Florida, lawmakers amended the statute in July 2025 to allow local control — but with strings attached.

Districts that choose to keep their current schedules must submit a compliance report to the state by June 2026 explaining why. Holding a public hearing is part of that requirement.

“There is no formal recommendation to change start times later to 8:30 and 8 o’clock,” Assistant Superintendent Grant Meyer told the board. “So yes, we’re following state law right now.”

Tonight’s public hearing remains an opportunity for community input. Meyer said if enough public feedback warrants reconsideration, the district could revisit its position.

“If we hear enough information from the public, we could come back and make a recommendation,” Meyer said. “But at this time we are not making a recommendation to go to those later start times.”

Full Story: https://www.getthecoast.com/no-changes-coming-to-okaloosa-middle-and-high-school-start-times-public-hearing-required-by-state/

01/12/2026

WYNNEHAVEN BEACH: A stretch of Wynnehaven Beach Road that floods because of undersized culverts could finally get relief through a state transportation grant the county is pursuing for the second time.

The Okaloosa County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to submit an application to the Florida Department of Transportation for $1.9 million through the Transportation Regional Incentive Program.

The funding would address drainage problems at the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and Wynnehaven Beach Road while positioning the area for future traffic improvements.

“This initiative addresses a stream that flows under Highway 98 that is constricted by undersized culverts that go under Wynnehaven Beach Road,” Public Works Director Scott Bitterman told commissioners during the Jan. 6 meeting.

The problem stems from a bottleneck in the drainage system. Water flows south under Highway 98 through two 8-foot by 5-foot box culverts, then immediately squeezes through two 36-inch culverts beneath Wynnehaven Beach Road. That size restriction causes the road to flood.

Rather than installing expensive larger culverts under the existing road, the county’s plan calls for realigning Wynnehaven Beach Road to avoid the drainage pinch point while creating space for stormwater retention.

The project would also provide a location for a future traffic signal and complement FDOT’s planned six-lane expansion of Highway 98 between Santa Rosa County and Hurlburt Field. County staff has been coordinating with both FDOT and the Air Force on transportation capacity issues in the corridor.

Full Story: https://www.getthecoast.com/okaloosa-seeks-1-9-million-state-grant-for-flood-prone-wynnehaven-beach-road-project/

01/12/2026

TRAFFIC ADVISORY IN DESTIN

Update: both lanes have now re-opened.

Traffic Advisory: A car caught fire at Harbor Boulevard and Main Street in Destin. Thankfully there are no injuries but both lanes eastbound of Harbor Boulevard are currently shut down. Please use caution.

01/11/2026

DESTIN'S EAST PASS: Rep. Jimmy Patronis has secured commitment from the Coast Guard to replace broken navigation markers at Destin’s East Pass after he pressed the agency to address the safety concerns last month.

Patronis announced Friday that Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday agreed to replace the aids to navigation at markers three and four, which have been broken since at least 2021. The agency plans to award a contract for the replacement work this year.

“These ATONs are essential to the safety of our mariners, first responders, and the residents and visitors who rely on our waterways every day,” Patronis said in a statement. “I am grateful to the Commandant for recognizing the importance of this issue.”

The commitment comes roughly five weeks after Patronis sent a letter to the Coast Guard in early December urging immediate action. The freshman congressman cited accident data showing incidents near East Pass doubled from 2021 to 2024, with about 70% of all boating accidents in Okaloosa County occurring near the pass.

East Pass is the sole inlet connecting the Gulf to Destin Harbor. More than 1,500 vessels enter and exit the harbor on weekdays and more than 2,000 on weekends, according to Patronis.

Okaloosa County Commissioner Drew Palmer, who worked with Patronis on the issue, praised the decision.

“These ATONs are an essential component of our visitors, servicemembers, and community,” Palmer said. “We also thank the leadership of the U.S. Coast Guard for their continued commitment to maritime safety.”

Full Story: https://www.getthecoast.com/patronis-secures-coast-guard-commitment-to-fix-broken-destin-east-pass-navigation-lights/

01/10/2026

CHOCTAW BASKETBALL: Camry Johnson stood wide open in the corner with the game on the line. Seconds earlier, Fort Walton Beach appeared to have the rivalry matchup sealed.

Then Johnson buried a buzzer-beating three-pointer to give Choctaw a stunning 66-65 victory over the Vikings on Friday night at The Teepee.

“It just kind of happened. It just felt like it was kind of meant to be,” Choctaw head coach John Barnes said. “It was a fluke turnover that kind of bounced our way, and it was a crazy finish.”

The finish was indeed crazy, but so was everything that preceded it in a game that swung wildly in both directions throughout.

The victory could be a turning point for the Indians, whose playoff hopes appeared shaky after back-to-back home losses to South Walton and Niceville coming out of Christmas break.

Full recap from last night from Travis Espy and photos from Abbey Leigh Larsen: https://www.getthecoast.com/choctaw-upsets-fort-walton-beach-66-65/

01/10/2026

NICEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL: Niceville senior linebacker Harper Campbell has been named the 2026 Taylor Haugen Trophy winner.

The Samford commit was selected from 13 nominees across Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa counties, earning recognition for his excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, community service and faith.

Campbell, who anchored one of the state's top linebacking corps this season, plans to study biblical studies at Samford with the goal of becoming a pastor. He volunteers as a middle school ministry leader at Crosspoint Church.

He will receive a bronze eagle trophy, a $1,000 scholarship and a $1,000 donation to Niceville's athletic department.

Full Story from Travis Espy: https://www.getthecoast.com/nicevilles-harper-campbell-named-2026-taylor-haugen-trophy-winner/

01/09/2026

A beam for the new Brooks Bridge makes its way down Eglin Parkway to the construction site today.

01/09/2026

HOT LISTINGS: This week, we’re heading into Valparaiso — a laid-back community just outside of Niceville that continues to offer strong value for locals.

Known for its proximity to Eglin AFB, access to Tom’s Bayou and Choctawhatchee Bay, neighborhood parks, and an easygoing pace of life, Valparaiso blends waterfront living with everyday convenience without the crowds.

These five Hot Listings are all priced under $600,000 and showcase why buyers continue to look here — from fully updated homes and oversized lots to waterfront properties and flexible spaces for boats, workshops, and outdoor living.

Full Story: https://www.getthecoast.com/hot-listings-5-homes-for-sale-in-valparaiso-under-600k/

01/09/2026

"WE HAD TO GET THEM OUT": When Ricardo Morales walked into Karen and Craig Geohagan’s Fort Walton Beach home in late March, he knew immediately the longtime congregation members couldn’t stay there another day.

The roof, damaged from fallen tree limbs, was covered with multiple tarps that only minimized water intrusion. Inside, black mold had spread throughout the house, creating dangerous living conditions for the couple who were both recovering from serious medical procedures.

“I came home that afternoon and showed my wife those pictures and I said, we have to get them out of that house immediately,” said Morales, Missions Lead at Fort Walton Beach Church of Christ. “They most likely would be dead — just from the amount of black mold that was starting to grow and progressed through the house.”

The Geohagans, longtime members of church on Hollywood Boulevard, had endured a devastating series of health crises over the previous three years. Craig underwent brain tumor surgery, followed by their oldest son’s death about 1.5 years ago. Karen had an emergency quadruple bypass in December 2024, and Craig lost his leg to diabetes complications in May.

“They were at their lowest point and they just had no hope of solutions,” said DeAnna Morales, the church’s Outreach Coordinator and Ricardo’s wife. “They had given up.”

The couple’s financial situation had deteriorated alongside their health. Years of medical bills led to collections, credit card debt and three years of back taxes. Neither Craig nor Karen had been taught financial responsibility, leaving them unable to manage mounting obligations.

On a Sunday in late March, the church congregation gathered and decided to act. By Monday, they were moving the Geohagans out.

With support from the church, congregation members and local businesses, the Geohagans are preparing to move into their new home after spending months turning things around.

Full Story: https://www.getthecoast.com/fort-walton-beach-church-of-christ-leads-effort-to-help-couple-get-new-home-after-health-housing-crisis/