By Lori Leath Smith
In April, local business F45 hosted a “Playoff” event to raise money for the 4th Annual Hope for the Hungry Emerald Coast packing event taking place August 6. No small feat, on this day, community volunteers are planning to pack 300,000 meals at the Emerald Coast...
By Michelle Ruschman
“Twenty-two veterans take their lives every day. We are just trying to reduce that 22 by giving them more purpose and giving them a distraction if nothing else.”
~ Jeff Powell
Our Hometown Hero Jeff Powell is the founder and President of Veterans 48, a 501c3 non-profit organization,...
By Pamela Sparks
On June 14th during a Town Hall Meeting, the City of Fort Walton Beach officially welcomed back three Okaloosa County Special Olympics athletes: Surfers Chase Sparks and Ian Cook and Swimmer Noah Garbo. Chase won the Surfing Silver Medal; Ian placed 5th in Surfing; and Noah became...
Speaking Up for Child Victims of Abuse and Neglect
By Kay Phelan
Meet 13-year-old Giselle McLaughlin, an eighth grade student at Liza Jackson Preparatory School in Ft. Walton Beach. Julie Porterfield, CEO of Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC), met Giselle at its Niceville Center when she presented a $280 donation...
Held at veteran-owned Props Craft Brewery and Taproom in Fort Walton Beach, Gov. Ron DeSantis recently visited our area to sign six bills that support veterans, military members and their families in finding employment and educational opportunities in Florida. These pieces of legislation build on funding provided in the...
By Doug Stauffer
Okaloosa County was privileged April 18 to host history in the making. Almost 2,000 of us were blessed to say, “I was there to witness this historic event.” This date marked the 80th anniversary of the World War II Doolittle Raiders bombing of Tokyo. Eighty men launched...
By Bradley Hicks
As folks across the nation gear up to celebrate the 75th birthday of the Air Force later this summer, those at the McKinley Climatic Laboratory here recently marked the facility’s diamond anniversary. Initial testing at the MCL occurred on May 24, 1947, predating the official establishment of...
Stars & Stripes Celebration at AJ’s on the Bayou!
Join AJ’s on the Bayou Sunday, July 3rd for the Stars & Stripes CELEBRATION! The whole family is invited to enjoy bounce houses, stilt walkers, face painting and live music, Black Eyed Blonde from 6 – 10 p.m. Fireworks begin at...
Summer beach days are here, but what is there to do at night? (Especially for families!) PRESTO! at the Magic Parlor is bringing some of the best magical talent from around the world for a show filled with illusion, showmanship and outright hilarity. This 90-minute magical masterpiece is Inspired...
By Kenneth Books
Early preparation work has begun on the replacement of the 56-year-old Brooks Bridge, connecting Okaloosa Island and Fort Walton Beach, according to Ian Satter, public information director for FDOT District 3.
The $171 million project, which will expand the bridge from four to six lanes over two spans,...
