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Good morning and Happy New Year!
A Fort Walton Beach was honored at yesterday’s Rose Bowl Parade for his organ donations that have impacted 143 lives. The county heard from Destin residents and city officials at a town hall on Holiday Isle park plans (read about their concerns), an Alabama company has landed a $1.87 billion contract for Eglin Air Force Base operations and maintenance, a New Year’s baby was born at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast at 1:16 a.m., and two people were arrested in Okaloosa County on charges of sex trafficking juveniles.
- Plus, try today’s WordroW puzzle.
NEWS
New Year’s baby born in Walton County
Little Merritt is 6 pounds 8 ounces.
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GAMES
WordroW: January 2, 2026
WordroW is brought to you by Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic – keeping your mind sharp and your spine aligned, one game at a time.
Can you guess today’s 5-letter word in six tries?
WordroW is Get The Coast’s daily word puzzle featuring local words, places, and phrases from our community. You have six guesses to find the mystery word – green letters are correct and in the right spot, yellow letters are in the word but wrong position, and gray letters aren’t in the word at all.
PARKS+REC
County hears from Destin residents, city officials on Holiday Isle park plans at town hall
Okaloosa County hosted a town hall Tuesday on potential plans for the 4-acre Holiday Isle waterfront property the state purchased earlier this month for $83.3 million. Approximately 200 residents were in attendance.
- Deputy County Administrator Craig Coffey stressed that no designs have been finalized, though the draft management plan outlines potential improvements including parking, pavilions, trails and a building with marina offices and an observation deck. The existing 53-slip marina will not be removed.
All seven Destin City Council members attended, with city officials raising questions about zoning requirements and coordination. Mayor Bobby Wagner said he believes a partnership is still possible: “It should be about the citizens.”
Wagner said government should not be chasing profit.
- “One of the biggest things that I believe in is that the government closest to the people are probably the ones that know most what the people need, want and reflect the values of those people,” he said.
Approximately 30 residents spoke during nearly 90 minutes of public comment, with concerns focusing on traffic, the commercial marina and calls to keep the property natural.
Commissioner Drew Palmer said this was “the first of many” opportunities for public input.
“This is an amazing opportunity to create something special on that property for the benefit of Okaloosa County residents and visitors,” Palmer said. “We are committed to keeping this process open to the public and value their input as we move toward finalizing the details of this endeavor.”
MILITARY
Alabama company lands $1.87 billion contract for Eglin AFB operations and maintenance
A Huntsville, Alabama-based company has secured a nearly $1.9 billion contract to operate and maintain Eglin Air Force Base’s testing facilities for the next decade.
- Strategic Test Solutions LLC will provide operations and maintenance services for the Eglin Test and Training Complex and Major Ground Test Facilities under the contract, valued at $1,868,902,857. The U.S. Air Force announced the award on Dec. 30.
Services to be performed include operations and maintenance of test and training areas, technical facilities, test and training mission support, engineering support for range system design, modification and range configuration, as well as various other range support services required to successfully accomplish range activities at the ETTC.
Work under the contract, designated Eglin Operations and Maintenance Service II, is expected to continue through March 2036.
The contract was competitively awarded after the Air Force received three offers. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance funds totaling $100,000 were obligated at the time of the award.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Two arrested in Okaloosa County on charges of sex trafficking juveniles
Two people are facing sex trafficking charges after an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office investigation found they allegedly trafficked two juvenile females at local bars and through social media.
- Lennys Vanessa Cotto, 30, and Joe Trejo, 28, were arrested Dec. 23 on human trafficking and child sexual exploitation charges involving the two victims.
The two were originally booked into Okaloosa County Jail on May 12 on charges of kidnapping and armed burglary of a dwelling. Bond was denied on those charges.
During that investigation, OCSO’s Homeland Security Unit and Major Crimes Unit observed signs of human trafficking, according to the sheriff’s office. Investigators identified and interviewed the two victims and a witness and reviewed electronic devices containing evidence of human trafficking, the release states.
Both now face two counts of human trafficking of a minor and multiple counts related to possession of obscene material depicting child sex conduct. Trejo also faces charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and a weapons offense.
- Bond on the trafficking charges was set at $500,000 each.
The juvenile victims are in safe, undisclosed locations and receiving victim services, according to OCSO.
NEWS
Fort Walton Beach man’s organ donations to be honored in Rose Bowl Parade after impacting 143 lives
When Erik Rushford made the decision to become an organ donor while getting his driver’s license as a teenager, his mother Christine remembers the moment clearly.
- “He looked at me and said, ‘Should I do that?’” Christine Rushford recalled. “I told him that was a decision that he had to make — he very firmly looked at the lady and said, ‘Yes, definitely.’”
That decision would ultimately impact 143 lives after the 22-year-old Fort Walton Beach resident died by suicide in January 2023 following a lifelong battle with depression.
Yesterday, Erik’s legacy was celebrated on a national stage as he was honored on the OneLegacy Donate Life float in the 2026 Rose Bowl Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California.
The Rushford family moved to Fort Walton Beach in 2014, where Erik attended Bruner Middle School and played varsity soccer at Fort Walton Beach High School before graduating from Choctaw High School in 2019. His father served in the Air Force, stationed in the area as a reservist.
Erik was the second of four children and grew up with a calm presence that anchored the busy household. His mother describes him as thoughtful, level-headed and compassionate, quietly supporting those around him.
- Academically gifted, Erik pursued computer science at the University of Florida’s School of Engineering. He was a natural teacher who could explain complex concepts in multiple ways.
Erik was diagnosed with depression at age 10, beginning what his mother describes as a long journey with mental health treatment. Despite his challenges, he consistently showed up for family events, friends and community activities, offering support and encouragement whenever needed.
On a Monday in January 2023, Erik was hospitalized at Shands Hospital in Gainesville following a suicide attempt from which he would not recover. When his family arrived, hospital staff reminded them he was a registered organ donor.
Erik’s heart went to a 12-year-old girl in Florida. One of his corneas went to a doctor in the United Arab Emirates, allowing him to continue practicing medicine. In total, Erik made 150 donations of tissue, corneas and major organs, with his tissue donations benefiting 143 people.
- “The impact is almost like that’s exactly how it was supposed to be, that’s what Erik was meant for,” Christine said.
For the Rose Bowl Parade, Erik was represented through a “floragraph” — his picture created from seeds and coffee grounds.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Friday! Help us shape the future of local news and make a meaningful impact on your community. Click here to learn how you can support us!
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Jared
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