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Good morning!
Henderson Beach Resort has launched weekly ‘Mahjong Mondays’ for local players, providing a regular gathering spot for the popular tile game. Fort Walton Beach approves twice-weekly garbage pickup starting in October, the city finalizes financing for the 12-acre Preston Hood Athletic Complex expansion, Niceville girls basketball falls to Booker T. Washington 64-27 as the Lady Eagles battle injuries, and Hurlburt Field will perform planned detonations. Also, check out five Mary Esther homes for sale under $350K, and view upcoming community events.
- Plus, try today’s WordroW puzzle.
MILITARY
Hurlburt Field to perform planned detonations
Hurlburt Field will be conducting explosive demolition training between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30.
During the training, nearby residents may hear loud noise or feel the vibrations associated with the demolition charge detonations that are planned to occur periodically throughout the day.
Base officials advise if the humidity is high or if there is cloud coverage, the effects can seem louder and closer than on clear days.
SPONSORED
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GAMES
WordroW: January 30, 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.
BUSINESS
City of Fort Walton Beach approves twice-weekly garbage pickup starting in October
Garbage trucks will roll through Fort Walton Beach city neighborhoods twice a week again starting this fall after the City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday to increase service.
- Residents will pay $29.12 monthly for twice-weekly garbage collection, an increase of $1.99 from the current $27.13 rate for once-weekly service. The change takes effect Oct. 1.
“I’m loving that we get to keep it in-house for $1.99 more instead of seeing it go out,” Councilman Logan Browning said. He made the motion to approve the staff’s recommendation.
The city eliminated twice-weekly pickup in October 2014 when it launched curbside recycling.
Under the new schedule, residents’ existing garbage pickup day becomes one of two weekly collections. The current recycling day — either Thursday or Friday — becomes the second garbage day. Recycling will split into four smaller zones covering Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Daniel Payne, public works and utility services director, said the timing worked in the city’s favor. A new side-loading truck already on order will arrive by May or June, and one employee will be reclassified as a driver. No additional full-time positions are needed.
SPORTS
Niceville falls to Booker T. Washington 64-27 as Lady Eagles battle injuries
Booker T. Washington delivered a dominant performance Tuesday night at Niceville, defeating the Lady Eagles 64-27 as the visitors’ Chamiah Francis and Jada Clardy led the way.
The Lady Wildcats set the tone early with a 10-0 run to open the game. Niceville didn’t score until the 5:27 mark when Ramyan Tripeaux connected on a 3-pointer. Avery Cowles added another 3 that briefly cut Washington’s lead to six, but the Lady Wildcats closed the quarter on a 6-3 run to lead 20-9.
- Washington continued to pull away in the second quarter, outscoring Niceville 19-7 to take a 39-16 lead into halftime. Bria Dailey had a bucket early in the period for the Lady Eagles.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Khamauri Hardy scored back-to-back baskets for Niceville in the third quarter, but Francis, a Florida State commit, extended Washington’s lead to 30 with consecutive and-one conversions. Clardy opened the fourth with an and-one of her own as the Lady Wildcats cruised to the finish.
Niceville played without Carson Fayard, who is working her way back from injury. Lady Eagles coach Meghan Darhower said the team is focused on getting healthy for the postseason.
PARKS+REC
City of FWB finalizes financing for 12-acre Preston Hood Athletic Complex expansion
The City of Fort Walton Beach has secured financing for the Preston Hood Athletic Complex expansion, selecting Webster Bank from seven competing lenders to provide a $7.5 million loan at a 4.08% fixed interest rate.
- The City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday to approve Resolution 2026-02, which authorizes the loan agreement and allows construction costs already incurred to be reimbursed through the debt issuance.
The 4.08% rate is lower than the 4.5% the city had estimated in October when the council first approved the project. The rate remains valid through Jan. 30, eliminating the risk of rising interest rates between now and the loan closing date, according to city documents.
The loan will be repaid over 15 years with an estimated annual debt service of $710,000. The Tourist Development Council has committed to providing $400,000 annually toward those payments, with the remainder covered by $300,000 that became available after the city paid off an irrigation loan early in 2025.
The 12-acre expansion at 203 Hollywood Boulevard will include a 2,000-square-foot recreation operations building, restroom facilities, multi-purpose turf fields, pickleball courts and more than 200 parking spaces. The site previously served as the city’s field office complex.
HOT LISTINGS
5 Mary Esther homes for sale under $350K
This week’s Hot Listings range from a 1,325-square-foot single-story in Colina Del Oro to a 1,784-square-foot two-story in Woodland Park Estates.
You’ll find a corner lot with extra yard space, a cul-de-sac location and homes with flexible layouts across neighborhoods convenient to Hurlburt Field.
EVENTS
A few things to do around town
Friday, Jan. 30 – FOODEESFEST: A Food & Culture Celebration – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Saturday, Jan. 31 – Blacksmith class – Forge a RR Spike Knife – Fort Walton Beach – $130.00 – View
Saturday, Jan. 31 – Learn Drop Spindle – Making Yarn – Fort Walton Beach – $40.00 – View
Friday, Feb. 6 – First Friday Coffee sponsored by United Way Emerald Coast – Fort Walton Beach – $40.00 – View
Saturday, Feb. 7 – Forge a copper rose – Fort Walton Beach – $103.00 – View
Saturday, Feb. 7 – Discover Science Saturday – Fort Walton Beach – $15.00 – View
Saturday, Feb. 7 – Bunny Adoption Event at Pet Supplies Plus in Destin – Destin – Free – View
Saturday, Feb. 7 – HH Arts Gallery Night February 7th – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Saturday, Feb. 7 – Galentine’s Night: Pajamas, Positivity & Powerful Friendships – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Saturday, Feb. 7 – Palate & Palette – Santa Rosa Beach – $175.00 – View
Tuesday, Feb. 10 – Retire United Share the Love Volunteer Event – Miramar Beach, – Free – View
Thursday, Feb. 12 – Nothing But Networking with Vibe Productions at The Place on Beal – Fort Walton Beach – $50.00 – View
Thursday, Feb. 12 – Valentine’s Dinner for Two at the Gulfarium – Fort Walton Beach – $398.00 – View
EVENTS
Henderson Beach Resort launches weekly ‘Mahjong Mondays’ for local players
Henderson Beach Resort will launch Mahjong Mondays on Feb. 2, offering experienced American Mahjong players a weekly opportunity for casual games and social connection at Primrose Restaurant.
- The recurring event, running from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., is designed as open play for those who already know the game. No instruction will be provided.
“When I first started teaching Mahjong, I thought I’d have a few people here and there interested, but I could never have imagined how busy I would be,” said Morgan Smith, a local Mahjong pro from FWBMahjong who will host the event. “Since May, I have taught dozens of classes, and a couple hundred people how to play. I keep thinking interest will die down, but it is still very much growing.”
The $15 per person event includes all materials and complimentary parking. A special Mahjong Monday menu will feature cocktails, wine, beer, salads and small bites. Players are encouraged to bring their National Mahjong League card if they have one.
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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124 Eglin Parkway SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548