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Good morning!
First Watch is coming to the old TGI Fridays location in Fort Walton Beach, filling the vacant spot with a popular breakfast and brunch chain. Fort Walton Beach High School cheer and dance teams head to nationals in Orlando, the Destin Chamber honors four community leaders at its annual awards ceremony, a South Walton teen advances to finals in Cox Mobile’s national phone case design contest, a Texas teen receives four years in prison for the 2023 Baker School swatting incident, and HCA Florida DeFuniak Springs Emergency is now open. Also, check out Valentine’s Day dining specials and upcoming community events.
SPORTS
Fort Walton Beach High School cheer and dance teams head to nationals in Orlando
Fort Walton Beach High School’s cheer and dance teams are in Orlando this week to compete at separate national championships, with both programs bringing young rosters and overcoming significant challenges throughout their competitive seasons.
- The 15-member cheer squad will compete at the ACC Nfinity All American Championship after winning the FHSAA state competition two weeks ago. The 30-member Stars dance team — 29 girls and one boy — is the largest dance team in Okaloosa County and will compete at DTU nationals in large varsity game day and large varsity hip hop.
The teams departed Wednesday morning around 7:45 a.m. from the school to a huge sendoff that included parents, community members, students and staff. The Fort Walton Beach Fire Department provided a water spray as the buses left, with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office escorting them out.
Fort Walton Beach High School Principal Lindsey Smith expressed support for both programs.
“We are incredibly proud of our Fort Walton Beach High School champion cheerleading squad and Stars dance teams and all they continue to accomplish,” Smith said. “These students are the heartbeat of our school spirit, showing up time and time again to support our athletes and our community. Being able to support them as they head to nationals means the world to us, and we can’t wait to cheer them on as they compete on the national stage.”
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GAMES
WordroW: February 6, 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
Destin Chamber honors four community leaders at annual awards ceremony
The Destin Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated exceptional community leadership on Jan. 29, presenting four annual awards to local business and nonprofit leaders during the Awards Party & Wine Pairing Dinner at Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer on Destin Harbor.
- Brenda Gray of Hilton Garden Inn – Destin/Miramar Beach received the Paul Woolman Ambassador of the Year Award.
- Jessica Holzapple of Shoreline Church earned the Ann Gibson Community Service Award Sponsored by Okaloosa Gas.
- Jennifer Gutai Comella of Hand Arendall Harrison Sale was named Business Person of the Year Sponsored by Trustmark.
- David Butler of Faith Assembly Christian Church received the James D. Neilson Sr. Chairman’s Award for Volunteer Service Award.
The event featured a cocktail reception and awards ceremony before guests enjoyed a curated dinner paired with Orin Swift wines. Jenni Brunson, the 2025 Destin Chamber Chairwoman from Okaloosa Gas, served as master of ceremonies.
PROMOTED
South Walton teen advances to finals in Cox Mobile’s national phone case design contest
LB, a member of the South Walton Boys & Girls Club, was announced as a finalist in Cox Mobile’s second annual Phone Case Design Contest, held in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
- The contest invited high school Boys & Girls Club members to design a phone case representing the theme “A World Within Reach – Future Icons.”
LB received a connectivity prize package during a celebration at the club on Tuesday. Her design features two koi fish with deep symbolic meaning.
“The design I drew shows two koi fish. In many cultures koi fish symbolize success, courage, and ambition,” LB said. “These two koi fish in particular are Tui and La, and are the spirits of the ocean and moon. They symbolize balance. The color red also carries meanings of good luck and prosperity.”
PUBLIC SAFETY
Texas teen sentenced to 4 years in prison for 2023 Baker School swatting incident
A Texas teen was sentenced Tuesday in an Okaloosa County courtroom to four years in the Department of Corrections followed by five years of probation for his role in a 2023 swatting incident at Baker School.
- Camryn Gulley of Mansfield, Texas, was connected to Baker teen Landyn Whittington, who was involved in multiple swatting incidents across several states, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
On Nov. 3, 2023, police received an 8:46 a.m. call claiming an armed person was preparing to carry out a mass shooting at Baker School. The threat prompted officials to lock down nearby Crestview High and other area schools as a precaution.
Investigators traced the call to a residence in Mansfield, Texas, and conducted an interview with Gulley, who was 14 at the time. Information extracted from his cellphone directed focus toward Whittington as the requestor and indicated the two teens were connected through online gaming and their mutual participation in a swatting group.
BUSINESS
HCA Florida DeFuniak Springs Emergency now open
HCA Florida DeFuniak Springs Emergency is now open and serving patients at 160 Twin Springs Way, providing round-the-clock emergency healthcare to residents and visitors of DeFuniak Springs and surrounding Walton County communities.
The facility, which held its ribbon cutting ceremony last month, is an extension of HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital’s main campus in Niceville. Located off Highway 331 just north of Interstate 10 at exit 85, the 11,570-square-foot emergency room offers full-service care for adults and children.
PROMOTED
Valentine’s Day dining specials at Crab Trap, Surf Hut and more
Six Saltwater Restaurant Group locations across Okaloosa and Walton counties are offering Valentine’s Day specials Friday, with menus featuring surf and turf, seafood and Mexican fare.
Participating restaurants include three locations on The Boardwalk at Okaloosa Island, The Boathouse Landing in Valparaiso, and two Destin establishments.
EVENTS
A few things to do around town
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
Tuesday, Feb. 10 – ECPRO Lunch and Learn – Fort Walton Beach – $35.00 – 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
Saturday, Feb. 14 – Melodies of Love for Sickle Cell 2026 – Fort Walton Beach – $25.00 – View
Sunday, Feb. 15 – BYO(Sweetheart) Dubs – Fort Walton Beach – $20.00 – View
Tuesday, Feb. 17 – Lunch N Learn: World of Private Money – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Tuesday, Feb. 17 – Impact 100 February Event at The Gulfarium – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Thursday, Feb. 19 – Planetarium Nights: Double Feature – Fort Walton Beach – $12.00 – View
Friday, Feb. 20 – 2026 NextGen United Adult Field Day – Niceville – Free – View
COMING SOON
‘First Watch’ coming to old TGI Fridays location in Fort Walton Beach
First Watch, a breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant, is coming to Fort Walton Beach at the former TGI Fridays location at 547 Mary Esther Cut Off NW.
- The restaurant, which already has a location in Destin, features a chef-driven menu that rotates five times a year with made-to-order dishes.
An opening date has not yet been announced. The company is offering a Pre-Opening Perks opportunity, including a Friends and Family Pre-Opening Event. Details are available on the First Watch website.
Daily hours are expected to be 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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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