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Good morning!
A Fort Walton Beach pastry chef will compete on Food Network’s ‘The Ultimate Baking Championship,’ representing the area on national television. Niceville girls soccer shuts out Lakewood Ranch 4-0 to advance to the state championship game, Impact100 NWF sets sights on a record-breaking 2026 with six grants totaling $600,000 for local nonprofits, a mother-daughter duo builds healthcare careers together at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, FWC will host a public workshop in Destin on recreational Gulf gag grouper management, and check out Okaloosa basketball playoff results.
NEWS
Impact100 NWF sets sights on record-breaking 2026: Six grants, $600,000 for local nonprofits
When Mary Tinsley took the helm as board president of Impact100 Northwest Florida this year, she brought with her a personal mantra that perfectly encapsulates the organization’s mission: making a difference in the lives of others.
- “I shared this at the event last night, and I’ve talked about this with my board of directors,” Tinsley said. “When you lead with your heart, some really amazing things happen.”
Now, she’s channeling that philosophy into an ambitious goal: reaching 600 members and awarding six $100,000 grants in 2026 — a record for the Northwest Florida chapter.
Since 2012, Impact100 NWF has given nearly $5.4 million to 51 nonprofits across Okaloosa and Walton counties. If the organization hits its 2026 target, it will cross the $6 million mark in total giving – a milestone Tinsley says would have an exponential impact on the community’s nonprofit sector.
The 2026 goals were shaped in part by last year’s momentum. Local developer Jay Odom sponsored 29 women, helping Impact100 NWF reach 482 members and fund all five grant categories.
To attract new members, Impact100 NWF is hosting 10 enrollment events across both counties this spring
The 2026 Spring Enrollment Events include:
- February 26, 9-11 a.m. – Coastal Coffee, Santa Rosa Beach
- March 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – Jackacuda’s, Destin
- March 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – 3rd Planet Brewery, Niceville
- April 2, 9-11 a.m. – Main Brew Coffee, Fort Walton Beach
- April 12, 1-3 p.m. – Eagle’s Nest at Blackwater, Crestview
- April 15, 9-11 a.m. – 2 Birds Coffee, Miramar Beach
- April 28, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – Ruth’s Chris, Destin
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GAMES
WordroW: February 20, 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
Mother-daughter duo builds healthcare careers together at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin hospital
For Michelle Shebloski and her daughter Danielle (Dani) Pirkle, healthcare isn’t just a career — it’s a shared journey that has taken them from emergency medical technician training through nursing school and into leadership roles at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital.
- The mother-daughter duo, both graduates of Northwest Florida State College’s EMT and nursing programs, now work in leadership positions at the same hospital where they once responded to emergencies side by side in the emergency room.
“I’ve always been proud of her from day one,” Michelle said of her daughter. “She’s always been an amazing person and a good leader. She’s never been a follower ever, not a day in her life.”
Danielle, 28, currently serves as manager of the surgical care unit. Born and raised in the area, she attended local schools including Choctawhatchee High School before pursuing her healthcare education. Michelle, 50, is the director of patient safety and risk management after spending 11 years as an ER nurse, with her last four years in that role serving as clinical nurse coordinator.
Their paths into healthcare began similarly, with both starting as EMTs before transitioning to nursing. Michelle came to the area in 1995 while stationed at Hurlburt Field. After leaving the military and initially working in animal medicine for 12 years, she decided to transition to human nursing through EMT school.
For Danielle, the decision to enter healthcare came early, influenced by watching her mother pursue a second career in nursing. She completed EMT school at 19 and quickly discovered her passion for emergency medicine.
SPORTS
Niceville girls soccer shuts out Lakewood Ranch 4-0, punches ticket to state championship
The Lady Eagles have steamrolled their way through the playoffs, and Monday was no different.
- Niceville blanked Lakewood Ranch 4-0 to advance to their second state championship appearance in program history and the first since 2016.
Their postseason run now includes shutouts of Navarre (6-0), Nease (2-0), defending state champion Bartram Trail (3-0) and now Lakewood Ranch — all without conceding a single goal.
Molly Johnson and Delaney Diehl scored in the first half to give Niceville a 2-0 lead. Michelle Melancon buried the dagger at the 76-minute mark, and Abbey Kuritz capped off a dominant day with a goal and three assists.
Up next: the toughest test yet. Niceville faces 15-time state champion St. Thomas Aquinas in the Class 6A state championship Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET/9 a.m. CT at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand.
Click here to read the full story from Travis Espy, or share or leave a comment
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SPORTS
Okaloosa basketball round-up
FWBHS Girls Basketball: The third time told the tale. After splitting two regular-season meetings with Rickards — a 21-point win in December followed by a 35-30 loss that handed them their third defeat of the year — the Fort Walton Beach girls basketball team earned the last word Friday night, grinding out a 38-33 victory to advance to the Elite 8 for the first time since Coach Mercedez Claybrone’s first season in 2021. This Friday, the Lady Vikings will travel to Jacksonville for what has felt like an inevitable matchup all season: a date with Bishop Kenny. Click here for the full story
FWBHS Boys Basketball: The Fort Walton Beach boys basketball team’s historic season came to an end Saturday in the Sweet 16, as Godby pulled away early and held on for a 60-54 victory. It was a tough ending to a year that saw the Vikings win a playoff game for the first time in 13 years. Click here for the full story
Rocky Bayou Boys Basketball: Saturday’s Sweet 16 matchup against Providence School wasn’t the ending the Knights were hoping for, but it doesn’t erase what they accomplished this season. Providence School pulled away for an 84-29 victory, taking control in the second quarter by outscoring Rocky Bayou 38-5 to build a 56-10 halftime lead. By the fourth quarter, it was a running clock. Click here for the full story
Niceville Girls Basketball: Bartram Trail came in with a plan and executed it from the opening tip. The Lady Bears took control early and never let go. Bartram Trail topped Niceville 54-46 on Friday night in a wire-to-wire victory, jumping out to a 9-1 lead to open the game and never relinquishing it. The loss brings the Lady Eagles’ season to a close and ends their pursuit of a regional title. Click here for the full story
FISHING
FWC to host public workshop in Destin on recreational Gulf gag grouper management
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will host a public workshop in Destin this week as part of a statewide effort to gather input from stakeholders on the recreational gag grouper fishery off Florida’s Gulf coast.
- The Destin workshop is scheduled for Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. CT at the Destin Community Center, 101 Stahlman Ave.
According to the FWC, Gulf gag grouper remains overfished and is currently under a rebuilding plan. However, the commission said it believes there are opportunities to improve access while continuing to support the stock’s recovery.
The workshops are intended to engage stakeholders and discuss future management options, including state management, for Gulf gag grouper. The FWC encouraged all anglers to attend and share their ideas to help inform the discussion.
BUSINESS
FWB pastry chef to compete on Food Network’s ‘The Ultimate Baking Championship’
A local pastry chef is bringing the Emerald Coast to national television. Lasheeda Perry, chef and co-owner of Queen of Flavor in Fort Walton Beach, will compete against 15 of the nation’s top pastry chefs on Food Network’s brand-new series The Ultimate Baking Championship, premiering March 9 at 8 p.m.
- The nine-episode series, hosted by Jesse Palmer with head judge Duff Goldman, tests competitors on the core techniques that outstanding pastry chefs must master, from laminated dough and pâte à choux to chocolate work and sugar artistry.
The winner takes home $50,000 and the title of Ultimate Baking Champion. For Perry, representing Fort Walton Beach on a national stage carries special significance.
“This is not my first rodeo with Food Network. I’ve represented many different cities,” Perry said. “But the fact that this is the city where I’ve had my first brick and mortar, it means a lot. It’s so amazing how the community has just wrapped their arms around me and they’re supporting me on this journey.”
Perry opened Queen of Flavor two years ago. The business operates as a dessert tasting room that hosts dessert events, including baking classes, workshops and tastings, while also offering custom orders for birthday and wedding cakes.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Tuesday! 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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