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Good morning!
JetBlue has begun nonstop service from Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport to New York and Boston, providing direct access to major Northeast markets. Fort Walton Beach officials explain how municipal budgeting works and what the 3% spending cap means in practice, Choctaw flag football picks up right where it left off with a dominant 2-0 start, local Attorney Whitney Smith explains what families need to know about the guardianship process, a suspect is in custody for the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old man in north Okaloosa County, and Bit-Wizards expands support with ‘Government Cloud Services’ to keep Northwest Florida defense contractors compliant. Also, try our new jigsaw puzzle featuring local places, and check out upcoming community events.
BUSINESS
FWB officials explain how municipal budgeting works and what the 3% spending cap means in practice
The city’s roughly $65 million budget is not one pool of money officials can spend however they choose. Much of it is restricted by state law, tied to specific revenue sources or locked into obligations the city cannot renegotiate from year to year.
That distinction has become a recurring point of discussion as the city operates under its voter-approved 3% spending cap, which limits annual increases to personnel costs across all city funds and to operating expenses in the General Fund.
In a joint interview, City Manager Jason Davis and Finance Director Nicole Nabors walked through how the city’s budget is structured, where the money comes from and goes, and what the cap means in practice for city operations.
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GAMES
WordroW: March 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.
SPORTS
Choctaw flag football picks up right where it left off with dominant 2-0 start
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Jim Bay’s squad is the gold standard for flag football in the Panhandle, and his Choctaw Indians are 2-0 and once again looking like one of the top programs in the state.
- The Indians are coming off a fourth consecutive regional title and a run all the way to the state championship game last May, where they fell just short of capturing that elusive state title.
This year, though?
They’re looking like they should get there again. And the scary part is that Choctaw made that championship run with a very young roster — and it still looks like a young roster this year.
“Last year we were super young, but the girls are hungry,” Bay said.
The Indians have already opened with dominant shutout wins over Crestview and Fort Walton Beach, and at the heart of this program is the best flag football player in the Panhandle — and possibly one of the best in the state of Florida: Diaris Morales.
Click here to read the full story from Travis Espy
PROMOTED BY FLEET, SMITH & FREEMAN
What families need to know about Guardianship: Local Attorney Whitney Smith explains the process
Family visits often reveal difficult truths about aging loved ones. Adult children checking in on parents may discover they’re struggling in ways they never anticipated — perhaps falling victim to financial scams, showing signs of cognitive decline or making decisions that put their safety at risk.
When those situations arise, guardianship may be necessary to protect vulnerable family members. Whitney Smith, with Fleet, Smith & Freeman in Shalimar, recently sat down to explain what local families need to know about this complex legal process.
We discussed:
- Understanding Guardianship
- How the process works
- Who can serve as Guardian
- Warning signs families should watch for
- Guardianship for minor children
- Not all-or-nothing
- Serious responsibilities
- Planning ahead to avoid Guardianship
- Advice for families
GAMES
Introducing our new Jigsaw puzzle!
Jigsaw is brought to you by Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic – keeping your mind sharp and your spine aligned, one game at a time.
We’re adding a new game to the lineup.
Every week, we’ll drop a fresh jigsaw puzzle featuring real photos from around Okaloosa County — from iconic local spots to historical snapshots you might remember. It’s another way to test yourself and stay connected to the coast.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Suspect in custody for fatal shooting of 20-year-old man in north Okaloosa County
A 20-year-old Crestview man has been arrested and charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a Mary Esther man on a road north of Crestview early Wednesday morning.
- Kavari McQueen is being held in the Leon County Jail on an open count of murder, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators say McQueen and the victim were in a vehicle together when an altercation broke out that led to gunshots shortly before 6 a.m. The two went out into the roadway, and a passing motorist spotted the victim’s body a short time later on Taylor Road off Lake Silver Road north of Crestview.
Responding deputies found the victim dead from multiple gunshot wounds.
McQueen left the scene in the vehicle, according to investigators. He was developed as a suspect and taken into custody Wednesday evening around 5:30 p.m. in Tallahassee — less than 12 hours after the shooting.
Investigators also executed a search warrant at a Crestview-area home Wednesday evening in connection with the case. OCSO credited the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, the Tallahassee Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for their assistance in the investigation.
BUSINESS
Bit-Wizards expands support, now offers ‘Government Cloud Services’ to keep NWFL defense contractors compliant
As federal compliance requirements grow increasingly complex, Bit-Wizards has expanded its managed IT services to help Northwest Florida’s defense contractors and government agencies protect sensitive data and maintain their eligibility for government work.
The Fort Walton Beach-based technology solutions provider now offers specialized support for Microsoft’s Government Community Cloud, and is currently providing GCC High services for three Emerald Coast organizations: Advanced Concepts Enterprises, Inc. in Fort Walton Beach, Disruptive Electronic Warfare Machines in Niceville, and Aerohead, Inc. in Crestview.
“The obligation for businesses and government entities to meet cybersecurity and regulatory compliance has been, and continues to be, a top priority for protecting sensitive assets,” said Brian Schlechter, Bit-Wizards’ director of IT. “Many organizations handling regulated or classified data are now turning to Microsoft’s Government Community Cloud to meet today’s stringent security standards.”
EVENTS
A few things to do around town
Friday, Mar. 6 – First Friday Coffee sponsored by PhotoBioModulation Research Institute – Fort Walton Beach – $40.00 – View
Friday, Mar. 6 – Captains Hall of Fame – Destin – Free – View
Saturday, Mar. 7 – Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction – Niceville – $5.00 – View
Saturday, Mar. 7 – ShareFest – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Saturday, Mar. 7 – Discover Science Saturday – Fort Walton Beach – $15.00 – View
Saturday, Mar. 7 – Women United Brunch & Bubbly – Fort Walton Beach – $99.00 – View
Saturday, Mar. 7 – HHArts Gallery Night – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Tuesday, Mar. 10 – ECPRO Lunch and Learn: Local News & Media Panel – Fort Walton Beach – $40.00 – View
Thursday, Mar. 12 – Nothing But Networking hosted by Home2 Suites by Hilton FWB – Fort Walton Beach – $50.00 – View
Thursday, Mar. 12 – Gladius in Concert – Niceville – Free – View
TRAVEL
JetBlue begins nonstop service from Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport to New York, Boston
JetBlue’s first flight from New York arrived at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport on Thursday morning, marking the start of new nonstop service connecting the Emerald Coast to the Northeast.
- The inaugural flight from JFK International Airport was greeted with a ceremonial water cannon salute from Niceville and Valparaiso fire departments on the aircraft parking apron, followed by a ceremony at the gate.
The airline also launched nonstop service between VPS and Boston Logan International Airport on Thursday, making Destin-Fort Walton Beach JetBlue’s 11th destination in Florida.
“Today’s first flight from New York marks an exciting new chapter for the Emerald Coast,” said Dave Jehn, JetBlue’s vice president of network planning and airline partnerships. “With nonstop access to both JFK and Boston, we’re making it easier than ever for customers to travel between the Northeast and one of Florida’s most sought-after beach destinations, while also giving local residents convenient connections to JetBlue’s broader network.”
Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin welcomed the new service.
- “This is an incredible addition to our passenger service at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport,” Goodwin said. “The success of our airport relies on the success of our partners and we are excited to welcome JetBlue to the VPS family.”
JetBlue operates five weekly seasonal flights from both New York’s JFK Airport and Boston Logan International Airport on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. To celebrate the launch, JetBlue is offering introductory fares starting at $69 one-way.
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!
p.s. What did you think of this morning’s newsletter? Hit the reply button and let me know!
Jared
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