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Good morning!
Here’s what we’re covering today:
- Four teens have been arrested following a reported fight at Seacrest Beach in Walton County, while the Mac & Cheese Festival celebrates success with $60,000 raised for Boys & Girls Clubs. Fifteen rescue dogs found their forever homes at a Crestview adoption event, and Brigadier General Zalewski prepares to headline the Crestview Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.
GIVING BACK
Mac & Cheese Festival cooks up $60,000 for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
The 7th Annual Mac & Cheese Festival brought in $60,000 to support The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, organizers announced Thursday.
- The family-friendly event, held Sunday, March 16 at Destin Commons, featured gourmet macaroni and cheese dishes created by local chefs and restaurants competing for top honors in multiple categories.
“Our 7th Mac & Cheese Festival was a phenomenal success, far surpassing our hopes,” said Shervin Rassa, chief executive officer of The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast. “We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who attended, our talented culinary participants, Destin Commons and our generous sponsors.”
The funds will support the organization’s programs focused on academic success, character development, citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. These initiatives serve more than 5,000 youth annually throughout the region.
Recess After Dark took first place in both the People’s Choice and Kids’ Choice categories, while Fudpucker’s earned the top spot in the Judges’ Choice competition.
- Other winners included LESGO Chef (second place in People’s Choice and Judges’ Choice), Boathouse (third place in People’s Choice), Jackacuda’s (second place in Kids’ Choice), Longhorn Steakhouse (third place in Kids’ Choice), and Recess After Dark (third place in Judges’ Choice).
The event featured eleven competitors in total, including Fresh Cravez, Holi, Cantina Laredo, I Heart Mac & Cheese, Emerald Coast Vibe, and others.
“Because of you, we’re able to continue making a lasting impact on our kids,” Rassa said. “We’re already excited to plan an even bigger 8th year!”
SPONSORED
If you live, work, worship or attend school within our field of membership, you can bank with us.
- To find out if you’re eligible to join, visit eglinfcu.org/join or apply at a branch.
Membership subject to approval. Must be 18 or older to apply online. Insured by NCUA
EVENT
15 rescue dogs find ‘forever homes’ at joint adoption event in Crestview
Fifteen dogs found new homes during a joint adoption event held by Crestview Animal Services and Saving with Soul Pet Rescue of Northwest Florida on Saturday, March 1.
- The event, hosted at the Crestview Public Library, drew a substantial crowd from the moment it began.
“Turnout was amazing. From the minute we opened the doors, we were overrun with visitors. It was great,” said Jennifer Hagedorn, founder and president of Saving with Soul Pet Rescue of Northwest Florida.
The Crestview Public Library has emerged as a new venue for pet adoption events, now hosting both Crestview Animal Services and Saving with Soul Pet Rescue.
Crestview Animal Control Officer Katie Healey emphasized the importance of such partnerships.
- “Partnerships between animal shelters and local animal rescues are so important because it allows a more collaborative approach to lifesaving,” Healey said. “When you adopt or a rescue from a shelter you are creating space for us to help more animals in need.”
Additional pet adoption events are planned for the future. Those interested can follow Crestview Animal Services on Facebook or visit cityofcrestview.org under the Animal Services section to view adoptable animals.
SPONSORED
Join the women making $100,000 impacts on our local community
Changing lives in our community one woman at a time. The idea is simple: 100 women donate $1,000 each to form a $100,000 high-IMPACT grant to help transform local nonprofit organizations.
- Since 2012, Impact100 NWF has given away $4.9 million dollars in grants to local nonprofits in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Area nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for these grants.
Impact100’s goal is to have at least 500 members so that they are able to give away one $100,000 grant in each of the 5 categories: Arts and Culture; Education; Environment, Recreation & Preservation; Family; and Health & Wellness.
The organization is also very grateful for their business sponsors who assist with events as well as sponsoring memberships. If you are not a woman in the local area but want to help, please reach out as well!
Upcoming membership enrollment events:
- March 31st: Join Impact100 for an Immersive Art Experience at BeachWorx Destin 5:30 – 7:30
- April 17th: Join Impact100 at The Pavilion at Eagles Nest, Blackwater Golf Course, Crestview from 5:30- 7:30 pm
- April 22nd: Join Impact100 for our final membership event of the 2025 enrollment period at The Beach House in Miramar Beach from 5:30- 7:30
They also have numerous Pop Up Events in March and April throughout Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Join today and make an IMPACT in your local community! You can also email them at Impactnwf@impactnwf.org with any questions.
EVENT
Brigadier General Zalewski to headline Crestview Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast
Brigadier General Pete Zalewski, Chaplain of the Air National Guard, will be the featured speaker at Crestview’s annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, April 17.
- The event will take place at the Crestview Community Center, with doors opening at 7:00 a.m. and the program beginning at 7:30 a.m.
Mayor JB Whitten will open the breakfast with a welcome address. The event is free to all attendees and sponsored by All-In Credit Union and Rocky Bayou Christian School.
Zalewski was promoted to Brigadier General in December 2023 at the Florida National Guard Headquarters in St. Augustine. He is currently the only priest holding the rank of general in the Air National Guard.
- In addition to his pastoral duties in the diocese, Zalewski serves as the Director of the Office of the Joint Chaplain for the National Guard Bureau in Washington, providing support to members of both the Air Force and Army National Guard.
Registration for the breakfast is required by Monday, April 14. Attendees can confirm their participation by visiting loom.ly/nulhZjo or by calling the mayor’s assistant, Dominique Vaughn, at (850) 682-3812.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Four teens arrested in Seacrest Beach fight
Four people from Atlanta, including three juveniles, were arrested following a reported fight that broke out on Beach Bike Way in Seacrest Beach, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office announced on Saturday night.
- Deputies responded to reports of a large group fighting outside a home. When they arrived, several suspects allegedly fled on foot before four people — three juveniles and an 18-year-old — were detained.
According to authorities, the altercation began when two intoxicated juveniles approached the porch of a residence offering to sell alcohol to the occupants. When the residents refused and attempted to escort them off the property, one juvenile began punching a resident in the face.
Adults inside the home, who were family members of the victim, tried to stop the fight when two additional subjects, friends of the juveniles, joined the assault and began hitting the victim.
- Several victims in their 60s sustained injuries during the incident, including bruising and a chipped tooth, according to the WCSO. One adult resident suffered a broken arm but declined to press charges.
All four suspects were charged with battery. The three juveniles and the 18-year-old were all from Atlanta, Georgia.
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