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A local military spouse at Hurlburt Field has been named ‘Air Force Spouse of the Year,’ earning top recognition for her service and dedication to the military community. Okaloosa School District has approved its first athletic ticket price increase in five years due to increased costs, Fort Walton Beach High School Color Guard caps an undefeated season with a circuit championship, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin and Twin Cities hospitals honor physicians on National Doctors’ Day, and Jim Bagby qualifies for the Walton County Commission ballot through the petition process.
BUSINESS
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin, Twin Cities hospitals honor physicians on National Doctors’ Day
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital celebrated National Doctors’ Day on March 30, recognizing the physicians who provide round-the-clock care to residents across Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.
- The observance dates to 1933, when the day was first established to honor physician dedication and medical breakthroughs. Congress designated it a national day of recognition in 1990.
“Our physicians are the backbone of our mission, which is the care and improvement of human life,” said KC Donahey, CEO of HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. “Whether they are performing life-saving surgery, mentoring the next generation of resident physicians or providing a comforting word to a patient in crisis, their impact is immeasurable.”
The hospitals’ celebration draws from voices across the full spectrum of medical education and experience, from veteran specialists to physicians still in training.
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GAMES
WordroW: March 31, 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
Okaloosa School District approves first athletic ticket price increase in five years, citing increased costs
The Okaloosa County School Board last Monday approved higher admission prices at high school athletic events for the first time in more than five years, effective with the 2026-27 school year.
- Adult football tickets will rise from $8 to $10, and student tickets from $5 to $6. For all other sports, adult admission increases from $5 to $7, and student tickets from $4 to $5. GoFan purchases will include a $1 service fee.
The proposal was developed jointly by principals, athletic directors and School Advisory Councils across the district’s high schools. Niceville Principal Charlie Marello said helmet reconditioning alone cost $16,000 this year, while a girls soccer Final Four trip ran nearly $15,000.
Assistant Superintendent John Spolski said the new prices remain $2 to $4 below FHSAA playoff rates.
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
POLITICS
Jim Bagby qualifies for Walton County Commission ballot through petition process
Jim Bagby has secured a spot on the 2026 Walton County Commission ballot after collecting enough voter signatures through Florida’s petition process, his campaign announced Monday.
- The longtime resident and military veteran said the effort was driven by one-on-one conversations with residents across the county, and that early grassroots support has fueled his campaign from the start.
“This campaign wouldn’t exist without the people of Walton County,” Bagby said. “From the start, it’s been powered by neighbors stepping up and getting involved. Those candid, one-on-one conversations are often overlooked, but they matter most. I’m grateful the people of Walton County have put me on the ballot, and our work together is just beginning.”
Bagby brings more than two decades of professional experience in Walton County to the race. He previously served as executive director of Visit South Walton, general manager of One Seagrove Place and town manager of Rosemary Beach for 10 years. Most recently, he served as district director for Matt Gaetz and is a current Destin City Councilman.
SCHOOL
FWBHS Color Guard caps undefeated season with circuit championship
The Fort Walton Beach High School Color Guard entered the 2025 winter season facing a rebuild. Eight seniors had graduated, there was no JV team, and freshmen were stepping directly into varsity roles.
- The group answered by going undefeated.
The Vikings’ winter guard won first place at every Gulf Coast Color Guard and Percussion Circuit show this season and captured the gold medal at circuit championships. The team also earned second-place finishes at two Winter Guard International regional competitions, where they competed against 25 to 40 teams from multiple states in events that include preliminary and finals rounds.
“Something the staff learned from this team is to never underestimate your students and what hard work and passion can bring,” said Jamie Fields, who has directed the color guard and winter guard program for 13 years.
The team was led this season by captains Tristin Blackman, a senior; TaMia West, a senior; and Sheridan Pierce, a junior.
MILITARY
Local military spouse at Hurlburt Field named ‘Air Force Spouse of the Year’
A local military spouse has earned national recognition for her advocacy work on behalf of service members and their families.
- Lyndsey Akers, currently stationed at Hurlburt Field, has been named the 2026 Armed Forces Insurance Air Force Spouse of the Year.
The honor comes after hundreds of nominations and thousands of votes cast nationwide as part of a program now in its 17th year. With more than one million active-duty military spouses worldwide, the award aims to spotlight those driving change within the military community.
Akers is a strategic communications advisor and founder of Akers&Co, a boutique firm that supports military-connected leaders and mission-driven organizations. Her work has focused on elevating conversations around military family quality of life while creating economic opportunities for military spouses. She also serves as a senior consultant for the Air & Space Forces Association.
- “This recognition reflects the power of what’s possible when we invest in the people behind the mission on the homefront,” Akers said. “For me, this work has always been deeply personal. Supporting military families and helping military-connected brands succeed is a privilege. I’m honored to continue advocating for a community that deserves to be seen, supported, and strengthened.”
The Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year program honors spouses who go beyond supporting their own families to strengthen the broader military community. Recipients are recognized for driving change in areas including education, mental health, entrepreneurship and policy reform.
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Jared
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