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Okaloosa County will celebrate America 250 with a parade, gala, historical reenactment and drone show marking the nation’s 250th birthday. Brett Hinely is seeking election to the Okaloosa County School Board, Crestview softball upsets Niceville 3-1 on the road, Niceville baseball falls to South Walton 3-0 in a pitchers’ duel, Okaloosa County School District celebrates Month of the Military Child, and the City of Crestview is now accepting applications for its Citizens Academy.
POLITICS
Brett Hinely to seek election to Okaloosa County School Board
Brett Hinely, appointed to the Okaloosa County School Board by Governor DeSantis in August 2024, will seek election to the District 5 seat for a full four-year term.
Hinely, a Niceville businessman and Air Force veteran, said his experience over the past year and a half convinced him to run. He brings a business perspective to a board that includes career educators.
In an interview, Hinely discussed his priorities and the challenges ahead:
- Infrastructure and the half-cent sales tax.
- Enrollment, school closures and funding.
- Workforce and teacher pay.
- District 5 and military families.
- and More.
“Everything boils down to our students and what’s best for them to become a part of the community,” he said. “Being a good steward of the money and looking at the infrastructure and trying to take care of those things.”
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GAMES
WordroW: April 2, 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
Crestview softball upsets Niceville 3-1 on the road
For much of its history, the Niceville-Crestview softball rivalry has been fairly one-sided in favor of the Lady Eagles.
- But for the second straight season, Crestview has won at Hensley Stadium, this time taking down Niceville 3-1 on Tuesday night during the Lady Eagles’ military appreciation night, where the team wore special jerseys celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
“Huge win. Couldn’t be more proud of the girls,” head coach John Toolan said. “Made a couple of mistakes, but early, and overcame them, and Cambell pitched spot on.”
The game quickly became a chess match between pitchers Cambell Toolan of Crestview and Chloe Bailey of Niceville.
GAMES
Jigsaw – Umbrellas
WordroW is brought to you by Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic – keeping your mind sharp and your spine aligned, one game at a time.
Ready for this week’s Jigsaw puzzle?
Each week, we use local pictures from around Okaloosa County as part of our puzzles. They’ll include current dated photos to historical ones. Do you recognize this place?
SPORTS
Niceville baseball falls to South Walton 3-0 in pitchers’ duel
After reeling off four straight wins, Niceville’s momentum met its match Tuesday night at the Hill.
- No. 22-ranked South Walton rode a dominant outing from Coleman Borthwick — a projected top-10 MLB draft pick and Auburn commit — to blank the Eagles 3-0 in a game that played out as a pitchers’ duel from the first pitch.
Niceville sophomore Ethan Thomas matched Borthwick nearly pitch for pitch, but the Seahawks scratched across just enough runs to make it hold up.
SCHOOL
Okaloosa County School District celebrates Month of the Military Child
The Okaloosa County School District is recognizing the strength, resilience and sacrifices of military-connected students and their families this April during the Month of the Military Child.
- A highlight of the month is Purple Up Day on April 15, when students, staff and community members are encouraged to wear purple in support of military-dependent students. Purple Up Day represents all branches of the military and serves as a visible reminder that military children are seen, valued and supported.
Throughout April, schools across the district will host spirit days, special events, educational opportunities and student engagement activities designed to provide insight into the lives of military children and their families. The celebrations aim to foster a sense of belonging, recognition and support while promoting a welcoming and inclusive school environment.
“Military children are some of the most resilient and courageous students in our schools,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers said. “They balance the challenges of school with the sacrifices and demands that come with military life, often transitioning between states and even countries. In Okaloosa, we are honored to support these children as their parents serve and defend our nation.”
BUSINESS
City of Crestview now accepting applications for Citizens Academy
The City of Crestview is now accepting applications for its Citizens Academy, a free six-week program designed to give residents an inside look at how their local government operates. Classes will begin in June.
- The Citizens Academy offers interactive sessions, facility tours and discussions with city leadership. Participants will learn about public safety, infrastructure, budgeting, planning and community services.
The program is open to all Crestview residents, whether they have lived in the community for years or are new to the area.
“We want our citizens to understand and engage with the government that serves them,” said Mayor JB Whitten. “This program will give them an opportunity to go beyond the headlines and witness firsthand the work that goes into running our city.”
AMERICA 250
Okaloosa to celebrate America 250 with parade, gala, reenactment and drone show
Okaloosa County is rolling out a year of celebrations to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, with a grand parade, an elegant gala dinner, a 1776 reenactment and a patriotic drone show all on the calendar.
The Patriots Day America 250 Grand Parade and Celebration is scheduled for May 9 at 4 p.m. along Main Street in Crestview.
Then on June 12, a gala dinner will run from 6 to 10 p.m. featuring a 1776 reenactment and a patriotic drone show at the Rigdon Center, located at 1958 Lewis Turner Blvd. in Fort Walton Beach.
- The gala includes VIP seating for the drone show, a social hour, a formal dinner, the reenactment and a celebration with music and dancing.
The commission is inviting individuals and businesses to take part in what it calls a tribute to “The 56,” a reference to the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. The letter describes those signers as representing a cross-section of early American society, including leaders, merchants, physicians, lawyers, surveyors, scientists, printers, farmers, landowners, musicians, military leaders and ministers.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Thursday. 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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