SPONSORED BY
Good morning!
The University of West Florida has announced a move to NCAA Division I athletics, joining the Atlantic Sun Conference in a major upgrade for the program. Gulfarium’s TurtleFest returns April 18 with an all-inclusive celebration supporting sea turtle rescue, an NWFSC report details ‘live medications’ found in the nursing program building, Choctaw flag football defeats Navarre 32-14 in their first game on new turf, and Bit-Wizards employees make volunteering a way of life across the Emerald Coast.
PROMOTED BY GULFARIUM
Gulfarium’s TurtleFest returns April 18 with all-inclusive celebration supporting sea turtle rescue
The Gulfarium Adventure Park will host its third annual “CARE on the Coast TurtleFest” on April 18, offering an all-inclusive afternoon of live music, local food, animal encounters and family entertainment — all in support of the facility’s sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
- The event, presented by Valparaiso Coca-Cola, runs from 3:30 to 7 p.m., with VIP ticket holders gaining early access at 3 p.m.
“Every ticket that we sell is more that goes to the CARE Center,” said Mary Fomby, Marketing Manager for Gulfarium. “Everything that we raise through this event goes back to rescuing sea turtles in our area.”
The Gulfarium CARE Center, the park’s sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation nonprofit, has rescued and rehabilitated more than 1,000 sea turtles since opening in 2015. Fomby said the cost of caring for each turtle averages close to $20,000, covering equipment, food, medicine and specialized procedures.
TurtleFest tickets are all-inclusive, covering food and drinks — including alcoholic beverages for guests 21 and older — from local restaurants and vendors stationed throughout the park. Multiple live musicians and bands will perform across the grounds, joined by DJs, stilt walkers, mermaids and pirates.
SPONSORED
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GAMES
WordroW: April 3, 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.
SCHOOL
NWFSC report details ‘live medications’ found in nursing program building
Northwest Florida State College has released the findings of a five-month internal review that determined live medications, including controlled substances, were stored in the building housing the college’s nursing program without proper oversight or disposal procedures.
- The college said it acted promptly after receiving the complaint, completing interviews with all full-time nursing faculty and staff, securing the materials, and engaging a licensed vendor to dispose of 172 pounds of regulated medical waste. The nursing director resigned in January 2026, and the dean of health sciences retired on a pre-planned timeline the same month.
“The College determined that the program stored real medications in its facility without a basis for having those materials in an educational setting and lacked procedures for oversight and disposal,” the college said in a statement.
The college’s findings were detailed in a 15-page report dated April 1, addressed to President Mel Ponder from the college’s senior vice president for human resources, vice president of academic affairs, executive director of human resources and dean of workforce education.
SPORTS
Choctaw flag football defeats Navarre 32-14 in first game on new turf
The Choctaw flag football team shook off a rough outing last week with a 32-14 victory over Navarre on Wednesday night, christening Joe Etheredge Stadium’s new turf field with a statement performance.
- The Lady Indians (7-2) had seen both a five-game winning streak against Niceville and a nine-game winning streak against in-county opponents snapped last week. Against a playoff-caliber Navarre squad riding momentum from a win over Crestview the night before, Choctaw left no doubt.
Senior quarterback Diaris Morales set the tone early, connecting with Grey Smith for a touchdown to put the Lady Indians ahead. Morales never let up, finishing with five touchdown passes in the win.
PROMOTED BY BIT-WIZARDS
Bit-Wizards employees make volunteering a way of life across the Emerald Coast
At Bit-Wizards, community service isn’t confined to a single week on the calendar. For the Fort Walton Beach-based tech firm, giving back is woven into daily operations through its Be The Magic Foundation and a workplace culture that actively supports volunteerism.
Morale Coordinator Sarah Reuille has helped coordinate school supply drives benefiting more than 100 local families. Client success manager LXS Fregger volunteers with Fresh Start for Children and Families and the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge. Solution consultant Vandy Vela holds leadership roles with the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and Bring Hope Now.
Lead PR Specialist Jeff Andrejcik builds beds for children in need through Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and Software Test Engineer Angie Smith recently led an AI workshop for middle and high school girls through Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.’s Delta Gems Academy.
- “Bit-Wizards has created an environment where giving back is encouraged and supported,” Reuille said. “It makes it easier to stay involved and reminds you that even small efforts can have a lasting impact.”
EVENTS
A few things to do around town
Friday, Apr. 3 – 11th Annual Doggie EGGstravaganza – Miramar Beach – $20.00 – View
Saturday, Apr. 4 – Discover Science Saturday – Fort Walton Beach – $12.00 – View
Saturday, Apr. 4 – Fort Walton Beach Kite Festival – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Saturday, Apr. 4 – Eclectic Pottery Pop-Up Market – NIceville – Free – View
Saturday, Apr. 4 – HH Arts Gallery Night, April 4th – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Sunday, Apr. 5 – Easter Sunrise Celebration! – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Sunday, Apr. 5 – Easter Services – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Sunday, Apr. 5 – Easter Brunch & Egg Hunt – Fort Walton Beach – $40.00 – View
Sunday, Apr. 5 – Fort Walton Beach Kite Festival – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Sunday, Apr. 5 – Easter Brunch for Every Bunny at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort – North Destin – $95.00 – View
Sunday, Apr. 5 – Easter Bunny and Easter Egg Dash at LuLu’s on Easter Sunday – Destin – Free – View
Wednesday, Apr. 8 – A Walk Down Magnolia Lane – santa rosa beach – $150.00 – View
Thursday, Apr. 9 – Nothing But Networking hosted by UWF Emerald Coast – Fort Walton Beach – $50.00 – View
Friday, Apr. 10 – First Friday Coffee sponsored by LiveOak Fiber – Fort Walton Beach – $40.00 – View
Saturday, Apr. 11 – Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center Court Renovation Celebration – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Saturday, Apr. 11 – Girls Empowered with Math and Science Workshops – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Saturday, Apr. 11 – “Wearable Art” Open House – NIceville – Free – View
Sunday, Apr. 12 – Impact100 NWF Membership Event at Eagle’s Nest at Blackwater – Crestview – Free – View
Monday, Apr. 13 – Homeschool Science Fair – Fort Walton Beach – $10.00 – View
Tuesday, Apr. 14 – ECPRO Lunch and Learn: Accreditation in Public Relations – Fort Walton Beach – $40.00 – View
Wednesday, Apr. 15 – Impact100 NWF 2 Birds Coffee + Cafe Enrollment Event – Miramar Beach – Free – View
Thursday, Apr. 16 – “Sippin’ on the Sound” April 16, 2026 – Fort Walton Beach – $50.00 – View
Thursday, Apr. 16 – Planetarium Nights: Double Feature – Fort Walton Beach – $12.00 – View
Thursday, Apr. 16 – American Brass Quintet – sponsored by the Emerald Coast Music Alliance – Niceville – Free – View
SPORTS
University of West Florida announces move to NCAA Division I, joining Atlantic Sun Conference
The University of West Florida is heading to NCAA Division I.
- UWF announced Thursday morning that it will transition its athletics programs to Division I beginning in Fall 2026, joining the Atlantic Sun Conference as a full multi-sport member and the United Athletic Conference as a football-playing member.
“Our transition to Division I marks a historic step forward for UWF and reflects the momentum, ambition and excellence that define our community,” UWF President Manny Diaz Jr. said. “This milestone is about more than athletics — it represents expanded opportunities for our students, greater national visibility, and a continued commitment to providing an outstanding educational experience.”
The Argonauts have built one of the strongest programs in Division II, leading the Gulf South Conference in all-time championships and all-sports trophies. UWF’s 15 varsity programs have combined for 11 national championships and 136 conference titles. The program’s student-athletes posted a cumulative 3.37 GPA in Spring 2025.
“This transition represents the next chapter in the evolution of our athletics program,” UWF Athletic Director Dave Scott said. “As we prepare for Division I competition, we remain focused on building champions for life.”
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a Good 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!
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Jared
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