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Country music star Coffey Anderson is set to headline Okaloosa County’s America 250 celebration. The granddaughter of Gen. Jimmy Doolittle will deliver the commencement address at NWFSC, and Cynthia West has moved her campaign to District 5, where she’ll face Hinely for an Okaloosa School Board seat.
On the sports side, South Walton baseball shut out Wolfson 13-0 and will host West Florida Tech in the Sweet 16, Niceville baseball held off Beachside to advance to the Sweet 16, and Choctaw, Niceville, and Destin all punched tickets to the flag football playoffs. Lady Eagles softball honored military with custom America 250 camo jerseys, and Seacoast Collegiate senior Calvin Chilton signed with Liberty University track and field.
AMERICA 250
Granddaughter of Gen. Jimmy Doolittle to deliver NWFSC commencement address
Northwest Florida State College will hold its Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies Friday, May 8, at Raider Arena on the Niceville campus, recognizing graduates who have completed associate and bachelor’s degree programs across a range of disciplines.
- Two ceremonies are scheduled, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
This year’s commencement speaker will be Jonna Doolittle Hoppes, an author, educator and granddaughter of Gen. James “Jimmy” Doolittle. Her appearance is part of the college’s America 250 commemoration.
Hoppes is known for preserving and sharing the legacy of the Doolittle Raiders, whose 1942 mission marked a turning point in World War II. Her work continues to connect new generations with the values of service, leadership and resilience.
The Doolittle Raiders’ connection to Northwest Florida remains a meaningful part of the college’s identity, rooted in the region’s ties to military training and service…along with being the mascot.
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GAMES
WordroW: April 28, 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.
POLITIC
Cynthia West moves campaign to District 5, will face Hinely for Okaloosa School Board seat
Cynthia West has shifted her Okaloosa County School Board campaign, announcing Friday she is now running for the District 5 seat.
- West cited her family’s ties to the Niceville community and concerns about school board leadership. She originally announced her bid for District 3 in December before shifting to District 1 in January.
“Our schools are facing serious challenges from student safety and bullying concerns to questions about transparency and long-term planning,” West said in a press release. “Families are asking for answers, and too often they are not getting them. We need a school board that listens, responds, and leads.”
The District 5 seat is currently held by School Board Member Brett Hinely, who announced earlier this month that he would seek election to the seat. Hinely, a Niceville resident and president of Cove Marine, Inc., was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in August 2024 to fill a vacancy left by Dr. Diane Kelley after she became principal of Destin High School.
AMERICA 250
Lady Eagles softball honors military with custom America 250 camo jerseys
The Niceville High School softball team is wearing its gratitude this season.
- The Lady Eagles introduced custom-designed Military Appreciation jerseys honoring America’s 250th anniversary and recognizing the service of military members, veterans and first responders.
The uniforms feature a blue-and-black camouflage design accented with red, white and blue elements, along with the official America 250 logo and a custom patch representing all six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Niceville parent and veteran Vince Mayfield of Bit-Wizards and TalkingParents designed and personally funded the jerseys, ensuring each player received and kept her own. Mayfield’s daughter, Molly, is the team’s catcher.
“This is about more than a uniform,” said Head Coach Danny Hensley, a military veteran, teacher and Air Force Junior ROTC instructor. “It’s about honoring those who have served, recognizing the families who support them and helping our players understand the importance of service, sacrifice and community.”
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SPORTS
Here’s what’s happening in Okaloosa/Walton high school sports
FLAG FOOTBALL: The brackets are out, and three area flag football teams are headed to the postseason. Choctaw earned the No. 1 seed in 2A Region 1 and opens at home against Menendez as the Lady Indians chase a fifth straight regional title. Niceville landed the No. 3 seed in 3A Region 1 after a program-record 15 wins and hosts Pace on Wednesday night at Eagle Stadium. Destin made the playoffs for the first time in program history and travels to face district champion Bradford. Click here to read the full breakdown
SOWAL BASEBALL: The South Walton Seahawks raced past Wolfson 13-0 on Saturday night to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16, behind a dominant two-way performance from Coleman Borthwick and a breakthrough moment from Nathan Whitney. Borthwick threw a no-hitter while also driving in runs with a two-run double and a two-run home run. Whitney launched his first career home run, a towering shot to left field. South Walton will now host West Florida Tech in a rematch of the district championship. Click here to read the full story
NICEVILLE BASEBALL: Deacon Avery set the tone with a first-inning home run, and the Niceville Eagles held on for a 3-2 playoff win over Beachside to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16. Ethan Thomas kept the Eagles in front on the mound before the Barracudas tied it in the sixth, but Niceville answered right back with a Lincoln Broussard bases-loaded walk that scored the go-ahead run. Niceville hosts Mosley next week, setting up a rematch with the Dolphins after a February loss. Click here to read the full story
SEACOAST: Seacoast Collegiate High School senior Calvin Chilton signed with Liberty University on April 24 to continue his academic and athletic career in track and field. Chilton has competed at several of the nation’s top meets, including a top-eight finish at Nike Outdoor Nationals in 2023 and a fourth-place finish at the AAU Junior Olympics in 2024. A dual enrollment student through Northwest Florida State College, he will graduate in May with both his Associate of Arts degree and his high school diploma. Click here to read the full story
AMERICA 250
Looking for more America 250 events?
From historical commemorations at our local landmarks to community gatherings, educational programs, and patriotic celebrations — if it’s happening here for America 250, you’ll find it here.
The Okaloosa County America 250 Commission was founded by resolution of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 20, 2026, to support efforts to provide meaningful activities to the citizens and visitors of Okaloosa County throughout the 2026 calendar year to celebrate the founding of the United States of America, designated as the “America 250 Celebration Year.”
Organizations, businesses, and community groups across Okaloosa County are invited to submit their America 250 events for inclusion in our community calendar.
AMERICA 250
Country music star Coffey Anderson to headline Okaloosa America 250 celebration
The Okaloosa County America 250 Commission has announced that country music artist Coffey Anderson will headline the America 250 Grand Parade and Celebration on May 9, 2026, in Crestview.
- Anderson, known nationwide for his hit “Mr. Red, White, and Blue,” is a top performer in high demand for national, patriotic and faith-based events.
“We are very fortunate to have Coffey share his talent and patriotism at our Patriots’ Day events,” said Okaloosa County America 250 Chairman Graham W. Fountain. “He reminds us of what being a modern Patriot is all about and certainly exemplifies what the American dream is all about for so many Americans today.”
A native of Bangs, Texas, Anderson has used his music to honor members of the armed forces around the globe. After 13 service members were killed in the 2021 Kabul bombing, Anderson attended and sang “Mr. Red, White, and Blue” at 10 of their funerals at his own expense.
Anderson has focused much of his career on events that support U.S. military branches and is an active partner with the Military Warriors Support Foundation.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Tuesday. 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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