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Good morning!
Eglin Parkway’s road conditions are worsening even as an $11.6 million resurfacing project stalls and recent rain takes its toll. Amy Morgan was named the new principal of Destin Elementary School, and Choctaw celebrated spring signing day as 12 Indians committed to the next level. Niceville’s Abigail Gunter, this week’s Athlete of the Week, has 11 state medals and a nationals trip ahead. The Okaloosa School District is marking Mental Health Awareness Month with a focus on connection and support, the Okaloosa Arts Alliance announced winners of its 17th annual school poster contest, and FPL announced 13 scholarships for Florida students pursuing higher education and technical training.
TRAFFIC
Eglin Parkway road conditions worsen as $11.6 million resurfacing work stalls, rain takes toll
Recent rain has worsened already rough conditions along Eglin Parkway, where an $11.6 million state resurfacing project has left portions of the road in poor shape after the contractor pulled its crew to work on another project.
- Town of Shalimar Mayor Mark Franks posted an update Tuesday saying the contractor handling the Florida Department of Transportation resurfacing project has more than 10 other active projects and moved its Eglin Parkway crew to finish work elsewhere.
“I let them [FDOT] know the condition of this road is totally unacceptable and frankly dangerous,” Franks said. “It should have never gotten to this point in the first place.”
Franks said FDOT assured him the crew would return to the Eglin Parkway project as soon as possible.
FDOT’s $11.6 million resurfacing of Eglin Parkway (State Road 85) from Richbourg Avenue to U.S. 98 was announced in May 2024 and began in late 2025. The project includes sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, signalization upgrades, stormwater management enhancements, and new signing and pavement markings. Construction is scheduled for completion in late 2027.
Eglin Parkway is a state road maintained by FDOT, not by Okaloosa County or the Town of Shalimar. Drivers should use caution along the corridor, particularly during and after wet weather.
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GAMES
WordroW: May 13, 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
Amy Morgan named new Destin Elementary School principal
The Okaloosa County School Board unanimously approved the appointment of Amy Morgan as the new principal of Destin Elementary School during its Monday night meeting.
- Morgan will succeed Amy Meyer, who was appointed principal of Niceville High School last month after longtime principal Charlie Marello moved to director of human resources.
Morgan currently serves as assistant principal at Lewis School and is a graduate of Okaloosa County Schools. She spent 18 years in the classroom, teaching at Florida State University, Destin Middle School and Plew Elementary School. She holds a specialist degree from Florida State University.
“Thank you for entrusting Destin Elementary to my care,” Morgan told the board after the 5-0 vote. “I take this responsibility to heart, and I’m committed to making decisions that are always in the best interest of our students in Destin.”
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Niceville’s Abigail Gunter has 11 state medals, a nationals trip ahead and no intention of slowing down
Athlete of the Week is brought to you by Okaloosa Gas District – supporting the athletes who make our community stronger.
Abigail Gunter gets around Niceville High School on a hoverboard. She climbs in and out of chairs on her own, trains most mornings before school and doesn’t spend much time thinking about what she can’t do.
- There’s too much on the schedule for this para athlete.
The Niceville junior won four state titles at the FHSAA Class 3A Track and Field State Championships earlier this month at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville, taking first in the 100-meter dash (22.56 seconds), 200-meter dash (48.11), shot put (15-9½) and javelin (39.71). The 200 and javelin marks were both personal records. She now owns 11 state medals in her career and still has her entire senior year ahead of her.
She benches over 200 pounds. She’s 11 seconds under the national record in the 50-yard swim. And this summer, she’s heading to Grand Rapids, Michigan, to compete at nationals in throwing and weightlifting, with the possibility of adding discus to her slate.
Gunter was adopted from Africa at 19 months old by her mother, Debi Cassidy, along with her brothers Datch and Sam. The three came from the same tribe. Cassidy, who was living in Virginia at the time, relocated to the Niceville area after the adoption.
When Cassidy first saw Abigail, she still had her legs. But due to a lack of proper nutrition early in life, Gunter says her legs were severely deformed. Cassidy made the difficult decision to have them amputated so her daughter could have a better quality of life. Because of the way Gunter’s hips are positioned, prosthetics would have required breaking her legs and allowing them to grow back straight, a process the family chose not to pursue.
SCHOOL
Okaloosa School District marks Mental Health Awareness Month with focus on connection and support
The Okaloosa County School District is observing Mental Health Awareness Month in May with activities designed to promote mental wellness, spark important conversations and connect students, staff and families with mental health resources.
- This year’s national theme, “More Good Days, Together,” was launched by Mental Health America and highlights connection, support and the importance of breaking mental health stigma. The campaign emphasizes that “good days” look different for everyone, whether overcoming challenges, finding peace or simply feeling supported and not alone.
While May brings increased attention to these efforts, the district said it remains committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of students and staff year-round. That work is carried out through school counselors, mental health professionals, educators, administrators, district support staff and Care Crews — student-led groups that promote kindness, inclusion, peer support and positive connections on school campuses.
“Our commitment to mental health extends far beyond one month,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers said. “Every day, our schools work to create and continually strengthen environments where students and staff feel safe, valued, connected and supported. We are not only sustaining this work, we are also building upon it, expanding our efforts and deepening our impact year after year.”
SPORTS
Choctaw celebrates spring signing day as 12 Indians commit to next level
Choctaw celebrated spring signing day Monday as 12 Indians signed their letters of intent to compete at the next level.
Quarterback Tamen Zabetakis, who led the football team to a Final Four run, headlines the class, headed to Hutchinson Community College where he’ll reunite with former teammates Jonathan Boyd and Keeson Hines-Wheeler.
Defenders Jabari Weeks and Jaylen Brazan are both headed to Webber International. From flag football, “generational player” Diaris Morales signed with Shelton State, while KK Hardy is headed to Daytona State.
Multisport star Saniy Lindsey becomes the first Division I track and field signee from Choctaw in recent memory, signing with Alabama State. The class also includes four cheer signees, buzzer-beater hero Camry Johnson heading to Baptist University of Florida, pitcher AnnMarie Gilbert signing with Enterprise State and soccer’s Aubrie Kimball committing to New College of Florida.
GIVING BACK
FPL announces 13 scholarships for Florida students pursuing higher education, technical training
From giving back to investing in the future, FPL is powering strong communities. Learn more here.
Florida Power & Light Company has announced 13 scholarships for students pursuing higher education or technical training, including three new workforce development scholarships introduced this year.
- The expanded program includes three workforce development scholarships aimed at meeting the growing demand for skilled trades and technical professionals in Florida’s energy sector. The remaining 10 scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors who have participated in a SECME program and plan to pursue a STEM education.
“At FPL, we believe that investing in students is investing in Florida,” said Kate Cotner, director of community engagement for FPL. “These scholarships are one of the many ways we’re working to strengthen the talent pipeline, equipping the next generation of leaders and professionals with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving energy industry, right here in the communities we serve.”
The 10 SECME scholarships are available to high school seniors in FPL’s service area. The three workforce development scholarships are available to students enrolled in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited Florida college, university or technical school in FPL’s service territory.
ART+CULTURE
Okaloosa Arts Alliance announces winners of 17th annual school poster contest
The Okaloosa Arts Alliance has announced the winners of its 17th annual Okaloosa County School Poster Contest, which drew 308 student entries from across the county on the theme “What Does Art Mean to You.”
- All entries were displayed at Grow Your Gift Conservatory of Music during a reception held May 3.
Participating schools included Rocky Bayou Christian School, Crestview High School, Fort Walton Beach High School, Bluewater Elementary, Emerald Coast Learning Center, Northwest Florida Ballet Academy, Plew Elementary, Montessori Learning Center, Liza Jackson Preparatory School, Ruckel Middle School and Meigs Middle School.
Eglin Federal Credit Union donated gift cards for the first, second and third place winners at the elementary, middle and high school levels. HH Arts & Arts & Design Society donated art supply bags to each first place winner and to the Viewer’s Choice award recipients.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Wednesday. 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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