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Good morning!
I-10 westbound lanes will shift to a new overpass in Crestview this week, the latest milestone in the ongoing infrastructure work along the corridor. Grand Boulevard launched two free weekly summer series in Grand Park, the Okaloosa School District honored students at the Take Stock in Children S.T.A.R.S. Ceremony, and Choctaw flag football’s season ended with a state semifinal loss to defending champion Robinson. Generations United Church will host a two-day women’s conference featuring Rita Springer.
EVENTS
Grand Boulevard launches two free weekly summer series in Grand Park
Grand Boulevard is doubling down on its summer entertainment lineup, pairing its returning outdoor concert series with a brand-new weekly dance party, both free and open to the public in Grand Park.
Bands on the BLVD, the shopping and dining destination’s established Thursday evening concert series, kicks off its summer run May 21 with seven performances running through July 2. Shows are scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. and feature a mix of local and regional acts spanning soul, R&B and other genres.
New this year is the Big BLVD Bash, an open-air DJ dance party series launching May 26 in Grand Park. Hosted by Emerald Coast Theater Company, the Tuesday evening series runs through June 30 starting at 6 p.m. and is billed as a high-energy, family-friendly addition to the Boulevard’s summer programming.
- Both series are free with no tickets or cover charge required. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket and grab dinner or drinks from one of Grand Boulevard’s restaurants.
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GAMES
WordroW: May 18, 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
Okaloosa School District honors students at Take Stock in Children S.T.A.R.S. Ceremony
The Okaloosa County School District celebrated students in the Take Stock in Children program at its annual S.T.A.R.S. Ceremony, honoring 12 incoming freshmen beginning the program and 19 graduating seniors who completed it to earn two-year college scholarships.
The event was supported by the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation. Lori Lipnicky, TSIC college readiness coach, introduced the students and celebrated their accomplishments alongside mentors, educators, families and supporters.
Take Stock in Children helps students reach educational and career goals through mentorship, college readiness coaching and scholarships. Participants are selected based on academic potential, financial need and dedication. To remain in the program, students must:
- Meet regularly with their mentors
- Maintain strong academics
- Remain drug- and crime-free
- Stay active in school and the community
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SPORTS
Choctaw flag football falls to defending champion Robinson in state semifinal
Choctaw flag football’s stellar season came to a close in the Class 2A state semifinals, falling 42-12 to 10-time defending state champion Robinson in Tampa.
Despite facing one of the most dominant programs in state history, the Lady Indians didn’t go quietly. Quarterback Diaris Morales connected with Silvy Ewert and Tishelle Bowles for touchdowns as Choctaw fought back against the Lady Knights.
Reaching the Final Four capped another deep postseason run for coach Jim Bay’s program, which continues to be among the area’s best in flag football.
FAITH
Generations United Church to host two-day women’s conference featuring Rita Springer
Generations United Church will host the two-day Encounter Women’s Conference on May 29-30, welcoming women from across the Gulf Coast region for worship, teaching and spiritual renewal.
- The conference will feature worship leader and speaker Rita Springer along with pastor and leadership teacher Suzannah Driver. Organizers describe the event as more than a traditional conference, inviting attendees to “deeply encounter God — to slow down, draw near, and experience His presence in a way that changes you.”
Springer is a worship leader, singer-songwriter, author and teacher whose ministry spans more than three decades. She is known for her passionate and prophetic worship style, multiple worship albums and for founding the DIVE worship school.
Driver co-leads Echo Life Church in Pensacola with her husband, Joe Driver. She holds a Master of Arts in Christian Education and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Leadership.
TRAFFIC
I-10 westbound lanes shifting to new overpass in Crestview this week
Westbound drivers on Interstate 10 should prepare for a new traffic pattern near Crestview beginning the week of Sunday, May 17.
- The Florida Department of Transportation announced that I-10 westbound travel lanes will be shifted to the newly constructed overpass at the P.J. Adams Parkway Interchange, which will be designated as future Exit 53. The shift will become the permanent configuration for westbound drivers.
The lane shift is part of the $72.7 million I-10 at P.J. Adams Parkway interchange project in Okaloosa County. The project represents the first new interchange added to the Northwest Florida I-10 corridor in decades, according to FDOT.
When complete, Exit 53 will provide an alternative I-10 access point for travelers in north Crestview, with the goal of improving safety and reducing congestion.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled due to inclement weather. FDOT reminds drivers to use caution when traveling through the work zone, especially at night, and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Monday. 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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