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Good morning!
Destin firefighters rescued a kitten from a storm drain along Highway 98, and the captain took it home for good. A Destin Elementary kindergartner is among six statewide winners in the America250FL Art Contest, and Okaloosa County will host its annual Hurricane Preparedness Expo on May 30, ahead of the June 1 start to hurricane season. HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital hosted its third annual Trauma Survivors Day, and Okaloosa Technical Colleges graduated three students from its Okaloosa UP program.
HEALTHCARE
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital hosts 3rd annual Trauma Survivors Day
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital recently hosted its 3rd Annual Trauma Survivors Day, bringing together patients, first responders and medical staff for an emotional celebration of survival and recovery.
- The event reunited trauma survivors with the local EMS crews who responded to their emergencies in the field and the hospital physicians and caregivers who treated them through their recovery.
The annual gathering is rooted in the hospital’s mission of being committed to the care and improvement of human life. It highlights the relationship between medical professionals and the patients they treat, recognizing the full scope of trauma care — from the first critical moments on the scene through rehabilitation.
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is one of 11 trauma centers operated by HCA Florida Healthcare, part of a statewide trauma network of providers focused on improving access to quality trauma care and services.
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Shop for your new or used vehicle at any participating dealer to apply for on site financing with Eglin Federal Credit Union, or apply online at eglinfcu.org/auto.
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GAMES
WordroW: May 21, 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
Destin Elementary Kindergartner among six statewide winners in America250FL Art Contest
A Destin Elementary School kindergartner has been named one of six statewide winners in the Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida’s America250FL Art Contest, the Okaloosa County School District announced.
- Claire Grelle’s artwork was selected from entries submitted by students across Florida, earning her recognition as one of the state’s top young artists.
The America250FL Art Contest was created for the nation’s 250th anniversary and invited Florida kindergarten through fifth-grade students to submit artwork showing how Florida has contributed to America. Students reflected on the state’s history, heritage and impact through creative expression.
“We are incredibly proud of Claire,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers said. “Being one of only six statewide winners is an extraordinary honor, especially for a kindergartner. Claire’s creativity and talent are inspiring, and she represents the best of Destin Elementary and Okaloosa County School District.”
As part of the honor, Claire received a two-year Florida College Plan scholarship from the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. She was also recognized by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
GAMES
Jigsaw – “Sand dollar”
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. This week…it’s a picture of all of the sand dollars on Okaloosa Island!
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The Origin Ft. Walton Financial Center is located in Fort Walton Beach, FL on the corner of Racetrack Rd NW and Denton Blvd NW. The Ft. Walton Financial Center is the only Origin location in Fort Walton Beach.
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PUBLIC SAFETY
Okaloosa County to host annual Hurricane Preparedness Expo May 30
Okaloosa County will host its Annual Hurricane Preparedness Expo on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway in Shalimar.
- The free event is designed to remind residents to prepare ahead of the Atlantic hurricane season and to take every approaching storm seriously, regardless of its designated category.
Early attendees will receive a free bag and can collect disaster supply items such as flashlights, first-aid kits and hand sanitizer as they visit vendor booths. The expo will feature more than 14 vendors, two food trucks, a touch-a-truck area, free hurricane guides and direct access to county staff who can answer questions and provide information.
“I encourage every family in Okaloosa County to create a hurricane readiness plan,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin. “The Hurricane Expo is a great opportunity for the public to find resources that will facilitate preparedness and foster a mindset that keeps us alert throughout the year.”
SCHOOL
Okaloosa Technical Colleges graduates three from Okaloosa UP program
Three students graduated from the Okaloosa UP (Unique Professionals) Program at Okaloosa Technical College last week, the Okaloosa County School District announced.
Graduates Raj Mulwani, Kaitlyn McCarthy and Nerea “Rea” Agnew crossed the stage to mark the completion of the program, which is designed for adult students with intellectual disabilities. Okaloosa UP provides opportunities for continued learning, career exploration and personal growth in an inclusive college environment.
Through hands-on instruction in areas such as culinary arts and carpentry, along with employability training, campus involvement and real-world work experiences, students in the program develop independence, confidence, workplace skills and connections.
The program focuses on preparing students for success in employment, independent living and lifelong learning by helping them discover their strengths and build skills for the future.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Firefighters rescue kitten from storm drain along Highway 98 in Destin, captain adopts it
A small kitten is settling into a new home after a Destin Fire Rescue crew pulled it from a storm drain Tuesday morning along a busy stretch of Highway 98.
- Multiple calls came in around 11 a.m. reporting a kitten trapped in a storm drain near 1080 Highway 98, according to Destin Fire Rescue. The B shift crew responded to the scene, accessed the drain and sent firefighter Fuller in to retrieve the animal.
The kitten was cold, hungry and scared when Fuller brought it to the surface, the department said. Paramedics on scene tended to the animal once it was safely out.
The rescue had a happy ending beyond the save itself — one of the department’s captains adopted the kitten.
“Great job to B shift for going the extra mile to certainly save a helpless animal,” Destin Fire Rescue said in a post about the rescue.
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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