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Good morning!
The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down in Walton County on Memorial Day, with no injuries reported. Hundreds turned out to honor fallen service members at a Fort Walton Beach Memorial Day ceremony, and winners were announced for the 70th annual Billy Bowlegs Torchlight Parade in Fort Walton Beach. Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed four people to the Northwest Florida State College board of trustees, and we break down the best of the best with the 2026 area baseball awards.
GIVING BACK
Hundreds honor fallen service members at Fort Walton Beach Memorial Day ceremony
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Hundreds gathered at Rogers-Hinson Post 235 on Monday to honor military members who died in service to their country during a Memorial Day ceremony that carried on despite inclement weather.
- The event, organized by the Beal Memorial Veterans Tribute Tower committee, was originally planned for Beal Memorial Cemetery but was relocated to the Fort Walton Beach American Legion due to rain.
The ceremony opened with the posting of the colors by Fort Walton Beach High School Air Force Junior ROTC cadets, followed by remarks from U.S. Rep. Jim Patronis.
“Memorial Day is not about barbecues and weekends,” Patronis said. “It’s about remembrance, and the men and women who have kissed their families goodbye, put the uniform on, and never came home.”
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GAMES
WordroW: May 27, 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.
EVENTS
Winners announced for 70th annual Billy Bowlegs Torchlight Parade in Fort Walton Beach
The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of the 70th annual Billy Bowlegs Torchlight Parade, a milestone edition of one of the area’s longest-running community traditions.
The parade rolled down Eglin Parkway on Monday, May 18, drawing enthusiastic crowds and what organizers called some of the most spirited entries in the event’s seven-decade history.
Winners:
- The 5 Ride, Inc. took home the Truck/Car/Van category.
- 850 Social Babes won the Float category
- Krewe of Dominique Youx claimed the Krewe title
- Panhandle United Roller Derby was named the winner in the Walkers category
Ted Corcoran, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, said the parade carries forward a tradition that dates back to a time when the route crossed the Brooks Bridge and ran along U.S. Highway 98.
“For the past 40-plus years, we’ve held the parade on Eglin Parkway, and we need every bit of that space to accommodate the entries and the families lining both sides of the road,” Corcoran said. “It is truly a community effort, and a magical tradition for our city.”
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‘Silver Tsunami’: Realtor Lisa Norton helps local families think through aging in place and downsizing
Many longtime homeowners across Okaloosa County are living in houses that no longer fit their lives, and realtor Lisa Norton said the hardest part of helping them move forward is rarely about square footage.
“Many of the families that I’ve met with, they’re not just deciding where to move. They’re deciding how to let go of this big chapter in their life,” Norton said. “These are homes where they’ve raised their children, maybe grandchildren, held holiday gatherings and built decades of great memories.”
Norton, 67, said she’s seen the need grow in her own neighborhood and has started evaluating her own home’s limitations. Her work focuses on helping families move from a reactive position to a planning one — ideally two to four years before a move is likely.
In our full story, Norton discusses:
- Early signs a home has outgrown its owners.
- The emotional side of letting go of a family home.
- What downsizing looks like across Niceville, Fort Walton Beach and Destin.
- Common mistakes families make when handling transitions on their own.
- What to look for when touring assisted living or memory care communities.
- Why she recommends building a transition plan early.
SPORTS
The best of the best: 2026 area baseball awards
The 2026 baseball season across Okaloosa and Walton counties was one for the books. South Walton broke through for the area’s first baseball state championship, while Choctaw and Niceville each made Elite Eight runs of their own.
With the season now in the rearview mirror, here are the Get The Coast awards for the 2026 area baseball season from our reporter Travis Espy.
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FROM THE STATE
Gov. DeSantis appoints four to Northwest Florida State College board of trustees
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday announced four appointments to the Northwest Florida State College District Board of Trustees, naming Todd Jackson and Jonathan Ochs as new members and reappointing Megan Harrison and Dr. Jon Ward.
All four appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
WEATHER
Today’s weather outlook
TODAY: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 7am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
TONIGHT: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
WEATHER
NWS confirms tornado hit Walton County on Memorial Day; no injuries reported
A tornado struck Villa Tasso in Walton County on Monday evening, the National Weather Service confirmed. No injuries were reported.
- The NWS Tallahassee office said damage in Villa Tasso “is consistent with a tornado” and noted a brief tornado debris signature on radar. The storm touched down at approximately 5:07 p.m. Monday. A formal damage rating is expected Wednesday.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office and Walton County Fire Rescue responded to the area of Magnolia Street where a severe storm caused multiple downed trees and power lines, leaving many residents without power.
Walton County Emergency Management said it received reports of a potential tornado impacting the Villa Tasso and Choctaw Beach communities at approximately 4:45 p.m. Walton County Public Works crews are continuing debris cleanup, and officials are asking impacted residents to complete a damage assessment form at bit.ly/WCDamage.
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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124 Eglin Parkway SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548