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Good morning!
A man is in critical condition after a water rescue in Miramar Beach, according to South Walton Fire District. A 15-year-old is facing multiple felony charges after a Freeport shooting that left one person injured, and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office is pleading for low-speed vehicle safety after two crashes in 24 hours. An Airman was honored for intervening in a dog attack in Fort Walton Beach, and a Crestview Animal Services supervisor earned a national Trailblazer award. Also, Athlete of the Week Chloe Bailey on pitching through pain, a perfect game, and back-to-back no-hitters to lead Niceville softball back to state.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Airman honored for intervening in dog attack in Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach city officials presented U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Marcus Wu with a certificate of appreciation for intervening in an April 22 dog attack on a woman along Holmes Boulevard.
- Wu and a fellow airman were driving on Holmes Boulevard when they witnessed the woman being mauled by one of two dogs, according to Fort Walton Beach Police Chief Robert Bage.
“He stopped his car and intervened and actually wrestled with one of the dogs for several minutes until the police department could get there to assist,” Bage said while presenting the certificate during the City Council’s May 19 meeting.
Bage said Wu’s intervention likely prevented a far worse outcome for the woman.
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GAMES
WordroW: May 29, 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.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Chloe Bailey pitched through pain, a perfect game and back-to-back no-hitters to lead Niceville softball back to state
Athlete of the Week is brought to you by Okaloosa Gas District – supporting the athletes who make our community stronger.
Niceville softball’s Chloe Bailey capped her junior season with numbers that put her among the best pitchers in program history.
- The South Alabama commit went 20-7 with a 1.38 ERA and 245 strikeouts, throwing a perfect game in the district championship and back-to-back no-hitters in the postseason while hitting .369 with six home runs and 33 RBIs. Over three varsity seasons, she’s compiled 650 career strikeouts and a 1.29 ERA.
Bailey pitched through foot injuries and an allergic reaction that left her covered in hives before the regional final against Chiles, a game Niceville won in eight innings to reach the Final Four.
“I believe that just shows how much I love the team and how bad I wanted it,” Bailey said.
In this week’s feature, we dive into:
- The bond between Bailey and catcher Molly Mayfield.
- How Coach Danny Hensley compares her to the best he’s ever coached.
- Bailey’s advice to the next generation of area softball players.
BUSINESS
Crestview Animal Services supervisor earns national Trailblazer award
Crestview Animal Services Supervisor Katie Healey has received the Trailblazer in Animal Welfare Award from Humane World for Animals, a national recognition honoring her leadership in the field.
The award is presented to individuals working or volunteering in animal welfare who demonstrate leadership, innovation and commitment to advancing diversity in the field.
“I’m committed to reshaping animal welfare by expanding access to care and challenging systems that exclude rural and underrepresented communities,” Healey said.
PUBLIC SAFETY
15-year-old facing multiple felony charges after Freeport shooting leaves one injured
A 15-year-old is facing multiple felony charges, including attempted murder, after a shooting incident on Stella Drive in Freeport left one person injured Thursday morning.
- Deputies responded after a 911 call at 7:44 a.m. and quickly established a perimeter. Freeport Elementary School and Freeport Learning Center were placed on lockdown as a precaution.
The suspect was arrested at 8:36 a.m. on South Jackson Street.
The sheriff’s office said the shooting is believed to be an isolated incident stemming from a domestic dispute between parties known to each other.
The teen was booked into the Walton County Jail.
WEATHER
Today’s weather outlook
TODAY: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
TONIGHT: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1am and 4am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Click here to view our weather dashboard including Rip Current Advistories.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Walton County Sheriff’s Office pleads for LSV safety after two crashes in 24 hours
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is renewing its plea for low-speed vehicle safety after two serious crashes within 24 hours left several people hospitalized, including a juvenile with severe head injuries and another victim who had to be life-flighted.
In a statement posted Thursday, the sheriff’s office said the first crash occurred just after midnight Wednesday near Dogwood Street, when a juvenile was ejected from an LSV after it struck a tree. The juvenile, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was transported with severe head injuries.
Later the same day, a second LSV carrying five occupants rolled onto its side. According to the sheriff’s office, one of the adults inside was holding a child in their arms, and no car seat was installed in the vehicle. All five occupants were transported to a hospital, and one was life-flighted.
The sheriff’s office said both crashes were preventable and pointed to extensive education efforts the agency has already undertaken.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Man in critical condition after Miramar Beach water rescue
A man is in critical condition after a water rescue Thursday afternoon in Miramar Beach, according to South Walton Fire District.
SWFD responded around 4 p.m. just west of the Whale’s Tail restaurant, where bystanders reported a man, approximately 35, began struggling while attempting to swim to buoys between the first and second sandbars. Bystanders entered the water, called 911 and initiated care before lifeguards and Walton County deputies took over.
Single red flags were flying at the time, but officials said the incident is not believed to be rip current-related. The rescue occurred a half mile from the nearest lifeguard tower.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Friday. 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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