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Good morning!
Your guide to Fourth of July festivities across Okaloosa County is here, covering fireworks, drone shows, and events tied to America’s 250th celebration. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state budget with Okaloosa County-specific funding decisions and vetoes, and Bridgeway Center honored Larry McFarland for 40 years of service. The Frances Roy Agency awarded its 2026 Roy Warner Memorial Scholarship to a Baker High School graduate, and Eglin AFB will conduct munitions testing in Choctawhatchee Bay from June 30 through July 2. Also, an inside look at how Travelmation’s Lynnlee Stanford turned a side hustle into a decade-long travel career from her living room.
HOW I WORK
How Travelmation’s Lynnlee Stanford turned a side hustle into a decade-long travel career from her living room
“How I Work” is brought to you by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. Join the most influential organization in Okaloosa. Learn more here.
Lynnlee Stanford has been part of this community since she was 10 months old, when her family moved here for her father to coach football at Choctaw in 1990.
Today, she works from home as a Travel Advisor and Independent Contractor for Travelmation, where she also serves on the agency’s internal leadership team overseeing a team of agents and working in the finance department.
What started as a fun side hustle a decade ago has grown into her sole source of income, and the agency itself has expanded to more than 2,500 agents across the country. Between securing 5 a.m. Disney dining reservations, filtering hotels in Hawaii for client quotes and chauffeuring her two daughters to activities, Stanford’s days are a constant balancing act powered by a laptop, a portable monitor and an afternoon coffee.
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GAMES
WordroW: July 1, 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.
MILITARY
Eglin AFB to conduct munitions testing in Choctawhatchee Bay June 30 through July 2
Eglin Air Force Base will conduct munitions testing in Choctawhatchee Bay from Tuesday, June 30 through Thursday, July 2, the 96th Test Wing announced Monday.
Testing is scheduled from noon to 6 p.m. and again from 9 to 10:30 p.m. each day. All vessels are required to remain clear of the active hazard zone during those windows.
The hazard area begins approximately 2.5 nautical miles from the bay shoreline and is 8 nautical miles wide, according to the news release.
Advisories and local notices to mariners will be broadcast on Channel 16 and HF upper sideband 2182 kHz by the Eglin Joint Test and Training Operations Control Center.
FROM THE STATE
DeSantis signs state budget; here’s what was funded and vetoed in Okaloosa County
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s 2026-27 state budget, approving more than $15 million for Okaloosa County projects while line-item vetoing more than $7.2 million in other countywide-specific requests.
The approved funding includes $5 million for a Workforce Innovation Center at Northwest Florida State College’s Niceville campus, $1.5 million for the Shalimar Bridge Park Project and another $1.5 million for Millside Road improvements in Laurel Hill. Destin secured $1 million for the Crosstown Connector and $1 million for Stahlman Avenue improvements, while Okaloosa County received $1 million for the West Highway 98 Collector Road running parallel to Highway 98 near Hurlburt Field.
GIVING BACK
Frances Roy Agency awards 2026 Roy Warner Memorial Scholarship to Baker High School graduate
From giving back to investing in the future, FPL is powering strong communities. Learn more here.
Frances Roy Agency has named Jayden Wasson, a recent graduate of Baker High School, as the 2026 recipient of the Roy Warner Memorial Scholarship.
- The $1,500 award supports students pursuing trade-based careers that require hands-on skill, discipline and a commitment to service — values the scholarship’s namesake carried throughout his life.
Wasson graduated cum laude with a 3.8 GPA while spending two summers working with Walton County Public Works and the Facility Maintenance Department. He plans to attend trade school to pursue formal education in building and construction. On the day he learned of the award, he was signing paperwork to accept his first full-time position with the county.
For Wasson, the career path carries personal weight. He is set to become a fourth-generation county employee, a goal he said he has worked toward deliberately by balancing academic achievement with real-world experience.
The Roy Warner Memorial Scholarship was the only scholarship Wasson applied for. With his trade school tuition already covered, the award will pay for his books, allowing him to attend completely free of charge.
NEWS
Bridgeway Center honors Larry McFarland for 40 years of service
Bridgeway Center, Inc. honored Larry McFarland’s 40th anniversary with the organization during a special luncheon on Tuesday, June 23, at The Place on Beal.
The celebration, held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., brought together McFarland’s family, friends, current and former co-workers, Board of Trustees members and community partners who gathered to recognize his four decades of service, leadership and dedication to the behavioral healthcare organization.
Throughout his 40-year career with Bridgeway Center, McFarland has served individuals and families facing behavioral health challenges, helping shape the organization into what it is today. His leadership has influenced associates across the organization, strengthened community partnerships and improved the lives of thousands throughout the region.
WEATHER
Today’s weather outlook
TODAY: Sunny, with a high near 89. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
TONIGHT: Mostly clear, with a low around 80. West wind 0 to 5 mph.
AMERICA 250
Your guide to Fourth of July festivities across Okaloosa County
The Okaloosa County America 250 Commission released a rundown of local celebrations Tuesday, highlighting events in Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Destin and Niceville tied to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“So much work and energy have gone into planning these wonderful celebrations in our community,” Commission Chair Graham Fountain said. “I encourage everyone to experience these events and reflect on what makes this country the best in the world.”
Vice Chair Mitzi Henley said the milestone is a chance to recognize the traits that have carried the nation this far.
“It’s important that we recognize what helped keep this country going strong for 250 years,” Henley said. “Our determination, grit and perseverance are what make this country great, and I know we will continue down this path of success for generations.”
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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