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Good morning!
We have a lot to go over this morning, so let’s get to it.
HOW I WORK
An inside look at how Stephanie Larabee blends small business lending, service, and healthy living
“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.
Stephanie Larabee has called Okaloosa County home since 2007 after relocating from Jacksonville with her husband, who wanted to return to the community where he grew up. What began as a bank transfer has grown into a career focused on helping entrepreneurs turn their business goals into reality.
Today, Stephanie serves as an SBA/Commercial Loan Officer with Midwest Regional Bank, working remotely to help business owners across multiple states secure financing to start, grow, or expand their businesses.
She approaches each day with a servant’s mindset, believing that even when she can’t approve a loan, she can still make a difference by offering guidance and encouragement.
Click here to read the full interview (along with what she would tell her 20-year-old self!)
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GAMES
WordroW: July 15, 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.
GIVING BACK
Jessica Valek honored as Okaloosa County’s ‘Big of the Year’
From giving back to investing in the future, FPL is powering strong communities. Learn more here.
The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners recognized Jessica Valek on Tuesday as the 2026 Okaloosa County Big of the Year, an honor awarded by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida.
Valek, the Coastal Resources Manager for the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Natural Resources Team, was originally presented with the award at the end of May. Katie Thompson, area manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters, introduced Valek at Tuesday’s meeting and spoke about her impact as a mentor.
Valek has been matched with Anna through the organization’s community-based program since August 2023. The two have shared outings including a 5K color run, fishing trips, visits to Harbor Walk, farmers markets and ice skating, along with stops for candy and ice cream.
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SPORTS
Under Adron Robinson, the Eagles get back to doing things ‘the Niceville way’
Fresh off a 6-5 campaign that ended with an overtime loss to eventual region champion Ponte Vedra in the first round of the playoffs, change has come to Niceville.
And it’s headlined by one man: Adron Robinson, who after playing on the 1988 state championship team and serving on the staff for more than 15 years, is now at the helm of his alma mater.
Robinson has been on the Eagles’ staff since 2010 in a variety of roles, most notably as co-offensive coordinator, running backs coach and recruiting coordinator. He has also helmed the girls flag football program, which at 12-2 this season looks like a state title contender. He takes over for Richard Morgan, who resigned in March after one season.
With that being said, it’s time for some storylines including their return to the roots and no weeks off.
NEWS
FWB Chamber’s National Civics Bee finalists compete at state level in Tallahassee
The three middle school students who advanced from the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s regional National Civics Bee competition this spring competed at the state finals in Tallahassee last month.
Emma C. of Lisa Jackson Preparatory School and Arianna N. of Northwest Florida Ballet Academie, both in Fort Walton Beach, along with Rishi T. of Florida State University Schools K-12 in Tallahassee, competed June 30 at the Florida State University Institute for Governance and Civics.
The three faced top-scoring middle schoolers from chambers across Florida after placing in the top three at the Chamber’s regional competition in April.
“We are so proud of Arianna, Emma, and Rishi for representing our region at the state level,” said Rachelle Graves, director of special events at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. “These students dedicated countless hours to studying civics and community engagement, and their hard work reflects the strength of the program we’ve built here in Northwest Florida.”
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GIVING BACK
Three Okaloosa County students awarded Emerald Coast Public Relations Foundation scholarships
The Emerald Coast Public Relations Foundation awarded three $1,000 scholarships to recent high school graduates from Okaloosa County at the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization’s luncheon Tuesday at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Naomi Roberts from Niceville High School, Trinity Hightower from Collegiate High School and Avery Brannon from Fort Walton Beach High School each received a scholarship.
Candidates for the scholarship must be high school seniors residing in Okaloosa, Walton or Santa Rosa counties with a GPA of 3.75 or higher and planning to pursue studies in public relations, communication, marketing or journalism. The awards are based on academic credentials, volunteer and service work and an original essay addressing an issue of importance in public relations or related fields.
WEATHER
Today’s weather outlook
TODAY: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 5 to 15 mph.
TONIGHT: Mostly clear, with a low around 80. West wind 5 to 15 mph.
SCHOOL
Okaloosa School Board breaks down how school district millage rates are set
Okaloosa County School Board members, the Superintendent, and Chief Financial Officer Julie Perry used a Monday workshop to detail how the district’s three categories of property tax millage are set, explaining that each is either dictated or capped by the state.
- The discussion came as the board authorized advertising its proposed preliminary and tentative budget and millage rate for fiscal year 2026-2027.
“I want to tell everyone that this board cannot raise the millage past what the law has given us right now,” board member Brett Hinely said, citing what he called misinformation circulating during the current election season.
The required local effort is set by the state and is projected at 3.079 mills for fiscal year 2026-2027, a decrease of 0.050 from the current year, according to the agenda item. Perry said declining to levy the rate would cost the district an estimated $145.5 million in state funding.
The discretionary operating millage is capped at 0.748 mills and the capital improvement millage at 1.5 mills, both levied at the maximum allowed.
Hinely said most local governments can lower their millage when property values rise through a rollback rate, but the school board cannot.
- “Our hands are tied, because the state gives their rate,” Hinely said.
Despite the expected rate decrease, the district is required by law to advertise a “proposed tax increase” because new construction and rising property values will generate more total revenue, Perry said.
The board approved advertising its proposed preliminary budget and millage rate on consent Monday evening. A public hearing is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. July 27.
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!
p.s. What did you think of this morning’s newsletter? Hit the reply button and let me know!
Jared
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