SPONSORED BY
Good morning!
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has become the first in the tri-county area to perform a new high blood pressure procedure, bringing advanced hypertension care to local patients. The Meigs Park project is moving forward as pavilion and restroom facilities take shape in Niceville, and the City of Destin will begin several road resurfacing projects starting July 20. Hurlburt Field has introduced virtual reality training for its air traffic controllers.
Today is the deadline to nominate someone for the Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce Civic Hall of Fame. The chamber is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year and looking to honor individuals who have made a lasting difference in the community. If there’s someone you think deserves recognition, don’t wait — nominations close today. Visit the Niceville Valparaiso Chamber’s website to submit yours.
MILITARY
Hurlburt Field introduces virtual reality training for air traffic controllers
The 1st Special Operations Wing has introduced virtual reality simulator training for air traffic controllers at Hurlburt Field, a move aimed at reducing upgrade training time and maintaining mission readiness across Air Force Special Operations Command.
The VR system, introduced on June 9, provides controllers with a high-definition view of the airfield and can replicate dynamic weather changes, low-visibility scenarios and emergency situations. The system offers a full 360-degree field of view, allowing trainees to scan the airspace by turning their heads while keeping their hands free to perform other tasks.
“Scaling these VR learning environment capabilities AFSOC-wide will undoubtedly produce more resilient, self-correcting controllers,” the wing’s ATC training and standardization noncommissioned officer in charge said. “This early testing enhances the 1st SOW’s mission readiness with increased agility, enabling our controllers to master new procedures and terminology well before the real-world changes take effect.”
The technology shifts training from passive observation to active participation, allowing airmen to repeatedly practice realistic scenarios without relying on live airfield operations. It also gives supervisors a new tool to evaluate performance.
SPONSORED
Ready, tap, go!
Ready, tap, go! with an Eglin Federal Credit Union Mastercard® — you’re ready for your next adventure.
With rates as low as 7.9% APR, no annual fee, no balance transfer fee, and no cash advance fee, you’re set for every beach day or weekend on the water.
Just tap your Eglin FCU Mastercard and get on your way — fast.
Apply in person or online at eglinfcu.org/Mastercard.
Eglin Federal Credit Union. Where members matter most.
GAMES
WordroW: July 17, 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.
PARKS+REC
Meigs Park project moving forward as pavilion, restroom facilities take shape in Niceville
Construction is progressing on the all-inclusive playground and Miracle League field at Meigs Park in Niceville, with the City of Niceville sharing photos on July 16 showing pavilion areas and restroom facilities that have taken full form.
The city said covered spaces and ADA amenities are now in place at the site, adding that the project is on track for completion by the end of this calendar year.
“We can’t wait to all play together at Meigs Park,” the city said in its update.
The project is a joint effort between the City of Niceville and Okaloosa County, which entered into an interlocal agreement on Jan. 16, 2024, to transform Meigs Park into an ADA Miracle League style facility.
When completed, the park will include a pavilion with a concession stand and quiet room, a bathroom facility, a 6,180-square-foot playground area, a Miracle League baseball field, a large multi-purpose field, an 8-foot quarter-mile walking track and a basketball/volleyball court.
PROMOTED BY ORIGIN BANK
Trust is earned, not acquired
In a time when banks are getting bigger and less personal, Origin is growing without losing what matters most – real relationships. We believe trust is something you earn, one conversation at a time.
TRAFFIC
City of Destin to begin several road resurfacing projects starting July 20
The City of Destin will begin a series of roadway resurfacing projects later this month, with work scheduled to start July 20, weather permitting. H&T Contractors will perform the work in two phases, according to the city.
The first phase will cover North Lakeside Drive and Misty Way. Milling operations are scheduled for July 20 through July 24, with paving to follow July 27 through July 29.
Crews will then move to Driftwood Lane, Driftwood Court and Park Court, where milling is scheduled for July 30 and July 31 and paving is anticipated July 31 through Aug. 1. Final cleanup and removal of traffic control devices is scheduled for Aug. 3.
During construction, residents and motorists should expect temporary lane closures, intermittent traffic delays and brief periods where access may be restricted while fresh asphalt is being placed, the city said.
PROMOTED BY UNITED FIDELITY
STOP Missing Out! Your Checking Account Should Pay YOU
Tired of your checking account giving you next to nothing?
Our Elevate Checking account lets you earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY)!
Earn more with a local bank you can trust.
Visit unitedfidelitybank.com/elevate to learn more about how to get started.
WEATHER
Today’s weather outlook
TODAY: Sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 105. West wind around 10 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
TONIGHT: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7pm and 10pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 81. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
HEALTH
HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital first in tri-county area to perform new high blood pressure procedure
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital’s Dr. John Dudley performed the first renal denervation procedure in the tri-county area on Wednesday, a minimally invasive treatment designed to help patients whose high blood pressure has not responded to medication.
Dr. Dudley, the only physician in Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa counties offering the procedure, said renal denervation targets the sympathetic nervous system around the renal arteries to lower blood pressure. The procedure takes about 20 to 30 minutes, requires only a small incision in the leg and is closed with a single stitch. Patients go home the same day.
- “We’re able to do a procedure…and people are able to go home the same day,” Dudley said. “And one of my favorite things is that we’re able to stop medications that they’ve been taking probably most of their lives.”
Joanna Harrell, the first patient to receive the treatment locally, said she had struggled with high blood pressure for years. What started as a single medication grew to six blood pressure prescriptions, none of which were keeping her numbers under control, she said.
Her condition had led to a heart attack, multiple stents and a spinal stroke, Harrell said. When Dudley told her about the procedure and the possibility of coming off all her medications, Harrell said her response was immediate.
“Let’s do it,” she said.
Harrell said she is looking forward to a life without daily medication and frequent doctor visits. She said she wants to be healthy enough to watch her 12-year-old daughter, a competitive cheerleader, grow up.
“High blood pressure is often called the ‘silent killer’ because patients may feel perfectly fine while serious damage is occurring to their heart, brain and kidneys,” Dudley said. “Renal denervation gives us another tool to help patients whose blood pressure has remained difficult to control despite doing all the right things.”
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!
p.s. What did you think of this morning’s newsletter? Hit the reply button and let me know!
Jared
Published with ♥ by Get The Coast.
Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe here.
124 Eglin Parkway SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548