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Destin’s City Council has directed staff to evaluate warning signage at East Pass, part of ongoing conversations about water safety in the area. SOCKS will fly 110 cats from Okaloosa to Maryland in partnership with national rescue groups, and Niceville High School’s Julia Milz was named Distinguished Young Woman of Okaloosa County for 2027. The Okaloosa Saves campaign saw 189 youths deposit more than $42,000 in one of its strongest years, and July 25, 1968 marks the birth of Silver Beach Wayside Park, now known as James Lee Park in Destin.
HISTORY
July 25, 1968: The birth of Silver Beach Wayside Park, now known as James Lee Park in Destin
As we come up on the anniversary tomorrow, I wanted to reshare this story from last year…
58 years ago, Silver Beach Wayside Park was officially dedicated in Destin at a 5 p.m. ceremony, with Miss Silver Beach Peep Gassman unveiling the plaque and State Road Commissioner Jay Brown serving as the guest speaker.
- The dedication was a community celebration, with Crestview’s James Lee – the State Road Board member who introduced Commissioner Brown – helping to unveil the park sign.
According to newspaper coverage at the time, the wayside park had already been open for several weeks and was “being used to capacity” even before all facilities were completed.
The park’s journey continued when the state transferred it to Okaloosa County in May 1981, and it was eventually renamed James Lee Park – honoring the very same James Lee who had helped dedicate it in 1968. (As I’m sure you are aware, there are also roads named after James Lee in the area)
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GAMES
WordroW: July 24, 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
SOCKS to fly 110 cats from Okaloosa to Maryland in partnership with national rescue groups
From giving back to investing in the future, FPL is powering strong communities. Learn more here.
More than 100 cats and kittens from Save Our Cats and Kittens will board a free flight from Destin Executive Airport on Aug. 6, bound for Maryland and a better chance at finding permanent homes.
The 110 animals will be transported by Dog Is My CoPilot, a nonprofit that has flown tens of thousands of animals from overcrowded shelters since 2012 at no cost.
Upon arrival, the cats will be taken in by Last Chance Animal Rescue, which adopts out about 130 cats and kittens per week through partnerships with more than 30 PetSmart and Petco stores in the region.
The flight is intended to relieve overcrowding at SOCKS, the Fort Walton Beach-based cat rescue, and open space for additional animals in need. The cats will receive continued care before becoming available for adoption.
SCHOOL
Niceville High School’s Julia Milz named Distinguished Young Woman of Okaloosa County for 2027
Julia Milz, a senior at Niceville High School, was named Distinguished Young Woman of Okaloosa County for 2027 during the annual scholarship competition held July 18 at the Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium.
Milz earned the title after competing alongside seven other high school seniors from across Okaloosa County. Participants were evaluated in five categories: scholastics (25%), interview (25%), talent (20%), fitness (15%) and self-expression (15%). She received $3,500 in scholarships.
“Being named the Distinguished Young Woman of Okaloosa County is an incredible honor that speaks to Julia’s character and promise,” said Amy Meyer, principal of Niceville High School. “I am extremely proud to have her as a part of our school family. I look forward to watching her continue to excel during her senior year at Niceville High School and beyond.”
Milz will represent Okaloosa County throughout the coming year at community events and at the Distinguished Young Women of Florida State Finals in January 2027.
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BUSINESS
Okaloosa Saves campaign sees 189 youths deposit more than $42,000 in one of its strongest years
Nearly 200 young people in Okaloosa County deposited more than $42,000 through the annual Teach Children to Save campaign, one of the program’s best showings in over a decade.
The campaign, which ran from April 1 through June 30, encouraged youth 17 and younger to set a savings goal and make a deposit into their savings account. Eglin Federal Credit Union partnered with Okaloosa Saves and six other financial institutions (Renasant Bank, CCB Bank, Midsouth Bank, Teachers Federal Credit Union, PenFed and United Fidelity) for this year’s effort.
In all, 189 participants made deposits totaling $42,337.39. Since the program began in 2004, 2,686 children have made deposits totaling $463,005.73.
Ten winners were selected through a random drawing to receive a $50 deposit into their savings account from Okaloosa Saves. The winners were recognized prior to the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners budget meeting Tuesday, where they received certificates.
EVENTS
A few things to do around town
Friday, Jul. 24 – Stuff the Bus! – FORT WALTON BEACH – Free – View
Friday, Jul. 24 – Omi Privé Trunk Show & Personal Appearance with Designer Niveet Nagpal – Destin – Free – View
Friday, Jul. 24 – ADSO Opening Reception: What’s on the Menu? An Art Exhibition Inspired by Food! – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Saturday, Jul. 25 – Weights & Worship – Fort Walton Beach – – View
Saturday, Jul. 25 – THE FANCY LITTLE MARKET – Fort Walton Beach – – View
Saturday, Jul. 25 – Chapter & Co Grand Opening – Fort Walton Beach – – View
Saturday, Jul. 25 – Watermelon Festival at Hammock Bay – Freeport – – View
Saturday, Jul. 25 – 2026 Niceville Sunset Stampede 5k run/walk – Niceville – $40.00 – View
Sunday, Jul. 26 – Zam’s Block Party – Pensacola – Free – View
Saturday, Aug. 1 – Back 2 School Community Event at the Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
WEATHER
Today’s weather outlook
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TODAY: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
TONIGHT: Partly cloudy, with a low around 80. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Destin City Council directs staff to evaluate East Pass warning signage
The Destin City Council voted unanimously Monday night to direct staff to evaluate warning signage for the Norriego Point and East Pass area, identify necessary permits and potential grant funding, and bring a recommendation back to council.
- Councilman John Stephens brought the issue up during the Councilmember Minute portion of the meeting, citing the July 4 rescue of two snorkelers who were pulled from shore by a strong outgoing current at the East Jetty.
“It highlighted our sheriff’s department, which is great, but it also highlighted the dangers of that area,” Stephens said.
Stephens also referenced the death of 10-year-old Trinity Eslinger, who went missing in the same area last year. Following that incident, the city’s Harbor and Waterways Board recommended repurposing buoys that the city had acquired from the now-removed Crab Island Safety Corridor for use at East Pass. Stephens said he reached out to the county, which told him the specific buoys would be a maintenance nightmare in that location.
Stephens said he contacted FWC’s waterway management team, which he said confirmed the city can apply for a Florida Uniform Waterway Marker Permit for danger or informational signage either on the water or on shore. He said the signage could include language such as “danger, extremely strong current.”
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
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