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Good morning!
Okaloosa Technical College has opened its new North Campus in Crestview, expanding technical training options for North Okaloosa students. Mary Esther’s City Council voted to dismiss the contractor and architect on its new city hall over long delays, and a high-speed chase from Alabama ended with a crash and PIT maneuver in Crestview. Also, we look at hot listings in Fort Walton Beach under $600K!
BUSINESS
Mary Esther council votes to dismiss contractor, architect on new city hall over long delays
The Mary Esther City Council voted Monday to dismiss both the contractor and the architect firm working on the city’s new city hall and to pursue liquidated damages. Council members said the renovation is 203 days past deadline.
- Councilwoman April Sutton made the motion, which Councilman Larry Carter seconded and the council approved, with Councilman Richard Lawson casting the lone no vote.
It directs the city to immediately dismiss the project architect, Florida Architects Inc., and the contractor, Stockton Construction Group, and to seek liquidated damages set out in the contract.
The city is renovating the former First Florida Bank building at 302 Mary Esther Boulevard, in front of the Santa Rosa Mall, to serve as its new city hall. The council approved buying the building in February 2024 for $2,375,000 and in December 2024 awarded the renovation contract to Stockton, the lowest responsive bidder. The roughly 7,200-square-foot building is meant to replace the city’s current 3,830-square-foot city hall, which the city has said lacks adequate space and ADA accessibility.
The renovation has repeatedly missed deadlines, and the contract sets liquidated damages at $1,000 for each day the work runs late, according to the city. Mayor Pro Tem Bernie Oder said that figure has piled up.
“By the agreement we signed with them, they are now 203 days behind,” Oder said. “You multiply that times 1,000, that’s $203,000.”
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GAMES
WordroW: August 6, 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.
REAL ESTATE
HOT LISTINGS: 4 houses for sale in Fort Walton Beach under $600k
Fort Walton Beach buyers looking for more space, updated homes, and established neighborhoods have plenty to choose from this week.
From a renovated Briarwood home with a workshop to a custom new build nearing completion, these four featured listings showcase a variety of layouts, upgrades, and price points — all within easy reach of Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field, schools, shopping, and everyday conveniences.
Whether you’re searching for a move-in-ready family home, a flexible floor plan with dual primary suites, or a backyard built for entertaining, this week’s selections highlight some of the listings currently available across Fort Walton Beach.
Click here to view this week’s Hot Listings
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Whether you’re finding your first place near the water or your forever piece of paradise, she’s there to guide you every step of the way.
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PUBLIC SAFETY
High-speed chase from Alabama ends with crash, PIT maneuver in Crestview
A Crestview man is facing charges in Okaloosa County after a vehicle pursuit that began in Covington County, Alabama, crossed into Okaloosa County on Tuesday afternoon and ended with a crash in Crestview, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
The pursuit continued south on Highway 189 into Baker as the driver fled Covington County deputies. Okaloosa County deputies observed the vehicle traveling south on Highway 4 at about 80 mph in a 55 mph zone, with Covington County deputies following with lights and sirens activated.
A Covington County deputy reported that the fleeing Lincoln reached speeds of more than 120 mph in a posted 55 mph zone on Highway 189 and Highway 4 in Baker. According to the deputy, the vehicle ran a red light at Highway 4 and Highway 90 in Baker at about 65 mph in a posted 55 mph zone.
The vehicle later collided with a civilian vehicle at the intersection of Highway 90 and Wilson Street in Crestview.
GAMES
Jigsaw – “Swing-bridge”
WordroW is brought to you by Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic – keeping your mind sharp and your spine aligned, one game at a time.
Ready for this week’s Jigsaw puzzle?
Each week, we use local pictures from around Okaloosa County as part of our puzzles. They’ll include current dated photos to historical ones.
This week…we take a look at the original Brooks Bridge, which was built in 1935 as a low-level steel bridge with a center-pier, swing-span design. With its through-truss framework, comprised of triangular steel members to support loads, the roadway passed through the truss with steel framework above and beside the traffic lanes.
The swing span refers to the movable part of the bridge that could rotate horizontally around a central pier to let boats pass.
PROMOTED BY HCA
New ER now open in DeFuniak Springs
The new HCA Florida DeFuniak Springs Emergency is now open, bringing 24/7 emergency care to Walton County. Located at I-10 and U.S. 331, the facility features 10 private patient care rooms, board-certified emergency physicians and on-site diagnostic services including CT scan and digital X-ray.
WEATHER
Today’s weather outlook
TODAY: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Southeast wind 0 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
TONIGHT: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. South wind 0 to 5 mph.
SCHOOL
Okaloosa Technical College opens new North Campus in Crestview
Okaloosa Technical College celebrated the ribbon cutting of its new North Campus in Crestview on Wednesday. The ceremony took place at 10 a.m. at 5560 John Givens Road, marking an expansion of career and technical education opportunities in northern Okaloosa County.
The new campus will provide students with accessible, career-focused training aligned with the needs of local industries while expanding capacity and program offerings in high-demand fields.
The campus is the result of a partnership with One Okaloosa Economic Development Council, with funding provided through the Florida Department of Education’s Capitalization Grant Program and Triumph Gulf Coast.
“Today’s workforce requires skilled professionals who are prepared to meet the demands of a rapidly changing economy,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers said. “The OTC North Campus represents an important investment in our students, our community, and the future workforce of Okaloosa County. By expanding opportunities in technical education, we are helping students build pathways to rewarding careers.”
The North Campus will offer training in several high-demand career areas, including:
- Computer Systems Information Technology with a cybersecurity pathway
- Industrial Engineering Technology
- Master Automotive Service Technology I & II
- Plumbing Technology
- Welding Technology with advanced training opportunities
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Thursday! 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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