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Okaloosa County’s Administrator is breaking down what the county must fund by state and federal mandate versus what falls into the quality-of-life category, part of ongoing conversations about the county budget. The health advisory has been lifted for Cinco Bayou in Fort Walton Beach, and nine Okaloosa County VPK programs earned state designations. Crestview will host its annual opioid awareness seminar in September, and the Fort Walton Beach Chamber’s Dog Daze celebration is set for Oct. 3.
Clarification on a recent story: A story we published last week on Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel’s concerns about the proposed homestead tax exemption amendment mistakenly described the measure as exempting homestead properties from all property taxation. The mistake was ours and the correction was made immediately upon notice. The amendment (HJR 1F) would raise the homestead exemption on non-school levies to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. School district taxes would not be affected, and the exemptions are phased in over time. The story has been corrected on our website to reflect the amendment’s actual provisions, and to match the coverage that we have done on this already.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Health advisory lifted for Cinco Bayou in Fort Walton Beach
The Okaloosa Health Department has lifted its health advisory for Cinco Bayou in Fort Walton Beach after water sampling showed bacteria levels had dropped below the advisory level.
- The health department said on Wednesday morning that ongoing monitoring by Okaloosa County will continue and that any relevant updates will be provided.
The advisory had been in place since Friday, Aug. 7, when the department warned against water-related activities at the location after tests completed Wednesday, Aug. 5, showed the water did not meet the state’s recreational water quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria. Drinking water was not affected by the advisory.
The advisory followed an environmental incident in Cinco Bayou that first came to light Sunday, Aug. 2. Okaloosa County staff, the City of Fort Walton Beach and the health department began an on-site investigation that day into an abnormal discoloration and odor in the bayou between Beal Parkway and Eglin Parkway.
No agency has publicly identified the source of the incident.
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GAMES
WordroW: August 20, 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.
SPORTS
Week 1 football schedule and predictions
The regular season is here. After the kickoff classic weekend gave area teams their first taste of live action, Week 1 begins Thursday with two games and continues Friday with a full eight-game slate.
(All games at 7 p.m. CT unless otherwise noted)
Thursday, Aug. 20
- Choctaw at Mosley
- Rocky Bayou at Northview
Friday, Aug. 21
- Lincoln at Crestview
- Prattville (Ala.) at Niceville
- Pensacola at Fort Walton Beach
- Gulf Breeze at South Walton
- West Florida Tech at Walton
- Port St. Joe at Destin
- Jay at Baker
- Freeport at Arnold
PUBLIC SAFETY
Crestview to host annual opioid awareness seminar in September
The City of Crestview will host an Opioid Immersion Seminar on Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive.
The seminar is part of an initiative led by Crestview Mayor JB Whitten. The event aims to reduce local overdose rates by increasing awareness of opioid overdoses and educating residents on prevention strategies and recovery resources.
“Our goal each year, and especially this year, is to immerse the public in the realities of addiction,” said Dominique Vaughn, mayoral executive assistant. “While overcoming addiction is not easy, no one has to face it alone. Through education, awareness, and access to local resources, we want our community to know that help is always available and recovery is possible.”
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SCHOOL
Nine Okaloosa County VPK programs earn state designations
The Okaloosa County School District’s Voluntary Prekindergarten program earned high marks from the state this year, with six schools receiving an “Excellent” designation and three receiving an “Above Expectations” designation from the Florida Department of Education for the 2025-2026 school year.
The state’s VPK accountability system evaluates providers based on quality, child achievement and learning gains, measuring how effectively the programs prepare young learners for kindergarten and future academic success.
The following district VPK sites earned an “Excellent” designation:
- Bob Sikes Elementary
- Edwins Elementary
- Northwood Elementary
- Riverside Elementary
- Southside Primary
- Walker Elementary
Three additional sites earned an “Above Expectations” designation:
- Longwood Elementary
- Mary Esther Elementary
- Okaloosa STEMM Academy
EVENT
Fort Walton Beach Chamber to host Dog Daze celebration Oct. 3
The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce will host Dog Daze, presented by Friendship Veterinary Hospital, on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Landing, 139 Brooks St. S.E.
The event is free and open to the public, and the Chamber is inviting residents to bring their dogs for a day of contests, local vendors and family-friendly activities.
Dog Daze has become one of the largest gatherings of dogs and dog lovers on the Emerald Coast, drawing nearly 800 dogs each year. The event features pup-friendly contests, vendors offering pet services, merchandise and specialty items, and water stations throughout the day.
“Dog Daze has grown into one of the Chamber’s most beloved community events,” said Rachelle Graves, director of special events at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a great chance for residents to spend the day outdoors with their pets while getting to know the local businesses that make our community stronger.”
WEATHER
Today’s weather outlook
TODAY: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 105. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
TONIGHT: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 80. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
BUSINESS
Okaloosa Administrator outlines mandated, quality-of-life aspects of county budget
Okaloosa County Administrator John Hofstad gave commissioners a closer look Tuesday at which parts of the county’s proposed General Fund budget are mandated, necessary for general government operations or considered quality-of-life services.
- The Aug. 18 presentation continued a series of budget discussions the Board of County Commissioners has held in recent months as county officials consider the potential effects of the proposed property tax amendment set for the Nov. election.
Hofstad described mandated services as those generally required by state law, Florida Administrative Code or other legal requirements; general government services as essential functions needed to operate county government; and quality-of-life services as those that are not expressly required.
The county’s written agenda item similarly defines mandated expenditures as constitutional, statutory, administrative or court-related obligations. General government includes administrative functions that are not expressly mandated but are considered necessary for county operations, while quality-of-life expenses include services such as parks, the Library Cooperative, Veterans Services, Extension Services and housing.
According to the county’s analysis, the proposed $191.1 million General Fund budget includes approximately $172.2 million categorized as mandated, $8.1 million as general government and $10.9 million as quality of life.
Hofstad told commissioners Tuesday that the county is estimating a reduction of about $15 million in the first year and nearly $25 million in the second year if the amendment is successful.
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!
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Jared
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