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Good morning!
Sheriff Aden is warning that damaging Flock cameras is still a crime after three separate incidents across Okaloosa County. The Cinco Bayou health advisory has been lifted, Okaloosa paramedic Andrew Kindle was named national Community Paramedic of the Year, and Crestview High’s band earned national Program of Distinction honors. Also, Baker volleyball’s strong start, this week’s football preview and predictions, and today’s weather outlook.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Cinco Bayou advisory lifted; Okaloosa cites low oxygen, algae bloom as likely causes
The Okaloosa Health Department lifted its most recent advisory on Monday, Sep. 1, after sampling by the Okaloosa County Natural Resources Section showed bacteria levels had dropped below the advisory level. The health department said ongoing monitoring by the county will continue.
In a separate release detailing the initial incident, the county pointed to low oxygen levels in the water and a dying algae bloom as the likely causes.
The county said the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Natural Resources team immediately tested salinity, temperature and dissolved oxygen levels after the problem was reported and found them extremely low. Those conditions likely resulted in the loss of marine life in the area, the county said.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission collected and processed additional samples and confirmed a mixed assemblage of algae, according to the county. The algae eventually died and likely contributed to the discoloration and odor.
The county said the most likely causes of the algal bloom included stormwater runoff and very warm water, which creates an environment conducive to the growth and decay of algae.
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GAMES
WordroW: September 3, 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
Baker volleyball off to a strong start, eyes another big season
The Baker volleyball team has been a force in the FHSAA rural classification in recent years, and this season is shaping up to be no different.
The Lady Gators are 6-1, with their only loss coming against Freeport, which looks like a contender in Class 3A. Baker is currently ranked No. 3 in the rural class, according to MaxPreps.
- “I’m just proud of them right now,” Head Coach Chelsea Medley said. “We’ve got girls playing in new spots, girls having to step up. We’re young in some places, but I’m real proud of their resiliency.”
At the center of the Lady Gators’ attack is eighth-grader Taylor Ashburn, an outside hitter who has already put up 43 kills and 12 digs this season. Medley views her as a generational talent.
“She’s phenomenal,” Medley said. “You have kids like that that come around every once in a while, and to top it off, she has the heart of a champion.”
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80 Years of Care. 80 Years of Community. 80 Years of White-Wilson.
Thank you to our patients, providers, team members, and community partners, for being part of our story.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Okaloosa paramedic Andrew Kindle named national Community Paramedic of the Year
Okaloosa County EMS Community Paramedic Andrew Kindle has been named the 2026 Community Paramedic of the Year by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians.
The award, part of the National EMS Awards for Excellence by NAEMT and EMS World, recognizes Kindle for his contributions to the EMS profession and the patients he has served in Okaloosa County. It will be presented during NAEMT’s General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 30, and at the opening ceremony of EMS World Expo in Orlando.
Kindle has helped build and lead the Community Paramedicine Team for the past 18 months. His work has also earned him the Emerald Coast United Way’s 40 Under 40 Award and Okaloosa County’s Humanitarian Efforts Award. He is known for his commitment to caring for those often overlooked in the community and for sharing that dedication through frequent training presentations for his department.
“I am truly humbled by this recognition and am proud to serve Okaloosa County in the role of a Community Paramedic,” Kindle said. “We are out in the public every day delivering care to patients, passing out Narcan, educating people and making sure that the people who need help know that someone cares.”
SPORTS
Week 3 area high school football preview and predictions
The season is already one-fifth of the way through. It’s been an eventful two weeks, and now, Week 3 is on the docket. Here’s the full schedule:
Thursday, Sept. 3
Pine Forest at Crestview
Friday, Sept. 4
- Mosley at Niceville
- Choctaw at Pace (7:30 p.m. CT)
- Florida High at South Walton
- Baker at Holmes County*
- Fort Walton Beach at West Florida Tech
- Freeport at Gulf Breeze
- North Bay Haven at Destin
EVENT
‘Help Build Destin Right’: Fireside Chat with Mayor Bobby Wagner
City of Destin Mayor Bobby Wagner is hosting a public input session focused on the building and permitting experience in Destin — covering the new online permitting portal, where the review process slows things down, and what fair and predictable fees should look like.
Whether you’re a contractor, a homeowner planning a remodel, or a resident who cares about how Destin grows, this is your chance to weigh in.
Thursday, Sept. 3 | 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Beachworx — 34990 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Suite 300, Destin
Free to attend. RSVP on Eventbrite
SCHOOL
Crestview High School band named national Program of Distinction by Phi Beta Mu
The Crestview High School Band has been named a 2026 Earl D. Irons Program of Distinction by Phi Beta Mu International, making it one of only two band programs in the nation to receive the honor this year and the first from Florida.
The award recognizes band programs that exemplify the ideals established by Phi Beta Mu founder Earl D. Irons, including superior achievement, moral uprightness and the advancement and development of bands internationally.
The selection committee praised the Crestview Band program for its excellence and commitment to students.
“This recognition is a tremendous honor for our students and our entire band program,” said Jody Dunn, Crestview High School Band Director. “This prestigious award represents the total Crestview Band program, including our incredible middle school bands and their outstanding directors.”
WEATHER
Today’s weather outlook
TODAY: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
TONIGHT: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 79. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Man arrested after Flock camera damaged in Destin; Sheriff warns destroying cameras is still a crime
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday arrested a man in connection with damage to a license plate reader camera in Destin, warning that destroying the devices will result in criminal charges even though all of the agency’s Flock cameras have been deactivated.
Deputies arrested the man for damage to a camera at the intersection of Airport Road and Main Street that occurred on Aug. 16. He is charged with felony criminal mischief and was booked into the Okaloosa County Jail.
A warrant is pending against a second individual for damage to another Flock camera. On Tuesday, a third camera was found damaged along Highway 90 near the Walton County line. That incident is under investigation.
All OCSO Flock cameras were deactivated on Sept. 1 and are no longer in operation following a statewide order from the Florida Department of Transportation revoking permits for automated license plate reader systems on state rights-of-way.
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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