SPONSORED BY
Good morning!
A Publix-anchored shopping center in downtown Fort Walton Beach has sold for $8.4 million. A new health advisory has been issued for Cinco Bayou in Fort Walton Beach, and Week 5 football brought wins for Choctaw, Walton, South Walton, and Baker. Eglin will conduct tests over the Gulf this week, and Choctaw volleyball swept FWB behind Brown, Brockett, and Bexley. Also, the 12th Annual CMSAF Binnicker Memorial Run and today’s weather outlook.
PUBLIC SAFETY
New health advisory issued for Cinco Bayou in Fort Walton Beach
The Okaloosa Health Department has issued a new water quality advisory for Cinco Bayou in Fort Walton Beach, the latest in a series of advisories for the waterway since early August.
The health department said tests completed by the Okaloosa County Natural Resources Department on Thursday, Sep. 17, indicate the water quality at Cinco Bayou does not meet the state’s recreational water quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria. Sampling showed the level of bacteria exceeds the level established by state guidelines.
The department advises against any water-related activities at the location due to an increased risk of illness in swimmers. The advisory will continue until bacteria levels fall below the accepted health level.
SPONSORED
Enjoy the drive
With new and used auto loan rates as low as 4.74% APR, it’s time to enjoy your next day out in the car, truck or SUV that you love.
Shop at any participating dealer and apply for on-site Eglin FCU financing or apply online at eglinfcu.org/auto.
From scenic rides to weekend getaways, enjoy the drive with Eglin Federal Credit Union. Where Members Matter Most.
GAMES
WordroW: September 21, 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
Brown, Brockett and Bexley lead the way as Choctaw volleyball sweeps FWB
Whenever Choctaw and Fort Walton Beach meet on the volleyball court, everything gets thrown out the window.
Thursday night at the Tee Pee was no exception, as Choctaw swept Fort Walton Beach (25-22, 25-19, 25-15) to complete a season sweep of its crosstown rival. The Lady Indians didn’t allow the Lady Vikings to win a single set in two meetings this year, with the first matchup on Aug. 27 also ending in a Choctaw sweep.
However…it didn’t matter that Choctaw entered as an established Class 4A state title contender while Fort Walton Beach was looking for a statement win to officially enter the playoff conversation. It didn’t matter that the Lady Indians were missing several players, headlined by Tishelle Bowles. And it didn’t matter that both teams traded wild runs throughout the night.
Once again, “The Game” reigned supreme over Panhandle volleyball.
PROMOTED
12th Annual CMSAF Binnicker Memorial Run
Lace up for a cause on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Bob Hope Village in Shalimar. The 12th Annual CMSAF James C. Binnicker Memorial Run, presented by Eglin Federal Credit Union, offers a 9K run, 5K run, 5K walk and 1-mile fun run — with virtual options for those who can’t be there in person.
The first 300 registered 9K and 5K participants receive an official event shirt and challenge coin. Stick around after the race for food from Magnolia Grill and Knife’s Edge Cafe, cold drinks, a DJ and an awards ceremony.
Every dollar raised supports residents living with Alzheimer’s and dementia at Hawthorn House, Air Force Enlisted Village’s memory care residence serving military widows, retirees, veterans and their families.
SPORTS
Week 5 recap: Choctaw, Walton, South Walton and Baker earn wins
Week 5 did not disappoint.
Choctaw earned its second straight win over Niceville, racing to a 28-0 first-half lead behind a rushing attack that topped 350 yards. Von Keller finished with three touchdowns in the 49-28 victory. Walton moved to 4-0 with a 47-24 win over Fort Walton Beach, pulling away with 21 unanswered points in the second half.
Elsewhere, South Walton improved to 4-1 behind three-touchdown nights from Max Madden and JD Brown in a 50-12 running-clock win over Arnold, and Baker bounced back to 3-2 with a 30-8 win over Central. Crestview fell to Coffee 47-6, and Rocky Bayou lost to Franklin County 36-7.
MILITARY
Eglin to conduct tests over Gulf this week
The 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base plans to conduct tests stretching from Santa Rosa Island to the Gulf on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
WEATHER
Today’s weather outlook
TODAY: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 87. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
TONIGHT: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
BUSINESS
Publix-anchored shopping center in Fort Walton Beach sells for $8.4 million
The Shoppes at Paradise Pointe, a Publix-anchored shopping center near the Brooks Bridge in Downtown Fort Walton Beach, has sold for $8.4 million.
Commercial real estate firm TSCG brokered the sale of the 73,416-square-foot center, which sits at the signalized intersection of Miracle Strip Parkway SE (U.S. Highway 98) and Perry Avenue SE. Anthony Blanco, a partner and senior managing director of investment sales at TSCG, represented the seller, SITE Centers Corp. The buyer was a private individual.
Blanco said the property appeals to investors because of its grocery anchor and high-traffic location.
“It has a dominant Publix anchor with a long operating history at the site and an irreplaceable position at one of the most heavily trafficked intersections on the Emerald Coast,” Blanco said. “On top of that, nearly 13,000 square feet of vacant shop space gave this buyer a clear path to grow income from day one.”
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Monday! 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