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Good morning!
Destin and Okaloosa County have reached an agreement on management of the 4-acre Holiday Isle State Park. Okaloosa has ordered Hollywood Boulevard speed cameras removed after a title search confirmed county ownership, and Von Keller and the ground game carried Choctaw to a 49-28 win over Niceville. Walton improved to 4-0 with a 47-24 win over Fort Walton Beach, and the Costume Chaos 5K returns to Crestview to support four families battling cancer.
TRAFFIC
Okaloosa orders Hollywood Boulevard speed cameras removed after title search confirms county ownership
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously last Tuesday to order two school zone speed cameras on Hollywood Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach removed and begin negotiating a transfer of the road’s right-of-way to the city.
The vote followed a title search confirming both cameras sit in county right-of-way. The county never issued permits for the cameras.
Chairman Trey Goodwin insisted any transfer include an enforceable covenant permanently banning speed cameras on the road.
- “I don’t think I can knowingly hand the keys over to that right-of-way if I haven’t made sure that those violations of due process cannot be reimposed upon the citizens that I represent,” Goodwin said.
Goodwin renewed his call for the city to refund fines, which Fort Walton Beach declined in June.
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 22, 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
Costume Chaos 5K returns to Crestview to support four families battling cancer
From giving back to investing in the future, FPL is powering strong communities. Learn more here.
The second annual Costume Chaos 5K returns to Crestview on October 3, and the nonprofit behind it has grown its mission. Last year’s inaugural event raised money for Rupi Danlag, a Crestview toddler battling Stage 4 kidney cancer.
This year, the charity run will benefit four families: baby Ella Grace Atkins, who is fighting a rare eye cancer; 17-year-old Wyatt Moore, finishing chemotherapy for bone cancer; Nicole Bailey, a Crestview mother of three facing breast cancer; and the family of Shonda Luke, the beloved Bob Sikes Elementary kindergarten teacher who died from ovarian cancer in June.
Registration is $35 and closes September 26. Day-of registration is also available.
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
Von Keller, ground game carry Choctaw to 49-28 win over Niceville
Choctaw raced out to a 28-0 first-half lead and never looked back in a 49-28 win over Niceville. Carter Marracco opened the scoring with a 59-yard rushing touchdown, and Von’Tavious Keller delivered an 80-yard touchdown run, while Isaiah Matthews returned an interception for a pick-six to cap the first-half surge.
Niceville fought back behind Deegan McCoy, who connected with Caleb Leonard for two second-half touchdowns, but Keller answered each time, finishing the night with three touchdowns. The Indians rushed for over 350 yards as a team.
Choctaw begins district play against Milton, while Niceville hosts Tate in its second district game.
SPORTS
Walton improves to 4-0 with 47-24 win over Fort Walton Beach
Walton improved to 4-0, pulling away from Fort Walton Beach for a 47-24 victory.
The Vikings became the first team to avoid a running clock against the Braves and pulled within two at 19-17 early in the second half after Lavin McDaniel connected with Cannon Wilbur for a touchdown. But Walton responded with 21 unanswered points, sparked by Sincere Williams breaking free for a 53-yard touchdown run. Rodney Clinch added his third touchdown of the night during the run, and Elijah Odom contributed a pick-six in the second quarter.
Walton faces district rival Freeport this week, while Fort Walton Beach travels to Gulf Breeze.
WEATHER
Today’s weather outlook
TODAY: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind around 5 mph.
TONIGHT: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. North wind 0 to 5 mph.
PARKS+REC
Destin, Okaloosa County reach agreement on 4-acre Holiday Isle State Park management
The City of Destin and the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners reached a unanimous agreement last Wednesday morning on the months-long dispute over who should manage the state-acquired park property near Norriego Point, ending a meeting that at times grew tense before both sides found common ground.
The deal, made during the second formal conflict resolution meeting, calls for the county to send a letter of support to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, with a carbon copy to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, backing the City of Destin as the leaseholder, manager, operator and developer of the roughly four-acre state park property on Holiday Isle.
In exchange, the Destin City Council voted 5-2 to provide free parking to all Okaloosa County residents at all city-owned parking lots and parks, including future developed parking, with no time limit. Councilman Kevin Schmidt and Councilwoman Sandy Trammell voted against the offer.
The Board of County Commissioners then voted 5-0 to accept the proposal and authorize the joint letter.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Tuesday! 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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124 Eglin Parkway SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548