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Good morning!
Here’s what we’re covering today:
The race for Congress heats up with an April 1st special election date set, Trump endorses Patronis, and another state lawmaker joins the field. In community news, pickleball expands in FWB, holiday events fill the calendar, and basketball action continues at the Emerald Coast Classic. Plus, local lawmakers prepare to hear your voice on 2025 priorities.
Let’s get to the news you need to know this Tuesday morning.
SPORTS
Second round matchups set after opening day of Emerald Coast Classic
After a day of decisive victories, the inaugural Emerald Coast Classic women’s basketball tournament enters its second round today at Northwest Florida State’s Raider Arena.
Monday’s action saw Clemson roll past UAB 90-52, while No. 24 Alabama remained undefeated with an 83-33 victory over Alabama State. In the Beach Bracket, Syracuse defeated Missouri 82-59, and Creighton topped Wichita State 91-63.
- Today’s games feature UAB against Alabama State at 11 a.m., followed by Clemson facing Alabama at 1:30 p.m. The games continues with Missouri meeting Wichita State at 5 p.m., while Syracuse takes on Creighton at 7:30 p.m.
The tournament has brought together three teams that reached the second round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, including Alabama, Creighton, and Syracuse. Two Naismith Trophy Watch List players are featured: Creighton’s Lauren Jensen, who averages 21.3 points, and Alabama’s Sarah Ashlee Barker, averaging 18.7 points and 7.5 rebounds.
Monday’s games also marked a milestone for Creighton head coach Jim Flanery, who coached his 700th game in the victory over Wichita State.
Alabama continues its strong season start, entering today’s matchup against Clemson with a season average victory margin of 28.7 points. The Crimson Tide, under 12th-year head coach Kristy Curry, faces a Tigers team that leads the NCAA in free throw percentage.
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THINGS TO DO
Christmas events in Fort Walton Beach and Destin
“Light Up The Night” Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at 5 p.m. (tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.)
Fort Walton Beach Landing Park
139 Brooks St SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
- The City of Fort Walton Beach will kick off the holiday season with the annual lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. The event will feature caroling from the Fort Walton Beach Community Chorus, a visit from Santa Claus and a countdown to the official lighting of the Christmas tree and holiday lighting at the Landing.
Fort Walton Beach Christmas Parade
Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
Eglin Parkway (Starts at First Street, ends at Hughes Street)
- The 2024 Fort Walton Beach Christmas Parade will take place along Eglin Parkway from First Street to Hughes Street. This year’s theme is Winter Sports. The public is invited to gather along Eglin Parkway to watch the parade and cheer on their favorite characters. Float applications are being accepted until noon, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, at www.fwb.org/370/Parades.
Old Fashioned Christmas at the Camp Walton Schoolhouse
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park and Cultural Center
139 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
- The Camp Walton Schoolhouse will host a Christmas Open House where visitors can experience what it was like to be a student in Fort Walton Beach’s first 1-room schoolhouse. The event will feature butter churning demonstrations, light refreshments, and holiday decorations throughout the schoolhouse. All Heritage Park and Cultural Center museums will offer free admission, and the Temple Mound Museum is offering a 20-percent discount on all merchandise through Dec. 7.
2024 Winter Wonderland
Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6-7, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (both nights)
Northwest Florida Fairgrounds
1958 Lewis Turner Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
- The Fort Walton Beach Police Department’s 5th Annual Winter Wonderland event will feature a village of Christmas houses constructed from recycled pallets and decorated by community organizations. Activities include bouncy houses, Gellyball, appearances by Santa and the Grinch, and a new activity where children can decorate igloo dog houses donated by Tractor Supply Company. The decorated houses will be donated to the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). Benefiting both PAWS and Emerald Coast Toys for Tots, attendees can receive raffle tickets by donating new unwrapped toys, pet supplies, or making monetary contributions.
Santa’s Firehouse Cruz-Thru Toy Drive
Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fort Walton Beach Fire Department Station #6
5 Hollywood Blvd NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
- The Fort Walton Beach Fire Department will host their annual Christmas toy drive. Visitors can drive through the fire station, meet firefighters, enjoy refreshments, and donate new unwrapped toys to help bring holiday cheer to local children in need.
Destin Christmas Parade
Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at 10 a.m.
Destin Methodist Church to Stahlman Avenue
200 Beach Drive, Destin, FL
- The City of Destin’s annual Christmas Parade will celebrate the city’s 40th birthday with the theme “Flashback to 1984.” The parade route begins at Destin Methodist Church, travels down Beach Drive, and continues west on Harbor Boulevard (Hwy 98) to Stahlman Avenue. Spectators are advised to view from the north side of Harbor Boulevard. Float applications are available at the Destin Community Center, with entries requested to donate new toys, personal products, or make monetary contributions. Applications and donations must be submitted by Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
Holly Jolly at the Harbor and Holiday Boat Parade
Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024
Captain Royal Melvin Heritage Park, Destin
- The festivities begin with Holly Jolly at the Harbor from 3-5 p.m., featuring holiday music by Fort Walton Beach High School, cookie decorating, hot chocolate, and children’s crafts. The Holiday on the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade starts at 6 p.m., themed “Christmas in the 1980s” in honor of Destin’s 40th birthday. The evening concludes with fireworks at Harborwalk Village.
Brunch with Santa
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to Noon
Destin Library
- The Destin Library will host a free family Brunch with Santa event. Photos with Santa will be available from 10:30-11:30 a.m., followed by brunch from 11 a.m. to Noon. The library will be closed for regular services during this special event.
PARKS+REC
Fort Walton Beach expands pickleball presence with 5 new courts at Ferry Park
The City of Fort Walton Beach expanded its recreational offerings Friday with the opening of five new pickleball courts at Ferry Park, bringing the city’s total to 21 outdoor courts.
- City Manager Jeff Peters, speaking at the newly constructed courts, said the project was approved in the past budget year and completed by city work crews.
“Our Public Works and Parks crews did a ton of great work here,” Peters said. The courts, which match the color scheme of nearby tennis facilities, opened at noon on Friday.
Additional amenities, including court lighting, vending machines, and sidewalks, will be installed within the next two weeks, according to Peters.
- The new Ferry Park courts join existing facilities across the city, including six courts at Mooney, six at Jet Drive and Holmes Boulevard, and four at the tennis center.
Looking ahead, Peters touched plans for a major expansion at the new athletic complex on Hollywood Boulevard. The project, which will soon go out for bid, includes plans for a 13-court pickleball complex featuring a stadium court with bleachers and eight covered courts, along with expanded parking facilities.
“Obviously pickleball is a growing sport nationwide, worldwide,” Peters said. “We’re just happy to be a part of it and try to be the leader in the community with new recreation amenities like this.”
FROM THE STATE
Okaloosa County lawmakers to hold public hearing on 2025 legislative proposals
The Okaloosa County Legislative Delegation will hold a public hearing next month to discuss local bills and gather community input for the 2025 Florida Legislative Session. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17, from 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Warrior’s Hall in Crestview.
- The delegation, which includes State Senators Jay Trumbull and Don Gaetz, along with State Representatives Joel Rudman and Patt Maney, will hear presentations from government entities and take public testimony.
Community members wishing to speak at the hearing must submit an appearance form through Representative Maney’s office by 5 p.m. on December 10. Speaking times will likely range from two to three minutes per person, depending on the number of requests received.
Those interested in participating can contact Representative Maney’s office at (850)-226-5029 or email Ian.Thomson@myfloridahouse.gov to be placed on the meeting agenda.
The public hearing will take place at 201 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview, FL 32539, and is open to all members of the public.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Fatal fire in Baker claims elderly resident’s life
A fatal house fire Sunday afternoon in Baker claimed one life and sent another resident to the hospital, according to Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
- The blaze occurred at 8185 Creston Barrow Road, with first responders receiving the call around 3:45 p.m., the Blackman Fire District reported. Multiple fire departments responded to the scene with flames visible upon arrival.
One senior resident was unable to escape the fire, while another survivor was transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center for treatment, according to sheriff’s officials.
Fire crews from Blackman, Almarante, Baker, Munson, and Wing fire districts battled the flames well into the evening hours.
The State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.
POLITICS
DeSantis sets special election to fill Matt Gaetz vacancy on April 1st
Florida will hold a special election to fill the congressional seat vacated by Rep. Matt Gaetz, who resigned November 14 following his nomination for U.S. Attorney General by President-elect Donald Trump.
- Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-262 Friday, setting a special primary election for January 28, 2025, and special general election for April 1, 2025, in Florida’s First Congressional District.
The district, which represents Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties, and part of Walton County, will follow a strict timeline to fill the vacant seat.
“At Governor Ron DeSantis’ direction, this Special Election is being conducted as quickly as statutorily possible,” Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd said. “We are committed to ensuring this election is held as soon as we are allowed to hold it by state law.”
Key dates for voters include:
- December 5-6, 2024: Candidate qualifying period
- December 14, 2024: First vote-by-mail ballots sent to military and overseas civilians
- December 19, 2024: Domestic vote-by-mail ballots distribution begins
- January 18-25, 2025: Early voting period for primary election
- March 22-29, 2025: Early voting period for general election
The election timeline follows state requirements for special elections, which include specific periods for qualifying, primaries, mail and early voting, and general elections.
POLITICS
Trump backs Florida CFO Patronis for Gaetz’s congressional seat
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis may enter the race for Florida’s 1st Congressional District, receiving an early endorsement from former President Donald Trump for the seat vacated by Rep. Matt Gaetz.
- Patronis, who serves as both CFO and State Fire Marshall in Florida’s Cabinet, is “considering launching a Campaign for Congress” in the district, according to Trump’s social media post Thursday.
“Jimmy Patronis has my Complete and Total Endorsement,” Trump wrote. “RUN, JIMMY, RUN!”
The endorsement comes as Florida prepares for a special election to fill the seat, with primaries scheduled for January 28, 2025, and the general election set for April 1, 2025.
Trump described Patronis as a “fourth generation Floridian from the beautiful Panhandle” and owner of a seafood restaurant, praising his work as Florida’s CFO.
While he hasn’t officially announced, Patronis did respond to the President-elect on X saying, “Put me to work, Mr. President. I am here to serve.”
POLITICS
Florida Rep. Rudman resigns to pursue Gaetz’s congressional seat
State Rep. Joel Rudman submitted his resignation from the Florida House Monday to run for the congressional seat vacated by Matt Gaetz, while Rep. Michelle Salzman of Pensacola withdrew from consideration following Trump’s endorsement of Patronis.
- Rudman’s resignation, effective January 1, 2025, complies with Florida’s “resign-to-run” law requiring state officeholders to step down from their current position to seek federal office.
“This resignation is required by an archaic statute that, in my opinion, needs to be changed,” Rudman wrote in his resignation letter to House Speaker Daniel Perez.
The state representative expressed gratitude for his time in the Florida House. “Let the record show that I have thoroughly relished my opportunity to serve the people of my district,” Rudman wrote. “I will deeply miss my colleagues and the close friendships that were made.”
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