GIVING BACK

Fort Walton Destin-Hospital gives $10,000 donation to One Hopeful Place

HCA Florida Fort Walton Destin Hospital presented a $10,000 donation to One Hopeful Place, a local nonprofit serving the homeless, on Friday.

• FWDH auxiliary volunteers also donated $1,000 each to Children in Crisis, Bed 4 Me and Sharing & Caring.

The donations were presented at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday Coffee event on Dec. 1 and aim to support the organizations’ efforts to provide services to individuals experiencing homelessness.

“This significant contribution is not just a donation but a symbol of compassion and commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those facing homelessness,” said the hospital in a statement. “The funds provided will play a crucial role in advancing One Hopeful Place’s mission to provide shelter, support, and resources to individuals experiencing homelessness.”

TRAFFIC

State Road 85 resurfacing and safety improvement project set to begin in Okaloosa

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will begin work this month on a $10.5 million construction project of a 2.3-mile segment of State Road (S.R.) 85 in Okaloosa County.

Improvements include:

• Milling and resurfacing S.R. 85, from Hospital Drive to U.S. 90.
• Installation of high-tension cable barrier (HTCB) within the S.R. 85 median, from S.R. 123 to the Shoal River Bridge. 
• Sidewalk upgrades, including Americans with Disability Act (ADA) enhancements and new pedestrian pole installation.
• Shoulder widening at Redstone Drive.
• Guardrail and shoulder slope improvements at the railroad track overpass south of U.S. 90.
• New signage and pavement markings.

During construction, drivers can expect lane restrictions on S.R. 85, from Hospital Drive to U.S. 90, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. Access to adjacent businesses will be maintained at all times.

BUSINESS

Niceville, Bluewater Bay McDonald’s change hands after 25 years

The Costa family will transfer ownership of the Bluewater Bay and Niceville McDonald’s restaurants to new owners Tim and Stacey Hughes beginning Dec. 15, ending over 25 years of Costa family ownership.

Founder and Niceville resident David Costa Sr. has owned both locations since 1997. Throughout two decades, both locations underwent various upgrades to adapt to the community, including local high school photos and memorabilia in the Niceville restaurant and an expanded PlayPlace in Bluewater Bay.

• “These restaurants truly reflect the heart and soul of the community that surrounds them,” said David Costa Sr. “We wanted anyone who visits the restaurant to get a true feel for where they are and understand what a special place Niceville is.”

Both locations have supported community events like the annual Christmas parade, championship athletic team send-offs and benefit nights. Costa Enterprises programs also aided the community, including donating a percentage of McCafe sales to charity, providing college scholarships to employees and giving free coffee to teachers.

• During COVID-19, Costa’s 28 locations distributed 9,000 free meals to frontline workers. After Hurricanes Harvey and Michael, Costa assisted with housing, water and supplies.

• The company donated $100,000 to Studer Family Children’s Hospital for a new playroom and generationally to the Northwest Florida State College Costa Leadership Institute.

“We’ve made it a priority to give back and support those in our community and support organizations that are going to propel this area into the future and develop it for future generations to come,” David Sr. said.

Costa raised his three kids in Bluewater Bay. “The Niceville community has been an integral part of our journey, both personally and professionally,” he said. “We are truly appreciative of the memories and the community we’ve built together and will continue to support and give back in various ways.”

While David Sr., Helen, and Amy, will take a step back from the business after the transition of Niceville and Bluewater Bay, David Jr. will continue the Costa legacy with McDonald’s locations in Crestview, Panama City, and beyond.

A MESSAGE FROM DESTIN-FWB AIRPORT

FINAL DAY to enter into the ‘Home for the Holidays’ contest

Are you an Active Duty Service Member who resides in the 850 or 448 area code? Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport wants to fly one lucky military member ‘Home for the Holidays’

• Enter to win a free roundtrip flight home to visit loved ones over the holiday season.

The promotion, running from November 1st through December 5th, is open to enlisted personnel based/stationed/posted at one of the many military bases located in the 850 or 448 area code.

Click here to enter today! Or, send this email to a friend who can enter.

POLICE BLOTTER

Authorities investigating hit-and-run crash involving 16-year-old bicyclist in Crestview

A 16-year-old bicyclist sustained minor injuries in a hit-and-run incident on State Road 85 at 9th Avenue in Crestview, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

• The incident, which occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. on December 1, 2023, involved a juvenile male from Crestview.

According to the FHP, the young cyclist was traveling south on the west sidewalk of State Road 85 when he crossed 9th Avenue. A brown sedan, described as being 10-15 years old and possibly showing signs of damage on its right side near the back door, was simultaneously turning onto 9th Avenue from the southbound lane of State Road 85.

The sedan, driven by a white female with purple hair, initially stopped after striking the bicyclist but then fled the scene on 9th Avenue. The juvenile, who was not wearing a helmet, was fortunate to sustain only minor injuries, according to the report.

The Florida Highway Patrol is seeking information from anyone who might have witnessed the incident or has knowledge about the brown sedan or its driver. Witnesses are encouraged to contact the FHP with any relevant information.

TRAFFIC

Okaloosa and Walton Counties Traffic Advisory

Okaloosa County:                                  

• State Road (S.R.) 85 Improvements from S.R. 123 to Hospital Drive – Drivers may encounter intermittent S.R. 85 north and southbound lane closures between Antioch Road and Hospital Drive, Sunday, Dec. 3 through Thursday, Dec. 7, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for median construction.

• Brooks Bridge Replacement Project – Drivers may experience traffic disruptions Sunday, Dec. 3 through Thursday, Dec. 7, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for utility work and construction activities in the following locations:
  • U.S. 98 east and westbound alternating and intermittent lane closures between Ferry Road and Pier Road.
  • Santa Rosa Boulevard east and westbound alternating lane closures from east of Amberjack Drive to Ross Marler Park.

• U.S. 98 Bridge Rehabilitation over East Pass Bridge – Drivers may encounter intermittent single-lane closures on east and westbound U.S. 98 over East Pass (Marler) Bridge, Sunday, Dec. 3 through Thursday, Dec. 7, between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for construction activities. The existing 35 mph speed limit will be maintained during construction.

• Mary Esther Boulevard (S.R. 393) Resurfacing from U.S. 98 to Beal Parkway (S.R. 189) – Drivers may encounter intermittent inside lane closures on Mary Esther Boulevard for median construction:
  • Sunday, Dec. 3 through Thursday, Dec. 7, from U.S. 98 to Hollywood Boulevard, between 8:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
  • Sunday, Dec. 3 through Saturday, Dec. 9, from Hollywood Boulevard to Beal Parkway, between 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

• S.R. 85 Resurfacing from north of Commerce Drive to Bill Lundy Road – Drivers may encounter intermittent single-lane closures on southbound S.R. 85, Sunday, Dec. 3 through Saturday, Dec. 9, between 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., for paving operations.

• S.R. 285 Resurfacing from S.R. 20 to S.R. 293 – Drivers may experience intermittent north and southbound S.R. 285 lane closures, Sunday, Dec. 3 through Thursday, Dec. 7, for milling and paving operations. Lane closures may occur at the following locations:
  • Between John Sims Parkway (S.R. 20) and Palm Boulevard from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Between Palm Boulevard and S.R. 293 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from Josie Road to Florida Place Southeast – Drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 98 east and westbound lane closures, from Mary Esther Boulevard to Florida Place Southeast, Sunday, Dec. 3 through Thursday, Dec. 7, between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., for paving operations and construction activities.

• U.S. 98 Routine Maintenance from Mary Esther Drive to S.R. 85 in Mary Esther – Drivers will encounter intermittent nighttime lane closures Monday, Dec. 4 through Thursday, Dec. 11 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for routine maintenance.

• U.S. 90 Routine Utility Maintenance from S.R. 85 to Victory Lane – Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures Monday, Dec. 4 through Friday, March 1 for storm hardening operations on the powerlines.

Walton County:

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from east of U.S. 331 to Peach Creek – Drivers may encounter intermittent nighttime east and westbound lane closures, Sunday, Dec. 3 through Thursday, Dec. 7, from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations.

• U.S. 98 Pedestrian Underpass at Inlet Beach – The week of Sunday, Dec. 3 drivers may encounter intermittent U.S. 98 east and westbound lane closures near the C.R. 30A intersection between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., for paving and construction activities.

• U.S. 331 Turn Lane Operations at County Road 282 (Segrest Road) – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures Monday, Dec. 4 through Friday, Dec. 8 from turn lane operations.

THINGS TO DO

The 6th annual ‘Grinch Glow Ride’ is back in Fort Walton Beach

It’s that time of year again when local kids are needed on their bikes to chase the Grinch to stop him from stealing Christmas!

• Meet at the Livin’ Right Real Estate office in Fort Walton Beach to decorate your bike with glow sticks (provided!), and then chase the Grinch through the neighborhood and back. Afterwards, join in the festivities at the block party.

It’s all happening on Thursday December 7, 5:30 – 7:30 pm

“It is a spinoff of the Grinch stealing Christmas,” Matthew McGee, Broker at Livin’ Right Real Estate, told Get The Coast last year. “We give the kids glow sticks and help them decorate their bikes. Then they chase the Grinch, and eventually the Grinch gets caught and arrested by the Fort Walton Beach Police to stop him from stealing Christmas. It’s just a fun concept to get outside and have some fun.”

The Grinch Glow Ride started from the real estate company wanting to do something around Christmastime to give back to the community and build some community support and interaction. They came up with the concept of the Grinch Glow Ride.

“It started off with about 75 kids,” according to McGee, “and now we’re up to about 500-600 who show up to participate.”  

• “I have parents tell me in July that their kids are asking when the Grinch Glow Ride is this year,” added McGee. “I told my wife, ‘I may not be remembered for anything in my life except for this Grinch Glow Ride.’”

The ride has always been a free event, and McGee emphasizes it is not a race. All bikers, runners, or walkers are encouraged to participate. McGee explains that this year they have added a lot of fun little things to the ride. 

“We have opened it up from being just a free community event to teaming up with the FirstFamilies Network,” he said. “They have a toy drive every year, and they asked if we could make it part of the Grinch Glow Ride and we said absolutely!” 

• Families are asked to contribute a new unwrapped toy to benefit our local foster kids.

“The Grinch will ride off on his bike from our office with a police escort because the kids like to try to chase him down,” said McGee. “Everybody follows the Grinch through the neighborhoods, and then he’ll circle back around and we’ll have a police blockade to arrest him.” 

Afterwards, there will be a block party with the movie playing outside, Christmas lights, hot chocolate, popcorn, food trucks and vendors, and local business tents.  

“Tijuana Flats is selling tacos, and we have the Cheesus food truck,” says McGee. “We’ll have the FirstFamilies Network here to talk about the foster networks and adoption services in our area. The Florida Department of Health will be here. Santa will be here. It’s just kind of a fun Christmas tradition now.”

McGee is a local from our area who wanted his real estate company to be involved the community and do something to bring people together. 

• “To have parents come up to me in the summertime telling me that their kids are talking about it tells me that we’re accomplishing that in a little way,” he said. “Helping this community build its culture and sense of pride is a big thing for us.”

Livin’ Right’s office is located at 102 Buck Dr. in Fort Walton Beach.