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Good morning!
Explore Okaloosa’s holiday events lineup featuring celebrations across the area, while 15 local kids receive surprise holiday shopping sprees at Academy Sports in Fort Walton Beach. Destin Middle School Principal Dr. Belinda Small has been named Assistant Superintendent, Choctaw boys soccer rallies to a hot start despite having their head coach and captain sidelined, Goodwin and Palmer are selected to lead the Okaloosa County Commission in 2026, and ‘Charms for Children’ hosts a holiday donation event. Also, check out our hot listings this week in Shalimar ranging from $438K to $799.9K.
- Plus, try today’s WordroW puzzle and test your knowledge with this week’s mini crossword.
GIVING BACK
15 local kids surprised with holiday shopping sprees at Academy Sports in Fort Walton Beach
From giving back to investing in the future, FPL is powering strong communities. Learn more here.
Fifteen children from Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast checked items off their holiday wish lists Thursday evening courtesy of Academy Sports + Outdoors.
The retailer partnered with the local nonprofit to surprise the kids with a shopping spree at its Fort Walton Beach location on Mary Esther Cut Off. Each child received a $150 gift card—totaling $2,250—to spend on sports equipment, fan gear, apparel, shoes and other items of their choosing.
The Fort Walton Beach event was one of several Academy Sports + Outdoors hosted across its footprint this holiday season as part of the company’s seasonal giving efforts.
SPONSORED
Spread some holiday cheer!
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- With an Eglin Federal Credit Union Mastercard®, you can spread some holiday cheer. With rates as low as 7.9% APR and no annual fee, enjoy this season with the ones you love!
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GAMES
WordroW: December 12, 2025
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.
SCHOOL
Destin Middle School Principal Dr. Belinda Small named Assistant Superintendent
The Okaloosa County School Board unanimously appointed Dr. Belinda Small as Assistant Superintendent of Academic and Student Services on Monday, elevating the longtime Destin Middle School principal to district leadership after more than three decades of service.
- Small, who has led Destin Middle School since 2020, began her education career in 1992 after transitioning from business management. Her journey through the district has included roles as a language arts teacher, coach and assistant principal at both elementary and secondary levels.
“I am committed to leading with integrity, transparency and a spirit of partnership,” Small said after the board’s 5-0 vote. “I believe in working together at all times in finding multiple perspectives for great solutions.”
Superintendent Marcus Chambers presented Small’s appointment to the board, highlighting her extensive experience across the district. Her school assignments have included Destin, Richburg, Davidson, Shoal River and Ruckel Middle Schools, as well as Antioch and Bob Sykes Elementary Schools.
“Dr. Small has dedicated more than three decades to the Okaloosa County School District,” Chambers said, noting her five Florida teaching and leadership certificates.
SPORTS
With head coach, captain sidelined, Choctaw boys soccer rallies to hot start
Fresh off an opening-round playoff loss to Booker T. Washington last year, Choctaw boys soccer already looks like a much-improved team. With a 6-1-1 record, the Indians appear to be legitimate state championship contenders — and they’re doing it while overcoming significant adversity.
- Head coach Chris McDaniel required surgery before the season, leading assistant coach Travis Rovillo to step into the interim role. Then, during a preseason game against Niceville, senior captain Chris Cruz tore his ACL, ending his season and high school career.
Rather than derailing the Indians, the circumstances have brought the team closer together.
“These guys have been playing together since their freshman year. This was our young group, this is the group we’ve kind of been waiting for at Choctaw,” Rovillo said. “They’re playing for Coach McDaniel because they know he wants to be out here, and that’s kind of our lifeblood right now.”
After opening the season with a tie against Niceville, Choctaw rattled off four straight wins over Navarre, Mosley, Crestview and Destin — all by multiple goals. A 3-1 loss to Gulf Breeze snapped the streak, but the Indians responded with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over archrival Fort Walton Beach, a team that reached the Final Four last season.
HOT LISTINGS
5 homes for sale in Shalimar from $438K to $799.9K
This week, we’re heading into Shalimar – one of the most centrally located and quietly coveted pockets of Okaloosa County.
- Known for its established neighborhoods, proximity to Eglin AFB, golf course communities, and quick access to both Choctawhatchee Bay and the beaches of Okaloosa Island, Shalimar offers a blend of convenience and coastal charm that’s hard to beat.
These five Hot Listings showcase exactly why buyers love this area: renovated homes with modern upgrades, spacious layouts built for real life, bay-view properties, golf-course living, and even new construction. Whether you’re looking for character, location, or move-in-ready comfort, this lineup covers it all.
PROMOTED
‘Charms for Children’ holiday donation event
Charms for Children is a holiday donation campaign that focuses on serving girls ages 8–15 in pediatric cancer treatment centers, children’s hospitals, long-term care homes and mission-driven nonprofits within our community and Charmology needs your help!
- On Sunday, December 21 starting at 9am, the public is invited to come out and build charm kits based on the 6-question questionnaires that are submitted by girls who need it most.
This is a free and not-for-profit event. Charmology just needs your help building these charm kits! Holiday themed brunch – hot chocolate – popcorn!
What’s in a charm kit? 1 chain necklace, 9 hand-picked charms, 2 pliers, 10 jump rings & assembly instructions.
What to expect? As a volunteer, you will be in charge of picking the charms and packaging charm kits for each child.
BUSINESS
Goodwin, Palmer selected to lead Okaloosa County Commission in 2026
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to appoint Commissioner Trey Goodwin as 2026 Board Chairman and Commissioner Drew Palmer as Vice Chairman.
Goodwin, who represents District 4, previously served as chairman in 2023.
A Choctawhatchee High School graduate and University of Florida alum, Goodwin has served on the commission since 2014 after a stint on the Fort Walton Beach City Council. He founded Goodwin Law Group and has been active in watercraft safety advocacy.
Palmer represents District 5, covering Destin, Bluewater Bay, and much of Niceville. An Air Force veteran with over two decades in aerospace and defense, Palmer joined the commission with a focus on economic development, infrastructure improvement, and fiscal responsibility. He and his wife Jodi have lived in the county since 2010.
Click here to read the full story
THINGS TO DO
A few things to do around town
Friday, Dec. 12 – Winter Wonderland – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Friday, Dec. 12 – Friday Night Movie in the Parking Lot – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Friday, Dec. 12 – Christmas Standup Comedy Showcase – Fort Walton Beach – $20.00 – View
Friday, Dec. 12-13 – A Very Niceville Christmas – Niceville – View
Saturday, Dec. 13 – Ugly Sweater Run/Walk 5k – Niceville – View
Saturday, Dec. 13 – Yule of Yesteryear – Valparaiso – Free – View
Saturday, Dec. 13 – Car Show at DeFrance Antiques – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Saturday, Dec. 13 – Holiday Arts Gallery – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Saturday, Dec. 13 – HHArts/OAA Holiday Arts – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Saturday, Dec. 13 – BARKS & BREWS: Inaugural DOGS on the CATWALK: Ugly Christmas Sweater Edition – Niceville – $20.00 – View
Saturday, Dec. 13 – A Night of Christmas Musicals – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Saturday, Dec. 13 – Winter Wonderland – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Saturday, Dec. 13 – Cookie Crawl: A Downtown Holiday Stroll – Fort Walton Beach – View
Sunday, Dec. 14 – Holly Jolly on the Harbor – Destin – View
Sunday, Dec. 14 – Holiday on the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade – Destin – View
Monday, Dec. 15 – 2nd Annual Festival of Trees: Holiday Tree Trek 2025 – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Monday, Dec. 15 – December Shalimar Sip & Shop – Shalimar – Free – View
Saturday, Dec. 20 – Christmas Holiday Market – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Saturday, Dec. 20 – Sewciety Kids Parent Information Meeting – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Saturday, Dec. 20 – Paws & Claus – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Saturday, Dec. 20 – Victorian Christmas Tea – VALPARAISO, FL – $25.00 – View
Saturday, Dec. 20 – Christmas Candle Class – Fort Walton Beach – $45.00 – View
Sunday, Dec. 21 – Charms for Children – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Sunday, Dec. 21 – 21st Annual Emerald Coast Christmas Miracle Fiesta – Fort Walton Beach – Free – View
Sunday, Dec. 21 – The Prophecy Fulfilled – Shalimar – Free – View
Monday, Dec. 22 – Winter Workshops – Fort Walton Beach – $15.00 – View
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Friday! 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
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