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Good morning!
Fort Walton Beach High School’s Izzy Douglas and Niceville’s Deacon Avery have been named All Sports Association Female and Male Scholastic Award winners respectively, while Okaloosa County approaches the finish line on its ambitious ’50-in-5′ dirt road paving initiative. Cynthia West announces her candidacy for Okaloosa County School Board District 3, Niceville boys soccer continues their impressive nine-game win streak as a true team effort, and Frances Roy Agency opens scholarship applications for trade school students.
TRAFFIC
Okaloosa County nears finish line on ’50-in-5′ dirt road paving initiative
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners last week approved allocating $5 million to cap the final 52 miles of stabilized dirt roads, bringing the “50-in-5” project close to completion.
- “We will be out of the quasi dirt road business,” Road Division Chief Rob Vandenbroeck told commissioners.
The project has exceeded its original goal. Since its inception, approximately 200 miles of dirt roads have been stabilized with lime-rock, and 148 miles have been capped with asphaltic applications. The initiative was designed to stabilize 50 miles of dirt roads within five years to improve driving safety, reduce erosion and decrease recurring maintenance costs.
Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel praised the effort during Tuesday’s meeting, saying it should be recognized in honor of Commissioner Nathan Boyles, who originally championed the project.
- “He really championed this,” Ketchel said before moving to approve the allocation. “So I’m very excited about it.”
The county has allocated $19,970,000 in half-cent surtax funding to date for both stabilization and capping work. The newly approved $5 million from FY26 Surtax Reserves will cover the estimated $4.7 million cost to cap the remaining roads, with additional funds for contingency.
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GAMES
WordroW: December 18, 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.
POLITICS
Cynthia West announces candidacy for Okaloosa County School Board District 3
Cynthia West has entered the race for Okaloosa County School Board District 3.
- West, a mother of four and mental health professional, announced her candidacy Tuesday, positioning herself as an advocate for fiscal responsibility and academic excellence.
“After listening to parents, teachers, and taxpayers across District 3, one thing is clear: our schools need leadership that puts students first, protects taxpayer dollars, and plans ahead,” West said in a press release. “Okaloosa County has earned its reputation for high-performing, grade-A schools. I’m running to protect that excellence while ensuring we remain responsible stewards of every dollar entrusted to us.”
The District 3 seat is currently held by School Board Member Linda Evanchyk, who has not announced whether she will seek re-election. Mitch Reed, a U.S. Army veteran and business consultant, announced his candidacy for the seat in August.
GAME
This week’s mini local crossword
A weekly crossword featuring local headlines, history, and hot topics. Test your knowledge of our community, and the stories locals are talking about.
Click here to play this week’s crossword
SPORTS
‘They’re a true team’: Niceville boys soccer riding nine-game win streak
After back-to-back Final Four appearances and four semifinal berths in six years, last season’s first-round playoff loss was uncharacteristic for Niceville boys soccer.
- But now, the Eagles are back.
Despite opening the year with consecutive ties against Choctaw and Fort Walton Beach followed by a loss to Gulf Breeze, Niceville has become one of the hottest teams in Florida.
The Eagles have won nine straight games to improve to 9-1-2, earning a No. 9 ranking in the state, No. 20 nationally and the top spot in Class 6A District 1.
Seven of those eight most recent victories came by multiple goals.
“We’re definitely getting better defensively, which is nice to see, and we are scoring a few goals, which is the key,” coach Wes Nelson said. “If you keep the ball out of the net and score a few goals, you’ll win the game.”
GIFT GUIDE
Last-minute, local gifts and experiences for everyone on your list
If holiday shopping snuck up on you this year, you’re not alone and luckily, you don’t need to rely on shipping deadlines or big-box stores to finish strong.
- This Local’s Gift Guide is all about thoughtful, easy-to-grab gifts you can find right here at home while supporting the local businesses that make our community special.
We focused on gifts you can walk in and buy, book instantly, or enjoy all year long. From experiences and memberships to one-of-a-kind items you won’t find everywhere else. No worrying about packages arriving on time, just meaningful gifts with a local story behind them.
To make things simple, we’ve curated three separate guides: one for him, one for her, and one for the kids. Whether you’re shopping for a fisherman, a creative kid, or someone who loves all things coastal, these lists are designed to help you check everyone off your list all while being stress-free and supporting local.
Click here to shop the guide!
BUSINESS
Frances Roy Agency opens scholarship applications for trade school students
Frances Roy Agency has opened applications for its 2025-2026 Roy Warner Memorial Scholarship, an annual award supporting students pursuing trade school education.
- The scholarship honors Roy Warner, late grandfather of agency founder and president Shantelle Dedicke. Warner built his career through construction and carpentry and was known for his integrity, resilience and work ethic.
“Our team pours so much heart into this scholarship because Roy Warner wasn’t just my grandfather; his life shaped the values that built this agency,” Dedicke said. “Seeing last year’s recipient, Rylee Lorenz, take her first steps into a nursing career reminded us why we do this. We believe in the power of skilled work, and we are honored to invest in young people who carry that legacy forward.”
The scholarship supports students pursuing education in skilled trades, including construction, mechanical, industrial, medical, creative, entrepreneurial and other vocational fields. One recipient will receive a financial award to support their trade school education.
SPORTS
Vikings pitcher Izzy Douglas named All Sports Association Female Scholastic Award winner
Every year, the All Sports Association honors one local high school senior of each gender who excels on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
- This year’s Female Scholastic Award winner is Izzy Douglas, a senior pitcher for the Fort Walton Beach High School softball team.
Douglas has been a four-year member of the Lady Vikings and played a major role in last spring’s 4A state championship run. As a true two-way player, she hit seven home runs with 35 RBIs and a .347 batting average while posting a 2.91 ERA and 107 strikeouts on the mound.
“It’s an honor to represent my school,” Douglas said. “There were a lot of people that played into it, and I’m really grateful for all the support that I have.”
Off the field, Douglas carries a 4.0-plus GPA as an AP and dual enrollment student. She is on track to graduate with her associate degree from Northwest Florida State College and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Fort Walton Beach High student leadership. She also volunteers as a coach with Destin Little League.
SPORTS
Niceville’s Deacon Avery named All Sports Association Male Scholastic Award winner
Niceville High School senior Deacon Avery has been selected as the 2026 All Sports Association Male Scholastic Award winner, recognizing his achievements on the baseball diamond, in the classroom and throughout the community.
- “I’m really grateful. It’s a big accomplishment,” Avery said. “I’m extremely honored to represent my school and my community in such a big way. Both of them have played a huge part in my success both as a player and a student, and I’m grateful for all my teachers and all the community that supported me during my time at Niceville.”
Avery is a four-year member of the Niceville baseball team, where he plays shortstop. He led the state in home runs last season and came up clutch during the Eagles’ Elite 8 run, hitting two home runs against Columbia and scoring the only run against Lincoln.
He is committed to play college baseball at Coastal Carolina, the defending College World Series runner-up, and is currently being scouted as a prospect in the 2026 MLB draft.
Both athletes will be honored at the All Sports Awards Banquet on Feb. 20.
The All Sports Association is a volunteer organization that raises money for local youth-oriented nonprofit organizations with an emphasis on sports programs. Each February at its annual banquet, the organization honors the area’s top high school, collegiate, amateur, professional and Special Olympics athletes, as well as individuals who have supported youth activities.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Thursday! 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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