At the Destin City Council meeting on Monday, September 18, 2023, Councilmember Kevin Schmidt presented his vision for the vacant 1 Harbor Boulevard parcel that the city agreed purchased in July.  Schmidt’s idea centers around creating an outdoor amphitheater and community space that highlights Destin’s culture, brings people together, and conserves nature.  The sloped vacant lot next to the Marler Bridge provides a natural landscape to shape...

Step One Automotive’s Subaru dealership in Fort Walton Beach partnered with AdoptAClassroom.org to surprise students and teachers at Pryor Middle School with a $10,000 donation and 20 school supply kits during a back-to-school celebration at the school’s Fall Open House.   The donation was made as part of Subaru Loves Learning®, a national initiative championed by Subaru of America, Inc. that helps provide funding for teachers at high-needs...

On Wednesday, September 13, 2023, Coastal Conservation Association Florida joined the Duke Energy Mariculture Center, Visit Destin-Fort Walton Beach and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for an important conservation effort. Together, these groups continued addressing the loss of the redfish population along Florida’s West Coast by releasing 10,000 hatchery-reared, juvenile redfish (averaging 3 to 4 inches in length) at Fred...

The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce will host “Honoring Our Heroes: 9/11 America’s Response,” a tribute event dedicated to the U.S. Military’s Task Force Dagger, at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds. This year’s event aims to spotlight the heroism of Air Force Special Operations Command Special Tactics Airmen and aircrews who were the first Airmen to step foot into Afghanistan less than a month after the...

On Tuesday, September 5, 2023, the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners approved the appointments of the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee members during their regular meeting. This committee was created unanimously by the Board on July 18, 2023 to provide guidance on enhancing and refurbishing the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds property, which was purchased by the County from the City of Fort Walton Beach in June. The seven-person volunteer...

The Fort Walton Beach Vikings volleyball team prevailed in a tight 5-set match at home against the visiting Arnold Marlins on Thursday night. The Vikings won the match by set scores of 20-10, 20-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-13. “Tonight was no easy task,” said Coach Melanie Marchena. “We knew going into the game it was going to be a battle as Arnold is a solid program. We came in hot and won the first game with our simplicity and discipline.” The...