TOGETHER WITH

Good morning!

We have Tropical Storm Elsa out there in the Atlantic. Elsa is the earliest-known fifth named storm on record for the Atlantic basin in the satellite era (1966-present), breaking the record formerly held by Edouard on July 6, 2020.

Queen Elsa 👑

Some intensification is likely for the next day or two, since Elsa is expected to be in an environment of warm sea-surface temperatures, fairly low vertical wind shear, and high mid-level relative humidity, according to the National Hurricane Center.

However, the fast forward motion could result in some decoupling of the low- and higher-level circulation which would limit strengthening.

“The potential interaction of the storm with the mountainous land masses of the Greater Antilles later in the forecast period could disrupt the circulation somewhat,” said Richard Pasch, Senior Hurricane Specialist. “Therefore the official intensity forecast, like the previous one, is quite conservative and on the lower end of the guidance suite.”

Key Messages:

1. Tropical storm conditions are expected beginning early Friday in portions of the Windward and southern Leeward Islands.
2. Heavy rainfall from the system will move quickly across the Windward and southern Leeward Islands, including Barbados, on Friday. Isolated flash flooding and mudslides are possible.
3. There is a risk of wind and rainfall impacts in portions of the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Cuba, the Turks and Caicos and the southeastern Bahamas through early next week. Interests in these areas should monitor the system’s progress and updates to the forecast.
4. Interests in Florida should monitor updates to the forecast for this system, but it is too soon to determine what if any impacts could occur there next week given the uncertainty in the long-range forecast.

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Fort Walton Beach re-establishes Youth Council 🏛

On June 8, 2021, the Fort Walton Beach City Council adopted a resolution to re-establish its Youth Council.

This will provide an opportunity for the youth of Fort Walton Beach to participate in:

• City government
• Take an active role in shaping the future of the City
• and Become leaders in the community

Applications are now being accepted.

“I am excited about this endeavor,” said Mayor Dick Rynearson. “Youth Councils are successful all across our state and even here in our county. This council will provide us an avenue for engagement with our young people that we’ve been missing. Our children are our future. We should listen to them.”

The City first established a Youth Council in 2007, however it was dissolved in 2009 because of lack of participation. The City’s recognition of students with Awards for Civic Excellence (ACE) has created a strong partnership between the City and local high schools in recent years.

The Youth Council is not limited to students in the Okaloosa County School system. Any student in grades 10, 11 or 12 that lives within the city limits of Fort Walton Beach may apply.

In order to begin with the 2021-2022 school year, applications must be submitted no later than August 1. The Youth Council will be made up of eight members appointed by the Fort Walton Beach City Council and will meet on the first Tuesday of every month, excluding June, July, and August, at 4 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Fort Walton Beach City Hall.

All details about the Youth Council can be found in the application here.

FWB Fall Sports League Registrations Now Open

Registration for fall sports leagues at the Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center has begun.

Fall Soccer Registration

• Ages 3-Adult: Now-July 31
• Contact Wendy Riggs at 850-833-9582 or wriggs@fwb.org.

Flag Football Cheerleading

• Ages 6-12: Now-August 12
• Contact Pat Sherman at 850-833-9581 or psherman@fwb.org.

Flag Football Registration

• 6U, 8U & 10U: July 6-August 12
• 12U & 14 U: August 16-September 23
• Contact Bobby Carmichael at 850-833-9579 or bcarmichael@fwb.org.

The cost for each league is $25 (resident) and $45 (non-resident).

Register online at www.fwb.org/youthathletics or in person at the FWB Rec Center located at 132 Jet Drive NW Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Fishermen’s Tales Told at the Destin Library

On Thursday, July 8th, at 10:30 a.m., the Destin Library is hosting “Fishermen’s Tales” presented as part of the 2021 Summer Reading Program, Tails and Tales.

Local fishermen will share their favorite and most fantastical stories from working at the Destin Harbor. There will also a video presentation with Kathy Marler Blue from the Destin History & Fishing Museum recounting fish stories from the past.

This is a live event at the library and the video will be posted on the library’s Facebook page. Space is limited, so registration is required.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the library at 850-837-8572 or library@cityofdestin.com or click here.

SunPass now accepts E-ZPass, opening travel across 17 additional states

Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) is launching SunPass PRO™, a new portable transponder that can be used everywhere E-ZPass is accepted across 17 additional states, and includes the Mid Bay Bridge.

The brand-new SunPass PRO™ will cost $14.95, plus tax, and offers customers several benefits, including parking at most international airports in Florida.

Travelers have wanted the convenience of using one transponder for toll roads throughout the eastern United States, according to the FTE.

• By joining the E-ZPass network, E-ZPass customers can now use their transponder continuously on nearly 900 miles of Florida’s toll roads in addition to the 18 states where E-ZPass is already accepted.

SunPass PRO™ is accepted in the following states:

• Florida
• Georgia
• North Carolina
• Maryland
• Rhode Island
• Indiana
• Delaware
• Illinois
• New Jersey
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• Kentucky
• Virginia
• Pennsylvania
• Maine
• West Virginia
• New York
• Ohio

The existing SunPass Portable and SunPass Mini transponders will continue to be accepted in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. SunPass customers wanting seamless travel within the EZPass network will need to upgrade to the SunPass PRO™.