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Good morning!
Fort Walton Beach has earned a spot on Expedia’s top 10 destinations for 2026, bringing national recognition to the area, while a devastating fire destroys 36 apartment units in Destin and displaces dozens of residents. Fort Walton Beach Fire Department donates a firetruck to NWFSC Fire Academy, and a fish fry fundraiser will support homeless services in Okaloosa and Walton counties.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Fire destroys 36 apartment units in Destin, displaces dozens of residents
A fire at Legacy on the Bay Apartments early Friday morning destroyed an entire building, leaving approximately 48 people without homes on Halloween.
- Destin Fire Rescue responded to the residential structure fire at approximately 3 a.m. Friday at the Legacy on the Bay Apartments. Firefighters evacuated the building quickly with assistance from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
“Destin Fire was able to evacuate the build quickly with help from Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and get everyone out,” Destin Fire Rescue said in a social media post Friday morning.
All 36 units in the building were destroyed, according to the American Red Cross of North and Central Florida. Two pets died in the fire, while 13 other pets survived.
No injuries to residents or firefighters were reported. Crews remained on scene Friday morning working hot spots, though the fire was completely under control by 7 a.m., according to Destin Fire Rescue.
- Eight Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers from the Northwest Florida Chapter responded to the scene and remained there for several hours to assist evacuated residents.
The organization is working to find temporary housing for the displaced families. The Florida Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire.
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GAMES
WordroW: November 3, 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.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Fort Walton Beach Fire Department donates firetruck to NWFSC Fire Academy
Northwest Florida State College Fire Academy students celebrated the arrival of a donated firetruck from Fort Walton Beach Fire Department with a traditional Push-In Ceremony on October 23.
- Fire Chief Thearon Shipman, Division Chief Leann Waters, NWFSC President Mel Ponder, Dean of Workforce Education Dr. Chris Gabers and Public Safety Training Center Director Jo Culberson attended as students ceremoniously pushed the firetruck into the building.
The donation provides Fire Academy students with hands-on training using actual equipment they will encounter in their careers.
“This firetruck represents more than just equipment — it provides real-world experience for our students,” Culberson said. “It gives them the opportunity to train with the same tools and technology they’ll use on the job, offering the hands-on experience essential for protecting and serving our community. We are deeply grateful to the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department for donating this vital resource.”
The Push-In Ceremony traces its origins to the 1800s, when horse-drawn fire apparatuses had to be manually pushed back into the firehouse after a call because the horses could not back in. While modern vehicles no longer require this maneuver, the tradition endures as a tribute to the history and camaraderie of the fire service.
- Many departments continue the custom today when placing a new apparatus into service, often inviting the community to share in the milestone.
Northwest Florida State College extended appreciation to the City of Fort Walton Beach for its support, generosity and ongoing commitment to preparing the next generation of firefighters.
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GIVING BACK
Fort Walton Beach fish fry fundraiser to support homeless services in Okaloosa, Walton counties
The Homelessness & Housing Alliance of Okaloosa & Walton Counties will host a fish fry fundraiser on Friday, November 21, with all proceeds supporting local rehousing and homeless prevention services.
- The drive-thru event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Liza Jackson Park, 388 Miracle Strip Parkway in Fort Walton Beach. Dewey Destin Seafood will provide the meals.
Tickets are $15 and must be purchased in advance here. No tickets will be sold on-site the day of the event.
One hundred percent of proceeds will go directly toward rehousing and homeless prevention services in Okaloosa and Walton counties.
The Homelessness & Housing Alliance believes the community can end homelessness by working together to invest in affordable housing and implement best practices to help families and individuals in crisis.
- As the lead agency for the Okaloosa Walton Continuum of Care, HHA brings together homeless service providers, local government, law enforcement, behavioral health providers, hospitals and affordable housing developers. The collaborative approach aims to ensure community programs work together to meet immediate needs of unhoused residents and address long-term drivers of homelessness.
The fundraiser offers supporters a way to enjoy a meal while directly supporting local community services.
SHOP
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TRAVEL
Fort Walton Beach lands on Expedia’s top 10 destinations for 2026
Fort Walton Beach has been named one of Expedia’s top 10 destinations for 2026, marking the only Florida location to make the global list as traveler interest in the area surged 45%.
- The designation, revealed in Expedia’s “Unpack ’26” travel trends report, places the Emerald Coast destination alongside nine other locations worldwide, including Big Sky, Montana; Okinawa, Japan; and Sardinia, Italy. Fort Walton Beach is one of only two U.S. destinations on the list.
“It’s humbling for us all,” said Jennifer Adams, Okaloosa County Tourism Director. “When I took over eight years ago, we didn’t have the partnerships that we have now, such as with the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. I think that if we hadn’t ever gotten to that point — where we are all working together — we never would’ve been recognized like this.”
While Adams markets the broader Destin-Fort Walton Beach destination, Expedia’s specific recognition of Fort Walton Beach highlights the city’s growing appeal to travelers.
Adams attributes the growing interest to a strategic shift in how the destination markets itself — moving beyond being “just a beach destination in summertime” to offering year-round experiences that give visitors reasons to explore beyond the water.
- The city offers a different pace and character than its neighboring communities, with easy access to water activities, museums that tell the area’s military and cultural history, and a downtown food scene that has quietly become a draw in its own right.
“I think that more people are discovering Fort Walton Beach as they search our overall destination,” Adams said. “They’re finding new things. They’re finding Liza Jackson Park, they’re finding Beach Weekend downtown, they’re going down to The Landing. Plus, Fort Walton has a great food scene.”
The city’s location provides strategic advantages. With the Air Force Armament Museum — the only facility in the U.S. dedicated to the display of Air Force armament — Fort Walton Beach attracts military history enthusiasts. The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island offers restaurants, beach access, live music and movies on the beach. The Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier provides anglers a prime fishing location, while charters and pontoon rentals operate from Fort Walton Beach, giving visitors access to the emerald waters.
For Adams, the Expedia recognition validates a philosophy of staying small while doing big things.
“When I got here, the destination got so big that we forgot how to be small. It’s okay to be small,” Adams said. “You can be a small destination and have the value of these other big ones.”
Click here to read the full interview, including discussion about what is happening across Destin-Fort Walton Beach (and Crestview!)
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Monday! 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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