Emerald Coast Florida

Hope, Growth, and Support Empower Emerald Coast Autism Center’s 2026 Events Staff Reports February 5, 2026 11:20 am Charities and Nonprofits, Destin, Emerald Coast, Niceville In Brief: Who: Emerald Coast Autism Center, founders Heidi Blalock and Staci Berryman What: 2026 fundraising events supporting autism services When: February through October 2026 Where: Niceville, Destin Harbor, and Grand Boulevard Why: To fund therapy, education, and vocational training for individuals with autism Niceville, Fla. — With autism diagnoses continuing to rise nationwide, Emerald Coast Autism Center (ECAC) is rolling out a full slate of fundraising events in 2026 aimed at expanding services and support for children and young adults with autism across Northwest Florida. According to national data, the incidence rate of children diagnosed with autism increased in 2025 from 1 in 36 to 1 in 31 children, highlighting the growing need for specialized care and education. Since its founding in 2009, ECAC has served as a vital community resource, providing Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy, education, and vocational training for individuals with autism and related unique abilities. Founded by Heidi Blalock and Staci Berryman, the nonprofit began by serving just five clients while sharing space with another business. Today, ECAC operates two buildings on the Northwest Florida State College campus, serving more than 100 children and young adults through its clinic and the Emerald Coast Learning Center, a dedicated school designed to meet specialized educational needs.   That growth, ECAC leaders say, is made possible through community support and annual fundraising efforts....

Quick Police Response Brings Relief in Fort Walton Beach Silver Alert Staff Reports February 5, 2026 10:16 am Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County, Public Safety In Brief: Missing endangered adult reported in Fort Walton Beach on Feb. 3 Silver Alert and license plate readers helped locate the vehicle The individual was found safely and evaluated by EMS Fort Walton Beach, Fla. — A missing endangered adult reported earlier this week was safely located after a coordinated response involving law enforcement, local businesses, and the public, according to the Fort Walton Beach Police Department. Police said officers received a report around 9 a.m. on February 3, 2026, that an endangered adult had gone missing after leaving her residence approximately an hour earlier in her vehicle. While officers were gathering information, employees at a local Waffle House contacted law enforcement to report a woman matching the missing person’s description who was attempting to distribute cash to customers, raising concern for her safety. Shortly afterward, the individual’s vehicle was detected by automatic license plate readers within Fort Walton Beach. A Silver Alert was issued, and a social media notification was distributed to help locate the vehicle. Officers with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department, working alongside the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, saturated the area in an effort to find the missing woman. A subsequent license plate reader alert indicated the vehicle was near Hill Avenue, where officers conducted a traffic stop. The individual was safely located, and emergency medical services responded to evaluate...

New Emergency Room Brings Lifesaving, 24/7 Care to Walton County Staff Reports February 5, 2026 9:44 am DeFuniak Springs, Health, Walton County In Brief: Who: HCA Florida Healthcare, HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital, local leaders What: Opening of HCA Florida DeFuniak Springs Emergency When: Now open; ribbon cutting held last month Where: 160 Twin Springs Way, off Highway 331 near I-10 Exit 85 Why: To expand access to 24/7 emergency medical care and support a growing community DeFuniak Springs, Fla. — Residents and visitors in Walton County now have expanded access to round-the-clock emergency medical care with the opening of HCA Florida DeFuniak Springs Emergency, a new full-service emergency room located just north of Interstate 10 off Highway 331. The $19 million facility, located at 160 Twin Springs Way, officially opened its doors to patients as an extension of HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital, offering 24/7 emergency services for adults and children. The standalone emergency room is staffed by board-certified emergency medicine physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals and is supported by the broader HCA Healthcare network. “We are honored to expand access to round-the-clock emergency care by board-certified physicians at two convenient locations,” said Todd Jackson, chief executive officer of HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital. “Our new HCA Florida DeFuniak Springs Emergency provides expert local care supported by one of the largest emergency care networks in the nation.” Last month, community leaders, first responders, healthcare professionals, and local officials gathered for a ribbon-cutting and tours of the new 11,570-square-foot facility....

Walton Tourism Pros: “We have no voice” With Local Government Steven Saul February 5, 2026 9:25 am 30a, Government, South Walton A battle may be brewing for power between the Walton County Tourism Development Council and the board that appoints them – the Walton County Board of County Commissioners.  The Tourism Development Council (TDC) met this week at the South Walton Annex to review financial reports for the last two months of 2025 and to receive progress reports from the Tourism Department heads. Amy Wise-Coble (Seat 6) served as chair for the meeting due to the absence of Commissioner Drake.  Statements made by TDC members revealed their frustration and perception the Board of County Commissioners has ignored or trampled on them at every turn – to the taxpayers’ detriment.  The two bodies have begun meeting regularly to improve their working relationship. Following the last joint meeting in 2025, both groups indicated that the “work session” was productive.  However, remarks made by two of the TDC members (Amy Wise-Coble and Tim Taylor, (Seat 4) this week indicated a chasm exists between the two boards – as well as accusations some TDC members have abandoned their responsibilities.   Wise-Coble said, “We have got to try and get on the same page with the BCC, because I think we have members of this Council [referring to the TDC] that likely aren’t attending because they don’t feel like they are being heard.”  With reference to a decision the BCC made to purchase property, she added,...

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Next school year, Rutherford High School students will be able to get a head start on a life-saving career. What started as an idea to strengthen the local workforce and foster opportunity for high school students has turned into a reality through a partnership with Gulf Coast State College. “This