Emerald Coast Florida

  Tripadvisor has released its Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Beaches in the United States rankings, and Panama City Beach has earned the 8th and 11th spots in the country. Seeing our destination listed twice among the very best beaches in America is something worth celebrating! These awards are  

Niceville Graduate Races Toward a Professional Motorsports Career Staff Reports February 19, 2026 10:38 am Emerald Coast, Niceville, Okaloosa County, Schools and Education In Brief: Who: Jackson Shirey, graduate of Niceville High School and Okaloosa Technical College What: Earned ASE Master certification and a prestigious SPARK motorsports internship When: Announced Feb. 18, 2026 Where: Okaloosa County, University of North Florida, Daytona International Speedway Why: To pursue his lifelong goal of working in professional motorsports and racing A former local high school student who once dreamed of working in professional racing is now accelerating toward that goal — one certification, one degree, and one major internship at a time. Jackson Shirey, a graduate of Niceville High School and the Automotive Technology program at Okaloosa Technical College, has built a résumé that blends technical skill with business savvy — a combination that recently earned him a coveted motorsports internship. Shirey first enrolled at Okaloosa Technical College during his junior and senior years of high school, focusing on automotive technology with a clear long-term goal: work for a professional race team. After graduating, he returned to the program as an adult student to complete his training, ultimately earning the distinction of ASE Master Certified Technician — a credential that signals advanced mechanical knowledge and hands-on expertise. He later enrolled at the University of North Florida, where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. While there, Shirey serves as treasurer of the university’s Formula SAE racing team, a role that allowed him...

 [[{“value”:” The heart of Seagrove is about to get a whole lot more accessible. “}]]  SoWal.com 

Major Expansion Brings New Life to Temple Mound Museum Staff Reports February 19, 2026 9:39 am Arts, Events, Fort Walton Beach, History, Okaloosa County In Brief: Who: The City of Fort Walton Beach, Heritage Park & Cultural Center, former Councilwoman Chris Gibson, and community partners What: Grand reopening of the expanded and renovated Indian Temple Mound Museum When: 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026 Where: 139 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach Why: To expand exhibit space, improve facilities, and preserve and present thousands of years of local Native American history After years of construction, planning, and exhibit renovations, Fort Walton Beach’s Indian Temple Mound is ready to welcome the public back inside. The Indian Temple Mound Museum will officially reopen at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and free admission for the day, according to the City of Fort Walton Beach’s Heritage Park & Cultural Center. The reopening marks the completion of a 4,800-square-foot expansion project that adds classroom space, offices, exhibit storage, and a significantly larger museum store. That store quietly opened in November 2025, but staff and volunteers have spent the past several months overhauling the original museum building — updating exhibits, making structural improvements, and preparing new displays that document thousands of years of Native American settlement in the region. The museum sits beside the ancient Fort Walton Temple Mound, one of the most significant archaeological landmarks in Northwest Florida. Together with surrounding historic buildings, the site anchors the Heritage Park...

Hicks, Barto added to All Sports Association Hall of Fame Christopher Saul February 19, 2026 9:07 am Sports The All Sports Association held its first-ever Hall of Fame Luncheon open to the public and inducted two Niceville Eagles to their ranks.  Former Head Coach John Hicks and former Eagle Linebacker Danton Barto were honored by the group, which raises funds for youth sports along the Emerald Coast. The group hosted its luncheon ahead of its Friday Banquet, which raises tens of thousands of dollars each year and features a renowned speaker. This year, they will welcome All Sports Association member and NFL Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks to the stage.  John Hicks Honored as a “Life Changer” at All Sports Banquet Former Okaloosa County Judge and multisport standout for the Niceville Eagles Mike Flowers hagiographized Coach John Hicks for the luncheon crowd. Hicks, who led the Eagles as a defensive coordinator under Frank Sorrels during their 1988 state championship run, served almost two decades as the head ball coach and athletic director at Niceville. During his time as the leader of the Eagles, Hicks led the team to two state championship games, two more final four appearances and was recognized as the 4A coach of the year in 2009. He was also on the coaching staff at Port St. Joe that won a state title in 1984.    Flowers told the 200 people in attendance that Hicks’s greatness didn’t come from what he did on the field, but by the...