News Flash

The City of Fort Walton Beach's Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will hold its monthly Citizens' Input Meeting from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026.

Meetings are held at the City Hall Growth Management office, located at 105 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW.

The meeting will provide updates on current and upcoming CRA projects and give residents the chance to speak on projects they think would benefit the CRA District. As valued members of the community, your insights and collaboration are essential as we work together to shape the future of our neighborhoods and enhance the overall well-being of our residents. 

Can’t make it this month? Don’t worry. CRA Citizens’ Input Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each Month from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.  Upcoming dates include:

• Jan. 21, 2026
• Feb. 18, 2026
• March 18, 2026
• April 15, 2026
• May 20, 2026
• June 17, 2026

ABOUT THE FORT WALTON BEACH CRA

The Fort Walton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is a special district created by the City to eradicate blight, enhance infrastructure, and improve community safety through targeted urban design and investments that create a more attractive, safe, and economically vibrant downtown area.

As it exists today, the City’s CRA district includes 607 acres, representing about 12 percent of the city. The district boundaries run from downtown north along Eglin Parkway to Hughes Street and extend west along U.S. Highway 98 to Wright Parkway. (See map below)

The CRA uses a portion of the taxes collected on properties located in the CRA district to fund projects to improve public infrastructure and promote redevelopment within the district.

Some examples of CRA projects include improvements to the historic Gulfview Center building, the mural project at the Fort Walton Beach Public Library, increased Community Policing to combat vagrancy, the renovations of Sound Park and Chester Pruitt Park and the leasing of additional space for public parking in the downtown district and Fort Walton Beach Landing park.

The CRA has an administrator, and City Council members serve as the CRA Board of Directors.

Learn more about the Fort Walton Beach CRA here.

Community Code Compliance Sweep set for Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026

As part of the “Cleanest City on the Emerald Coast” initiative, the City of Fort Walton’s Code Enforcement team will hold its next Community Code Compliance Sweep from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.

The code sweep area will include the area from Memorial Parkway east to Robinwood Drive and Hollywood Boulevard south to U.S. Highway 98.

The goal of this effort is to allow code enforcement officers to engage with the community, to raise awareness about local code requirements, and to encourage voluntary compliance before issuing any citations or fines.

Common violations that city code enforcement officers find include:

• Inoperable vehicles or vehicles parked on the roadway for more than 72 hours
• Overgrown grass and uncontrolled vegetation
• Accumulation of litter, junk, or debris in yards
• Garbage cans left curbside after collection
• Un-permitted construction or property work

The Community Code Compliance Sweeps are scheduled regularly, focusing on different neighborhoods as we continue this initiative throughout the city. Click here to earn more about Code Compliance in the City of Fort Walton Beach.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping keep Fort Walton Beach a clean, safe, and beautiful place to live.

City of Fort Walton Beach offices and facilities will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in observance of the federal holiday of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. City offices will resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.

Palms of Emerald Coast Employee Batters Department of Health Inspector

For Immediate Release:

January 13, 2026

Case Number: 2026-00000954

Fort Walton Beach, Fla. – On January 13, 2026, at approximately 1228 hours, Officers responded to a battery that occurred at 139 Beal Parkway SE, Suite 102, identified as Palms of Emerald Coast Massage Parlor. A Department of Health (DOH) Employee advised she was conducting a routine inspection when the employee became upset and started yelling at the inspector before attempting to force the inspector out of the business. When Officers attempted to detain the female employee, she began defecating towards Officers to evade arrest. 

Fang Wang was identified by Officers and arrested for Battery on a Specified Official.

This investigation was a follow-up in relation to a search warrant previously served on this location when it was under the name Blue Bay Massage & Spa, New Magnolia Spa, and Classy Spa. Wang was present during each investigation.

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department Special Investigations Unit is actively investigating this case in conjunction with the Department of Health, Fort Walton Beach Code Department, and Fort Walton Beach Fire. 

As part of our Cleanest City on the Emerald Coast initiative, we will be holding our next trash pickup event in the W.E. Combs/ Sylvania Heights neighborhood from 8 to 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.

We’ll be meeting at the Okaloosa Academy Charter School, located at 720 Lovejoy Rd NW, Fort Walton Beach.

From there, we’ll be picking up litter along both Lovejoy Road and Hill Avenue. (see attached map for reference and meeting location).

We’ll have some buckets, gloves and trash pickers. If you have cleanup gear of your own, please bring it along with you. We hope to see you there!

If you have any questions, please contact the City of Fort Walton Beach Public Information Office by phone at 850-586-7855 or email here.

For Immediate Release

January 12, 2026

Shooting Investigation 225 Burnette Avenue

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – On January 12, 2026, at approximately 10:05 am, the Fort Walton Beach Police Department received multiple calls regarding shots fired in the area of Lovejoy Road and Burnette Avenue.  Okaloosa Academy Charter School was locked down within moments. In a joint effort between Okaloosa County Deputies and Fort Walton Beach Police Officers, the fleeing suspect was tracked and swiftly taken into custody without incident.  There is no remaining threat to the public.  

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department would like to extend its thanks to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office for the teamwork displayed during this investigation.  

Local businesses and community partners are showing their support for Fort Walton Beach Firefighter David Leonard by holding a “Community Convoy” on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.  

The event is in support of Leonard and his newborn daughter, Marlow, and in memory of his wife, Crysta, who passed away last month as a result of complications from childbirth.

The event starts at 9 a.m. at The Block nightclub (113 Eglin Parkway SE). There will be live music, breakfast, and a drop-off point for donations to the family. 

At 11 a.m., the Community Convoy will depart from The Block, and participants will ride/drive to Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson (788 Beal Parkway NW).

The route will go north on Eglin Parkway, west onto Hollywood Boulevard and pass Fort Walton Beach Fire Station No. 6. Participants will then turn north onto Beal Parkway and finish the convoy at Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson (788 Beal Parkway NW).

There will be more live music, free food, and vendors at Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson beginning around 11:30 a.m.

*No registration is necessary, and the event is open to all motor vehicles.

This event is sponsored by The Block, Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson, Fast Signs of Fort Walton Beach/Destin, and Motorcycle Riding Events of America, with coordination from the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department.

For more information, please contact Fort Walton Beach Battalion Chief Matthew Baxley at 850-758-5437.

UPDATE: This issue has been resolved as of Friday, Jan. 9.

We are currently experiencing problems live streaming our public meetings to the City of Fort Walton Beach YouTube account.

All meetings have been, and will continue to be live streamed on the City of Fort Walton Beach's meetings, minutes, and agendas page.  

We will notify you as soon as the problem with YouTube is resolved.

Upcoming meeting schedule for January 2026:

• Jan. 8, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Local Planning Agency special meeting
• Jan. 13, 2026, at 4 p.m. Community Redevelopment Agency workshop meeting
• Jan. 13, 2026, at 6 p.m. City Council regular meeting
• Jan. 21, 2026, at 9 a.m.  Special Magistrate regular meeting
• Jan. 27, 2026, at 5 p.m. City Council special meeting
• Jan. 27, 2026, at 6 p.m. City Council regular meeting

The City has two meetings scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.

4 p.m. Jan. 13, 2026: Community Redevelopment Agency workshop meeting

6 p.m. Jan, 13, 2026: City Council regular meeting

Meeting agendas and information can be found at our Agendas & Minutes page. Here you can also read minutes from past meetings and view videos past and current meetings.

This week, we welcome Officer Jonathan Lamp to the Fort Walton Beach Police Department. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Officer Lamp comes to the department from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. Prior to the sheriff’s office, Officer Lamp served in security forces with the United States Air Force, and he brings more than 10 years of law enforcement experience to the City of Fort Walton Beach. “We value the years of experience you bring, and we look forward to you being a part of the Fort Walton Beach team,” said Police Chief Robert Bage during a swearing-in ceremony held Tuesday. “We know that you’ll have a direct impact within the agency and within the city.” Welcome to the Fort Walton Beach team, Officer Lamp!

We congratulate Susan Kuhn for being recognized with the City of Fort Walton Beach's Yard of the Month award for January 2026.

Susan has lived in her Mimosa Street home for 40 years, and the pride she and her family take in their yard is plainly evident.

Large oak trees cast friendly shade over a closely trimmed green lawn. The house is framed by a mix of decorative bushes like loropetalum and viburnum. A planting area in the front yard includes daylilies, liriope and a large philodendron.

Closer to the house is a small brick courtyard that includes blooming plants like camellias and rhododendrons, adding some bright colors to the palette of green hues.

For the past 10 years, Susan has been getting help maintaining her yard from Dennis Felix, who has worked for the City of Fort Walton Beach for nearly 22 years.  Dennis had worked with Susan’s son, Wayne, at a previous job years ago and learned that she and her husband needed help keeping up with their yard work.

“Dennis came to the door, and knocked, and said ‘hi, I’m here to help,’” said Susan.

Since then, Dennis has been able to help Susan bring her landscaping ideas to life, as well as help with other things that have come up around the house.

“We had a pipe burst in the front yard on Thanksgiving,” said Susan. “Dennis came over and turned the water off. He said he couldn’t get to it right away because he had family visiting. But on Sunday, he came and dug out the pipe, went over to Home Depot, got the parts and repaired it.”

“He’s my right arm, said Susan. “He’s been such a blessing in my life.”

ABOUT YARD OF THE MONTH:

The City of Fort Walton Beach's "Yard of the Month" program recognizes city residents who demonstrate above-average efforts in maintaining their property and help contribute to the overall appearance of our community.

A city resident may nominate any yard in the Fort Walton Beach city limits, including their own yard. All award winners receive an official "Yard of the Month" sign to be placed on their property. "Yard of the Month" winners must be willing to have photos taken and will be recognized on the City of Fort Walton Beach website and social media pages.

Visit our Yard of the Month page to learn more or to nominate a yard.

Parents. Are you looking for a sport that will help your child build confidence, learn focus and discipline, all while having fun while doing it? Check out our ATA Martial Arts classes offered at the Recreation Center by Instructor Zoran Subotich.

Subotich is a third-degree black belt with 12 years of experience teaching ATA Martial Arts.

He has two classes for youths: ages: 4-7, and ages 8-12, and a class for adults as well.

“It’s never too late to start,” said Subotich, adding that he took up the sport at age 30 after being inspired by the movies of martial arts legend Bruce Lee. “I remember thinking, man…this is what I want to do.”

Subotich says all you need to get started is a willingness to learn and grow.

“It’s better for me to have somebody with no knowledge that I can teach from the beginning, than to have somebody who has learned bad techniques,” said Subotich.

Students learn basic skills like punches, kicks, blocks and strikes as well as the forms that combine them into a fluid sequence. They work at their own pace, and advance when they’ve demonstrated the new skills they have learned.

“It’s all about control,” says Subotich. We’re going to teach you about this, but we want you to control it. We don’t want you to hurt yourself or anybody else.”

Subotich said students benefit physically with increased coordination, endurance, and agility, and mentally with better discipline, focus, and self-confidence. 

Before each class, he has his students recite the pledge: “to respect myself, show courtesy to everyone, work hard and get better.”

Classes are held Monday and Wednesday evenings at the Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center. Tuition is $75/month (no contract required). Uniform cost is $60 and graduation (to the next skill level is $60).

For more information or to register, visit the Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center at 132 Jet Drive NW or call 850-833-9576.

Because of the New Year's Day holiday, we've moved the January Coffee with the City Manager to Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Fort Walton Beach Public Library.  This is a chance to share your thoughts and ideas about the city with City Manager Jason Davis in an informal setting. No registration is necessary. Bring your questions, grab some coffee, meet the City Manager and discuss the topics that matter most to you.  Coffee with the City Manager is a recurring event scheduled on the first Thursday morning of each month and held in the conference room of the Fort Walton Beach Public Library, located at 185 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE.  Drop by and learn about what's going on in your city.

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department’s next Citizen’s Police Academy is set to start Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.

The Citizens' Police Academy is an 8-week-long program that provides community residents with an inside look at law enforcement operations, with the goal of promoting better understanding, transparency, and partnership in public safety.

Participants learn about police training, crime scene investigations, DUI procedures, Community Policing, Patrol Operations, K-9 operations, traffic homicide investigations and much more.

Participants are also encouraged to join one of our officers for a ride-along during one of their patrol shifts.

The academy meets from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Thursday, beginning on Feb. 5, 2026, and running through March 26, 2026.

The Citizens' Police Academy is free and open to those living or working in Okaloosa County. The minimum age for enrollment is 18. For more information or to apply, please email Master Police Officer Marcus Montgomery at mmontgomery@fwb.org for an application form.

Seating is limited, so sign up as soon as possible to reserve your place!

To allow our employees to spend time with their families during the New Year's holiday, we have made the following changes to the normal operating hours of these city offices and facilities.

City Hall complex: (Customer Service, Growth Management, HR, City Clerk’s and City Manager’s offices) Closed Jan. 1-2 (Thurs-Fri), reopening at 7 a.m. Monday, Jan 5.

Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center: Closed Jan. 1-3 (Thurs-Sat), reopening at 7 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5.

Fort Walton Beach Library: Closed Jan. 1-2 (Thurs-Fri), reopening at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3.

Beal Memorial Cemetery: Closed Jan. 1-2 (Thurs-Fri), reopening at 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5.

Fort Walton Beach Golf Club: Courses and Trackman Range open normal operating hours during New Year’s Day holiday. More info at fwbgolf.com.

Heritage Park and Cultural Center at the Indian Temple Mound: Closed Jan. 1-2 (Thurs-Fri), reopening at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3.

Police Department Records Division: Closed Jan. 1-2 (Thurs-Fri), reopening at 7 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5.

Public Works & Utility Services Field Office complex: Closed Jan. 1-2 (Thurs-Fri) reopening at 7 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5. **In the event of an after-hours water or sewer emergency, please contact the Fort Walton Beach Police Department Communications Office directly at 850-833-9546.

Police Department and Fire Department: No change to normal responses. In the event of an emergency please dial 911.

Police Department and Fire Department: No change to normal responses. In the event of an emergency please dial 911.

Trash, yard waste, and recycling pickup: Click here to see the holiday schedule for recycling and solid waste pickup.

It’s almost time for our semi-annual neighborhood clean-up.

During the month of January, City of Fort Walton Beach residential trash collection crews will be picking up large, unwanted household items like furniture, appliances, mattresses and other items too large for the city’s residential garbage bins. 

This is a free service provided to residential customers located within the City of Fort Walton Beach.

Pick-ups will be made on your regularly scheduled yard waste collection day. Simply place the items on the curb, away from fire hydrants and above-ground utility boxes. Don’t know your yard waste collection day? Use the map below or click here for a map and schedule.

Items NOT accepted include construction and demolition debris, concrete, bricks, glass, tires and hazardous materials. Okaloosa County accepts, free of charge, household hazardous waste items at its facility on Ready Avenue.

You can read more about Okaloosa County’s Household Hazardous Waste program here:

For more information, call the City of Fort Walton Beach Sanitation Division at 850-833-9655 or visit our website:

We’d like to congratulate the recipients of the City of Fort Walton Beach's Student Award for Civic Excellence (ACE) for December 2025.

Emily Coteat of Fort Walton Beach High School and Eleanor Neale of Choctawhatchee High School were recognized with the award by Fort Walton Beach Mayor Nic Allegretto during the December City Council meeting, held on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025.

The Student Award for Civic Excellence is presented monthly to high school students in the City of Fort Walton Beach for outstanding student leadership in school, local, state and national government.

We congratulate Emily and Eleanor on their achievements, thank them for their commitment to their schools and community, and wish them the best on their future paths!

To allow our employees to spend time with their families during the Christmas and New Year's holidays, we have made the following changes to the normal operating hours of these city offices and facilities.

Christmas schedule

City Hall complex: (Customer Service, Growth Management, HR, City Clerk’s and City Manager’s offices) Closed Dec. 24-26 (Wed-Fri), reopening at 7 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29.

Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center: Closed Dec. 24-27 (Wed-Sat) reopening at 7 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29.

Fort Walton Beach Library: Closed Dec. 24-26 (Wed-Sat), reopening at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec 29.

Beal Memorial Cemetery: Closed Dec. 24-26 (Wed-Fri), reopening at 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29.

Fort Walton Beach Golf Club: Open Wednesday, Dec. 24 for non-tournament shotgun start play beginning at 9 a.m. Must pre-register. Courses are closed Thursday, Dec. 25, reopening on Friday, Dec. 26. Visit fwbgolf.com for more information.

Heritage Park and Cultural Center at the Indian Temple Mound: Closed Dec. 24-26 (Wed-Fri) reopening at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27.

Police Department Records Division: Closed Dec. 24-26 (Wed-Fri), reopening at 7 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29.

Public Works & Utility Services Field Office complex: Closed Dec. 24-26 (Wed-Fri) reopening at 7 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29. In the event of an after-hours water or sewer emergency, please contact the Fort Walton Beach Police Department Communications Office directly at 850-833-9546.

Trash, yard waste, and recycling pickup: Click here to see the holiday schedule for recycling and solid waste pickup.

New Year’s Schedule

City Hall complex: (Customer Service, Growth Management, HR, City Clerk’s and City Manager’s offices) Closed Jan. 1-2 (Thurs-Fri), reopening at 7 a.m. Monday, Jan 5.

Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center: Closed Jan. 1-3 (Thurs-Sat), reopening at 7 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5.

Fort Walton Beach Library: Closed Jan. 1-2 (Thurs-Fri), reopening at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3.

Beal Memorial Cemetery: Closed Jan. 1-2 (Thurs-Fri), reopening at 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5.

Fort Walton Beach Golf Club: Courses and Trackman Range open normal operating hours during New Year’s Day holiday. More info at fwbgolf.com.

Heritage Park and Cultural Center at the Indian Temple Mound: Closed Jan. 1-2 (Thurs-Fri), reopening at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3.

Police Department Records Division: Closed Jan. 1-2 (Thurs-Fri), reopening at 7 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5.

Public Works & Utility Services Field Office complex: Closed Jan. 1-2 (Thurs-Fri) reopening at 7 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5. **In the event of an after-hours water or sewer emergency, please contact the Fort Walton Beach Police Department Communications Office directly at 850-833-9546.

Police Department and Fire Department: No change to normal responses. In the event of an emergency please dial 911.

Police Department and Fire Department: No change to normal responses. In the event of an emergency please dial 911.

Trash, yard waste, and recycling pickup: Click here to see the holiday schedule for recycling and solid waste pickup.

Registration for the City of Fort Walton Beach’s Youth Basketball Cheerleading team is open now through Jan. 30, 2026. Practice will begin in February 2026, with games starting in March 2026.

Cheerleaders will cheer at the 11-13 age group basketball games held at the Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center. Cheerleaders will perform cheers, chants and routines in a recreational setting.

The program is for youths in grades K-5. Registration fee is $30 for city residents and $50 for those living outside the City of Fort Walton Beach. Cheerleaders will also need to purchase a uniform and pompoms. Unsure if you're a city resident? Click here.

Returning youth athletes who have participated in past City of Fort Walton Beach athletic programs and have a RecDesk acount can register here. For new athletes, parents will need to register their child in person to verify their age at the Fort Walton Beach Beach Recreation Center, located at 132 Jet Drive NW. The child does not need to be present, but please bring a shot record or some other proof of child's age.

For more information, please contact program director Pat Sherman at 850-833-9576 or at Email Pat Sherman.

The City of Fort Walton Beach has two upcoming meetings scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, 2025:

• 4 p.m.  Community Redevelopment Agency Meeting
• 6 p.m. Regular City Council Meeting

 Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are open to the public and held in the City Council Chamber at 107 Miracle Strip Parkway SW. Agenda information for both meetings can be found here.  

**PLEASE NOTE THIS UPDATE TO THE AGENDA MADE ON FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 2025**

Congratulations to James and Mattie Brown for being selected as our December 2025 Yard of the Month.

The Browns have lived in their home on West Audrey Drive for 52 years and, in that time, have consistently cared for the home and yard. In fact, some of the decorative shrubs they planted near the house when they moved in are still thriving today.

Now retired, the couple has plenty of time to work in the yard, although Mattie credits her husband, James, with performing all the yardwork. James estimates he spends about four hours per day maintaining the yard.

Fronting the house is a lush green lawn that has been meticulously mowed and edged. Decorative plants and flowers fill bricked-in beds around the mailbox and homes. The yard includes lots of decorative shrubs and grasses like sago palm, Japanese boxwood, amaryllis and liriope, whose rich green tones contrast nicely with the red brick home.

James and Mattie Brown, thank you for such wonderful care of your yard over the past five decades and congratulations on being selected as our December 2025 Yard of the Month.

ABOUT YARD OF THE MONTH:

The City of Fort Walton Beach's "Yard of the Month" program recognizes city residents who demonstrate above-average efforts in maintaining their property and help contribute to the overall appearance of our community.

A city resident may nominate any yard in the Fort Walton Beach city limits, including their own yard. All award winners receive an official "Yard of the Month" sign to be placed on their property. "Yard of the Month" winners must be willing to have photos taken and will be recognized on the City of Fort Walton Beach website and social media pages.

Learn more at fwb.org/yardofthemonth

We’re excited to announce that our recycling partner WM has added “to-go” paper and plastic cups to the list of acceptable recyclable materials. Simply rinse off food residue and place the cups in your recycling bin with your other recyclable products. Note: please place all items loose in the recycle bin. Bagged recyclable items can clog up the sorting machines and is considered contamination.

For more information on the City of Fort Walton Beach’s recycling program, visit

We’d like to congratulate the recipients of the City of Fort Walton Beach's Student Award for Civic Excellence (Student ACE) for October and November 2025.

Abigail King of Choctawhatchee High School and Alaina McClenahan (not pictured) from Fort Walton Beach High School were recognized by Mayor Nic Allegretto during the City Council meeting held on Oct. 28, 2025.

Anthony Pham of Fort Walton Beach High School and AJ Bernich of Choctawhatchee High School were recognized with the award by Fort Walton Beach Mayor Nic Allegretto during the City Council meeting held on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.

The Student Award for Civic Excellence is presented monthly to high school students in the City of Fort Walton Beach for outstanding student leadership in school, local, state and national government.

Congratulations to our all of our Student ACE recipients on your achievements, and thank you for your commitment to your schools and community. We are proud of you and wish you the best on your future paths!

Seniors. Save the date!

The Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center will be hosting an AARP Smart Driver Course from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.

The AARP Smart Driver Course is designed especially for drivers aged 60 and older. Completing the course could make you eligible for a multi-year discount on your auto insurance, and you’ll learn proven driving techniques to help keep you and your loved ones safe on the road.

The cost of the course is $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members. Class size is limited to 30 first-time students, so reserve your spot today.

To register, please call driving instructor Susan Trueman at 850-871-4020.

Please bring cash or check for fees and a sweater or light jacket. We’ll have a lunch break, so please bring a sack lunch and any snacks you will need. We’ll be providing coffee, tea and water.

The Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center is located at 132 Jet Drive NW, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548. Telephone number is 850-833-9576.

Learn more about AARP’s Smart Driver Course here:

https://www.aarp.org/auto/driver-safety/locations/locator-detail.C44986.html

We're happy to announce that our Yard of the Month recognition for November 2025 goes to Robbie and John Giorella for their extensive yard renovation project on Maples Street.

When John moved into the home in 2018, his priority was fixing up the interior. Over time, he completely gutted and renovated the inside of the home, which was built in 1959.

“I always kept the weeds manicured,” jokes John. “They were always green.”

About a year ago, he and Robbie set their sights on sprucing up the front yard.

They hired contractors to build a porch, pour a new walk and driveway, and install a new lawn of Palisades Zoysia grass. The rest of the front yard is the fruits of their own labor.

“We do all the landscaping,” said Robbie. “And I did all the flowers.”

 Robbie points out some of her favorites, which include flowering plants like hibiscus, lantana, Mexican heather, coreopsis, marigold, periwinkle, and Confederate jasmine vine. She’s also planted a number of ornamental bushes like coleus, caladium, coleus and juniper.

“I work every day in the yard,” said Robbie. “It’s my therapy. Even if the irrigation system has run, I still come out here and water. I don’t want it to burn up, so I take a lot of time with it.”

The couple’s next project is their backyard, but for now, they’re taking a much-deserved break and enjoying what they’ve accomplished.

Our hats off to them for all their hard work in making such a beautiful yard, and congratulations on being our November 2025 Yard of the Month.

Let’s help our neighbors!

For our next Cleanest City on the Emerald Coast initiative, we’ll be organizing a “Yardwork Party” on the weekend of Nov. 15-16.

We’re looking for City of Fort Walton Beach residents who are having difficulty maintaining their yards and who could use some extra help. If that sounds like you or someone you know, and they’re located within the city limits, please contact us.

We’re also looking for volunteers who’d like to help their fellow residents by mowing lawns, trimming bushes, and performing other needed yard work. We cannot use city equipment or resources for this event, so we’re looking for volunteers who can show up with their own tools ready to do the work. 

Landscaping businesses looking to partner with us are always a plus!

If you are or know a city resident that needs help with their yard, or you would like to volunteer, please email City of Fort Walton Beach Public Information Officer Devon Ravine at dravine@fwb.org.

We congratulate Jim and Phyllis March, whose Baker Avenue home was selected as the City of Fort Walton Beach’s October 2025 Yard of the Month.

The Marches purchased the home in 1998, when it was nearly three decades old. Since then, Jim has invested a lot of effort on improvements to both the house and the yard.

“It’s taken a few years to get to this point,” said Jim, a retired Air Force Master Sergeant. He resodded the lawn several times before finding success with Empire Zoysia grass, which sits neatly trimmed and covers the front yard like a rich green carpet.

A large magnolia tree dominates the front yard, providing pleasant open shade. Jim and his daughter, Brittany, recently finished a project to remove azalea bushes from around the base of the tree and build a bricked-in flower bed with decorative shrubs and colorful perennials. If you look really close at the magnolia tree, you’ll spot a whimsical face staring back at you. That’s Brittany’s touch.

A mix of decorative shrubs and flowers frame the mailbox, the walkway and base of the house. Everywhere you look, you see the signs of a yard that displays years of care and nurturing.

“He has always taken pride in his surroundings,” said Brittany of her father. “While living in base housing at Hurlburt Field, he frequently earned “Yard of the Month” awards. He takes great joy in knowing that neighbors and visitors appreciate the yard as much as he does.”

We certainly appreciate it too, and we congratulate the Marches on being selected as our October 2025 Yard of the Month!

ABOUT YARD OF THE MONTH: The City of Fort Walton Beach's "Yard of the Month" program recognizes city residents who demonstrate above-average efforts in maintaining their property and help contribute to the overall appearance of our community.   A city resident may nominate any yard in the Fort Walton Beach city limits, including their own yard. Nominations are due on the 25th of each month. The "Yard of the Month" will be announced at the first regular City Council meeting of the month.   All award winners receive an official "Yard of the Month" sign to be placed on their property. "Yard of the Month" winners must be willing to have photos taken and will be recognized on the City of Fort Walton Beach website and social media pages.  Learn more at fwb.org/yardofthemonth

Congratulations to Jessica Allie, whose Watson Drive home was selected as our Yard of the Month for September 2025.

Jessica has lived at the home for eight years, and her pride in the yard is evident.

“I don’t mow the grass,” said Jessica.  “But I do all the gardening and landscaping.”

With help from her two sons, Jessica repainted the house and set about transforming the yard.   Colorful Lantana, Irises, Verbena, and hibiscus mix with the cool greens of juniper, sago palm and elephant ears.

Jessica also built fences, a stone path in the back yard, and created sitting areas in her back yard and carport.

“It takes a lot of time and patience,” said Jessica. “I’m probably out here once or twice a week.”

And while Jessica has a wide variety of flowering plants, she favors one in particular.

“I like hydrangeas,” said Jessica, noting some that were recently planted in the yard. “They’re still babies, but I’m excited to see how they turn out.”

Congratulations, Jessica, and thank you for taking such pride in your yard.

ABOUT YARD OF THE MONTH:

The City of Fort Walton Beach's "Yard of the Month" program recognizes city residents who demonstrate above-average efforts in maintaining their property and help contribute to the overall appearance of our community.

A city resident may nominate any yard in the Fort Walton Beach city limits, including their own yard. Nominations are due on the 25th of each month. The "Yard of the Month" will be announced at the first regular City Council meeting of the month.

All award winners receive an official "Yard of the Month" sign to be placed on their property. "Yard of the Month" winners must be willing to have photos taken and will be recognized on the City of Fort Walton Beach website and social media pages.

To learn more about Yard of the Month or to nominate a yard, visit:

https://fwb.org/406/Yard-of-the-Month

The Fort Walton Beach City Council took these official actions during a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. A video of the meeting can be found here.  A complete listing of past and future city meetings, agenda information, minutes and video recordings can be found here.

CONSENT AGENDA

Amendment to Legal Services Contract FWB 23-01 ­— Recommends City Council Approval of Amendment to Legal Services Contract FWB 2023-011. RESULT: Passed 7-0

Adoption of Downtown Design Guidelines — Recommends City Council adoption of the Downtown Design Guidelines Manual. RESULT: Passed 7-0

Memorandum of Agreement for Post Overdose Support Team (POST) Updated — Recommends City Council authorization for the Chief of Police and City Manager to

execute a Memorandum of Agreement between State of Florida, Department of Health, Okaloosa County; Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners; Law Enforcement

Agencies; Behavioral Health Agencies; and Peer Agencies. RESULT: Passed 7-0

Mutual Aid Agreement - Florida Department of Law Enforcement - Electronic Surveillance Support Team (ESST) — Recommends City Council authorization for the Chief of Police and City Manager to execute a renewal of the Mutual Aid Agreement, Electronic Surveillance Support Team (ESST), between the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Fort Walton Beach. RESULT: Passed 7-0

Award of RFQ 25-005 for General Consulting Services — Recommends City Council authorization to award RFQ No. 25-005 for General Consulting Services to various firms in accordance with the bid tabulation sheets. RESULT: Passed 7-0

FY 2025-26 Vehicle Purchases — Recommends City Council authorization to award the immediate purchase of one (1)vehicle to Action Truck Center, Inc. of Dothan, Alabama in the amount of $420,389.37; Four (4) vehicles to Duval Ford in Jacksonville, Florida in the amount of $298,300; seven (7) Police Department vehicles to Step One Automotive Group in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, including all accessories and additional supplies for a total cost of $418,278.36; two (2) Police Department vehicles to Carl Black Orlando in Orlando, Florida, including all accessories and additional supplies for a total cost of $108,474.30. RESULT: Passed 7-0

RESOLUTIONS

2025-10 Resolution Approving the Community Redevelopment Area Plan Update — Staff respectfully recommends approval of Resolution 2025-10 for the Adoption of the 2025 Community Redevelopment Area Plan Update to incorporate community policing initiatives into the CRA plan. RESULT: Passed 7-0

2025-11 Resolution Approving FDOT Traffic Improvements on Beal Parkway — Recommends City Council approval of Resolution 2025-11 and authorization for the Mayor to convey the City’s support for traffic improvements on Beal Parkway and 1st Street. RESULT: Passed 7-0

 2025-12 Resolution Regarding City Property Inventory for Workforce Housing — Recommends City Council adoption of Resolution 2025-12 declaring that a review of all City-owned property has been completed and that no property is deemed appropriate for use as affordable housing. RESULT: Passed 7-0

2025-13 Resolution Adopting the FY 2025-30 CDBG Consolidated Plan & FY 2025-26 Annual Action Plan — Recommends City Council adoption of the FY 2025-26 CDBG Annual Action Plan and the FY 2025-30 Five-Year Consolidated Plan as recommended by the Citizen’s Advisory Committee and as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Annual Action Plan is effective from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, and the Five-Year Consolidated Plan is effective from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030.

Motion made to use the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Community Development Block Grant funds for a park facility to be located in the Combs Manor neighborhood.  RESULT: Passed 5-2 

2025-14 Resolution Adopting the Citizen Participation Plan for the Community Development Block Grant — Recommends City Council adoption of the updated Citizen Participation Plan for the Community Development Block Grant Program. RESULT: Passed 7-0

ORDINANCES-FIRST READING

2187 Ordinance Amending COO Section 9.06 Loud and Unusual Noises — Recommends City Council adoption of Ordinance No. 2187, which repeals and replaces Chapter 9.06 of the Code of Ordinances in its entirety, thereby adopting the plainly audible standard for all noise violations. RESULT: Passed 7-0

2189 Ordinance Amending LDC Chapter 9 - Administrative Procedures — Recommends that the City Council adopt Ordinance 2189 to amend Chapter 9 of the Land Development Code (LDC), updating the subdivision plat application process replacing council approval with administrative approval as required by the amended Section 177.017, Florida Statutes. RESULT: Passed 7-0

ORDINANCES-SECOND READING

2186 Ordinance Amending COO Chapter 9 Offenses — Recommends City Council adoption of Ordinance No. 2186 to amend Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances related to Offenses. RESULT: Passed 6-1

2188 Ordinance Creating COO Section 9.13 Camping-Public Property, Buildings, or Right of Ways Prohibited — Recommends City Council adoption of Ordinance No. 2188 to amend Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances to improve the quality of life in the City of Fort Walton Beach by creating section 9.16 Camping on Public Property, Buildings, or Right of Ways Prohibited. RESULT: Passed 7-0

APPOINTMENTS

AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (AHAC) — Voted to appoint Councilman Merrell to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee to replace Councilman Walker, who resigned from the committee position. RESULT: Passed 7-0

ACTION-DIRECTION-DISCUSSION

Award of Contract for Public Parking Lot Construction at 147 Brooks Street SE — Recommends City Council waive the purchasing policy competitive solicitation requirements, found in Sections 3.12.7 & 3.12.4 of the purchasing policy, and award GLC Contracting, Inc. a $451,692.78 contract to construct a new parking lot. RESULT: Passed 7-0

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN OKALOOSA COUNTY AND THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH FOR DESIGN OF THE AROUND THE MOUND PROJECT — Recommends City Council authorization for the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Interlocal Agreement between Okaloosa County and the City of Fort Walton Beach for the Around the Mound project. RESULT: Passed 7-0

Proposed Ordinance Moving City Elections to November General Election Date — Motion made to move the item to the next regular council meeting on Aug. 26, 2025.  RESULT: Passed 7-0

Chester Pruitt Park historic designation — A motion was made to designate Chester Pruitt Park as a historic site in State of Florida. RESULT: Passed 7-0

The City of Fort Walton Beach congratulates Christina Donahoe of Christina Custom Art on her winning design for a new Downtown Fort Walton Beach entrance sign. For her design efforts, Donahoe was presented with a check for $5,000 during Tuesday night’s Fort Walton Beach City Council meeting.

The entrance sign will be placed at the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and Eglin Parkway SE, just west of the historic Gulfview Hotel Center, providing a visual welcome to the downtown district. The sign will be part of a larger beautification project that will include landscaping.

Donahoe’s artwork depicts a paddleboard and wave, reflecting the importance of the local area’s waterways, and features a variety of visual elements, ranging from the 1200-year-old Indian Temple Mound to the fighter jets that fly our skies.

Donahoe’s sign proposal was among a field of 46 entries in a competition organized and funded by the City of Fort Walton Beach’s Community Redevelopment Agency.

“We had a lot of wonderful entries that were deserving of the award,” said CRA Administrator Alisa Burleson. “We thank all those who participated for their efforts and great ideas.”

A committee of nine judges narrowed the field down to five entries before meeting in person in late April to select the winning design. 

Donahoe is a prolific artist, and her murals can be found at several locations in downtown Fort Walton Beach, including a large five-panel mural on the back of the Fort Walton Beach Library. 

The city will soon be sending out an RFQ (Request for Qualifications) to identify a vendor to build the sign and install it in its new home.

We'd like to congratulate and thank new City of Fort Walton Beach employee Alexis Atkinson, who works at Beal Memorial Cemetery, for helping to save the life of a woman experiencing an overdose.

Alexis has only been on the job for a week, but she’s already made a big impact. On Monday of this week she was trimming the grass at Beal Memorial Cemetery when a car pulled into the cemetery. Atkinson noticed the driver was panicked, screaming and crying on the phone, so she drove her cart over to check on her.

“She (the driver) said she needed me to call 911 because her sister (a passenger in the car) was overdosing,” said Atkinson. “I told her I had Narcan, and I ran to my truck to get it.”

Atkinson returned to the car to administer the anti-overdose medication to the unconscious woman in the passenger seat. She gave the woman two doses of Narcan, and began sternal rubs to help stabilize her breathing.

“It still wasn’t enough,” said Atkison. “The Fire Department administered two more Narcan doses and then she finally came back.”

The woman was stabilized and transported for treatment, and Atkinson said she has already heard from the patient’s sister that she had survived the overdose.

“I have many friends who have died to addiction,” said Atkinson, including one close friend who passed away this year because no one had Narcan to administer him.

“Ever since then, I’ve told myself that I’m always going to have Narcan on me,” said Atkinson, who got the medication from Bridgeway Center, Inc. Monday’s incident was the first opportunity she’s had to administer the medication.

“It was super easy and self-explanatory,” said Atkinson, who had no prior first aid experience. “I just kept telling myself that this is someone else’s baby and she’s going to make it out; I had no fear that she was going to die.”

“We really appreciate our employees,” said City Manager Jeff Peters. “But to have somebody like that, especially in the short time she’s been here, do something like that is truly outstanding.”