By Cali Hlavac Crystal LaFosse had a vision of starting a fishing club through all her work in the fishing industry, and 2022 was the year she brought that dream to life: The Emerald Coast Big Game Fishing Club was born. As the Founder and Director of the Emerald Coast Big Game Fishing Club (ECBGFC), Crystal has experience running marinas, tackle shops, tournaments and events, boat provisions and is passionate about all things fishing. “The momentum of ECBGFC is going strong and it’s exciting to see my vision come to life,” LaFosse said. Last year was an incredible first year for ECBGFC, with more than 225 members and many supporting sponsors. They held four themed club meeting events for members to get together and discuss hot fishing topics, stories and upcoming events. They also kicked off the year with a Billfish Extravaganza tournament, including 15 boats participating and paying out more than $100,000. A Youth Tournament was next, with more than 60 youth anglers participating and tons of prizes awarded. Then Hit the Gulf, a month-long tournament where teams compete by picking two consecutive days to fish with a payout over $20,000. They concluded the year with a black-tie Sportsman’s Ball hosted at the Destin FWB Convention Center, with more than 300 attendees and an awards presentation to top teams and anglers. ECBGFC’s mission is more than just bringing anglers together. It is the only group hosting tournaments on the Gulf Coast that are catch and release for the... Read More

  From the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Spring Break seems to bring a wide-ranging combination of emotions to residents of Okaloosa County. However, there’s no getting past the fact that our beaches continue to be a major Spring Break hot spot for college and high school students, families and locals. The influx brings an economic boost to local businesses, but also the stereotypical crowded beaches and roadways. Reservation numbers for the 2023 Spring Break season appear to indicate Spring Break activity will meet or surpass 2022 levels. Okaloosa County focuses on attracting families during the two-month period but is also a popular spot for high school and college Spring Breakers. In an effort to ensure visitors enjoy our area in a safe, respectful, and lawful manner, we have a plan that includes multiple public safety goals and objectives each Spring Break. That plan begins with designated units monitoring beach and vacation rental areas for unlawful activities and using proactive patrol methods to detect and apprehend anyone involved in criminal activity – which can range from underage possession of alcohol to open house parties, or possession of controlled substances, to violations of Okaloosa County and City of Destin ordinances. Another top priority is to assist Okaloosa County and City of Destin lifeguards with the prevention of drowning incidents. During the 58 days of Spring Break in 2022, 659 Notices to Appear (NTA) were issued for violation of Underage Possession of Alcohol. The 659 issued NTA’s during Spring Break 2022 was the... Read More

  By Christopher Manson Scott Rude calls himself “the founding member” of 100 Men Who Care Emerald Coast. Rude (pronounced Rudy) is “semi-retired” and spent three years teaching business management at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. After leaving the university, he worked for Shell Oil in New Orleans. He and his family visited our beaches on the weekends and decided this is where they wanted to live. Jean, Rude’s wife of 24 years, was very happy with the choice they made. In Iowa, Rude was a member of the Hawkeye chapter of 100 Men Who Care. Upon relocating, he looked for a local chapter, but there wasn’t one around. “The only thing to do was start one,” he says. In 2021, 100 Men Who Care Emerald Coast launched with considerable help from Fort Walton Beach’s 100+ Women Who Care honcho Kelly Bomar-Fuller. Rude recently attended a check presentation for Healing Hoof Steps. “I hadn’t heard of them,” he says. “I had no idea how many organizations there were in Okaloosa and Walton counties that are trying to help people in our community.” The Crestview-based nonprofit offers horse therapy to veterans with PTSD, as well as young children who have autism. The 100 Men Who Care have given to Crossroads Medical Center, too. The Valparaiso free clinic serves homeless people and folks trying to make ends meet. “They do an unbelievable service,” says Rude. “We gave them a little over $3,000 and they showed us how they could turn... Read More

  Pink meanie jellyfish (Drymonema larsoni) are a unique species of jellyfish that have been observed in the Gulf of Mexico since 2000. With a bell diameter of up to 60 cm and a distinctive pink color, they are hard to miss. While they are not considered to be highly venomous, their short frilly appendages around the bell can cause mild stinging sensations or irritation if they come into contact with skin. In some cases, they have also been known to cause respiratory problems for people who have inhaled their stinging cells. If you’re planning a visit to the Gulf coast of Florida between Panama City and Destin, it’s important to stay informed about jellyfish sightings and take appropriate precautions to avoid coming into contact with them. When pink meanie jellyfish are present, it’s best to stay out of the water or wear protective clothing or swimwear. If you do get stung by a pink meanie jellyfish, you may experience a burning sensation, itching, or a prickly feeling. In some cases, the area around the sting may become red and swollen. If you experience any difficulty breathing or other severe symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Pink meanie jellyfish tend to be most common in the Gulf of Mexico during the summer months. While they are not considered to be as dangerous as some other types of jellyfish, they can still pose a risk to swimmers and beachgoers, especially if they are caught off guard or unaware of their presence. By... Read More

  “Visionary conductor/composer Steve Hackman allows us to “rethink how music is connected” SINFONIA GULF COAST PRESENTS BEETHOVEN V. COLDPLAY: A MERGING OF MUSICAL GIANTS, APRIL 29 DESTIN, FL (March 30, 2023) – Sinfonia Gulf Coast once again redefines the symphony experience with Beethoven V. Coldplay: A Merging of Musical Giants, on Saturday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. A merging of musical giants, Beethoven V. Coldplay pairs two composer/artists that deal with universal human themes in their respective music. Visionary conductor/composer Steve Hackman transforms Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony into an anthem, weaving the melodies and lyrics of contemporary rock band Coldplay into Beethoven’s score based on content and context. It is the Eroica Beethoven may have created had he known the music of Coldplay at the time. Awe-inspiring vocalists join Sinfonia Gulf Coast to perform interpolations of many of Coldplay’s most beloved songs, including Yellow, Viva La Vida, and The Scientist. “When you mash up Beethoven with something on the pop scene like Coldplay, it’s unexpected. This concert is a melding of interwoven musical notation with amazing vocalists that makes for a remarkable concert,” says Sinfonia Gulf Coast music & artistic director Demetrius Fuller. “It’s an incredible way to rethink how music is connected. Steve Hackman is a brilliant musician composer and arranger and this piece is totally unique, but also totally accessible.” A multi-hyphenate music powerhouse and visionary producer, Steve Hackman is a daring voice leading the change... Read More