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... Read More

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

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... Read More

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... Read More

For Gap Creek Residents, Flooding Problems Are Not Wishlist Items Tricia Elliott February 19, 2026 9:00 am Fort Walton Beach, Hurlburt Field, Okaloosa County, Public Safety Gap Creek’s flooding problem is no secret to local leaders, environmental advocates, or residents — but despite years of complaints and renewed attention, the creek remains largely unchanged, caught in a bureaucratic cycle where no single entity has taken clear responsibility for a solution. Gap Creek flows through a complex patchwork of jurisdictions, including unincorporated Okaloosa County, the City of Fort Walton Beach, state-owned roadways, and areas near federal military installations such as Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field. That overlapping authority has played a significant role in slowing progress, according to community leaders. Sabu Williams, President of the Okaloosa County Branch of the NAACP, has advocated for funding to fix the multiple issues that plague the area. In a statement to Mid Bay News, he explained that several governments bear responsibility for the issues that take place in the area, which sits at the lower end of the socioeconomic scale, and is inhabited by a higher proportion of minorities than the surrounding area.     “Gap Creek runs from federal property at Hurlburt Field into the City of Fort Walton Beach, then into the county, through the City of Cinco Bayou, and finally out into the bay,” Williams explained, “That means federal property, county property, multiple municipalities, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers all have some responsibility for the creek.” The... Read More

 [[{“value”:” The Walton County Tourism Department is expanding its free Beach Tram service on March 1, with routes running from the new 393 Municipal Parking Facility, which is 4 blocks north of 30A on Hwy 393 at Gulf Place,  and Grayton Beach Municipal Parking Facility, which is 4 blocks north of 30A on Hwy 283. Note that these large public parking lots have covered waiting areas with seating and restrooms, as well as inside air-conditioned waiting areas with local art. “}]]  SoWal.com  Read More

  Have some Panama City Beach trivia on hand for your next trip to the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches! Check out these 10 fun facts about Panama City Beach that might just surprise you. 1. Lake Powell, at the west end of Panama City Beach, is the largest dune lake in Florida. Dune lakes are rare   Read More