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🌱 Why Fort Walton Beach said no to a Destin-style county dispatch
Destin, Florida Patch AM: a 4 min readMorning Destin! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Fort Walton Beach said no to a Destin-style county dispatch
- How these new yellow tubes could save lives on Destin beaches
- Destin student’s award-winning essay headed to July 4 museum spotlight
Today's riddle: What do sweet potatoes wear to bed? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: Partly sunny and humid, with a high of 88 and low of 77 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 87, low: 78.
- Sunday: Humid with a stray t-storm, with a high of 87 and low of 80 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Fort Walton Beach City Council declines to seek full-time Sheriff's Office dispatch proposal (getthecoast.com) — Fort Walton Beach council narrowly rejected even requesting a proposal to shift city dispatch to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, despite supporters pointing to Destin’s existing county-run dispatch handling more calls. The debate centered on looming tax-driven budget pressures, possible cost savings, staff morale, pensions, and whether outsourcing key services could erode local control and overnight support residents rely on. 
2. Rotary clubs expand rescue tube project across Okaloosa County beaches (getthecoast.com) — Destin residents will soon see even more bright yellow rescue tubes at local beach access points, as the Rotary Club of Destin expands its lifesaving project across Okaloosa County. With new stations planned at James Lee Park and existing tubes already credited with hundreds of successful rescues nationwide, the club is seeking local sponsors to help keep swimmers safer in the Gulf.
3. Okaloosa students earn top honors in America 250 contest (niceville.com) — A Destin Middle School student, Lilly Lopez, has earned first place in a countywide America 250 history writing contest, bringing pride to her school and principal-mom, Mandy Lopez. Her winning essay, along with runner-up Aisha Ramirez’s from Pryor Middle, will be showcased July 4 at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, giving Destin families a chance to celebrate local student achievement.
4. Sargassum seaweed coats Florida beaches. See conditions via beach cams (nwfdailynews.com) — Destin Beach is among several Florida beaches now dealing with sargassum seaweed, and you can check live conditions anytime through the Destin Chamber’s beach cam. The piece explains what sargassum is, when it typically peaks, and highlights statewide tools for tracking seaweed levels before you head to the water.
5. One Year After House Settlement, NIL Enforcement Is Still Muddled (frontofficesports.com) — College sports leaders recently met in Destin as part of ongoing efforts to untangle new NIL and revenue-sharing rules, but enforcement remains inconsistent a year after the House settlement. The College Sports Commission’s NIL Go platform faces long approval delays, disputed rules, and fresh lawsuits, leaving athletes, schools, and brands frustrated over stalled deals and unclear authority.
📸 Around Destin
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Destin
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
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Karaoke at American Legion Post 296
Destin Chamber of Commerce Davis-Sikes American Legion Post 296 311 Main Street Destin, FL32541
7:00 pm -
City of Destin "Painting at the Park" →
Destin, FL Calendar, 206 Harbor Boulevard, Destin
9:00 am -
Massagetopia Grand Opening Event →
Destin Chamber of Commerce Massagetopia Summit Office Building 42 Business Center Dr. Ste. 304 Miramar Beach, FL 32550
9:00 am -
Baytowne Wharf Farmers Market
Destin Chamber of Commerce 4484 Legendary Dr A, Destin, FL 32541
9:00 am -
Hats on the Horizon: A Benefit for The Arc of the Emerald Coast →
Destin Chamber of Commerce Jake and Henry's FWB
11:00 am -
Saturday Social at HarborWalk Village →
Destin Chamber of Commerce HarborWalk Village 10 Harbor Blvd. Destin, FL 32541
6:00 pm -
Sunday Breakfast at American Legion Post 296
Destin Chamber of Commerce Davis-Sikes American Legion Post 296 311 Main Street Destin, FL 32541
8:15 am
Friday June 12
Saturday June 13
Sunday June 14
📣 Destin Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
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Putting Green Open Play →
Niceville, FL Calendar, 201 Campbell Drive, Niceville
8:30 am -
Mexican Train Dominoes →
Niceville, FL Calendar, 201 Campbell Drive, Niceville
10:00 am -
Summer Story Time Class (Ages 3-6) →
Niceville, FL Calendar, 206 Partin Drive North, Niceville
10:30 am -
Coloring & Coffee →
Valparaiso Community Library, 459 Valparaiso Pkwy, Valparaiso
11:00 am
Friday June 12
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Wellness at the Water is happening this Sunday at HarborWalk Village from 9 AM–2 PM.
It’s a waterfront wellness event with yoga, movement, recovery experiences, local wellness vendors, samples, and a relaxed community feel right on… (Nextdoor Crystal Beach) - BOLO for this guy !
He came strolling by around 10:30 this morning on Jupiter St! (Nextdoor Bayou - Main Street)
- Sam's Club posted a job opening for Cart Attendant in Destin. Apply here.
- J Crew posted a job opening for Stock Associate in Destin. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Destin here.
Ok Destin! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Yammies! (Thank you Lynda S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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