Community Corner

🌱 How Hurricane Ivan still shapes Destin’s beaches and politics today

Happening soon: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness on the Destin Patch calendar

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Thursday September 17th Patch AM
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Hey hey Destin! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Hurricane Ivan still shapes Destin's beaches and politics today
  • Meet the new Miss Destin before the Fishing Rodeo kicks off
  • Destin councilman faces felony grand theft charge; what we know so far

Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: When geese fly, one side is longer than the other. do you know why that is ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Sunny, warm and less humid, with a high of 94 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: An afternoon thunderstorm, temps: high: 92, low: 74.
  • Saturday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm, with a high of 89 and low of 75 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. HISTORY: Hurricane Ivan the Terrible makes dramatic landfall (midbaynews.com) — Destin residents are reminded how devastating Hurricane Ivan was locally, from Highway 98 washouts and destroyed beachfront buildings to long power outages and neighbors helping each other clear debris. The piece also explains how Ivan intensified long-running "sand wars" over beach renourishment and public access, a fight that still shapes Walton and Okaloosa County politics today.
   

2. Community welcomes Miss Destin 2026 Kaylynn Hayles at The Alice (thedestinlog.com) — Destin residents just welcomed Miss Destin 2026, 17-year-old Kaylynn Hayles, at a packed Meet Miss Destin gathering at The Alice on Choctawhatchee Bay. She'll represent the city throughout the 78th annual Destin Fishing Rodeo in October, where AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar will again host daily weigh-ins on the harbor docks.
   

3. Destin city councilman Rodney Braden arrested on felony grand theft charge (weartv.com) — A sitting Destin city councilman, 64-year-old Rodney Braden, was recently arrested in Okaloosa County on a third-degree felony grand theft charge involving $10,000 to $20,000. He's out on bond, and the City of Destin says it will withhold comment while the legal process plays out, as reporters seek more details on the case.
   

4. Four Fall Fishing Destinations (sportfishingmag.com) — Anglers around Destin can look forward to blackfin tuna moving close enough to shore in fall for serious pier action, especially on overcast, windy days. The article shares specific tackle, lures, and conditions that have produced 30-pound fish near Pensacola and Destin, plus tips for other top fall fisheries if you're planning regional trips.
   

5. Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation rebrands as Northwest Florida Children's Foundation (getthecoast.com) — A well-known local nonprofit behind the Destin Charity Wine Auction has rebranded as the Northwest Florida Children's Foundation to reflect its wider impact across the Panhandle. Based in nearby Miramar Beach, the group will keep the Destin Charity Wine Auction and Harvest Wine & Food Festival names while continuing to fund dozens of children's charities, including several serving Okaloosa County families.
   

📸 Around Destin

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Destin

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📣 Destin Shout Outs!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • We need to order pizzas tomorrow night and in the past we have been using one that we're wanting a different one.
    Who do you guys use that is reasonably priced and tastes good ? (Nextdoor Regatta Bay)
  • Gecko Hospitality posted a job opening for Revenue Manager in Destin. Apply here.
  • MAPCO Express, Inc. posted a job opening for Store Associate - #341 - Destin, FL 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: because there are more geese on that side (Thank you jo L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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