🌱 Sheriff’s office seeks tips after armed home invasion near Fort Walton Beach

Hi Fort Walton Beach! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Sheriff’s office seeks tips after armed home invasion near Fort Walton Beach
• How Fort Walton Beach’s “Freshie Four” are powering a tennis title run
• How a multi-county carjacking chase ended on Fort Walton Beach streets

Today's riddle: How do you measure a fish? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 78 and low of 62 degrees.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny and nice, temps: high: 78, low: 66.
• Friday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 78 and low of 68 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

1. Deputies investigate armed home invasion on Pilgrim Avenue near Fort Walton Beach (getthecoast.com) — Deputies are investigating an armed home invasion late Sunday night at a residence on Pilgrim Avenue near Fort Walton Beach, where occupants escaped life‑threatening injuries. Two masked suspects reportedly demanded property and fled, and investigators are asking anyone with information or surveillance footage to contact the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers.
   

2. FWB girls tennis sweeps region semifinals, eyes region crown (nwfdailynews.com) — Fort Walton Beach’s girls tennis team just swept Suwannee 7-0 at Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center, moving within one win of a second straight regional title. Led by the tight-knit “Freshie Four” and standout doubles pair Reese Armstrong and Penelope Gordon, the Vikings now head to Gainesville heavily favored to claim the region crown and return to state.
   

3. Two in custody after armed carjacking, multi-county pursuit (mypanhandle.com) — A multi-county police pursuit ended in Fort Walton Beach after deputies say two suspects in a stolen truck crashed into multiple vehicles and tried to run before being arrested. Authorities report several people, including an Okaloosa deputy, were injured but none seriously, and multiple firearms were recovered as the pair now face numerous felony charges.
   

4. Shalimar teen builds pollinator garden at Valparaiso Library for Eagle Scout project (getthecoast.com) — Local businesses in Fort Walton Beach helped a Shalimar teen complete an Eagle Scout project by donating materials and educational content for a new pollinator garden at the Valparaiso Community Library. The garden features native plants, interpretive signs, and bee-friendly mulch paths, creating both a quiet retreat and a hands-on learning space for families from Valparaiso, Niceville, and Fort Walton Beach.
   

5. Illegal immigrant deported after serving 4 years for fatal Fort Walton Beach hit-and-run (weartv.com) — A woman convicted in a 2020 fatal hit-and-run on Miracle Strip Parkway in Fort Walton Beach has been deported shortly after completing a four-year state prison sentence. Federal immigration officials say she previously missed an immigration hearing and remained in the country unlawfully before the crash that killed local resident David Hayes.
   

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📸 Around Fort Walton Beach

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Fort Walton Beach

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Thursday April 23

• The Chamber's 80th Anniversary Celebration
  Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park , 1010 Miracle Strip Parkway, SE , Fort Walton Beach
  5:00 pm

Friday April 24

• The Decades by Request - A DJ Hosted Events
  The Gulf Club Restaurant and Sports Pub , 960 Highway 98 , Destin
  8:00 pm

Saturday April 25

• Downtown FWB Saturday Market
  Fort Walton Beach Landing Park , 139 Brooks St SE , Fort Walton Beach
  8:00 am
• CALM Furniture Resale Store Open 9am -1pm, every Saturday of the month
  Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce , 34 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE , Fort Walton Beach
  9:00 am

Sunday April 26

• VFW Post 7674 - Sunday Breakfast
  VFW Post 7674 , 231 Carol Ave , Fort Walton Beach
  8:00 am

Monday April 27

• Trivia Night in Downtown Fort Walton Beach
  Soundside , 189 Brooks St SE , Fort Walton Beach
  6:00 pm

Tuesday April 28

• 1st responders EMT and hospital workers
  Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce , 417 Mary Esther Blvd , Mary Esther
• Community Redevelopment Agency Regular Meeting
  Fort Walton Beach, FL Calendar , 107 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW , Fort Walton Beach
  4:00 pm

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📣 Fort Walton Beach Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday April 22

• Baby & Toddler Story Time
  Mary Esther, FL Calendar , 100 Hollywood Blvd , Mary Esther
  10:30 am
• Music Trivia hosted by BAMF Trivia
  The Gulf Club Restaurant and Sports Pub , 960 Hwy. 98 , Destin
  6:00 pm

Thursday April 23

• 3 - 6 yrs old Story Time
  Mary Esther Public Library , 100 Hollywood Blvd W , Mary Esther
  10:30 am
• Youth Center Gymnastics Classes – School Age 4:15 PM
  Eglin AFB Youth Center , 2582 Hatchee Rd , Eglin AFB
  4:15 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Does anyone by chance have any kitten milk?
  Found a kitten in the middle of the road and nothings open. (Nextdoor Ferry Park)
• Um I just heard a little girl screaming and a car speed off it was very fast on near Kinfolks by the Chez Alon apartments.
  Could be nothing but I figured I would say something. (Nextdoor Wright)

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Ok Fort Walton Beach! 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: By inches because they have no feet. (Thank you Gypsy S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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