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🌱 Which Fort Walton Beach restaurants just failed key state health inspections?
Fort Walton Beach, Florida Patch AM: a 5 min readMorning Fort Walton Beach! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Which Fort Walton Beach restaurants just failed key state health inspections?
- Why Fort Walton-Destin Hospital nurses say patient safety is at risk
- How a Fort Walton Beach couple took their infertility story national
Today's riddle: What did the carpenter ant say when he walked into the bar? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 86 and low of 67 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Thursday: Breezy in the morning; sunny, temps: high: 85, low: 71.
- Friday: Breezy in the morning, with a high of 85 and low of 73 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. State cites 9 Okaloosa County restaurants for high-priority violations (nwfdailynews.com) — Several Fort Walton Beach restaurants, including spots on Eglin Parkway, James Lee Road, Miracle Strip Parkway, and Santa Rosa Boulevard, were cited for high‑priority health violations in late May, triggering required follow‑up inspections. Issues ranged from unsafe food temperatures and sanitizer problems to license expirations, though none were deemed an immediate public threat. State officials explain how inspections work and how residents can report concerns. 
2. HCA Fort Walton-Destin Hospital nurses picket over alleged safety concerns, short staffing (weartv.com) — Nurses at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital in Fort Walton Beach staged an informational picket Tuesday, saying chronic short staffing is putting patient safety at risk. Hospital leaders insist staffing meets standards and highlight national safety awards, while unionized nurses describe caring for far more patients than recommended as they continue contract negotiations.
3. ‘It's not just you': A Fort Walton Beach couple's journey through male infertility leads to national TV (getthecoast.com) — A Fort Walton Beach native and his wife are openly sharing their struggle with male infertility, from local roots to surgery in Atlanta and a recent appearance on Tamron Hall’s show. Their story highlights how few resources exist for men, the emotional toll on couples, and why Tyler now urges other local men to get proactive fertility testing for their future families.
4. Cox employees award $60,000 in grants to six Gulf Coast nonprofits (getthecoast.com) — Cox Communications employees just awarded $60,000 in grants at The Place on Beal in Fort Walton Beach, supporting six nonprofits that directly serve Okaloosa and Walton County kids. From new beds for local children to free STEM and environmental programs, these employee-funded grants will expand hands-on learning, summer STEAM activities, and conservation education for thousands of area students and families.
5. South Walton's Coleman Borthwick named 2026 Gatorade Florida Baseball Player of the Year (getthecoast.com) — A new Panhandle star is joining Fort Walton Beach legend Danny Wuerffel in the area’s sports pantheon. South Walton senior pitcher and shortstop Coleman Borthwick has been named the 2025-26 Gatorade Florida Baseball Player of the Year after a dominant, state-title season that’s made him a top national prospect.
📸 Around Fort Walton Beach
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Fort Walton Beach
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
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Coffee with the City Manager →
Fort Walton Beach, FL Calendar Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
8:00 am -
Association of Financial Educators Workshop at the UWF - FWB Location - An Estate Planning and Long-Term Care Lunch and Learn
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce University of West Florida Fort Walton Location Building 1 - Classroom 126 1170 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
11:00 am -
Local Planning Agency Meeting →
Fort Walton Beach, FL Calendar, 107 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW, Fort Walton Beach
5:30 pm -
First Friday Coffee, sponsored by loanDepot Emerald Coast
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce Christian Life Center First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach 126 Harbeson Ave SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
7:00 am -
"Special Date" New Member Luncheon -RSVP Required
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce 34 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
11:00 am -
Anne of Green Gables
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium 109 Miracle Strip Pkwy FWB, FL 32548
7:30 pm -
The Decades by Request - A DJ Hosted Events
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce The Gulf Club Restaurant and Sports Pub 960 Highway 98, in the Sunsations Plaza, one block West from Big Kahuna's
8:00 pm -
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, FL 32548
9:00 am
Thursday June 4
Friday June 5
Saturday June 6
📣 Fort Walton Beach Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Unearth the Story of Oak Tree Nature Park. 13+ →
Mary Esther Public Library, 100 Hollywood Blvd W, Mary Esther
9:00 am -
Lunch N Learn; Peoples Home Health; Dementia Rehab
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce Chamber Conference Room 34 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE Fort Walton Beach
11:00 am -
INJURY PREVENTION & MEMORY GAMES
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce AIRFORCE BOB VILLAGE
2:00 pm -
Ribbon Cutting: River Bank & Trust Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting
Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce 36150 Emerald Coast Pkwy. Ste. 106, Destin, FL 32541
4:00 pm
Wednesday June 3
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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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Recently divorced, sold the property and the lawn looks horrendous.
The property has been vacant for a loooooong time. Anyone do a 1 time polishing manicuring of the lawn for me to turn into the new owners? (Nextdoor McFarlan) - We need helper for yard work asap.
I can’t pay more than $15/hr. Please don’t contact me if you are looking to get paid more. Ideal for someone who wants to make quick cash -… (Nextdoor Colony Estates)
- Government Jobs posted a job opening for Custodian - Fort Walton Beach (Fri-Mon, 4:00 am - 2:30 pm) in Fort Walton Beach. Apply here.
- Disabledperson, Inc posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate at Walmart in Fort Walton Beach, Florida in Fort Walton Beach. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Fort Walton Beach here.
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: Is the bar tender here? (Thank you W. M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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