Business

Meet the 2026 City of FWB Council Candidates

By RJ Murdock — 3 weeks ago

Watch the live stream of the 2026 “Meet the Candidates Forum” for the City of Fort Walton Beach City Council. The event took place on September 14, 2026, with a walk-around candidate interviews starting at 5:30pm and the Q&A Forum segment starting at 6:15pm. This event took place at The Venue on 109 Brooks Street SE in Fort Walton Beach, Florida and was sponsored & hosted by Beach Weekend, the venue owners. The live stream was produced and edited by Emerald Coast TV.

The candidates invited to attend are:

Brandon Bishop
Schuyler Black
Steve Caldarelli
Tyler Capelotti
Gloria DeBerry (incumbent)
Denise Dierker
Glen Guarin
Jeffrey Pendleton
Matthew Turpin
Payne Walker (incumbent)

The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.

70th Billy Bowlegs Torchlight Parade 2026

By RJ Murdock — 5 months ago

The pirates have invaded the City of Fort Walton Beach, Florida again, as they have for the 70 years. The Billy Bowlegs Torchlight Parade took place on May 18, 2026 on the street of Eglin Parkway in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Hosted by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Okaloosa Gas.

Congratulations to this year’s parade entry winners:
– Best Vehicle: The 5 Ride, Inc.
– Best Float: 850 Social Babes
– Best Krewe: Krewe of Dominique Youx
– Best Walkers: Panhandle United Roller Derby

Parade Line Up Index:

00:00 Welcome
05:26 Okaloosa Gas Commercial #1
05:44 Krewe of Alexandria
06:09 FWB Police Department
07:28 FWB Fire Department
08:13 Okaloosa Gas Commercial #2
08:16 Run With It
09:36 SOCKS – Save Our Cats and Kittens
11:18 Coastal Preparatory School
11:49 Americas International Miss Florida, Bailey Scheel
12:24 Comfort Keepers
13:02 The Sleep Center
13:40 Sandy Smiles Orthodontics
14:18 Advantage HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical
15:02 Fort Walton Rehabilitation Center
16:03 Metro Power, Inc.
16:35 Advanced Sacred Hope Academy
17:50 Serious Mysterious
18:04 Okaloosa REPUBLICAN CLUB
21:08 Sons of the American Revolution
21:56 JERRY BUCKMAN FOR OKALOOSA SCHOOL BOARD
22:29 Waste Management of Fort Walton Beach
23:37 Bridgeway Center Inc
24:08 Emerald Coast Parrot Head Club
24:47 Wayne’s Pest Control Services LLC
25:33 Pyramid Inc
25:49 Ballers Fitness – Fort Walton Beach LLC.
26:27 Mardi Gras Club FWB
28:04 Panhandle United Roller Derby
28:41 Visiting You Senior Home Care
29:09 Daher Contracting, Inc
29:59 The 5 Ride, Inc.
30:34 850 Social Babes
32:02 Hot Head Burritos
32:25 Miss Okaloosa County, Fort Walton Beach & Niceville
34:18 Navarre Krewe of Jesters
35:15 Krewe of Dominique Youx
36:14 Krewe of St. Andrews
36:58 Krewe De Yak
37:40 Krewe of Airship Pirates
38:41 Krewe of Karibbean
39:25 Springtime Tallahassee
39:57 Krewe of Columbus
40:43 Krewe of Lafitte
42:06 Krewe of Bowlegs
44:01 Niceville Fire Department
44:18 Krewe of Vulcans
45:15 Captain Billy Bowlegs, Queen & Krewe

Video produced by RJ Murdock with Emerald Coast TV

National Civic Bee – Okaloosa County – March 11, 2025

By RJ Murdock — 2 years ago

Watch the archive video of the first ever Civic Bee competition in Florida, which took place on March 11, 2025 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. It was hosted the the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Eglin Federal Credit Union, Cox Communications, and Conexion Media Group.

Video by RJ Murdock, Emerald Coast TV.

City of Fort Walton Beach Council Candidates Forum 2025

By RJ Murdock — 2 years ago

Watch the video of the City of Fort Walton Beach City Council’s Candidates Forum recorded live at “The Venue on Brooks Street” in downtown Fort Walton Beach at 6pm on February 4, 2025.

Hosted by Emerald Coast Association of Realtors, the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and Beach Weekend.

Okaloosa County 2024 Candidates Forum

By RJ Murdock — 2 years ago

Watch the live stream HD REPLAY of the Okaloosa County 2024 Candidates Forum on June 27, 2024 at the Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium at 5pm. Candidates invited are running for the Okaloosa County Commissioners Districts 1, 3 & 5; the Okaloosa County School Board #2; and the Okaloosa County Sheriff. The Greater FWB Chamber of Commerce and ECAR Emerald Coast Association of Realtors are hosting this event.

Chapter Points:
0:00:09 Welcome
0:02:31 Supervisor of Elections – Paul Lux
0:06:29 Panel Introduction
0:08:09 School Board District #2 Candidates
0:36:18 School Board Candidates Closing Statements
0:41:02 County Commissioners District #1, #3, & #5
1:45:45 County Commissioner Candidates Closing Statements
1:56:51 County Sheriff Candidates
2:28:36 Sheriff Candidates Closing Statements

68th Billy Bowlegs Torchlight Parade 2024

By RJ Murdock — 2 years ago

Ahoy Matey! Tis’ the Billy Bowlegs Torchlight Parade, recorded live on May 20, 2024 on Eglin Pkwy in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Brought to you by the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and Step One Automotive Group. Enjoy!

2023 Fort Walton Beach Christmas Parade

By RJ Murdock — 3 years ago

Relive the magic of the 2023 Fort Walton Beach Christmas Parade, which took place on December 4, 2023 on Eglin parkway. Host by the City of Fort Walton Beach and emceed by Ted Corcoran from the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and Mark Kilbride from Eglin Wealth Management (the parade’s broadcast sponsor).

The parade video will air on the local Cox Cable Channel 6 on:

Tuesday, 12/12 at 8pm
Thursday, 12/14 at 8pm
Saturday, 12/16 at 10am

Parade Entries Timeline
0:00:11 FWB Police
0:03:23 Choctawhatchee High School AFJROTC
0:05:36 FWB City Council & City Staff
0:06:50 FWB Library
0:07:49 Ft. Walton Beach High School AFJROTC
0:08:47 County Comm & Destin-Fort Walton Tourism
0:10:21 David Schmidt Okaloosa School Board District 2 Candidate
0:11:01 Florosa Fire Control
0:12:02 Trinity United Methodist Church
0:13:32 Bridgeway Center, Inc.
0:14:20 Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson
0:14:50 Big Gus Tractor & Mower
0:15:27 Hot Head Burritos
0:15:41 Okaloosa County Panhellenics
0:16:39 Choctawhatchee Bay Chapter DAR
0:17:02 United Fidelity Bank
0:17:36 J Mikels LawnCare, LLC
0:18:40 Autism Awareness
0:19:10 Pryor Middle School Cheerleaders
0:19:49 Choctawhatchee HS Indianettes
0:22:21 Choctawhatchee HS Style Marchers, Meigs MS, Pryor MS
0:24:29 The Honey Do Service
0:25:16 The Scouts of Choctaw District, Gulf Coast Council BSA
0:25:52 Ft. Walton ATA Martial Arts
0:26:07 Cinco Baptist Church and School
0:26:51 Liza Jackson Band
0:27:34 Northwest Florida State College
0:27:55 Sonny’s BBQ
0:28:18 Michles & Booth, P.A.
0:29:38 Distinguished Young Women of Okaloosa County
0:29:56 Sandy Smiles Orthodontics
0:30:15 Marine Corps Toys for Tots
0:30:39 Fast Signs
0:31:14 First Baptist Church FWB – NexGen Ministries
0:31:36 FWBHS Stars Dance Team & BMS Sparklers
0:32:46 FWBHS Cheerleaders
0:33:21 Intro to Parade Judges
0:35:17 FWBHS & Bruner Middle School Bands
0:39:30 Silver Sands School
0:39:56 Aftertime Bio
0:40:20 Cheesus Food Truck FWB
0:41:40 Plant Based Wellness Con Sabor
0:42:21 Emerald City Gymnastics
0:44:31 Pyramid, Inc.
0:44:52 Ohana Heating and Air, LLC
0:45:20 Cumulus Media
0:46:17 Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center
0:46:54 Saint Mary Catholic School Band
0:47:38 House of Deliverance Church
0:48:03 Angels Care Home Health
0:48:33 Shoreline Church
0:50:22 The Salvation Army
0:51:33 Healing Paws for Warriors
0:52:49 Shelton Cleaning Services, LLC
0:54:20 Distributor Appliance Parts & Destin Towing
0:56:22 World Class Pagentry, LLC
0:57:13 Cub Scouts Pack 527
0:57:38 Brad Embry Campaign for Clerk of Court
0:57:58 Navarre Band
0:58:36 Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
1:00:34 Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Mary Esther
1:01:35 Second Breath Styles
1:02:09 Ocean City Church
1:02:40 Kylashy
1:02:59 Caliber Car Wash
1:03:18 FWB Buccaneers Youth Football & Cheer
1:04:32 The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-Day Saints
1:05:11 Moose Lodge 2193
1:06:38 Festival of Fears
1:08:02 Blue Rose Beauty Bar, Inc.
1:08:29 Trail Life Troop FL-777
1:09:27 Genesis Jones, Tiny Miss FWB
1:09:45 The Panhandle Jeepettes
1:12:24 Coastal Realty Services
1:12:49 Dolphin Home Services
1:13:32 Idris Temple # 239, Prince Hall Shriners
1:14:08 Studio Fuzion Dance Center
1:15:00 Refit with Rene @ME UMC
1:15:28 Misfit Jeeps
1:17:00 Tienda La Mexicana & Taqueria
1:17:14 Boss Pavers of Destin
1:17:43 Hanks Lawn & Landscape
1:19:00 Dino-Latino
1:20:39 Dixieland Chicken Co
1:22:04 Champion Life
1:24:10 Parker Destin for Okaloosa School Board
1:24:50 Accurate Painting/API Coatings Family
1:25:38 Acone’s Trailer Rental
1:26:07 Shalimar United Methodist Church
1:27:10 Infinity Barber Shop & Salon
1:27:40 Culver’s of Fort Walton Beach
1:28:15 Okaloosa Republicans
1:29:20 Southwest Airlines VPS
1:29:39 Executive Air Cooling Heating & Refrigeration & Royce Plumbing
1:30:11 Legendary Gutter Service, LLC
1:31:33 Waste Management of FWB
1:32:18 Emerald Coast Head Turners Car Club
1:33:48 Panhandle United Roller Derby
1:34:47 Emerald Coast Hospice
1:35:04 Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast
1:35:26 The Island Resort
1:36:33 Nauti Dawg Rescue
1:37:03 Shalimar Athletic Association
1:37:43 StageCrafters Community Theatre
1:38:16 Genesis Barber Institute’s Haircuts for the Holidays
1:38:44 Emerald Coast Flooring
1:40:24 Third Coast Marine
1:41:09 Street Predatorz
1:43:21 Shalimar Lawn Care and The Haven
1:44:11 Grifols Biomat Plasma Center
1:44:40 Indian Mound Elks Lodge #1205
1:45:13 Lost Pizza Company FWB
1:46:11 Wade Albert Merritt Committee to Elect Okaloosa Co Comm District 3
1:47:25 Emerald Coast Exchange Club
1:47:57 Facial Feature Enhancement Studio
1:48:16 Gods Glory
1:48:46 Mills Heating and Air
1:49:37 Beulah First Baptist Church
1:51:58 Omni Broadcasting 100.3 Krock
1:53:02 The Grinch Mobile
1:53:25 Krewe of Bowlegs
1:55:37 City of FWB FD with Santa

Video production by RJ Murdock with Emerald Coast TV

2nd Annual ODA-595 Horse Soldiers Reunion 2023

By RJ Murdock — 3 years ago

On October 21, 2023, the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2nd Annual ODA 595 Horse Soldiers Reunion at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds.

Below is a replay video of the event. If you have a Smart TV, search for and install the VidFlow app to watch this video on your big screen TV. This video player also also you to select chapter points to specific speakers and presentations.

(if you’re interested in checking out the Inaugural Reunion video from 2022, click here)

Eleven of the original 12 members of ODA 595 were in attendance for this inaugural reunion event.

Captain Mark Nutsch – Detachment Commander

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bob Pennington – Assistant Detachment Commander

Master Sergeant Paul Evans – Team and Operations Sergeant

Sergeant First Class Andy Marchal – Intelligence Sergeant

Sergeant First Class Steve Kofron. – Weapons Sergeant

Staff Sergeant Mike Elmore – Weapons Sergeant

Staff Sergeant Chad Jacklet– Engineer Sergeant

Staff Sergeant Pete Walther – Engineer Sergeant

Sergeant First Class Steve Bleigh—Medical Sergeant

Sergeant First Class Vince Makela – Communications Sergeant

Staff Sergeant Will Summers– Communications Sergeant

Staff Sergeant USAF Steve E. Tomat – Tactical Air Control Party (TACP)

Ted Corcoran, CEO of the FWB Chamber, was Master of Ceremony. “This event is not merely an occasion. Ti’s a profound journey, a homage and a celebration of American tenacity and unity. Dive into history. Honor both Air Force and Army legends.”

The National Anthem was presented by Voices of Northwest Florida from Northwest Florida State College, Niceville, Florida

The Invocation was provided by Chaplain (Capt) Steven Richardson, USAF, from Hurlburt Field, Florida

The first guest speaker was Captain Joseph Mulholland, 7th Special Forces Group, Eglin AFB, Florida, who presented a statement from his father, Lt Gen John Mulholland (retired), a former Associate Director for Military Affairs at the CIA.

The second guest speaker was Col Kurt Buller, USAF (retired), a former Special Tactics Officer, who provided an insight into the operations in Afghanistan after 911.

The third guest speaker was Col Alison Black, USAF, Commander, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida, also know as the voice of the Angel of Death during the initial operations in Afghanistan.

The featured guest speaker was Lt General Marshall Brad Webb, USAF (retired), former Commander, USAF Special Operations Command

The final presentation was provided by Lt Col Rich Cole, USAF (retired), Former USAF Pilot, Son of Dolittle Raiders’ Lt Col Dick Cole. He provided some background and noted the similarities between the mission of ODA 595 and the Dolittle Raiders, as well as recognize several key personal from both operations who are no longer with us today.

In 2022, special commemorative canteen cup were created by the Bohlin Company and presented to each member of ODA 595 in honor and recognition of their heroic actions in America’s first response against the Taliban after the 911 attack.

A representative from each event sponsor was given the honor to present the personalized cup to each member of the ODA 595 Horse Soldier team.

If you are interested in learning more about ODA 595 as well as other stories about America’s 1st response to the 911 attacks, check out these sources:

First Casualty by Toby Harnden

Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton

Swords of Lightning – Green Beret Horse Soldiers and America’s Response to 911

12 Strong – The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers

67th Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival – May 18-22, 2023

By RJ Murdock — 3 years ago

Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival is an event that takes place the 3rd weekend in May in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. It kicks off with a Children’s Meet & Greet on Thursday night. On Friday evening, the Krewe of Bowlegs sail up to The Landing park and attempts to negotiate a surrender of the city with the Mayor, who puts up a good fight, and they promise to return the following day The city celebrates its victory with a fireworks show. On Saturday, Capitan Billy Bowlegs returns with the entire Krewe of Bowlegs to capture the city and then pass out booty (beads) to the crowd. After a day of rest from the pillaging, Capt Billy & his krewe sails off on the Blackhawk ship float during the Torchlight Parade on Eglin Parkway on Monday evening.

This is the replay of the parade on May 22, 2023.

Inaugural ODA 595 Horse Soldiers Reunion 2022

By RJ Murdock — 4 years ago

On October 22, 2022, the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce hosted the Inaugural ODA 595 Horse Soldiers Reunion at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds. Ted Corcoran, CEO of the FWB Chamber, was Master of Ceremony.

Ten of the original 12 members of ODA 595 were in attendance for this inaugural reunion event.

Captain Mark Nutsch – Detachment Commander

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bob Pennington – Assistant Detachment Commander

Master Sergeant Paul Evans – Team and Operations Sergeant

Sergeant First Class Andy Marchal – Intelligence Sergeant

Sergeant First Class Steve Kofron. – Weapons Sergeant

Staff Sergeant Mike Elmore – Weapons Sergeant

Staff Sergeant Chad Jacklet– Engineer Sergeant

Sergeant First Class Steve Bleigh—Medical Sergeant

Sergeant First Class Vince Makela – Communications Sergeant

Staff Sergeant Will Summers– Communications Sergeant

Not in Attendance:

Staff Sergeant USAF Steve E. Tomat – Tactical Air Control Party (TACP)
Staff Sergeant USAF Joseph Matt Lienhard– Air Force Special Operations Combat Controller from Special Tactics Squadron

Several prominent guest speakers included Florida House District #4 representative Patt Maney, former CIA Directorate of Operations officer Alex Hernandez, former USAF Chief of Staff for a Theater Special, retired Col Glenn Thomas, and the son of Doolittle Raiders Col Dick Cole, Richard Cole.

A special commemorative canteen cup was created by the Bohlin Company and presented to each member of ODA 595 in honor and recognition of their heroic actions in America’s first response against the Taliban after the 911 attack.

This event was made possible through the support of several local community sponsors.

If you are interested in learning more about ODA 595 as well as other stories about America’s 1st response to the 911 attacks, check out these sources:

First Casualty by Toby Harnden

Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton

Swords of Lightning – Green Beret Horse Soldiers and America’s Response to 911

12 Strong – The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers