2023 Commencement Ceremony at Northwest Florida State College
Watch the live stream of the Northwest Florida State College 2023 Commencement Ceremony from Raiders Arena on May 6, 2023.
10AM Ceremony for the presentation of the following: Certificate, AAS, AS, and Bachelor’s Degree Graduates
2PM Ceremony for the presentation of Associate of Arts (AA)
Meet the FWB Council Candidates 2023
Meet the 13 candidates who are running for the 4 open seat on the Fort Walton Beach City Council. The LIVE STREAM is on March 1, 2023 – 6:30pm CT from The Venue at 109 SE Brooks Street, Downtown Fort Walton Beach. Florida. Each candidate will get 3 minutes to introduce themselves and their platform, then Mike Minich will ask each candidate a tough question in relation to improve the community of Fort Walton Beach, FL. The candidates will also be available for meet & greet before and after the event.
What’s Up Emerald Coast
“What’s Up Emerald Coast” is a 20-minute lunchtime talk show produced LIVE from the Emerald Coast TV (ECTV) studio at the Landmark Center in downtown Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The show is broadcast at 11 am central time Monday-Friday on ECTV’s Facebook, YouTube & Roku/FireTV channels, and is co-hosted by RJ Murdock and Chris Sehman. It has been described to be a family-friendly, daytime “late-night” format to provide relative information and entertainment for the people who live and play on the Emerald Coast of Northwest Florida.
Feel free to like/follow our “What’s Up Emerald Coast” Facebook show page to keep up-to-date with what’s happening on our Emerald Coast: https://www.facebook.com/WhatsUpEmeraldCoast
July 1, 2020 – Talking about local people and events.
June 30, 2020 – What started out as a Sports Talk day turned out to also include commentary about Social Media and what classic movies to watch while your waiting for sports to come back. Some great conversations between Chris and Jake, with a few glibs from RJ from the control room.
June 29, 2020 – Today’s guest is Joseph Greer & Skylar Smith from Northwest Florida State College to talk about a new ensemble they’ve created called “Voices of Northwest Florida” and the upcoming audition deadline to become part of this vocal group.
If you are interested in auditioning, submit your video to “VoicesOfNWF@NWFSC.edu” by July 13, 2020.
June 26, 2020 – Today’s guest – Shane Reynolds and his local documentary – Sand in My Soul, premiering at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds tonight, June 26, 2020.
For the “Pop Up Movie Tour” tickets for this event: https://thepopupmovietour.com/events/ft-walton/
To watch the trailer: https://vimeo.com/370147551?fbclid=IwAR2ulCpUJhBGeaY__kKs947EWMxwHjTfHtfQxQwTIsVzH9YpCOHBpkT-nCo
June 25, 2020 – Talking about the “Leadership Okaloosa” program with Shelby DeSoto, the Professional & Workforce Training Coordinator at Northwest Florida State College.
June 24, 2020 – Talking sports today with Chris & our local sports analysis, Jake Mitchell.
June 19, 2020 – RJ is flying solo for this show as he talks about today’s National Days and recent news, including the Virtual Defense Forum, Video in the Courtrooms, Sand Sculptures, the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic.
June 17-18, 2020 – Our first location shoot with our wireless waterproof camera setup for an interview with Misty the Mermaid. Although the origianl live shoot was OK, we felt that an encore playback with a cleaned up video from this shoot should be shown again on our June 18, 202 show. Here it is:
June 16, 2020 – In this episode, Okaloosa County Commissioner, Nathan Boyles, gives us an update from the Board of Commissioners meeting earlier in the day, with topics ranging from emergency business grants, county Covid-19 numbers, expanding the county’s bed-tax district, the Shoal River industry incentive, and so much more. Watch to learn from one of our county’s leading officials.
June 15, 2020 – Great show today as we talk about some events that took place over the weekend and what’s happening at the Fort Walton Beach Parks & Recreation Department as we talk with its director, Jeff Peters.
June 12, 2020 – Our 1st Fishing Report! Chris & RJ talk with local fishing king, Josh Calhoon of Destin Inshore Guides (850-502-9170) about fishing on the Emerald Coast as well as the story behind the Goliath grouper caught earlier in the week and featured in the local newspaper. Plus a discussion about dredging the Destin Harbor and former governor Scott defending our shores against oil rigs. And what national day is it today? Skip to the end to find out.
June 11, 2020 – Let’s talk Crab Island as RJ & Chris provide a little history and a few guidelines to safely enjoying one of the Emerald Coast’s best attractions.
June 10, 2020 – Jake Mitchell & Chris talk about how sports are trying to overcome the obstacles of social distancing while RJ takes the back seat in the “control room”.
June 9, 2020 – In this episode, RJ & Chris talk with David Triana, the owner of Conexion Media Group and publisher of “Conexion”, a multi-lingual local news & information tabloid, about the very large Hispanic presence on the Emerald Coast.
June 8, 2020 – It’s Monday…. and muggy on the Emerald Coast after a weekend of rain from Tropical Storm Cristobal, BUT we did find something to talk about…. with no final solution but a few thoughts. What are your thoughts, let us know in the comments…. and what of the rumor about a Helen Back pizza place coming soon?
June 5, 2020 – In this special “out of the studio” edition of “What’s Up Emerald Coast”, RJ is talking with Ted Corcoran of the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce… and Zoran is filling in for Chris.
June 4, 2020 – Well…. after a false start with no audio, RJ & Chris finally got a chance to get to Gareth Stearns on location at the Fort Walton Beach Goofy Golf for his reports about local attractions he has been taking his kids to all week as they have now reopened since the “Stay at Home” restrictions have been lifted.
June 3, 2020
June 2, 2020 – This episode starts off talking about nothing, but goes into more of a social commentary as RJ & Chris talk about recent events concerning protests, looting, COVID, and the art of listening.
June 1, 2020 – So how safe is it to go to the reopened casinos of Biloxi, MS. Today’s show is a special “On Location” feature where RJ visits a few casinos in Biloxi, MS to tells how they have implemented a few protective measures and arranged games to allow everyone to have fun while being safe.
May 29, 2020 – It’s “CHILL” Friday and RJ & Chris talk quickly about a few headlines, the National “Days” for today, but the best time was spend “chillin'” with our guest today, a Destin vacationer from Oklahoma, Jacob Rutledge, who invented the “Chill-N-Reel”…. the what? …. What the show and learn what we think is the greatest thing since sliced…. um … Fishing? Drinking? Both? AND will there be a “What’s Up Emerald Coast” Chill-N-Reel Fishing Tournament in the near future??
May 28, 2020 – Our FIRST celebrity guest today!!! ….well almost famous, Rob Brown from “The Rob Brown Show” with ESPN Upstate joins us today to talk about “talking about” sports during a pandemic… and what the future holds. Great stuff.
May 27, 2020 – While Chris takes a day off, Tony Ferreira fills in for our Wednesday “Geek Day” as RJ & he talk about the SpaceX launch and an on-location report from the Baker Covid-19 drive-thru test location yesterday as reported by Chris Davis of Local 850.
May 26. 2020 – It’s the day after Memorial Day, so let’s talk about the coolest way to not only stay fit, but relieve some stress & frustrations. Our guest today is Lindsey Gowing of Rockstar Fitness Kickboxing.
https://www.facebook.com/rockstarfitnesskickboxing/
May 22, 2020 – Lots of National Day to highlight today, plus we’re talking about the local short term rentals re-opening and the Covid-19 procedures with Christine Martinez with Destin Palms Real Estate. PLUS, the debut of the Okaloosa County School District Virtual Choir performance of “Song of Gratitude” video.
May 21, 2020 –
May 20, 2020 – Today we talk Sports… or lack of it, the Michael Jordan docuseries “The Last Dance”, and a few binge-watching favorites with local Sports Analyst & Commentator, Jake Mitchell.
May 19. 2020 – So how is real estate and short term rental doing lately during these pandemic times… the answers may surprise you as RJ & Chris talk with local real estate broker Denis Milonas from The Milonas Group about this very topic…. as well as show another side of Denis that’s not all business!!
May 15, 2020 – Our co-hosts are out of the studio today as Chris takes a ‘sleep-in” day and RJ decided to take a beach day on Okaloosa island with his mobile streaming gear. The waves were high, the wind breezy but not cold, and the sun on the sand was beautiful. Enjoy the tour.
May 14. 2020 – Today is National Buttermilk Biscuit Day, Decency Day & Dance Like A Chicken Day (haha…). BUT, RJ & Chris also talk about the Doolittle Institute located in Niceville, FL…. and learn more about the mission and cool geek events that take place their with an interview with Carolyn Fries, the director of the Doolittle Institute. http://www.DoolittleInstitute.org
May 13. 2020 – Tune in at 11am Central on your preferred streaming device (Facebook, YouTube & Roku/FireTV streaming devices)
May 12. 2020 – RJ & Chris talk to one of “our favorite local guy”, Gareth Stearn, about the return to normalcy for business on the Destin Harbor, his Facebook Group page “Fort Walton Beach: What We Did”, AND his 12:01AM haircut early Monday morning to beat the crowds as salons and barber shops are now open to the public. Great show!
Don’t forget to like the show’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WhatsUpEmeraldCoast
“What’s Up Emerald Coast” is a 20-minute lunchtime talk show produced LIVE from the Emerald Coast TV (ECTV) studio at the Landmark Center in downtown Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The show is broadcast at 11am central time Monday-Friday on ECTV’s Facebook, YouTube & Roku/FireTV channels, and is co-hosted by RJ Murdock and Chris Sehman. It has been described to be a family friendly, daytime “late night” format to provide relative information and entertainment for the people who live and play on the Emerald Coast of Northwest Florida.
May 11, 2020 – On today’s show, Chris & RJ get a chance to talk to Ken Hair and Sarah Traver with Children in Crisis, Inc. to talk about adoptions, foster care, and the needs of CIC during this difficult Covid-19 times.
To learn more about Children in Crisis, check out their video: https://www.facebook.com/EmeraldCoastTV/videos/2575701605801921/
May 8, 2020 – Today RJ & Chris talk to Jeff Peters, the Director of the Fort Walton Beach Parks & Recreation department, about the phased approach of opening the parks, upcoming tournaments this summer, and a recognition of his daughter, Brooklyn Peters, for being the 2020 winner of the Florida state final for the Distinguished Young Women program…..
May 7, 2020 – Chris & RJ would like to thank Jamil Harris form Cornerstone Financial for joining today’s show to talk about how to create security during these times as well as how to better protect your investments in the future…. plus other stuff too…
May 6, 2020 – Today RJ & Chris talk to Dan Collins, the Entertainment & Marketing person for AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar about what’s open and available for the public and the upcoming Mother’s Day specials.
May 5, 2020 – It’s “Cinco de Mayo” and Chris & RJ talk about that, the challenges facing local business as they reopen for business, social distancing difference between using the beach vs hanging out at Crab Islansd, and what they did for “May the Fourth” day.
April 30, 2020 – RJ & Chris talk about the reopening of Florida for business, how it affects some, the limitations of others, and….. the definition of sunbathing!
April 29, 2020 – Chris & RJ talk with Michael Lee & Derek Veech about their new YouTube channel called “Pandemic Kitchen” where Michael shares his “super power” of making commonly available food items and turning them into very tasty meals…. a perfect way to help make “stay at home” a little more pleasant. Check out their YouTube videos at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE95LY-xqDF7SIYQUOrz8Bw Feel free to contact Michael directly at “MLee@StepOneAuto.com”
April 28, 2020 – Chris & RJ share their thoughts about the “leaked” CDC guidelines currently in draft mode that Washington plans to unveil next week…. and what does it mean to local businesses and consumers.
April 27, 2020 – RJ & Chris get fired up talking NFL Draft picks today with local sports writer & commentator, Jake Mitchell. …and what National holiday is today?
April 24, 2020 – Local restaurants have had to make a lot of changes to stay in business and accommodate social distancing and health safety procedures during this COVID-19 period of history. Chris & RJ talk to one local restaurant owner, Chatham Morgan from La Paz, about how his business has adapted and how he found a way to help out his community and his workers. … AND find out what national holiday today is.
April 23, 2020 – Chris & RJ continue their mission to help bring relative news, information and entertain to the people of the Emerald Coast, and with Chris Nida, the Music and Recording Producer at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center about the challenges faced in the Fine & Performing Arts programs at Northwest Florida State College when all teaching has now been mandated to go virtual.
April 22, 2020 – In this episode, RJ & Chris talk about beaches opening up again in Northwest Florida. They also talk with Ted Corcoran from the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce about what it’s going to take to get businesses back open soon and how we should proceed with safety in mind.
April 21, 2020 – This episode features one of our local musicians, Marvin Lee Holdman, and how he and other musicians are adjusting their performance capabilities in today’s social distancing restrictions.
Emerald Coast Classic Basketball Tournament 2021
The Emerald Coast Classic is an 8 team college basketball tournament held during Thanksgiving of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball season, with the inaugural tournament beginning in 2014.
The third round and final round of the 2021 Emerald Coast Classic will be played in The Arena at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Florida.
Friday – November 26, 2021
11:00 AM McNeese State vs. St. Francis (NY)
1:30 PM Samford vs. North Carolina A&T
Saturday – November 27, 2021
10:00 AM St. Francis (NY) vs. North Carolina A&T
12:30 PM McNeese State vs. Samford
3:00 PM Penn State vs. Oregon State
* Note: CBS Sports will be broadcasting the Friday and Saturday nights Div 1 teams semi-final and final games with Penn State, LSU, Oregon State & Wake Forest.
NWFSC Raiders Basketball 2023 – Panhandle Conference
The LIVE STREAM for the 2023 NWFSC Raiders home games for the Panhandle Conference can be seen here: https://nwfraiders.com/multimedia/WATCH_LIVE
Brooks Bridge Groundbreaking Ceremony – August 23, 2023
The Florida Department of Transportation held a groundbreaking ceremony on August 23, 2023 for the official start of construction of the new Brooks Bridge replacement project in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
Speaking at this ceremony were:
Tim Smith: Director – Florida Department of Transportation, District 3
Jared Perdue: Secretary – Florida Department of Transportation, District 3
Doug Broxson: Florida State Senator, District 1
Post ceremony interviews with:
Mel Ponders
Okaloosa County Commissioner, District 5
Carolyn Ketchel
Okaloosa County Commissioner, District 2
Here are some facts about this project:
Project facts and statistics
- Construction cost: $171 million
- Start: Design began in July 2022
- Est. Completion: Summer 2027 Preliminary construction activities began in fall of 2022.
- Contract term: 1,856 days
- Bridge length: The new bridge is 2,111 feet long, which is 793 feet longer than the current structure.
- Bridge height: Horizontal clearance at the channel will increase from 140 to 150 feet.
- Traffic count: 66,000 average annual daily traffic count
Project team
- Project owner: Florida Department of Transportation (FOOT) District Three.
- Design-build contractor: Superior Construction Co. is the design-build contractor.
- Design services are provided by WSP.
- CEI consultant: Eisman & Russo, Inc. is providing construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services on behalf of the Florida Department of Transportation (FOOT) District Three. They are assisted by Searight Group and Metric.
Project description
This project will construct a new, six-lane bridge across the Santa Rosa Sound to connect Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island. The design calls for two, parallel structures that will feature a total of six travel lanes (three eastbound and three westbound). Both bridge structures will provide three, 11-foot travel lanes flanked by 10-foot shoulders. In addition, both sides of the bridge will be equipped with a 12-foot multi-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Rationale for replacing the current bridge
The current Brooks Bridge was constructed in 1966 and no longer meets current design standards, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, or navigational clearance requirements for this portion of the Gulf lntracoastal Waterway. Additionally, U.S. 98 is the primary east-west connector serving this busy corridor. This project will increase bridge capacity from four to six travel lanes. The new bridge will also include wide shoulders that can be used as refuge lanes during accidents or mechanical malfunctions, and enhanced bicycle and pedestrian accommodations separated from traffic by a concrete barrier.
Bridge history The John T. Brooks Bridge has been a landmark in the city of Fort Walton Beach for more than seven decades. The bridge is named in honor of John Thomas Brooks, who became the first settler in the area around 1868. In 1935, the bridge was a two-lane, low-level structure that featured a “swinging center span” that required a bridge tender to tum the span sideways so that tall watercraft could pass beneath. Over time, the two-lane swing bridge proved deficient to meet the growing transportation demands of the area. In 1966, today’s four-lane Brooks Bridge opened to traffic.
Regional economic impact The $171 million Brooks Bridge replacement project represents a tremendous investment by the State of Florida into the regional economy. The design-build contractor, Superior Construction, estimates they will directly employ more than 100 workers to construct the new bridge.
Traffic impacts U.S. 98 will continue to accommodate two eastbound and two westbound travel lanes throughout construction of the new Brooks Bridge. Required temporary lane closures on U.S. 98 will be limited to the nighttime hours of 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. Also, no lane closures or other traffic impacts will be allowed during holidays or special events.
Construction phases First, crews will construct the new westbound structure, during which time, four lanes (two eastbound and two westbound) will remain open on the current Brooks Bridge. Once the westbound structure is complete, all four-travel lanes will be temporarily shifted from the existing bridge to the new westbound structure. This will allow crews to demolish the existing bridge and build the new eastbound structure. The final phase will place the eastbound traffic onto the eastbound bridge. The final configuration will include three eastbound travel lanes and three westbound travel lane.
Project updates and information We share project updates, construction progress, and traffic advisory information on the @MyBrooksBridge Facebook page and Instagram page. You can also sign up to receive periodic email updates, including weekly traffic advisory information, at: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/PNeWTw3/MyBrooksBridge