Sheri Kotzum
nwfdailynews
Fort Walton Beach, FL, United States
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Past articles by Sheri:
Out of the ashes: Jewelry made from American flag grommets
The American flag means different things to different people. For Ron Sandstead, it’s a symbol of freedom and sacrifice.Every few months, the → Read More
Interest in high school surpassing expectations
DESTIN — For as long as 30 years, the idea of having a high school in this fishing village has been a dream of many residents. Now, that dream is close to becoming a reality.Mary Gargas, a Destin Middle School eighth grader, has watched her two older brothers travel from their home to attend Fort Walton Beach High School. As she prepares to start high school in the fall, Mary said she’s really… → Read More
A blessed city
For more than half a century, local pastors, fishermen, residents and tourists have gathered on Ascension Day for the annual Blessing of the Fleet. The event, now in its 62nd year, is one of Destin’s longest standing traditions and has turned into a Week of Blessings for the entire city of Destin. → Read More
State park fees reduced for Destin residents
Parking in Destin has been a hot issue lately, especially during its peak season. While some are fine with fighting the crowds to park near the businesses → Read More
FWC, Coast Guard and Sheriff's Office perform mock search-and-rescue
OKALOOSA ISLAND — Memorial Day is just around the corner, and as Okaloosa County gears up for the influx of visitors, the Florida Fish and Wildlife → Read More
Nicks, Ruth's Chris honor 'a wonderful person' with benefit
As they mourned the loss of a man who was described as “always happy,” the community and local business leaders came together to raise support for the family he left behind.On Tuesday night, Jim ‘N Nicks Bar-B-Q and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse teamed up to remember their late employee, Joel Iral.Iral died after his scooter was struck by a car near Airport Road and Main Street in Destin on March… → Read More
Crosstown connector project to begin in 2021
Destin’s crosstown connector project is moving forward, but some local residents aren’t sold on the idea.The project was planned in the late 1990s to relieve traffic from U.S. Highway 98. The more than 5-mile connector runs north of U.S. 98 and between Danny Wuerffel Way to the east and Stahlman Avenue to the west. Most of it consists of existing roads such as Commons Drive, Airport Road and… → Read More
Artist, author returns to Destin Elementary
It’s been over 20 years since Raven Roxanne walked the halls of Destin Elementary School but she still remembers her experience like it was yesterday.“I got in trouble for swinging on those poles,” she said as she pointed to a guardrail by one of the sidewalks.Her parents still live in the same house she grew up in, right down the street from the school.“She said we should walk here for old… → Read More
New business brings fresh fruit to Destin harbor and Crab Island
With an assortment of fresh coconuts and pineapples, Destin’s newest business is bringing a taste of the tropics.Michaela Partin has always had a → Read More
Destin man finds his muse, livelihood building castles in the sand
DESTIN — They say everything happens for a reason. When the Great Recession in 2008 forced Rick Mungeam to give up his architectural firm, he wasn’t sure what to do.Now as the owner of a successful sand-sculpture business, he can look back with gratitude.In 2010 Mungeam and his wife, Capri, sold the home they had designed and built in Colorado, purchased an RV and hit the road.“We decided to go… → Read More
Destin man finds his muse, livelihood building castles in the sand
DESTIN — They say everything happens for a reason. When the Great Recession in 2008 forced Rick Mungeam to give up his architectural firm, he → Read More
Air Force divers clean the bottom of the Destin Harbor
DESTIN — At least two tons of debris was pulled from Destin Harbor on Wednesday, thanks to a group of Special Tactics airmen.With the help of the city and local law enforcement, 20 Air Force Combat Diver School graduates dove around the docks in the harbor to pick up trash and debris.Using full-face diving gear that allowed them to communicate underwater, the airmen started at the docks near… → Read More
Local business offers sandcastle lessons
They say everything happens for a reason. When the Great Recession in 2008 forced Rick Mungeam to give up his architectural firm, he wasn’t sure → Read More
Stories of Destin: 'He was happiest when he was out on the water'
NICEVILLE — Lee Johnson Neugin stands on a deck outside her Niceville home. Built by her parents, it was the first home ever built on Bayshore Drive.“He (Neugin's dad) would get up at 3 in the morning and catch trout and redfish off the dock,” she said. “Then he would jump in the boat, head out to the gulf and usually by 9 a.m., he was back.”Although the deck has been re-done since her parents'… → Read More
Park restoration moving forward
Destin officials say the grant application process is going smoothly, despite a recent misunderstanding that left some questioning how long it would take → Read More
Baby Grande 'plans are going forward'
On May 3, the Coyote Ugly Saloon will celebrate its six-year anniversary and doesn't plan on going anywhere anytime soon.The bar has signed a three-year → Read More
Airport Road project back at square one
Due to concerns from the Florida Department of Transportation, the city of Destin is starting a second search for an engineering firm to complete the → Read More
Destin's own Mister Rogers retires
After 16 years, Destin’s favorite story-teller and librarian is shelving his last book.“It’s been a good run,” said Will Rogers, the Reference and Youth Service librarian at the Destin Library. “It’s time for somebody else to take the torch.”Born and raised on a dairy farm in western New York, Rogers worked in public education before retiring and moving to Destin with his wife in 2000.But that… → Read More
New parking law in Destin moves forward
On Monday, City Council members approved the first reading of an ordinance that would require the collection of fees at the exit instead of the entrance → Read More
Brooke O'Keefe named Miss Destin 2019
There's a new Miss Destin in town.Fort Walton Beach High School junior Brooke O'Keefe was crowned Miss Destin 2019 at the annual pageant on Saturday.Six → Read More