<body><div>SPONSORED BYGood morning!Jenkins Engineering donated a solar-powered charging station to Chester Pruitt Park in Fort Walton Beach. Bit-Wizards and TalkingParents moved into their new Freedom Tech Center headquarters, and the Niceville Valparaiso Chamber named Skip Alford its new President and CEO. Also, the makeup week football recap, six area open houses with fireplaces, this week’s Community Calendar, and today’s Jigsaw is “Charters of Freedom.”<ul><li>Plus, try today’s WordroW puzzle</li></ul><h2>BUSINESS</h2>Niceville Valparaiso Chamber names Skip Alford as new President and CEO<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2JXcpK_1GpLYjPJ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2JXcpK_1GpLYjPJ00" width="1280" height="850" ></figure>The Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce has hired Skip Alford as its next President and CEO, replacing Tricia Brunson, who has led the organization for 30 years and announced her retirement earlier this year.Alford will begin his new role Tuesday, Dec. 1, the Chamber announced Thursday. He currently serves as President and CEO of the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce &amp; Economic Development Council, a position he has held since 2021.<h2>SPONSORED</h2><h2>Tap into the moment</h2>There’s something magical about the holidays—the sights, the lights, and finding the perfect gift. And, with an Eglin Federal Credit Union Mastercard, it’s easy to enjoy every moment that matters. Rates are as low as 7.9% APR, with no annual fee, no balance transfer fee, and no cash advance fee. Apply at a branch or online at eglinfcu.org/mastercard. Eglin Federal Credit Union. Where Members Matter Most.<h2>GAMES</h2><h2>WordroW: November 6, 2026</h2>WordroW is brought to you by Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic – keeping your mind sharp and your spine aligned, one game at a time.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1lBzcp_1GpLYjPJ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1lBzcp_1GpLYjPJ00" width="1280" height="850" ></figure>Can you guess today’s 5-letter word in six tries?WordroW is Get The Coast’s daily word puzzle featuring local words, places, and phrases from our community. You have six guesses to find the mystery word – green letters are correct and in the right spot, yellow letters are in the word but wrong position, and gray letters aren’t in the word at all.<h2>BUSINESS</h2>Bit-Wizards and TalkingParents move into new Freedom Tech Center headquarters<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3l0PO6_1GpLYjPJ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3l0PO6_1GpLYjPJ00" width="1280" height="850" ><figcaption>An aerial view of the 50,869-square-foot Freedom Tech Center, the new headquarters of Bit-Wizards and TalkingParents in Fort Walton Beach. (Photo via Bit-Wizards)</figcaption></figure>Two homegrown Fort Walton Beach technology companies, Bit-Wizards and TalkingParents, have officially moved into their new headquarters at Freedom Tech Center.The 50,869-square-foot facility follows years of planning and growth for the two companies, which together employ close to 100 professionals and continue to expand.Bit-Wizards was founded in 2000 by Vince Mayfield and Louis Erickson and grew from a bootstrap startup into an award-winning managed IT services provider serving organizations throughout the region and beyond. TalkingParents, launched in 2011 by Stephen Nixon, Mayfield and Erickson, is a co-parenting communication platform that has supported nearly a million families worldwide, according to the release.The companies deliver technology services and software solutions for businesses, courts, legal professionals and families, both locally and across the globe.<h2>PROMOTED BY UNITED FIDELITY</h2><h2>Good news for your savings.</h2>Our 15-month CD now earns 4.30% APY. Safe. Simple. Smart. And it is the right choice at any age.New CD? Or renewing an old one? Look here first. You can open online in minutes. Your money stays safe, FDIC insured.Rates change. This one may not last. Lock yours in now.Open your 15-month CD today at www.unitedfidelity.com/portfolio-items/cd-specials-emerald-coastA minimum deposit of $1000 is required to open a CD. Rates subject to change. Member FDIC.<h2>OPEN HOUSES</h2>6 Destin-Fort Walton Beach area homes with a fireplace for the holidays, starting at $500KThe Emerald Coast Association of REALTORS®: advocating for property rights and the REALTORS® who serve our community. Click here to learn more<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3Xb4jt_1GpLYjPJ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3Xb4jt_1GpLYjPJ00" width="1280" height="850" ><figcaption>25 Garnet Place, Destin, FL (Photo via Emerald Coast Homes Online)</figcaption></figure>On the Emerald Coast, fireplace season can sometimes feel like it lasts about as long as a cold front. That’s exactly why a fireplace stands out in a listing here.This weekend’s open houses include six homes in Fort Walton Beach, Mary Esther and Destin with a fireplace inside, and two with a second one outdoors. Prices range from $500,000 to $1,090,000, and the homes are open Friday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 8.Here’s where to warm up before the holidays.<h2>SPORTS</h2>Makeup week recap: Choctaw, Walton, South Walton and Baker earn wins<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0m5HN7_1GpLYjPJ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0m5HN7_1GpLYjPJ00" width="1280" height="850" ><figcaption>Abbey Leigh Photography</figcaption></figure>Makeup week closed out the regular season for several area teams. Choctaw claimed “The Game” for the sixth straight year with a 49-13 win over Fort Walton Beach, as Dante Whidbee, Von’Tavious Keller and Noah Calderon each scored twice. Walton improved to 7-2 with a 52-16 win over Destin behind Elijah Odom’s three-touchdown night. South Walton blanked West Florida Tech 28-0 and Baker beat Port St. Joe 42-7, with both closing the regular season at 7-3. Niceville rallied for a 25-24 lead with 20 seconds left before Pace answered to win 31-25, but postseason football could still come to Eagle Stadium.<h2>GAMES</h2><h2>Jigsaw – “Charters of Freedom”</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1glGzM_1GpLYjPJ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1glGzM_1GpLYjPJ00" width="1280" height="850" ></figure>Ready for this week’s Jigsaw puzzle?Each week, we use local pictures from around Okaloosa County as part of our puzzles. They’ll include current dated photos to historical ones. <h2>EVENTS</h2><h2>A few things to do around town</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4DdASE_1GpLYjPJ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4DdASE_1GpLYjPJ00" width="1024" height="536" ></figure>Friday, Nov. 6-7 – 38th Annual Thunderbird Intertribal Powwow – Niceville – $7.00 – ViewFriday, Nov. 6 – Build a blacksmith storyboard – Fort Walton Beach – $98.00 – ViewFriday, Nov. 6-7 – Emerald Coast Rodeo – Niceville – $20.00 – ViewFriday, Nov. 6 – 30A BBQ Festival – Miramar Beach – $70.00 – ViewSaturday, Nov. 7 – America 250 Grand Parade – Downtown Crestview – Free – ViewSaturday, Nov. 7 –DeFrance Holiday Market – Fort Walton Beach – Free – ViewSaturday, Nov. 7 – FABA Far West Regional forging competition at Timber Creek Distillary – Crestview – Free – ViewSaturday, Nov. 7 – Fort Walton Beach Church of Christ Craft Show – Fort Walton Beach – Free – ViewSaturday, Nov. 7 – Walk To End Alzheimer’s Emerald Coast – Miramar Beach – Free – ViewSaturday, Nov. 7 – Eggs on the Beach – Big Green Egg Cooking Competition – Miramar Beach – $65.00 – ViewSaturday, Nov. 7 – CatVideoFest – Fort Walton Beach – $7 – $10 – ViewSunday, Nov. 8 – Hope and restoration tour – Fort Walton Beach – Free – ViewMonday, Nov. 9 – Art Week at ADSO – $25 – $30 – ViewMonday, Nov. 9 – Glow in the Dark Tennis at Fort Walton Beach Tennis Center – Fort Walton Beach – $10 – View<h2>GIVING BACK</h2>Jenkins Engineering donates solar-powered charging station to Chester Pruitt Park in Fort Walton BeachFrom giving back to investing in the future, FPL is powering strong communities. Learn more here.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1uFE9P_1GpLYjPJ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1uFE9P_1GpLYjPJ00" width="1280" height="850" ><figcaption>Members of the Jenkins Engineering team stand with the solar-powered charging station they installed on the east side of Chester Pruitt Park in Fort Walton Beach. (Photo courtesy of the City of Fort Walton Beach)</figcaption></figure>Jenkins Engineering Inc. has donated a solar-powered charging station to Chester Pruitt Park, giving visitors a place to charge their electronic devices, the City of Fort Walton Beach announced.The charging station, from Sun Charge Systems Inc., stands 9 feet tall and is topped with a solar panel that powers internal batteries. It has a 30-inch circular table for resting electronic items and multiple USB-A and USB-C ports that can charge up to 10 devices at a time.Jenkins Engineering purchased the $4,400 station, and Owner Scott Jenkins, along with several employees and family members, installed it on the east side of the park last week, according to the city.Jenkins said the idea came to him while attending a past City Council meeting.OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Friday! Help us shape the future of local news and make a meaningful impact on your community. Click here to learn how you can support us!p.s. What did you think of this morning’s newsletter? Hit the reply button and let me know!Jared</div></body>

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Jenkins Engineering donated a solar-powered charging station to Chester Pruitt Park in Fort Walton Beach. Bit-Wizards and TalkingParents moved into their new Freedom Tech Center headquarters, and the Niceville Valparaiso Chamber named Skip Alford its new President and CEO. Also, the makeup week football recap, six area open houses with fireplaces, this week’s Community Calendar, and today’s Jigsaw is “Charters of Freedom.”

FWB park gets solar powered charging station

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Jenkins Engineering donated a solar-powered charging station to Chester Pruitt Park in Fort Walton Beach. Bit-Wizards and TalkingParents moved into their n

FWB park gets solar powered charging station

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