Freeport’s New Year Baby
A Freeport family rang in 2026 with the best kind of surprise — a brand-new baby ???.
??? welcomed their son or daughter, name, at 6 a.m. on New Year’s Day at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast’s Family Birth Place, making her/him one of the area’s very first arrivals of the new year.
Baby name weighed in at ? pounds, ? ounces and is already ringing in a joyful new chapter for her family as 2026 begins.
Anchored in Freeport Finds a Home at Eglin FCU
Eglin Federal Credit Union’s Freeport branch is now a sponsor-designated location for Anchored in Freeport, the newest public art initiative from the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County.
Developed in partnership with the City of Freeport, the project is part of the Alliance’s Art in Public Spaces program and was created to celebrate Freeport’s maritime roots while marking the city’s continued growth. Oversized 4.5-foot concrete anchors have been transformed by local artists into permanent, outdoor works of art—each one designed to serve as a cultural landmark, honor local history, and invite residents and visitors to explore Freeport’s evolving identity. (See at Anchored in Freeport: A Celebration of Art and Community at myfreeportlife.com/2025/11/05/anchored-in-freeport-a-celebration-of-art-and-community/.)
The anchor displayed at Eglin FCU, titled Waves of Change, was designed by Walton County artist and muralist Sarah Page. Featuring Gulf Coast wave imagery and patriotic elements inspired by Eglin FCU’s branding, the piece symbolizes optimism, unity and the strength of a thriving community.
The Anchored in Freeport project continues to grow with additional anchors placed throughout the city, reinforcing Freeport’s commitment to public art, local artists and placemaking with purpose. Each month, we’ll highlight a placed anchor in our community.
ECP Breaks Ground on North Terminal Expansion
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) has officially broken ground on an 80,000-square-foot North Terminal expansion, launching a three-phase project designed to keep pace with record passenger growth and enhance the overall travel experience.
The expansion will add three gates, four new baggage claim carousels, six airline baggage offices, additional concessions, restrooms and expanded seating across two levels, along with elevators, escalators and stairs. Plans also include relocating and expanding the TSA checkpoint to improve security flow.
Since opening 15 years ago, ECP has grown from just over 300,000 annual passengers to nearly 2 million, a more than 500% increase. The new capacity is critical to maintaining efficiency, attracting new airlines and destinations, and supporting continued regional growth.
Phase one establishes the building shell, with later phases completing interior spaces and passenger amenities. Funded through state, federal, airline and regional partnerships, the project reinforces ECP’s role as a key economic driver for Northwest Florida.
