Man says despite lights, siren, he didn't know deputy wanted him to pull over
MARY ESTHER – A man said he didn’t know a deputy wanted him to pull over as the deputy followed him with his lights and siren activated at 4:15 in the morning. On July 7 the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s...
View ArticleAd criticizes Don Gaetz over immigrant driver license vote (DOCUMENT)
A group called NumbersUSA in Arlington, Va., ran full-page ads in two Northwest Florida newspapers this week criticizing Florida Senate President Don Gaetz for doing “the wrong thing” on illegal...
View ArticleSewage spill swimming advisories lifted (DOCUMENT)
All swimming advisories posted following sewage spills in Fort Walton Beach and Valparaiso on July 6 have been lifted. Read a copy of the incident report. >> The Okaloosa County Health...
View ArticleNavarre Garden Club hosts foreign guests (GALLERY)
NAVARRE — A group of travelers from around the world stopped here Thursday morning to learn about what local gardening experts are doing to protect Florida’s natural resources. The Navarre Garden Club...
View ArticleMeeting scheduled to discuss Zimmerman verdict
CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa County Branch of the NAACP will host a town hall meeting Saturday to discuss the outcome of George Zimmerman’s murder trial and its effect on the community. Zimmerman was...
View ArticleFather, son are Freeport firefighters
FREEPORT — A decade or two ago, it wasn’t unusual for a young Terry Raffield and his twin brother, Glenn, to sit in a fire engine, strapped in their car seats, and watch their father, also named Terry...
View ArticleU.S. 98 closed off and on for accidents on Okaloosa Island
OKALOOSA ISLAND - Two vehicle accidents blocked traffic on U.S. Highway 98 on Thursday, according to Okaloosa Island firefighters. A three-car crash about 11:30 a.m. at the top of the Marler Bridge in...
View ArticleChild hospitalized after near-drowning
DESTIN - A 4-year-old girl was taken to the hospital after nearly drowning in a swimming pool Thursday afternoon, Destin firefighters reported. Firefighters responded to the Inn at Crystal Beach at...
View ArticleWater advisory for Navarre Park rescinded
NAVARRE - The water advisory for Navarre Park has been rescinded after recent tests found that water quality readings have returned to normal, according to the Santa Rosa County Health Department. The...
View ArticleMan sentenced for robbing woman
FORT WALTON BEACH - A man was sentenced Wednesday to more than 15 years in prison for robbing a woman, according to the state attorney’s office. Okaloosa County Circuit Judge John T. Brown also...
View ArticleLane closures set for Yellow River bridge
CRESTVIEW - Motorists will encounter lane restrictions today on U.S. Highway 90 on the William H. Mapoles Bridge over the Yellow River while crews perform routine maintenance. There will be...
View ArticleFour hospitalized after wreck on U.S. 98 (GALLERY)
NAVARRE — Four people were taken to local hospitals Thursday afternoon after a six-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 98 at Sunrise Drive, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. See photos from the scene...
View ArticleMan arrested during I-10 traffic stop
DEFUNIAK SPRINGS - A man stopped for a traffic infraction was found with marijuana and large amounts of cash, accoridng to the Walton County Sheriff's Office. James O. Litolff, 62, of Edgewood, N.M....
View ArticleWalton County road closures
South Walton damaged roads: Walton Magnolia Lane is still closed. Signs have been placed. Water is approximately 6-inches deep on the road. North Walton damaged roads: 800 County Highway 183B at...
View Article$13.9 million construction on overpass to begin (GALLERY)
HURLBURT FIELD — Construction on the long-awaited U.S. Highway 98 overpass at the main entrance to the base is set to begin next week. The $13.9 million project will include two two-lane bridges over...
View ArticleSR 285 to close for overpass work
NICEVILLE — State Road 285 from College Boulevard to Interstate 10 will be closed to traffic Monday night and early Tuesday as crews work on the Mid-Bay Bridge Connector. The road will be closed from...
View ArticleOkaloosa delays changes to aviation rules
Okaloosa County commissioners have postponed approval of a zoning change that would have prohibited private and residential airports from operating on the waterfront. The policy change also would have...
View ArticleLawsuit stemming from deputy’s death settled
A wrongful death lawsuit filed more than four years ago by family members of slain Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Anthony Forgione has been settled. Dixie Dan Powell, attorney for the family, said...
View ArticleWould-be mermaid banned from Fla. pool
LITHIA, Fla. (AP) — A Florida woman has been banned from swimming in her community's pool because she wants to wear a mermaid tail. Jenna Conti, who lives in the FishHawk Ranch subdivision, had been...
View ArticleLightning fire destroys barn
GASKIN - A barn was destroyed in a fire after it was struck by lightning Friday evening, according to Walton County Fire Rescue. The fire spread to another barn on the property on the 600 block of...
View Article