Making a Difference: Master gardeners create haven at library
DESTIN — A little more than 10 years ago, two women sought to add life to the exterior of the Destin Library. Today, plush greenery flourishes outside and colorful flowers garner attention from all...
View Article'Biking for boobies'
FORT WALTON BEACH — Over the past two weeks, Mike Buonaiuto and Nate Frankoski have held alligators, given a bike safety speech to students, and met the president of the YMCA. The friends made their...
View ArticleMan gets 23 years in Destin murder
Arderious Warren was sentenced to 23.6 years in prison Monday for his role in a drug theft that ended in the shooting death of one man and the wounding of another. Warren had pleaded guilty July 25 to...
View ArticleBomb threat closes Eglin buildings, Eglin Parkway
EGLIN AFB — A bomb threat was called into a building on Eglin Air Force Base about 11 a.m. Monday. Explosive ordnance disposal personnel and additional emergency response forces responded to the area...
View ArticleBallet Académie gets full-time administrator
FORT WALTON BEACH — The Northwest Florida Ballet Académie now has a full-time district administrator. The Okaloosa County School Board unanimously approved Superintendent Mary Beth Jackson’s...
View ArticleTDC to move ahead with more expensive Christmas campaign
OKALOOSA ISLAND — The Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council will continue with a plan to spend $525,000 marketing Destin and Fort Walton Beach as a prime Christmas destination. The council on...
View ArticleForging a new future: NWFSC gets new welding program
NICEVILLE — Lindsey Irvine wasn’t certain about her career path when she enrolled in college and earned her associate’s degree. The 22-year-old’s future crystallized when she learned Northwest Florida...
View ArticleRemember 9/11
NAVARRE — Navarre High School's NJROTC invites the public to join them at 10 a.m. for a playing of taps and flag raising at the school flag pole located at 8600 High School Boulevard. Cadets will...
View ArticleDo you deserve a free boat rental?
DESTIN — Wet n Wild Watersports is reaching out to families, inviting them share why they deserve free pontoon boat or jet ski rentals on Oct. 12. “It’s quality time that allows for forming bonds,...
View ArticleJobseekers wanted
GULF BREEZE — The first South Santa Rosa Career Fair will be Friday at Pensacola State College’s South Santa Rosa Campus. Although the free event is intended to serve south Santa Rosa residents, it is...
View Article‘We need to be killing lionfish every chance we get’
Lionfish have become enough of a threat to Florida fisheries, including those on the Gulf Coast, to warrant a statewide summit to plot its demise. In the weeks leading up to the Oct. 22-24 summit in...
View ArticleBear spotted at Butler Elementary School
SANTA ROSA BEACH — A bear spotted outside Butler Elementary School threw a wrench into releasing students Monday afternoon. The small bear was discovered about 1:30 p.m. A school resource deputy was...
View ArticleJail to offer new ways to visit with inmates
CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County Jail inmates soon could be visiting with family and friends via the Internet. The county has signed a contract with Securus Technologies for a new web-based visitation...
View ArticleWalton County votes on tax rate
SANTA ROSA BEACH — Walton County residents will not see their tax rate increase in fiscal 2013-14. A divided County Commission opted Monday to keep the millage rate at 3.5563 after a number of...
View ArticleReport: Complaints against former Walton administrator justified
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — A law firm that spent five months investigating Robert Halfhill’s 32-day tenure as Walton County administrator has determined that four employees were justified in filing harassment...
View ArticleWalton tentatively OKs funds for school deputies
SANTA ROSA BEACH — Walton County commissioners have tentatively agreed to help foot the bill to keep deputies in all schools. If no changes are made when the 2013-14 budget is approved, the county...
View ArticleTwo charged with dealing meth
NICEVILLE — Two men were arrested Tuesday and charged with dealing methamphetamine after a bust on Spencer Place. At about 9:30 a.m. drug task force officers searched the home of Arden Stanley and...
View ArticleSandestin owners group throws in the towel — for now
SANDESTIN — Beset on both sides by access issues, the Sandestin Owners Association has surrendered for now plans to build an office complex on a piece of land it bought last year for $1.2 million. The...
View ArticleNiceville chef is top cutthroat
NICEVILLE — Chef Brian Cartenuto says his antics on “Cutthroat Kitchen” were part of his strategy. It was good enough to help the local restaurant owner leave the show as the victor with $4,800. “It...
View ArticlePolice investigating death at City Hall
FORT WALTON BEACH — Officials with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department are investigating an apparent suicide that was discovered early Wednesday morning. A white man who appears to be in his 50s...
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