Local woman is semifinalist in Pillsbury Bake-Off
HURLBURT FIELD —Rachel Ruiz has turned a lifelong cooking hobby into a chance at $1 million. Her recipe for Spicy Tortilla Breakfast Empanadas earned her a semifinalist spot in the 46th Pillsbury...
View ArticleFire destroys house Friday morning
DEFUNIAK SPRINGS - A house on Sheldon Avenue was destroyed in a fire Friday morning, according to DeFuniak Springs firefighters. Firefighters were called to the scene about 10:30 a.m. The kitchen,...
View ArticlePHOTO GALLERY: Military, first responders honored in pre-game ceremonies
FORT WALTON BEACH — Students clothed in camoflauge, waving flags, honored members of the military and first responders on Friday night at Joe Etheredge Stadium at Choctawhatchee High School before the...
View ArticleSanta Rosa County rebounds since religion in schools issue
MILTON — Five years ago, Santa Rosa County was plunged into the first of several divisive legal battles over religion’s place in its schools. Today, the school district is mending and has found...
View ArticleNew fire station to serve airport and Eglin (DOCUMENT)
EGLIN AFB — Okaloosa County has teamed with the Federal Aviation Administration to build a new Eglin Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting station on military land south of Northwest Florida Regional...
View Article'This is your final warning'
If at first you don’t succeed, try 16 more times. Then call law enforcement. Crestview resident Amber Leigh Coplen was arrested in early September for felony fraud. She is accused of renting a...
View Article‘Emerald Coast 50+’ wants to hear from you
Are you 50 years old or better? The Daily News wants to hear from you for our new publication “Emerald Coast 50+.” For our next edition, appearing inside your Daily News in late October, “Emerald...
View ArticleVolunteers needed for Jingle Bell Run
The Arthritis Foundation of Fort Walton Beach is seeking volunteers for its 2013 Jingle Bell Run on Dec. 7. The event will be at Fort Walton Landing. It will feature a 10K and 5K run, 5K walk and...
View Article5K/10K spotlights prostate cancer
NAVARRE BEACH —Decked out in a purple sparkly tutu and small plastic crown, Brenda Whidden danced a little bit as she looked over the crowd before the American Cancer Society’s Man Up for a Cure...
View ArticleMan charged with critically injuring baby
FORT WALTON BEACH — A man was arrested Saturday after Okaloosa County sheriff's deputies say he severely injured an 8-week-old baby. As of 6 p.m. Saturday, the baby was unresponsive in the Intensive...
View ArticleOne killed, one hurt when house explodes (GALLERY)
UPDATED Sunday 3 p.m. DESTIN — A 35-year-old man from Illinois was killed in a car explosion at a vacation home on Saturday evening. An Illinois pediatrian who owns the home was also critically...
View ArticleTwo injured in watercraft wreck
VALPARAISO - Two people were taken to Twin Cities Hospital Saturday afternoon after they hit the Tom’s Bayou Bridge on a personal watercraft. Rescuers were called to the scene about 1:55 p.m. The...
View ArticleRiot reported at juvenile detention center
UPDATED Sunday 11 a.m. FORT WALTON BEACH — Eight teenagers were charged with inciting a riot Saturday evening at a juvenile justice detention facility. Law officers were called to the Gulf Coast...
View Article'A freak and tragic accident': Car explosion kills Illinois man, injures another
DESTIN — A massive car explosion outside a vacation home Saturday night killed one man from Illinois and critically injured another. The blast shortly after 7 p.m. blew off the garage door of the home...
View ArticleMan killed in wreck with semitrailer
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — A 44-year-old from DeFuniak Springs was killed in a wreck with a semitrailer at about noon on Sunday. Tony Hayes was driving north on U.S. Highway 331 near the intersection with...
View ArticleTeens charged with inciting a riot at detention facility
FORT WALTON BEACH — Eight teenage boys were charged with inciting a riot at a juvenile detention facility on Saturday evening. Law officers were called to the Gulf Coast Youth Academy about 8:30 p.m....
View Article‘Concierge of the beach’ also is a life-saver
OKALOOSA ISLAND —Dan Debri remembers well his first beach rescue of the season. Easter weekend had just ended and most of the crowd had gone home, but he kept his eye on a father and two sons in the...
View Article'We all know someone who's survived, someone who's fighting'
FORT WALTON BEACH — Six years ago Ocean City-Wright firefighters decided to try something new in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Now, they are one of the top donors of cancer research in the...
View ArticleBluewater Bay residents upset by proposed cell tower
A global telecommunications company’s plan to build a 317-foot cell tower in Bluewater Bay has sparked opposition from homeowners. Okaloosa County commissioners will hear the proposal Tuesday morning...
View ArticleOkaloosa raises property taxes, after drama
Drama and heated disagreement enlivened what was expected to be a routine vote to raise property taxes at Okaloosa County’s final budget hearing Monday night. But in the final minutes of the...
View Article