School board to try to resolve technology contract debate
FORT WALTON BEACH — The Okaloosa County School Board will take the first step Monday night to resolve a standing debate on the district’s next technology contract. The vote comes three months after a...
View ArticleBring out the 'inner child' with dodgeball (PHOTOS)
FORT WALTON BEACH — Six blue, 8-inch foam balls were lined up along the gym floor. At the count of three, a bunch of adults — admittedly acting like children — charged forward to be the first to snag...
View ArticleBody found in bay identified
FORT WALTON BEACH — A body found in Choctawhatchee Bay on Christmas Day has been identified as that of a 20-year-old Fort Walton Beach man. Officials haven’t determined how Levi Alfred Waltene Barnes...
View ArticleStudent wins prestigous state title
A Fort Walton Beach High School senior was awarded Distinguished Young Woman of Florida earlier this month and will represent the state this summer in the national competition. Natalie Katherine...
View ArticleMan hit with baseball bat in confrontation with speeding drivers
FORT WALTON BEACH — A 36-year-old man was taken to an intensive care unit after he was hit in the head with a baseball bat Saturday night. Luke McEwan of Northern Pine Boulevard was at a neighbor’s...
View ArticleCrestview police major under investigation
CRESTVIEW - One of Crestview’s highest-ranking police officers, Maj. Ken Bundrick, is the subject of an internal investigation. “Maj. Bundrick is under internal investigation. That is the only...
View Article'Sprinkler water' may have leaked into Destin pond
DESTIN — More than 1,000 gallons of water flowing through a Destin Water Users “public access reuse line” leaked out Saturday in the area of Twin Lakes Subdivision. But don’t worry. “It’s sprinkler...
View ArticleRelationship spat leads to stick-beating, punching, lawmen say
MARY ESTHER – A boyfriend and girlfriend who tangled over the state of their relationship experienced another form of togetherness – being arrested for domestic violence. An Okaloosa County Sheriff’s...
View ArticleMan says he drove from Texas alone, didn't know bag of pot was near center...
CRESTVIEW – A man who had driven alone from Texas told a Crestview Police officer he didn’t a bag of marijuana was sitting between the driver’s seat and the center console. A police officer went to...
View ArticleReport: Short on money, man decides to steal bicycle
CRESTVIEW – A 43-year-old Crestview man decided he needed a way to get around but didn’t have the money to pay for anything. His solution? According to Crestview Police, he tried to steal a bicycle....
View ArticleDriver in fatal crash identified
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — The driver of last week’s fatal crash along County Road 1087 was identified Monday morning. Florida Highway Patrol identified 43-year-old Ronald S. Murphy as the driver in the wreck...
View ArticleSchool board picks L3 for tech talks
FORT WALTON BEACH — The Okaloosa County School Board voted to go into negotiations for a new technology contract with L3 Communications. The unanimous vote came after an hour of public comment and...
View ArticleCity might require permits for cold weather shelters (DOCUMENT)
FORT WALTON BEACH — Local churches soon could be required to obtain municipal permits to open as cold weather shelters. Under a proposed ordinance, churches, recreation centers and other community...
View ArticleBrother involved in Crestview shootout arrested
CRESTVIEW — Yoni Leonard Calhoun, one of two men city police were looking for Jan. 2 when they found themselves in a gun battle at a North Savage Street residence, has been arrested in Alabama. Active...
View ArticleSuspect burglarizes home while couple sleeps
SHALIMAR — Okaloosa County sheriff’s deputies are seeking a suspect in a burglary at a home at 23 Doral Drive early Thursday morning. A man is seen on a security camera entering the home’s garage at...
View ArticlePolice investigate arson, burglary at home
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — Police believe someone kicked in the door of a home on Walton Road over the weekend, stole a shotgun and then set fire to the place, according to a news release from the DeFuniak...
View ArticleTeen cited for speeding in school bus crash
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — No one was injured in a school bus wreck on Indian Creek Ranch Road on Monday afternoon. Shortly after 3:30 p.m., 16-year-old Benjamin Caleb McKee was driving down the road where it...
View ArticleSheriff's deputy candidate sentenced for inappropriate sexual relationship
A man whose inappropriate sexual relationship with a juvenile was revealed when he applied to become a sheriff’s deputy will serve five years’ probation on a charge of felony battery causing great...
View ArticleDeveloper predicts fate of Landmark Center
FORT WALTON BEACH — Local developer Ken Wright says he’s confident the proposed Landmark Center can survive the state’s plan to replace Brooks Bridge. The key is starting construction on the downtown...
View ArticleEverything's coming up babies! (PHOTOS)
GULF BREEZE — The Gulf Breeze Zoo has experienced a baby boom in recent months, and guests are lining up to take a peek. “It’s wonderful because it’s the natural process for the adults. This is the...
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