PHOTOS: Local man photographs rainbow over cross
Chris Sheppard of Fort Walton Beach arrived early for church service at St. Simon's on the Sound Episcopal Church on Sunday and photographed this beautiful rainbow that closed out that morning's...
View ArticleDeadline nears for Okaloosa County property tax discount
FORT WALTON BEACH — The deadline for a 2 percent discount on property taxes in nearing. Jan. 31 is the final day to receive the discount for early payment, according to Okaloosa County Tax Collector...
View ArticleVandals deface patriotic mural
FORT WALTON BEACH — The Michles & Booth law office was one of three businesses that were vandalized in recent days, although the damage to its building seems to has caught the most attention....
View ArticleHere are the winners in the Mardi Gras parade
The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of the Abita Mardi Gras Parade on Okaloosa Island on Saturday. Floats: 1st place, Navarre Krewe of Jesters. 2nd place, Mardi...
View ArticleGov. Scott vows to vote against any medical marijuana amendment
TALLAHASSEE — Republican Gov. Rick Scott said Tuesday he will vote against a proposed constitutional amendment to allow the medical use of marijuana if it makes the 2014 ballot. "I have a great deal...
View ArticleTragedy prompts local couple to reach out
SANTA ROSA BEACH — Like many in the community, Sean and Jessica Miller were moved to help the Flemming family, who lost their home in Destin home to a fire Dec. 12. As Jessica started navigating the...
View ArticleOkaloosa eases cab driver rules (DOCUMENT)
FORT WALTON BEACH — Scruffy and poorly dressed cab drivers working at Northwest Florida Regional Airport no longer will face the possibility of jail time for their grooming choices. Okaloosa County...
View ArticleHomeless campground draws heat in Escambia County
As community leaders in Fort Walton Beach explore the idea of a tent city or campground for the homeless, a similar issue is unfolding in Escambia County. A nonprofit outreach group called Sean’s...
View ArticleInvestigators in C-4 case wait for hearing Friday
CRESTVIEW — A bond hearing this week could shed light on the investigation surrounding the discovery of explosives Jan. 5 near the CSX railroad tracks. Vaughn Pottle, a 31-year-old soldier with the...
View ArticleNTSB considers pilot’s weight in investigation of fatal crash
DEFUNIAK SPRINGS — Investigators with National Transportation Safety Board are looking closely at how the pilot’s weight in relation to the size of the aircraft may have played a role in the crash...
View ArticleHomeless appreciate shelters, think a tent city could work
Editor’s note: What to do about the homeless has been a hot topic along the Emerald Coast in recent weeks. Fort Walton Beach is days away from requiring churches to apply for a permit to regulate...
View ArticleThieves ransack Pilgrim’s Rest church
BAKER - Okaloosa County sheriff's deputies are investigating the ransacking of an office at Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church on State Road 4. Thieves caused more than $1,000 in damage and stole cash,...
View ArticleHomeless appreciate shelters, think a tent city could work
Editor’s note: What to do about the homeless has been a hot topic along the Emerald Coast in recent weeks. Fort Walton Beach is days away from requiring churches to apply for a permit to regulate...
View ArticleZoo to throw birthday party for its latest 2-year-old
GULF BREEZE — It seems like a short time ago Gulf Breeze Zoo visitors were staring into a glass nursery watching a newborn gorilla learn to eat, drink and become like his mom. Kigali will celebrate...
View ArticleCounty to consider bundling to save on construction costs
Okaloosa County is considering bundling its next three major construction projects into one financing deal to get a cheaper loan rate. Commissioners voted Tuesday to move forward on the demolition and...
View ArticleFamiliar face missing from NWFSC board meeting (DOCUMENT)
NICEVILLE — A familiar face was missing as Northwest Florida State College’s board of trustees met for the first time since the holidays. Trustee Paul Foster passed away suddenly Oct. 25, 10 days...
View ArticleTeen accused of killing mother found incompetent to stand trial (PHOTOS)
MILTON — Brandon Aydelott was found incompetent to stand trial at a Wednesday afternoon hearing at the Santa Rosa County Courthouse. The 17-year-old faces first degree murder charges. He is accused of...
View ArticleLocal middle school chalks up big win for literacy skit (VIDEO)
SHALIMAR — Students at Meigs Middle School might be new at video production but if a recent award is any indication, they’re naturals. Seven students from the school’s Wildcat Information Network...
View ArticleLocal officials share bridge worries with Sen. Gaetz
Members of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce shared their worries with state Senate President Don Gaetz on Wednesday about plans to replace the Brooks Bridge. “There were chamber...
View ArticlePHOTOS: House fire in Shalimar
View photos from a house fire at 65b 12th Street in Shalimar>> More details will be coming soon.
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