House panel OKs ban on texting while driving
TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers on Wednesday got one step closer to a statewide ban on texting while driving. The House Economics Affairs committee cleared a bill (HB 13) by a 16-1 vote that would...
View ArticleGoat that walked into Mont. bar was taken from zoo
BUTTE, Mont. (AP) — So the goat that walked into a Montana bar last weekend ... was stolen from a petting zoo. Fairmont Hot Springs Resort general manager Steve Luebeck says staffers knew the goat was...
View ArticleState audit finds no major issues with Okaloosa schools (DOCUMENT)
FORT WALTON BEACH — In general, the Okaloosa County School District’s finances appear to be in good shape, according to a recently completed audit. The Florida Auditor General’s Office identified a...
View ArticleStudent says he doesn't have to mind deputies because he's 'of age'
DESTIN – A 21-year-old student was arrested after Okaloosa County Sheriff’s deputies busted a house party and he refused to cooperate with them. On March 25 deputies spotted a large party at a house...
View ArticleLawmen don't approve of boyfriend's method of keeping girlfriend from driving...
FORT WALTON BEACH – A man told Okaloosa County Sheriff’s deputies that after a night of drinking, his girlfriend wanted to go to a store to get something to eat, and he held her down to keep her from...
View ArticleMan who had never been issued a license caught driving
FORT WALTON BEACH – A man from Honduras was arrested after a Fort Walton Beach Police officer caught him operating a motor vehicle without ever having been issued a license. The traffic stop occurred...
View ArticleHurricane center will continue issuing advisories on hybrid storms
MIAMI — Responding to criticism after Superstorm Sandy, the National Hurricane Center said Thursday it would change the way it warns people about tropical storms that morph into something else. At the...
View ArticleMore details released on Rees’ arrest
While friends and fellow Republicans stand by Lane Rees, Walton County’s elected state committeeman, a probable cause affidavit released by the Sheriff’s Office indicates authorities had strong...
View ArticleLaRouche PAC sets up shop outside local post offices
The Lyndon LaRouche Political Action Committee has drawn attention from residents recently as volunteers set up shop in front of local post offices with signs promoting their controversial and varied...
View ArticleParents’ tough love lesson gains fame
CRESTVIEW — When Renee and Gentry Nickell made their 13-year-old daughter stand on a street corner near their home March 16 and hold a sign about her bad attitude, they never imagined the response....
View ArticleFla. Senate OKs bill to end permanent alimony
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Senate voted Thursday to end permanent alimony in the Sunshine State, passing a sweeping bill that would set new guidelines for the emotional issue of spousal...
View ArticleEx-Fla. lieutenant gov talks about resignation
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Former Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll said Thursday she had no idea law enforcement was investigating a veterans charity accused of running illegal slot machine-style...
View ArticleWounded vet awarded with a new home (GALLERY)
NICEVILLE—Rex Hardy could not keep his eyes off of his pretty swimming pool. Even after his 12-year-old sister Emerson Hardy chased him through their new backyard, he returned. Out of breath from...
View ArticleBoy flown to hospital after near drowning
OKALOOSA ISLAND - An 11-year-old boy was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola about 2:30 p.m. Thursday after he nearly drowned, according to Okaloosa Island Fire Department. The boy was...
View ArticleDeFuniak Springs man killed in I10 wreck
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — A 35-year-old man was killed Thursday evening after his vehicle left the westbound lane and hit a tree along the interstate. According to the Florida Highway Patrol press release,...
View ArticleCommunity reaction to former commissioner's arrest
The South Walton community and beyond reeled in shock from news of high-profile community leader Lane Rees's arrest Monday evening on child pornography charges. Rees and his wife, Brenda, have been...
View ArticleMary Esther man killed by subway in New York City
A 23-year-old Fort Walton Beach High School graduate died Thursday morning after he was struck by a subway train in New York City. Bobby LeGrand Guin was waiting at the Central Park West station...
View ArticlePhiladelphia gets ready to play 'Pong' on building
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia is getting ready for a supersized game of "Pong" — on the side of a skyscraper. The classic Atari video game will be re-created later this month on the facade of the...
View ArticleJudge refuses to block BP settlement payouts
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal judge on Friday rejected BP's request to block what could be billions of dollars in settlement payouts to businesses that claim the company's 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of...
View ArticleAs seen on video: 18-year-old smacks child in eye
CRESTVIEW – An 18-year-old female was arrested after she allegedly struck a child in the eye, cutting the child’s eyelid, according to Crestview Police. On March 7 police officers watched a video that...
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