Former attorney testifies against Tipler
Attorney R. Scott Whitehead, the third and most important of Harvey Tipler’s cellmates who say they plotted with him to kill Assistant State Attorney Russ Edgar, testified Thursday for the...
View ArticleFWB reviewing possible assessment for fire protection
FORT WALTON BEACH — The city’s staff is considering options to charge an assessment fee to make funding for fire protection more uniform. The Fort Walton Beach Fire Department’s roughly $3.8 million...
View ArticleGolf game builds character, opens doors (GALLERY)
FORT WALTON BEACH — A new generation of golfers is rapidly developing at Wright Elementary School. For the last two years, students have been allowed to try their hand at the sport during the school’s...
View ArticleMan says he's got a knife in his pocket. Deputy discovers that's not all
CRESTVIEW – When an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s deputy asked a man if he had a weapon, the man said there was a knife in his pocket. He didn’t mention the glass pipe and bag of marijuana. On April 21 a...
View ArticleWoman tells deputy she took clothes so her boyfriend wouldn't have to pay for...
DESTIN – A Niceville woman was arrested and accused of trying to take clothing from a local store without paying for the items. On April 20 a loss prevention officer at Beall’s Department Store on...
View ArticleReport: Intruder says 'Let's do this then' and gets a beating
DESTIN – A man allegedly broke down the door of a Destin residence and threatened the person inside. For his trouble, the man was punched in the face and then arrested by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s...
View ArticlePadgett hits ground running
New Okaloosa County Administrator Ernie Padgett has logged some long days in the last two weeks. He’s written down the names and phone numbers of countless residents and community leaders. He’s shaken...
View Article'I’m praying for a change' (VIDEO, GALLERY)
NICEVILLE — The world looks much different from the last time Pat Peterson bowed her head during the National Day of Prayer. There have been school shootings, bombings, economic turmoil and political...
View ArticleAlert issued for Driftwood Estates
SANTA ROSA BEACH - Several cars and homes have been burglarized in Driftwood Estates lately, according to the Walton County Sheriff's Office. Residents are asked to take valuables from their vehicles,...
View ArticleFour people arrested on drug charges
MILTON - Four people were arrested at the Emerald Sands Inn on Wednesday on drug charges, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office. Deputies watched as narcotics and ingredients were moved...
View ArticleOfficial: Shiny dog bowl sparks Calif. house fire
SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) — A Northern California couple might be able to blame this one on the dog. Authorities say sun refracted off the dog's shiny water bowl and ignited a fire at Terry and Shay...
View Article'We’ve become an integral part of the educational life'
NICEVILLE - The area will see an influx of new graduates Saturday following two ceremonies at Northwest Florida State College. It’s the second time the college has held back-to-back ceremonies at...
View ArticleBoudreau caught Dumpster diving, asking customers for money
FORT WALTON BEACH – A homeless man who goes by the street name of “Boudreau” was caught rummaging in the Dumpster at a local convenience store and charged with trespassing. On April 24 a Fort Walton...
View ArticleReport: Moment of passion leads to rage, pepper spray
FORT WALTON BEACH – A woman who was caught having sex in the bathroom at a local nightspot tangled with Fort Walton Beach Police officers and now faces multiple charges. According to an arrest...
View ArticleLawmen: Man got shoes, sunglasses with five-fingered discount
NICEVILLE – A man needed – or wanted – a new pair of shoes and sunglasses. Unfortunately, he didn’t want to pay for them, according to an arrest report. On April 22 a 30-year-old DeFuniak Springs man...
View ArticleWoman deals with undiagnosed disease: 'What kind of life is this'
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — On a spring morning, Amy Sipos sits in the living room of her parents’ home sipping a cup of tea. Her body and face are swollen from medications that may or may not be helping. Just...
View ArticleGulf Power drills for hurricane season at Okaloosa EOC
NICEVILLE — Gulf Power is busy making preparations for hurricane season now less than a month away. About 60 Gulf Power employees from almost every department attended the utility company’s annual...
View ArticleJury hears tapes in Tipler trial
FORT WALTON BEACH — The jury hearing the trial of disbarred attorney James “Harvey” Tipler for solicitation for murder got a chance Friday to get to know the man. Tipler’s mindset, or at least the...
View ArticleOkaloosa officials to begin filling RESTORE Act panel (DOCUMENT)
Okaloosa County commissioners are set to approve six nominees to an 11-member committee to help decide how RESTORE Act money should be spent locally. The board will begin filling the Okaloosa RESTORE...
View ArticleSharks warrant attention near the beach (VIDEO, GALLERY)
As the waves crashed overhead, the shark continued swimming a few feet from the shore, seemingly oblivious to people watching at it from the beach. The video, taken in the Crystal Beach area, was just...
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