Okaloosa County to break ground on $16.75 million Tarpon Beach Park
City and county officials will break ground on Tarpon Beach Gulf Front Park in Destin on July 7, a $16.75 million project expanding public access to the Gulf with new amenities and free parking.
Search for Missing 10-Year-Old Trinity Eslinger Winds Down After Six Days
Search for Missing 10-Year-Old Trinity Eslinger Winds Down After Six Days Collin Bestor June 19, 2025 8:22 am Destin, Okaloosa County, Public Safety In Brief: Authorities have ended active search efforts for 10-year-old Trinity Eslinger, who disappeared in the water near Destin’s East Pass on June 12. Despite a six-day, multi-agency operation covering over 250 […]
Destin Helicopter Crash Sends Four to Hospital
A helicopter tour ended in a crash on the Destin runway, sending four people to the hospital — here’s what we know so far.
Okaloosa Approves Agreement to Fight For Destin Underpass
A $20 million pedestrian underpass could soon change how people cross one of Destin’s most hazardous intersections — if local leaders can secure federal funding in time.
Destin Sharks Snag MLB Alum to Skipper Squad in 2026
Destin High School is swinging for the fences with its newest hire: former MLB catcher and World Series champion Scott Hemond. After years of coaching and training local talent, Hemond takes the helm of the Destin Sharks baseball program as it enters the FHSAA series for the first time. Can the seasoned pro turn a young team with little history into a serious state contender?
Destin Considers Legalizing Beach Bonfires
Destin Considers Legalizing Beach Bonfires Collin Bestor June 4, 2025 12:55 pm Destin, News, Uncategorized In Brief: Destin City Council is exploring an ordinance that could legalize beach bonfires on city-owned property. The proposed permit program is modeled after Walton County’s and aims to raise revenue without taxing residents. Key hurdles include determining which beachfront […]
UPDATE – Tragedy in Destin: Parents Drown, Son Saved by Heroic Beachgoer
Two people died in an apparent drowning on May 27 near SunDestin Resort in Destin, marking the first confirmed drowning fatalities of the 2025 summer season in Okaloosa County.
Emerald Coast Open Removes 20K+ Invasive Lionfish
Emerald Coast Open Removes 20K+ Invasive Lionfish Staff Reports May 22, 2025 8:43 am Charities and Nonprofits, Destin, Events, Fort Walton Beach, News, Okaloosa County, Wildlife In Brief: 🐠 20,502 lionfish were removed from the Gulf during the 2025 Emerald Coast Open and Lionfish Festival in Destin-Fort Walton Beach. 🎯 Deep Water Mafia 1 led […]
Cold War Over Okaloosa’s ‘County Wide Assets’ Rears Head Again
Crab Island’s vessel-free zone is gone — and with it, the illusion that all county commissioners agree on who controls what in Okaloosa’s waters.
UPDATE: Army Responds to Allegations of Ranger Misbehavior at Crab Island
Tourists at Crab Island say they saw soldiers drinking and shooting during Billy Bowlegs weekend — We’re asking officials for the version of events and what will happen next.
