Destin Helicopter Crash Sends Four to Hospital

A helicopter tour ended in a crash on the Destin runway, sending four people to the hospital โ 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 Destinโs most hazardous intersections โ 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 Countyโs 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: ๐ 20,502 lionfish were removed from the Gulf during the 2025 Emerald Coast Open and Lionfish Festival in Destin-Fort Walton Beach. ๐ฏ Deep Water Mafia 1 led […]
Cold War Over Okaloosa’s ‘County Wide Assets’ Rears Head Again

Crab Islandโs vessel-free zone is gone โ and with it, the illusion that all county commissioners agree on who controls what in Okaloosaโs 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 โ We’re asking officials for the version of events and what will happen next.
Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation Celebrates 10 Years with Olympian Cody Miller and Community Swim Event

With thousands of swimmers served, three public pools reopened, and a decade of community-driven success behind them, the Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation is diving into its 10th-anniversary celebration. To celebrate, theyโre bringing Olympic gold medalist Cody Miller along for the event. The Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation will celebrate its 10th anniversary on May 17. The […]
Lionfish Tournament Returns to Destin-Fort Walton Beach This May

The Emerald Coast Open returns to Destin-Fort Walton Beach from May 16โ18, 2025, bringing divers, chefs, and the community together to remove invasive lionfish from local waters.