Valparaiso Couple Wins $100,000 Wedding By Doing This!
Brandon Lang and Lesley Lowrey, natives of Destin and Niceville, recently won a $100,000 wedding weekend in a contest sponsored by three northwest Florida businesses. Their victory, achieved through widespread community voting, means the couple will have their dream wedding in Pensacola on November 17th, free of financial stress and planning worries. The couple, who met at 16 while working at a movie theater, plan to live in Valparaiso after their nuptials.
Parents: ‘Okaloosa STEMM Principal Broke The Law.’ Now, They Say They Want Justice for Their Son With Autism.
Okaloosa STEMM Academy, lauded as one of Florida’s top middle schools, faces scrutiny from a family who claims their son, José, experienced harassment under the administration of Principal Dr. Scheree Martin. Despite José’s high academic performance, his parents allege Martin’s disciplinary actions targeted their son due to his autism and ADD, leading them to withdraw him from the school. Their ongoing battle highlights concerns about the school’s handling of students with special needs and has prompted investigations by both the Okaloosa County School District and the Florida Department of Education.
Destin Man Injured in Shooting
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred Friday night at Sea Glass Apartments on Commons Drive in Destin. A 60-year-old man driving a white truck was found with multiple gunshot wounds and is currently being treated at a local hospital. The suspect, who called deputies from within the apartment complex, is in custody. The motive remains unclear. Authorities are seeking information from the public regarding the incident and can be reached at 850.651.7400 or through Emerald Coast Crimestoppers.
A Catholic School in Niceville? Here’s What We Know:
At the end of the meeting, Jeff Witt invited a crowd of about 150 Catholic adults at 3rd Planet Brewing in Niceville to join him in The Lord’s Prayer, but before he could begin, 100 voices had already started on their own. The gathering, which outgrew its initial side room and moved to the beer garden, aimed to gauge interest in starting a Catholic school in Niceville. Witt, a parishioner at Christ our Redeemer Catholic Church, highlighted the strong local desire for Catholic education, emphasizing the thriving community and the absence of a nearby Catholic school. Witt plans to gather further community input through a poll before making concrete decisions, with a vision of creating a faithful, affordable, and excellent Catholic school in Niceville.
Emerald Coast Open Helps Control Invasive Lionfish
The Emerald Coast Open lionfish tournament, held from May 17-19, saw divers remove 11,844 invasive lionfish from the Gulf of Mexico throughout the event. Participants competed for $125,000 in prizes, with winners including VJL Seafood, Deep Water Mafia El Gato Negro, Lookin’ Back, and Bob Brown. The tournament also featured the Lionfish Festival and Restaurant Week, promoting conservation and culinary innovation with lionfish dishes.
We Got Into An Invite-Only Affordable Housing Summit In Niceville. This Is What We Learned About The Local Housing Crisis:
local government, developers, and industry leaders convened for a housing summit in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Hosted by OCHIP, WCHIP, and the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors, the summit focused on affordable housing challenges and solutions. Discussions highlighted the impact of housing costs on residents’ quality of life and the collaborative efforts needed to address these issues.
Fire At Tailfins in Destin Injures one Firefighter
This is a developing story – as we get more information, we will put it out here.
Mary Anne Windes, Enters Okaloosa County Commission District 5 Race
Mary Anne Windes has thrown her hat in the ring to compete against Drew Palmer for the District 5 Commission Seat
BREAKING: Mel Ponder Announces He Won’t Run for Re-Election as Okaloosa Commissioner
County Commissioner Mel Ponder, a long-time public servant in Okaloosa County, has announced that he will not run for re-election, marking a significant shift in local leadership. This decision opens up the field for new candidates and raises questions about the future direction of the county’s governance.
LiveOak Fiber Reaches Halfway Mark in Okaloosa County Internet Rollout
Live Oak Fiber is halfway through installing high-speed internet in Okaloosa County, bridging the digital divide and bringing connectivity to thousands.
