Tough but Necessary: Okaloosa Will Close Two “Outstanding” Schools
Okaloosa School Board votes unanimously to close Mary Esther and Longwood Elementary amid enrollment decline and budget challenges, with rezoning ahead.
Firefighters Hold the Line at Choctaw Plaza Fire
A three-alarm commercial fire at Choctaw Plaza destroyed a Rent-A-Center Monday night, sending heavy smoke through multiple adjacent businesses.
19-Count Federal Lawsuit Alleges Reckless Force Caused Veteran’s Heart Attack
A Fort Walton Beach veteran files a 19-count federal lawsuit alleging arrest triggered a heart attack while in police custody.
Major Expansion Brings New Life to Temple Mound Museum
The Indian Temple Mound Museum will reopen Feb. 28 following a major expansion and months of exhibit renovations, offering free admission for the grand reopening celebration.
For Gap Creek Residents, Flooding Problems Are Not Wishlist Items
Every time it rains, Gap Creek rises — and so do the frustrations of residents who say government promises keep flowing, but real fixes never arrive.
After Scathing Revelations About Transit Service, Okaloosa Commissioners Sign Off on $1M Contract Fix
Okaloosa avoids $1M transit repayment as leaders confront empty buses and consider sweeping service changes.
Courageous Student Report Leads to Arrest in School Threat Case
A Fort Walton Beach teen was arrested after escalating school shooting threats, with officials praising students who reported the behavior early.
City Leaders Clash as Taxpayer Protection Measure Draws New Criticism
What began as a promise to protect taxpayers is now being labeled a costly experiment, as Fort Walton Beach officials warn that a 3% budget cap is shrinking services, driving staff away, and inflating long-term costs.
A Remarkable Community Gift Is Changing Lives in Local Classrooms
The Fort Walton Beach Moose Lodge has donated more than $17,000 since 2022 to help eliminate student lunch debt at Okaloosa County elementary schools.
Fort Walton Beach high schoolers protest ICE in march down Miracle Strip
Drivers along Miracle Strip Parkway in Fort Walton Beach and Mary Esther greeted about 100 Fort Walton Beach High School students with horn honks, cheers, jeers and several middle fingers as they walked down the sidewalk to protest the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency.
