Fort Walton Beach backs FDOT plan to curb crashes at First Street and Beal Parkway
A Fort Walton Beach intersection with more than triple the crashes considered “hazardous” is getting a quick safety makeover — here’s what’s changing for drivers.
Fort Walton Beach moves to ‘plainly audible’ noise ordinance, expands exemptions
Fort Walton Beach is turning down the volume on its old noise law, and turning up enforcement with a “plainly audible” rule police say will finally work.
Fort Walton Beach OKs $415K no-bid contract for new downtown parking lot
With downtown parking spots disappearing fast, Fort Walton Beach is skipping the bidding process to get a new lot built in record time.
Fort Walton Beach moves to protect Chester Pruitt Park with Florida Historic Designation
Fort Walton Beach moves to protect Chester Pruitt Park with Florida Historic Designation Staff Reports August 13, 2025 2:48 pm Uncategorized In Brief: 🏛️ City Council votes 7-0 to seek historic designation for Chester Pruitt Park. 👮 Honors Chester Pruitt, the city’s first Black police officer, and his groundbreaking service. 🎉 Park’s designation would protect […]
Fort Walton Beach man killed in US 98 crash; police seeking witnesses
Fort Walton Beach police are investigating a fatal crash on US 98 that killed bicyclist Jason Turpen, 45, and are asking the public for help.
Fort Walton Beach man arrested for tampering with power infrastructure, causing overnight outage
A cold beer can and forensic science led police to the man behind a power outage that left thousands in the dark last September.
Fort Walton Beach reminds drivers of school zone speed cameras ahead of Aug. 11 return
As students return to class on August 11, Fort Walton Beach is reminding drivers that photo speed enforcement cameras will be active in school zones throughout the city, with $100 citations issued for vehicles traveling more than 10 mph over the posted limit.
Gulfarium Celebrates 70 Years with Year-Long Events, Discounted Admission
From leaping dolphins to a 70-year-old manatee, Gulfarium is throwing a year-long party to celebrate seven decades on the Emerald Coast.
Fort Walton Beach Councilman warns charter review may overturn voter-backed amendments
Fort Walton Beach Councilman Payne Walker is challenging efforts by the Charter Review Committee to reverse voter-backed amendments, calling the move a threat to democratic accountability.
Motorcyclist, SUV passenger killed in high-speed crash on Okaloosa Island
A 19-year-old motorcyclist and a 50-year-old SUV passenger were killed in a high-speed collision on U.S. 98 in Fort Walton Beach on July 25. Two others were seriously injured.
