Fort Walton Beach school-zone cameras slash speeding by 95% in first year

Fort Walton Beachβs school-zone speed cameras cut speeding by 95% in their first year, collecting $183,675 in fines. Most violators received only one ticket, and city leaders say the revenue is being reinvested into safety improvements.
Hundreds gather in Fort Walton Beach to honor Charlie Kirk

Hundreds gathered in Fort Walton Beach for a vigil honoring Charlie Kirk, joining nationwide memorials following his killing in Utah.
Okaloosa Commission approves $250K for Gap Creek study to address flooding, water quality

Okaloosa County is putting $250,000 toward a long-awaited study of Fort Walton Beachβs Gap Creek watershed, matching state funding to address chronic flooding and water quality issues
Fort Walton Beach Council backs tentative tax hike and $65.2 million budget for upcoming fiscal year

The Fort Walton Beach City Council advanced a $65.2 million budget and tentative millage rate after a tense debate over taxes and spending priorities.
Fort Walton Beach Council approves water and sewer rate hikes to prevent utility deficits

The Fort Walton Beach City Council voted 4β2 to raise water and wastewater rates over five years to prevent deficits and fund infrastructure upgrades, despite pushback from residents and two councilmembers.
Fort Walton Beach Charter Review Commission finalizes report, sends suggestions to City Council

The Fort Walton Beach Charter Review Committee has finalized and forwarded sweeping charter amendments to City Council for consideration at its Sept. 30 meeting.
Fort Walton Beach seeks Attorney General opinion on voter-approved budget cap

Fort Walton Beach is asking the Florida Attorney General to review whether its new charter amendment capping annual budget growth conflicts with state law, after the council approved the request in a 6β1 vote.
Fort Walton Beach considers voter referendum to move city elections to November

Fort Walton Beach leaders want residents to decide when local elections are held β would you support moving them to November alongside statewide races?
Jailhouse text messages, records shed new light on Fort Walton Beach property deal

Jailhouse text messages, records shed new light on Fort Walton Beach property deal Collin Bestor September 2, 2025 2:00 pm Fort Walton Beach In Brief: π± Jailhouse texts show Councilmember Bryce Jeter negotiated a $65,000 property sale with inmate Walter Robinson Jr., linking the deal to Robinsonβs bail. βοΈ Critics allege coercion and conflict of […]
Fort Walton Beach Councilmember accused of coercing jailed man into property sale; Jeter denies allegations

A Fort Walton Beach councilmember is at the center of a storm after being accused of pressuring a jailed man into signing away his home β but he says the allegations are β100% false.β