Mary Esther leaders mobilize to fight proposed closure of elementary school
Mary Esther officials and residents are mounting a public pushback against the Okaloosa County School District’s proposal to close Mary Esther Elementary, arguing the nearly 60-year-old school is central to the city’s identity, family stability and military readiness.
Hope Renewed at Bud Day Park: A Community Space Reborn
Okaloosa County will celebrate the reopening of Brigadier General Bud Day Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony showcasing major upgrades and new amenities.
Eglin Air Force Base Is Awarded A Multi-Billion Dollar Contract to Support Infrastructure and Modernization
Air Force Awards Multi-Billion Dollar Contract to Support Eglin Staff Reports December 31, 2025 12:48 pm Eglin Air Force Base, Emerald Coast, Government, Hurlburt Field, Mary Esther, Military In Brief: 👤 Who: U.S. Air Force; Strategic Test Solutions LLC ❓ What: $1.87 billion operations and maintenance contract 📅 When: Awarded in December 2025; runs through […]
GALLERY: Christmas 2025 on the Emerald Coast (Send in your photos NOW!)
Merry Christmas to all from Mid Bay News! Here are the photo highlights of the season from around Northwest Florida and the Emerald Coast!
Patronis Demands Answers on Special Operations Relocation
Florida Congressman Jimmy Patronis and Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody are pressing Pentagon leaders for answers after the Air Force finalized its plan to move the 492nd Special Operations Wing from Northwest Florida to Arizona. In a sharply worded letter, the lawmakers warn the relocation could slow U.S. response times to growing threats in Venezuela and the Caribbean and question why the Air Force relied on Biden-era climate considerations instead of current national security priorities.
Okaloosa Schools Release Bus Schedules for 2025-6 School Year
Okaloosa County School District has released their bus schedules for the upcoming school year.
Mary Esther eyes public safety contracts amid budget deficit, capital projects
With a deficit budget on the table and millions in capital projects ahead, Mary Esther’s leaders are asking a bold question: Are taxpayers getting what they pay for in public safety?
Greek Festival returns to Mary Esther this October
Mary Esther’s Greek Festival returns October 17–19 with food, dancing, live music, kids’ activities, and newly completed church icons on display.
Mary Esther still without animal control after PAWS cancels contract, city seeks alternatives
Mary Esther is still without animal control services after PAWS canceled its contract, leaving city leaders scrambling for solutions and demanding fairness in future agreements.
Mary Esther officials outline fixes after citywide water outage exposes infrastructure flaws
A crash, a buried valve, and a city left without water—Mary Esther’s leaders explain how it happened, what it’ll cost, and what’s next.
