Destin Considers Legalizing Beach Bonfires

A beach bonfire burns in the foreground at sunset on a Destin, Florida shoreline, with text overlay reading β€œBeach bonfires may soon be legal (and profitable) in Destin.”

Destin Considers Legalizing Beach Bonfires Collin Bestor June 4, 2025 12:55 pm Destin, News, Uncategorized In Brief: Destin City Council is exploring an ordinance that could legalize beach bonfires on city-owned property. The proposed permit program is modeled after Walton County’s and aims to raise revenue without taxing residents. Key hurdles include determining which beachfront […]

Amber Burke Named Top AFJROTC Instructor in Nation

SMSgt Amber Burke takes a selfie with Fort Walton Beach High School AFJROTC cadets in front of the Combat Talon memorial aircraft.

Amber Burke Named Top AFJROTC Instructor in Nation Staff Reports June 2, 2025 12:33 pm Uncategorized In Brief: πŸ† SMSgt Amber Burke of Fort Walton Beach High School earned national recognition as the 2025 Overall Air Force/Space Force Outstanding Instructor of the Year for her leadership in AFJROTC. She also took home the Region 2 […]

Emerald Coast Pride Debuts in Crestview

A large group of smiling people of all ages pose indoors at Emerald Coast Pride in Crestview, many holding pride flags and wearing rainbow clothing.

Emerald Coast Pride Debuts in Crestview Staff Reports May 29, 2025 2:57 pm Crestview, Events, LGBTQ+, News In Brief: 🌈 Emerald Coast Pride comes to Crestview for the first time, hosted by PFLAG Niceville. πŸŽ‰ The all-day event features a vendor fair, Pride Walk, open mic, and all-ages Pride Prom. ❀️ A safe, affirming space […]

Two New Statues Unveiled to Honor Women Veterans

Aerial view of Veterans Park on Okaloosa Island, featuring flagpoles, winding pathways, and surrounding greenery near the shoreline.

Two New Statues Unveiled to Honor Women Veterans Staff Reports May 28, 2025 1:45 pm Military, News, Okaloosa County, State Government In Brief: The 3rd Annual Women Veterans Day ceremony in Okaloosa County will take place June 12 at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center. This year’s event will include the unveiling of two new […]

Eglin Federal Credit Union Opens New Operations Center

Lobby of Eglin Federal Credit Union’s new Operations Center featuring the EFCU logo, modern lighting, and seating area with large windows.

Eglin Federal Credit Union Opens New Operations Center Staff Reports May 26, 2025 9:31 am Business, News, Okaloosa County, Walton County In Brief: Eglin Federal Credit Union has opened a 100,000-square-foot Operations Center in Fort Walton Beach. The building will support 400 employees, strengthen digital services, and help the credit union expand across Northwest Florida […]

Florida Wildlife Commission Advances Bear Hunt Rules

Florida black bear standing in tall grass, looking to the side in a sunlit forest clearing

Florida Wildlife Commission Advances Bear Hunt Rules Staff Reports May 22, 2025 10:18 am Government, News, State Government, Wildlife In Brief: 🐻 Florida’s wildlife agency voted to advance a proposed rule allowing black bear hunting to return to the state. FWC says hunting could help manage bear populationsβ€”but critics question its necessity and impact. πŸ“ […]

Okaloosa County Launches Mosquito Spraying Map Tool

Mosquito control truck spraying mist along a residential road in Okaloosa County at dusk.

Okaloosa County Launches Mosquito Spraying Map Tool Staff Reports May 22, 2025 9:20 am News, Okaloosa County, Public Safety, Wildlife In Brief: 🦟 Okaloosa County has launched an interactive mosquito spraying map to help residents track when their neighborhood will be treated. πŸ“ Spraying began Monday and continues each evening, starting an hour before sunset. […]

Emerald Coast Open Removes 20K+ Invasive Lionfish

Staff members in blue shirts and gloves measure a lionfish under a tent at the 2025 Emerald Coast Open in Destin, Florida.

Emerald Coast Open Removes 20K+ Invasive Lionfish Staff Reports May 22, 2025 8:43 am Charities and Nonprofits, Destin, Events, Fort Walton Beach, News, Okaloosa County, Wildlife In Brief: 🐠 20,502 lionfish were removed from the Gulf during the 2025 Emerald Coast Open and Lionfish Festival in Destin-Fort Walton Beach. 🎯 Deep Water Mafia 1 led […]

Troop 544 Honored for Rescuing Missing Child in Fort Walton

Group of Boy Scouts from Troop 544 standing with Okaloosa County Commissioner Paul Mixon, holding a framed proclamation honoring their role in finding a missing child.

Troop 544 Honored for Rescuing Missing Child in Fort Walton Staff Reports May 21, 2025 1:09 pm Uncategorized In Brief: 🧭 Scouts from Troop 544 helped locate a missing 11-year-old autistic child near Ferry Park in Fort Walton Beach on April 7. πŸ… Okaloosa County Commissioner Paul Mixon presented the troop with a proclamation recognizing […]

Florida Parks, Florida Prepaid Launch Summer Giveaway

Two young children stand side by side, looking up at the roots of a large tree in a sun-dappled Florida state park.

Florida Parks, Florida Prepaid Launch Summer Giveaway Staff Reports May 20, 2025 6:15 pm News, Schools and Education, State Government Families in Florida have a new reason to hit the trails this summer. Florida State Parks and the Florida Prepaid College Savings Program have teamed up once again to offer a mix of outdoor fun […]

Mid Bay News

A drone view of the activity on Boggy Bayou before the annual fireworks festival put on every year by the cities of Niceville  and Valparaiso.