Niceville, Freeport, and Crestview Kids Learn Selflessness at This Summer Event

Heat, humidity, and gnats are the three guarantees for a June in Florida. Steve Schutt hopes that as Crosspoint Church’s annual service outreach, Mission Northwest, enters its 14th year, it will continue as the fourth constant for Niceville in June. Schutt, along with other volunteers, will lead 275 children in grades 5-12 in service projects around the Florida Panhandle, helping non-profits and fostering a lifetime commitment to serving others and empathy.
A Catholic School in Niceville? Here’s What We Know:

At the end of the meeting, Jeff Witt invited a crowd of about 150 Catholic adults at 3rd Planet Brewing in Niceville to join him in The Lord’s Prayer, but before he could begin, 100 voices had already started on their own. The gathering, which outgrew its initial side room and moved to the beer garden, aimed to gauge interest in starting a Catholic school in Niceville. Witt, a parishioner at Christ our Redeemer Catholic Church, highlighted the strong local desire for Catholic education, emphasizing the thriving community and the absence of a nearby Catholic school. Witt plans to gather further community input through a poll before making concrete decisions, with a vision of creating a faithful, affordable, and excellent Catholic school in Niceville.
Okaloosa County Declares New Efforts To Combat The Opioid Epidemic

Okaloosa County Declares New Efforts To Combat The Opioid Epidemic Staff Reports June 1, 2024 4:03 pm Okaloosa County /*! elementor – v3.21.0 – 26-05-2024 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px} In Brief: Okaloosa County and the Florida Department of Health will hold a press conference for Revive Awareness Day on June 6 […]
Documents: Fired Deputy Who Shot and Killed Hurlburt Field Airman Disciplined in 2021, turned in resignation days before shooting.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has terminated Deputy Eddie Duran following an internal affairs investigation into the fatal shooting of Senior Airman Roger Fortson on May 3. The investigation concluded that Duran’s use of deadly force was not objectively reasonable, violating agency policy. Sheriff Eric Aden emphasized the incident should never have occurred and reaffirmed the office’s commitment to fairness, professionalism, and transparency.
Niceville Businessman and Former Councilman enters the Okaloosa County Commission District 3 Race.

Heath Rominger, a Navy veteran, former Niceville councilperson, and general contractor, has entered the race for Okaloosa County Commission District 3. Rominger, the only candidate from Niceville or Valparaiso, brings a wealth of experience from his military service and local government tenure. His candidacy adds to the competitive field aiming to replace Nathan Boyles, with the Republican primary set for August 20.
BREAKING: Okaloosa Sheriff Release Call Logs, 9-1-1 Tapes From Airman Shooting Death

Mid Bay News received a heavily redacted police report and 911 call from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s office regarding the May 3 shooting of Senior Airman Roger Fortson. The report, which lists four witnesses and two victims, provides a timeline from the initial domestic dispute call to the arrival of EMS and subsequent actions taken by law enforcement. The names of witnesses and a responding deputy were redacted, and the Sheriff’s Office placed the deputy involved on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Could This Move Spell the Beginning of the End of The Okaloosa Housing Crisis?

The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to send a letter to Eglin Air Force Base Commander General Jeffery Geraghty, seeking his support to acquire a 200-acre parcel currently serving as Eglin’s golf course. The county aims to use this land for affordable housing and commercial space in a community with a median home sale price of $450,000. This initiative follows a collaborative meeting in March between local government leaders and the Air Force to discuss potential land acquisitions.
Can You Hear ‘Em? Eglin Roars to Life for Night Flights.

The 58th Fighter Squadron will perform night flying operations over Eglin Air Force Base and surrounding areas on May 20-22 between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Night flying is an essential requirement for the 58th Fighter Squadron training operations. However, night operations could mean a couple of evenings littered with the roar of aircraft flying overhead for civilians.
We Got Into An Invite-Only Affordable Housing Summit In Niceville. This Is What We Learned About The Local Housing Crisis:

local government, developers, and industry leaders convened for a housing summit in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Hosted by OCHIP, WCHIP, and the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors, the summit focused on affordable housing challenges and solutions. Discussions highlighted the impact of housing costs on residents’ quality of life and the collaborative efforts needed to address these issues.
These Unique Concrete Blocks Will Change The Shape of Okaloosa County’s Diving and Fishing Industries

Marine life in the Gulf of Mexico celebrates a significant expansion in its habitat thanks to a $1.26 million artificial reef project. Funded by the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Fund, this initiative has not only created new underwater habitats but also promises to invigorate the region’s fishing and tourism industries.