Two People Shot at Fort Walton Beach Days Inn

Fort Walton Beach Police arrested a suspect after two people were shot and injured late Monday night at the Days Inn on Miracle Strip Parkway. Officers say the shooting was an isolated incident and that both victims are in stable condition.
Fort Walton Beach Announces Road Closures for Halloween Trick-or-Treating

Fort Walton Beach will close sections of Brooks Street SE and Bay Drive SE on Friday, Oct. 31, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for Halloween trick-or-treating to ensure safety for families and children.
Fort Walton Beach Police Department Earns Reaccreditation From CFA With Full Compliance

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department has earned reaccreditation from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation with no non-compliant findings, reaffirming its commitment to professional standards and community accountability.
Okaloosa County audit reveals $850K in transit overpayment, sparks reform

A new audit shows Okaloosa County overpaid its bus contractor by more than $850,000 over six years. What went wrong, and how is the county fixing it? Read the full report and see what this means for local taxpayers.
Okaloosa County opens Floridaβs first glowing bike path between Brooks Bridge and East Pass Park

Okaloosa County opens Floridaβs first glowing bike path between Brooks Bridge and East Pass Park Staff Reports October 23, 2025 2:55 pm Uncategorized In Brief: π Glow trail opens: Floridaβs first photoluminescent path now connects Brooks Bridge to East Pass Park.π΄ Safer recreation: The 4.4-mile trail honors cyclists lost on U.S. 98.πΏ Sustainable design: Built […]
Okaloosa County High School Bands Achieve Straight Superior Ratings at 2025 FBA Marching Assessment

All five Okaloosa County high school marching bands earned Straight Superior ratings at the 2025 Florida Bandmasters Association Marching Music Performance Assessment, making the district the only one in its region with top ratings across all schools.
New Affordable Senior Apartment Community Opens in Crestview

New Affordable Senior Apartment Community Opens in Crestview Staff Reports October 23, 2025 8:56 am Crestview, Okaloosa County In Brief: π₯ Who: Housing Trust Group, AM Affordable Housing, Alonzo Mourning, Matthew A. Rieger, Dusty Allison, Paul Mixon, John Feeney ποΈ What: Opening of Princeton Grove, a $28 million affordable housing community for seniors 55+ π […]
Sjoberg Named to Okaloosa Surtax Committee

Local developer and Mid Bay News co-host Paul Sjoberg has been appointed to the Okaloosa Half Cent Surtax Committee, where he will help guide the county’s continued growth and infrastructure development.
Fort Walton Beach Man Sentenced to 30 Years for 2022 Shooting at Coasters

Fort Walton Beach Man Sentenced to 30 Years for 2022 Shooting at Coasters Staff Reports October 22, 2025 11:32 am Crime, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County, Public Safety In Brief: Michael Alan Ladson was convicted of attempted second-degree murder for a 2022 shooting at Coasters in Fort Walton Beach. Ladson fired a single shot at […]
Okaloosa County: Highway 98 connector, Santa Rosa Boulevard improvements, new ambulances

Big moves in Okaloosa County this week: commissioners voted to partner with Santa Rosa County on a regional road study that could create a new east-west corridor off Highway 98 β plus approved a $1 million grant to upgrade Santa Rosa Boulevard on Okaloosa Island.