Week 4: Is Choctaw The Best Team on the Panhandle?
Week four of Panhandle high school football exploded with stunning upsets, defensive masterclasses, and a wild 131-point shootout, reshaping the season’s landscape.
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.
House-passed defense bill sends $300M for Eglin, Hurlburt projects and includes Patronis Amendment
The U.S. House passed its $892.6 billion defense policy bill, authorizing major construction projects at Eglin and Hurlburt, while Rep. Jimmy Patronis claimed a win with his amendment on military vehicles.
Fort Walton Beach Council approves water and sewer rate hikes to prevent utility deficits
The Fort Walton Beach City Council voted 4–2 to raise water and wastewater rates over five years to prevent deficits and fund infrastructure upgrades, despite pushback from residents and two councilmembers.
Florida Appeals Court strikes down state’s open carry ban as unconstitutional
A Florida appeals court struck down the state’s open-carry ban, ruling it unconstitutional under the Second Amendment and setting up a new legal and legislative fight over gun rights.
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.
Niceville overcomes rocky first quarter, downs Pine Forest 35-14
Niceville overcame early turnovers with a dominant offensive showing led by Deagan McCoy and Robert Oliver to defeat Pine Forest 35-14 in Pensacola.
Family questions FHP handling after fatal Highway 20 crash
The family of a Niceville man killed in a July crash says the Florida Highway Patrol mishandled the investigation, failed to preserve evidence, and allowed the driver’s case to be closed with only a traffic fine.
Freeport asphalt plant proposal sparks legal battle, fierce opposition in Walton County
A plan to revive a Highway 20 asphalt plant near Freeport faces legal arguments, community pushback, and procedural confusion as Walton County weighs its future.
Okaloosa County backs Rotary proposal to expand beach rescue tube program
Okaloosa County is considering a low-cost but potentially lifesaving project to expand rescue tube stations along local beaches — do you think these flotation devices could make a difference?
