Fort Walton Beach Council sets hearing after assault claim against Charter Chair
The Fort Walton Beach City Council will hold a hearing on July 8 to decide whether to remove Charter Review Committee Chair Mike Minich after allegations from former Councilman Travis Smith that Minich shoved him following a recent meeting.
Fort Walton Beach sets property tax rate at 4.3282 Mills for 2025-26 Budget
Even though the Fort Walton Beach City Council voted 4-3 to keep the millage rate the same, residents should still expect to pay more in property taxes next year due to rising property values.
Okaloosa County School Board approves new leadership
Okaloosa County School Board approves new leadership at Elliot Point, Davidson Collin Bestor June 24, 2025 2:18 pm Schools and Education In Brief: 🏫 Laura King promoted to principal at Davidson Middle School after nearly two decades in Okaloosa classrooms. 🌍 Eva Ratley named assistant principal at Elliott Point, bringing global teaching experience and fresh […]
Fort Walton Beach Barbershop Goes Viral for ‘Minecraft Haircut,’ Builds Community One Cut at a Time
Fort Walton Beach Barbershop Goes Viral for ‘Minecraft Haircut,’ Builds Community One Cut at a Time Collin Bestor June 24, 2025 4:00 pm Fort Walton Beach In Brief: 💈 A playful, accidental haircut resembling a Minecraft character brought millions of views and national attention to The Gryms Men barbershop. 🐶 The shop is turning its […]
Okaloosa County School District looks to cut costs as budget deliberations begin
Okaloosa school leaders unveiled a balanced but trimmed-down budget focused on staffing changes and capital reallocation to manage ongoing financial pressure without cutting school-level resources.
Mary Esther officials weigh options after sudden cancellation of animal control contract
Mary Esther officials weigh options after sudden cancellation of animal control contract Collin Bestor June 23, 2025 6:21 pm Mary Esther In Brief: 🐾 PAWS abruptly ends contract with Mary Esther, leaving the city without animal control services. 📈 New contract proposed higher rates, prompting council concerns over fairness and financial burden. 🏛️ Officials weigh […]
Mary Esther unveils park master plan
Mary Esther unveils park master plan Collin Bestor June 23, 2025 12:29 pm Mary Esther In Brief: 🐾 Top community priorities include dog parks, pickleball courts, and a central space for events and farmers markets. 🌳 Five major parks will be redesigned for accessibility, multi-use features, and public gathering spaces. 💰 $28 million phased plan […]
Search for Missing 10-Year-Old Trinity Eslinger Winds Down After Six Days
Search for Missing 10-Year-Old Trinity Eslinger Winds Down After Six Days Collin Bestor June 19, 2025 8:22 am Destin, Okaloosa County, Public Safety In Brief: Authorities have ended active search efforts for 10-year-old Trinity Eslinger, who disappeared in the water near Destin’s East Pass on June 12. Despite a six-day, multi-agency operation covering over 250 […]
Emerald Coast Life Center transforms drug recovery in Okaloosa County
Emerald Coast Life Center transforms drug recovery in Okaloosa County Collin Bestor June 19, 2025 7:30 am Crestview, Holt HOLT — Dana Clah has gone from sitting in a jail cell to shaping what rehabilitation behind bars can look like in Okaloosa County. A former inmate, trauma survivor, ministry leader and now founder of the Emerald […]
Did Valparaiso Break Sunshine Law With Appointment of New Commissioner?
Bryan Griffin was appointed to the Valparaiso City Commission following a contested and potentially Sunshine Law–violating vote process that required a public records request to uncover.
