Okaloosa County Commissioners approve amendment to Hospital Assessment Program
Okaloosa County commissioners approved an amendment to the Local Provider Participation Fund, ensuring local hospitals can continue receiving Medicaid-related reimbursements at no cost to taxpayers.
Okaloosa County boosts fishing industry with FAD network
Okaloosa County will install eight new shallow-water fish aggregating devices off Destin’s coast, expanding the county’s offshore fishing network with a $513,000 project funded through budget savings.
Kristen Shell named Okaloosa County’s next Growth Management Director
Kristen Shell, a veteran planner with over two decades of experience in Northwest Florida, has been unanimously confirmed as Okaloosa County’s new Growth Management Director.
Okaloosa County approves $1.87M study to support Eglin West Gate Redevelopment
Okaloosa County approves $1.87M study to support Eglin West Gate Redevelopment Staff Reports July 2, 2025 9:08 pm Uncategorized In Brief: 🛠️ County commissioners approved a $1.87 million study to plan infrastructure upgrades near Eglin AFB’s West Gate as part of a long-term redevelopment vision. 🤝 The agreement extends a contract with HDR Engineering and […]
Highway 98 shoreline project moves closer to reality with federal boost
The Highway 98 Living Shoreline Project on Okaloosa Island is moving into final design and permitting, thanks to $284,000 in new federal funding and no added county costs.
Three hospitalized after multi-vehicle crash on State Road 20 in Bluewater Bay
Three people were hospitalized following a rear-end crash on State Road 20 in Niceville that pushed one SUV into oncoming traffic, causing a head-on collision.
Niceville Student’s Mock Bill on Elderly Driving Retesting Draws Real-World Attention, Support from Grieving Family
A Niceville teen’s mock bill on senior driver testing, inspired by a tragic local crash, garners real-world support from a grieving family and state-level attention.
PAWS Faces $750K Shortfall as Cities Cancel Contracts: “This Is Not Sustainable”
PAWS, Okaloosa County’s primary animal welfare provider, is facing a $750,000 deficit amid contract disputes with cities like Destin and Niceville, forcing tough decisions as animal intake costs soar.
DeSantis Signs $115B Florida Budget; $87 Million Headed to Okaloosa and Walton Counties
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s $115 billion state budget, securing more than $87 million for Okaloosa and Walton County projects, while issuing only a few local vetoes and launching a $2 billion statewide tax relief plan.
DeSantis Signs Florida Budget, Could Veto $80 Million in Okaloosa and Walton Projects
Florida’s new state budget includes $2 billion in tax cuts but places more than $80 million in local Panhandle projects in jeopardy amid a wave of vetoes by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
