Santa Rosa County Inmate Sentenced to 15 Years for Deadly Prison Chokehold
On September 1, 2026, a Santa Rosa County jury found Tavis E. Williams guilty of Manslaughter. Santa Rosa Circuit Court Judge Clifton Drake immediately sentenced Williams to the maximum sentence of fifteen years in state prison. Williams was sentenced as a Prison Releasee Reoffender and is not eligible for gain time or any form of […]
FWB Felon Arrested With Gun and Suspected Marijuana.
Fort Walton Beach Police *reportedly* arrested a man for weapons violations, claiming he displayed a gun and possessed “suspected” drugs.
FWB revamps trash service, altering residential pickup schedules.
FWB Sanitation claims twice-weekly trash collection begins October 5, promising expanded service for residents.
Fort Walton Beach Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Meth, Cocaine, and Fentanyl
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — A 40-year-old Fort Walton Beach man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida. Elliot Maurice Bell was sentenced Wednesday, Sept. 2, following […]
OCSO Investigation Leads to Arrest in TikTok School Threat Case
A 13-year-old Crestview boy has been arrested and faces felony chargesfollowing an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Investigation into a separateTikTok post targeting multiple schools within Okaloosa County. On Monday, August 31, the OCSO received multiple tips through FortifyFlorida in reference to another fictitious TikTok account posting a concerningmessage referencing Crestview High School, Davidson Middle School, […]
Crestview High School Band Named 2026 Phi Beta Mu Earl D. Irons Program of Distinction
The Crestview High School Band has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious 2026 Earl D. Irons Programof Distinction Award, presented by Phi Beta Mu International in recognition of outstanding achievement inband education and performance. Crestview is one of only two band programs in the nation selected for the2026 honor and the first band […]
Eglin Weapons Crews Race to Load Bombs and Missiles
The heat was on inside Eglin Air Force Base’s historic King Hangar last week as weapons load crews from the 96th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron went head-to-head in the unit’s second-quarter competition. The Blue and Red teams competed in a timed test of skill and precision, preparing, lifting and loading bombs and missiles as they worked […]
Jesse LaCoste Sentenced to 30 Years in Northwest Florida Fraud Case
A former Northwest Florida contractor has been sentenced to 30 years in state prison after being convicted of racketeering and organized fraud in a case prosecutors say involved more than $2 million in losses to homeowners across the region. Jesse LaCoste was sentenced Monday, August 31, following his conviction Thursday on charges of racketeering under […]
Crestview Woman Held Without Bond After Oklahoma Troopers Find Explosive Device
A Crestview woman is facing charges in Oklahoma after authorities say a live homemade explosive device and several firearms were found during a traffic stop. According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol stopped Madeline Haner, of 607 Alabama Street in Crestview, on August 25 as she was traveling through Oklahoma. During […]
DeSantis Awards NWFSC $3 Million for New Maritime Training Center
Northwest Florida State College is set to expand its workforce training offerings after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a $3 million investment Monday for a new Maritime Fabrication Training Center on the college’s Niceville campus. The approximately 4,000-square-foot facility will be designed to prepare students for high-demand careers in composite fabrication, testing and industrial pipefitting. NWFSC […]
