Summer in South Walton Starts With Two Shark Attacks

On Friday, June 7th, two shark attacks occurred just 4 miles apart along the beaches of South Walton County, injuring three people. The first attack happened near WaterSound Beach around 1:20 p.m., where a 45-year-old woman swimming past the first sandbar sustained severe injuries resulting in the amputation of her arm. An hour and a half later, two teenage girls standing in waist-deep water at Seacrest Beach were attacked, with one suffering severe injuries to her leg and hand. Both critically injured victims were airlifted to local trauma centers. These incidents mark the third and fourth shark attacks in Walton County in recent years.
Niceville Public Library Celebrates 50th Anniversary

The Niceville Public Library is marking a significant milestone, celebrating its 50th anniversary. Since opening its doors on June 8, 1974, the library has served as a backbone of the community, dedicated to fostering learning, engagement, and a sense of community among Niceville residents. Sheila Bishop, the Library Director, who has been a pivotal part of this institution for over 40 years, expressed her gratitude and pride, emphasizing the library’s tradition of exceptional customer service and community support. The library is hosting a two-day celebration on June 7 and 8 to commemorate this occasion.
NWFSC Proposes Course Fee Changes

While tuition will not change – course fees may see some fluctuation this year.
Ruckel Middle School Golf Coach Qualifies For U.S. Senior Open Championship

Jon Olson, a dedicated teacher and coach at Ruckel Middle School, has qualified for the 2024 U.S. Senior Open Championship. Competing at the Wynlakes Golf & Country Club in Montgomery, Alabama, Olson secured his spot after a playoff. His achievement is celebrated by the Okaloosa County School District, with Superintendent Marcus Chambers and Principal Joe Jannazo praising his dedication both on the golf course and in the classroom.
Northwest Florida State College Falls Short in National Championship Game Against Blinn College

Northwest Florida State College’s remarkable baseball season concluded with a 12-5 loss to Blinn College in the NJCAA National Championship game. Despite their efforts and strong hitting, the Raiders couldn’t overcome early mistakes and Blinn’s powerful offense. Standout performances from Cade Sadler, Chase Williams, and Jaquae Stewart highlighted the game, with five Raiders named to the All-Tournament team. The Raiders end their season with a 40-15 record, marking a historic achievement for the program.
Okaloosa County Declares New Efforts To Combat The Opioid Epidemic

Okaloosa County Declares New Efforts To Combat The Opioid Epidemic Staff Reports June 1, 2024 4:03 pm Okaloosa County /*! elementor – v3.21.0 – 26-05-2024 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px} In Brief: Okaloosa County and the Florida Department of Health will hold a press conference for Revive Awareness Day on June 6 […]
Okaloosa County Schools Participate in Summer Meal Program

Okaloosa County Schools Participate in Summer Meal Program Staff Reports May 29, 2024 3:44 pm Schools and Education /*! elementor – v3.21.0 – 26-05-2024 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px} In Brief: Okaloosa County Schools will participate in the Summer Break Spot program, offering free nutritious meals to children aged 18 and under […]
Okaloosa Technical College Places 55th at National Competition

Okaloosa Technical College Places 55th at National Competition Staff Reports May 30, 2024 2:01 pm Schools and Education /*! elementor – v3.21.0 – 26-05-2024 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px} In Brief: Okaloosa Technical College (OTC) ranked 55th in the nation in the Spring 2024 National Cyber League Competition among 7,412 college-level competitors. […]
State Representative Patt Maney Travels to Texas to Learn About Border Security

Representative Pat Maney Travels to Texas to Learn About Border Security Staff Reports May 29, 2024 8:17 pm Government In Brief: State Representative Patt Maney of Florida is visiting Texas with a delegation to learn about Texas’ border security and efforts against illegal immigration. The trip, which is privately funded, aims to explore potential collaborative […]
NWFSC Baseball Closes In On World Series With Statement Win

Colby Jones and the Northwest Florida State Raiders capitalized on the thinner air and higher elevation of Grand Junction, Colorado, to secure a commanding 13-4 win over Shelton State in the NJCAA Baseball Tournament on Monday. Jones’ stellar performance, featuring two home runs and seven RBIs, was pivotal in overturning an early 3-0 deficit and propelling the Raiders further in the tournament.