Despite Mary Esther Elementary setback, vet touts life-changing plan for local housing crisis
A nonprofit started in Palm Coast, FL hopes to bring affordable housing to Okaloosa County through a community land trust. Cyril Stubbs Jr., President of the Okaloosa County Community Land Trust, grew up in Miami. He said his concerns about housing costs in Florida began decades before he moved to Okaloosa County, when his mother, […]
‘Let me take that weight’: Congressional candidate Gay Valimont hears voter concerns at Niceville meet-up
In Brief: Florida congressional candidate Gay Valimont held an open discussion at Tango 3 Coffee Roasters on Saturday, inviting residents of the area to share their biggest concerns and considerations they’ll take to the polls on Nov. 3. Running for Florida’s 1st district, encompassing the western panhandle, Valimont lives in Pensacola. “All over the state […]
Hope in the Cold: How Local Leaders Protect the Unhoused
When winter temperatures drop below 40 degrees in Fort Walton Beach, a coordinated effort between One Hopeful Place and the Fort Walton Beach Police Department springs into action to protect people experiencing homelessness from dangerous conditions.
New Affordable Senior Apartment Community Opens in Crestview
New Affordable Senior Apartment Community Opens in Crestview Staff Reports October 23, 2025 8:56 am Crestview, Okaloosa County In Brief: 👥 Who: Housing Trust Group, AM Affordable Housing, Alonzo Mourning, Matthew A. Rieger, Dusty Allison, Paul Mixon, John Feeney 🏗️ What: Opening of Princeton Grove, a $28 million affordable housing community for seniors 55+ 📅 […]
Sjoberg Named to Okaloosa Surtax Committee
Local developer and Mid Bay News co-host Paul Sjoberg has been appointed to the Okaloosa Half Cent Surtax Committee, where he will help guide the county’s continued growth and infrastructure development.
We Asked Congressman Jimmy Patronis About His Biden Bill, Iran, Affordable Housing and More:
Mid Bay News’s Colin Bestor sat down with new Florida Congressman Jimmy Patronis to talk about his new gig in Washington, D.C., and what he plans to do for the people of the Florida Panhandle. Plus, you can submit your questions for our next interview.
Will Niceville Eliminate THIS Affordable Housing Option?
When a local family added a small home to care for both their aging parent and son with autism, they followed all the rules—yet still sparked a citywide debate about property values, affordable housing, and what it really means to “keep Niceville nice.”
Despite Council ‘No’ – Developer Plans Affordable Housing in Niceville
Niceville City Council rejected a zoning change for an apartment complex on Powell Drive but later approved a CRA overlay adjustment that allows a similar development. The project, led by local developer Paul Sjoberg, aims to provide affordable housing options for essential workers but faces neighborhood opposition due to concerns over traffic and community character.
After Campaign Rally With Republican Stars In Niceville – Congressman Gaetz Talks Affordable Housing, Rice’s Whales, Other Issues in Okaloosa County.
Congressman Matt Gaetz headlined a Republican rally in Niceville, discussing local and national issues, including affordable housing challenges in Okaloosa County and the impact of Rice’s whales on Eglin Air Force Base testing. The event featured speeches by prominent local and state Republican figures, drawing a crowd of 300 supporters.
ALICE In Wonderland: The Hidden Struggle for Survival in Niceville
Luis Torres, a Niceville Walmart employee and father, embodies the struggles of the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population, facing challenges with childcare and housing. High childcare costs and restrictive housing options push many working-class families like his to the brink of financial instability. Local leaders, including City Manager David Deitch, are exploring solutions to alleviate these burdens, such as increasing affordable housing inventory and advocating for policy changes to support these families.
