Florida - Mid Bay News

These tremendous Niceville grads have THIS huge advantage over other West Point cadets:

Three Niceville High School alumni—Logan Michel, Jace Schmidt, and Jocelyn Wheeler—have all earned appointments to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point’s Class of 2030, an extremely rare achievement for a single graduating class. Though they didn’t start as close friends, they formed a crucial support network to navigate the intense, 12-month-long application process, including securing necessary nominations. Each cadet was drawn to West Point for different reasons—Jocelyn for better medical opportunities, Jace for the balance of academics and athletics, and Logan for the call to Army infantry and service. They now face the physical and mental demands of “Beast Barracks” together, knowing that while the next six weeks will be difficult, they won’t be alone.

Today in History: The Mid-Bay Bridge opens with stampede of runners

On June 27, 1993, 5,200 runners from across the country came to inaugurate the Mid-Bay Bridge with a 5K run across the span. Florida Governor ‘Walkin Lawton’ Chiles pulled the trigger on the starting gun and set the runners on their way to Destin across the 3.6 mile structure above the Choctawhatchee Bay. The bridge, which was built for $81 million and initially cost $2 to cross each way, cut off about 25 minutes of travel time and was finished five months ahead of schedule.

Maney explains his painful vote on controversial property tax proposal

State Rep. Patt Maney warns that a proposed property tax amendment could cause significant revenue losses for local governments, including fire districts and cities in Okaloosa County. He cautions that the measure lacks a clear funding replacement plan and could unfairly shift the tax burden onto renters and small businesses.

Niceville teen battles flesh-eating bacteria from local waters

In Brief: This is a developing story that Mid Bay News will continue to cover as information is released. What should have been a relaxing day turned disastrous for one Niceville family after 17-year-old Joziah Thompson was hospitalized for Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacteria he contracted in the water at Lions Park, on Wednesday. Tirzah […]

What you want to know about Florida’s controversial property tax idea on the official 2026 ballot.

Voters in Florida will decide on an amendment this November that would significantly increase the homestead exemption, potentially eliminating non-school property taxes and providing savings for long-term residents. However, this change is expected to create “crushing deficits” for local governments, which rely on property taxes to fund essential services like law enforcement and fire protection. Furthermore, a clause requiring five years of residency to receive the new, additional exemptions would place a “heavier load” of increased taxes on active-duty military members and other new residents in the short term, as local governments may be forced to raise millage rates to offset revenue loss.

Following first failure, Mapoles cajoles Florida to create Okaloosa County

The creation of Okaloosa County, Florida, was signed into law on June 3, 1915, by Governor Park Trammell. However, it was State Senator William Mapoles who led the heavy lifting to create the new county. After its incorporation, the political center was contested by Baker, Crestview, and Laurel Hill, with Crestview eventually being chosen as the county seat. Mapoles, a newspaper owner and State Senator, was successful in his 1915 effort, despite a previous unsuccessful attempt in 1913 to create “Yellow River” or “Wilson County”. His foresight proved crucial, as the county’s population grew rapidly over the next century, thanks in part to military installations secured by his rival, Bob Sikes.