New Perry Avenue Restrictions Aim to Protect Neighborhoods
Fort Walton Beach will close northbound Perry Avenue on weekends through Labor Day in an effort to reduce neighborhood cut-through traffic.
Urgent Boil-Water Warning: E. Coli Found in South Okaloosa Well
Residents in parts of South Okaloosa are being urged to boil their water after a raw sample from Hawkins Well tested positive for E. coli, prompting a precautionary advisory.
Cox Employees Empower Students Through Innovative Grants
Six Gulf Coast nonprofits received $60,000 in employee-funded Cox Charities grants to support STEM education, environmental learning and youth programs.
JD Peacock believes he’s the right guy for Okaloosa School Board. Here’s Why:
Former Okaloosa County Clerk of Court and longtime sheriff’s office leader JD Peacock explains why he’s running for Okaloosa County School Board District 1, outlining his priorities of student safety, stronger fiscal oversight, and better support for teachers. In this interview, he addresses teacher pay gaps with Walton County, the closure of Longwood and Mary Esther Elementary, school choice and competition, and how the district should plan for growth in Crestview.
Cocaine, Pills Found in a Car Carrying an Unrestrained Child
An Okaloosa County traffic stop led to cocaine trafficking and child abuse charges after deputies reportedly found drugs and an unsecured child inside a vehicle.
Pirates, Fireworks, and Treasure: Billy Bowlegs Returns in Full Force
Pirates, fireworks, and parades return to Fort Walton Beach as the Billy Bowlegs Festival celebrates 70 years of Emerald Coast tradition and family fun.
Sturdy offensive line bolsters this tenacious 2026 Crestview Bulldog team
Crestview Head Coach Thomas Grant views the upcoming spring game as a critical evaluation tool and the next step in the Bulldogs’ deliberate march toward a program-first state championship. The 2026 squad will feature a new starting quarterback, Brock Spears, and rely on an experienced, physical offensive line and a run-first mentality. Grant believes the defense has the potential to be one of the most elite units of his era. The team will face a “brutal” schedule, including multiple out-of-state powers, which Grant designed to battle-test the team for the tough Class 5A competition.
After remarkable 2025 success, Choctaw looks to smash 2026 expectations
Head Coach Frank Beasley isn’t resting on last year’s Final Four run, instead focusing on the foundation laid during 6:00 AM workouts in February, calling it the moment the team’s success was “actually poured.” The Choctaw Indians are preparing for the 2026 season with a philosophy built on physicality, fundamental execution, and “contact courage”—the mental fortitude to seek out high-impact collisions. With a battle-tested roster and a schedule featuring Florida powerhouses and defending Alabama state champion Thompson High School, Beasley is committed to playing the best to be the best. The program’s success is tied to a culture where the logo on the helmet always comes before the name on the back of the jersey, ensuring collective sacrifice drives their push for another deep playoff run.
Josh Pulliam and the Vikes have epic spring game lineup as they row hard to Valhalla
Fort Walton Beach High School head football coach Josh Pulliam, a local who graduated from Choctawhatchee High School, returned to Okaloosa County after playing college ball and coaching at USF to rebuild the Vikings program. Now leading the team, Pulliam is focused on developing his players into better men through “small daily disciplines,” guided by the mantra “chop wood and carry water”. Despite the program having been “down for a little bit,” he notes that the community passion remains, and the Vikings are “rising from the ashes” with a committed staff. Looking ahead, the Vikings plan for offensive creativity, utilizing versatile players like Lavin McDaniel and Cannon Wilbur, while rebuilding a sound, aggressive defense. The coach is urging the community to come out and support the team at the upcoming spring game against Crestview, Mosley, and Pine Forest.
Crisis on Mooney Road: Armed Man Taken Into Custody
A potentially deadly standoff in Fort Walton Beach ended peacefully after officers and crisis negotiators worked for hours to take an armed, suicidal man into custody.
