Proud Moment: Fort Walton Beach Senior Named National Merit Semifinalist
Fort Walton Beach High School senior Keira Foy has been named a Semifinalist in the 2027 National Merit®Scholarship Program. Foy is among more than 16,000 Semifinalists nationwide selected from more than 1.2million students who entered the competition by taking the 2025 PSAT/NMSQT® in the fall of their junioryear. The Semifinalists represent less than one percent […]
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 […]
Riptide CardCon Brings 210+ Vendors to Fort Walton Beach
Riptide CardCon is bringing more than 210 vendor tables to Fort Walton Beach on October 18. The free event at the Rigdon Center will feature Pokémon TCG, sports cards, memorabilia, local shops and food trucks. Founded by an Air Force veteran, the show will connect collectors, vendors and hobbyists across the Emerald Coast.
Fort Walton Beach Streets Get a Makeover as Resurfacing Work Begins
Five Fort Walton Beach streets are scheduled for resurfacing beginning Aug. 10. Work is expected to take one to two days at each location and will generally occur between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Residents are asked to remove vehicles and other obstructions from the work areas during construction.
A Stunning Wildlife Recovery: Hotdog and Donatello’s Journey Back to the Gulf
The Gulfarium CARE Center released two rehabilitated loggerhead sea turtles, Hotdog and Donatello, at Inlet Beach after both recovered from fishing‑hook injuries. Crowds gathered to watch the pair return to the Gulf, marking another successful rescue effort supported by the St. Joe Community Foundation and local wildlife partners.
Defense Makes Immunity Push as Judge Weighs Fate of Duran Murder Case
Former Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Eddie Duran concluded his bid for Stand Your Ground immunity Wednesday as defense attorneys argued prosecutors failed to overcome evidence that the fatal shooting of Roger Fortson was legally justified. The judge ordered additional legal briefs before deciding whether the case will move forward.
Duran gives emotional testimony in Hurlburt airman murder dismissal hearing
Former Okaloosa County Deputy Eddie Duran took the stand during Day 2 of his dismissal hearing in the shooting death of Airman Roger Fortson. Defense experts testified that Duran’s use of deadly force was reasonable, while enhanced body-camera audio and questions about law enforcement tactics added new layers to the proceedings.
Eglin Fighter Jets Set for Training Flights Aug. 4-6
Residents near Eglin Air Force Base may hear fighter aircraft overhead during nighttime hours Aug. 4-6. The 60th Fighter Squadron will conduct training missions between 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Eglin officials said the nighttime flights are required for training operations and may result in increased aircraft noise.
Fatal DUI Crash Ends in Conviction Nearly Three Years Later
A jury has convicted Benjamin David Raser of DUI Manslaughter and DUI Causing Serious Bodily Injury in connection with a 2023 Fort Walton Beach crash that killed Demetrius Thomas and left Garrett LeBlanc permanently disabled. Prosecutors say Raser was speeding and had a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit.
Don’t Throw It Away Yet: Free Pickup Returns to Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach residents will have two opportunities to clean up their homes this August through free bulky-item pickup and a one-day tire collection event. The city is encouraging residents to take advantage of the annual programs to safely dispose of unwanted household items and old tires.
