Destin Considers Legalizing Beach Bonfires

A beach bonfire burns in the foreground at sunset on a Destin, Florida shoreline, with text overlay reading “Beach bonfires may soon be legal (and profitable) in Destin.”

Destin Considers Legalizing Beach Bonfires Collin Bestor June 4, 2025 12:55 pm Destin, News, Uncategorized In Brief: Destin City Council is exploring an ordinance that could legalize beach bonfires on city-owned property. The proposed permit program is modeled after Walton County’s and aims to raise revenue without taxing residents. Key hurdles include determining which beachfront […]

Eglin Federal Credit Union Opens New Operations Center

Lobby of Eglin Federal Credit Union’s new Operations Center featuring the EFCU logo, modern lighting, and seating area with large windows.

Eglin Federal Credit Union Opens New Operations Center Staff Reports May 26, 2025 9:31 am Business, News, Okaloosa County, Walton County In Brief: Eglin Federal Credit Union has opened a 100,000-square-foot Operations Center in Fort Walton Beach. The building will support 400 employees, strengthen digital services, and help the credit union expand across Northwest Florida […]

Choctawhatchee Senior Receives P.E.O. STAR Scholarship

Julissa Lopez in a green graduation gown next to the P.E.O. logo and a headline announcing her $2,500 STAR Scholarship award from P.E.O. Chapter GP.

Choctawhatchee Senior Receives P.E.O. STAR Scholarship Staff Reports May 22, 2025 11:43 am Charities and Nonprofits, Okaloosa County, Schools and Education In Brief: 🎓 Julissa Lopez, a senior at Choctawhatchee High School, has received a $2,500 STAR Scholarship from the P.E.O. Sisterhood’s Fort Walton Beach chapter. 🏆 The competitive scholarship honors high-achieving young women for […]

Okaloosa County Launches Mosquito Spraying Map Tool

Mosquito control truck spraying mist along a residential road in Okaloosa County at dusk.

Okaloosa County Launches Mosquito Spraying Map Tool Staff Reports May 22, 2025 9:20 am News, Okaloosa County, Public Safety, Wildlife In Brief: 🦟 Okaloosa County has launched an interactive mosquito spraying map to help residents track when their neighborhood will be treated. 📍 Spraying began Monday and continues each evening, starting an hour before sunset. […]

Okaloosa County Begins Nightly Summer Mosquito Spraying

A mosquito control technician in protective gear sprays insecticide in a residential area, with thick fog trailing behind him, marking the start of spraying season.

Okaloosa County Begins Nightly Summer Mosquito Spraying Staff Reports May 20, 2025 9:25 am News, Okaloosa County In Brief: 🦟 Okaloosa County has begun nightly mosquito spraying operations to combat seasonal mosquito populations and reduce disease risk 🗓️ Spraying begins one hour before sunset and follows a rotating schedule by region. Residents can check their […]

Walton County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Inmate Death at Jail

Interior view of a jail housing unit with metal tables and stools, captioned “Inmate Dies at Walton County Jail” in yellow banner text.

An inmate held in confinement at the Walton County Jail was found unresponsive early Sunday morning and later pronounced dead, according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. Jessie Raby, who was being housed in Holmes County while awaiting trial for the 2024 murders of his mother and brother, was found on the floor of his […]

Red Cross Northwest Florida Urges Residents to Prepare For Hurricane Season

Yellow hurricane warning sign with storm clouds in the background and headline text urging Northwest Florida residents to prepare for hurricane season.

With the 2025 hurricane season beginning June 1, the American Red Cross Northwest Florida Chapter is stepping up its readiness efforts and calling on residents to do the same during Hurricane Preparedness Week. Executive Director Terri Jenkins said the chapter has been working behind the scenes for months to prepare shelters, stock supplies, and train […]

Governor Appoints Zack Smith to UWF Board of Trustees

Zack Smith appointed to UWF Board of Trustees

Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Pensacola native Zack Smith to the University of West Florida Board of Trustees, providing the board with local legal expertise. Smith serves as Senior Legal Fellow and Manager of the Supreme Court and Appellate Advocacy Program at The Heritage Foundation, an American conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C. He also serves as a […]

Mid Bay News

A drone view of the activity on Boggy Bayou before the annual fireworks festival put on every year by the cities of Niceville  and Valparaiso.