This massive concert transformed Emerald Coast tourism forever!
On April 21, 1984, the band Heart played a free beach concert on Okaloosa Island to 35,000 people, causing a traffic nightmare that lasted for hours. This pivotal event—fueled by free beer and college Spring Breakers—forced Okaloosa County to choose whether the Emerald Coast would be a destination for rowdy students or for families.
Safety First: Highway 285 Pauses for Eglin Test Exercise
Highway 285 will temporarily close April 21 as Eglin Air Force Base conducts scheduled testing in the area.
Niceville, FPL Ink New 30‑Year Electric Franchise: Here’s What Each Side Gets
Niceville has inked a new 30-year deal with Florida Power and Light. Here’s what the taxpayer gets in exchange for working with the energy giant.
History of the Emerald Coast: gruesome guerilla warfare in the Panhandle
On a humid April day in 1837, a Creek man walked into the tiny settlement of Lumbertown to trade for ammunition. He didn’t know he was walking into a powder keg. What began as a wary exchange ended in a roadside slaughter—sparking a brutal, “eye-for-an-eye” bush war that would terrorize the Florida Panhandle for decades. This is the forgotten story of the Creek Indian Crisis, a conflict of scalpings, famine, and ethnic cleansing that redefined the Emerald Coast.
Massive Vision, Limited Time: Destin’s Funding Challenge
Destin’s ambitious $65 million Town Center plan promises a walkable future, but with its primary funding source expiring in 2028, questions remain about how it will be paid for.
Strike Eagle takes flight to new home
An F-15E Strike Eagle has been moved from Eglin AFB to the Air Force Armament Museum, where it will soon be officially dedicated.
SS United States Toxic Final Voyage to the Depths
As Okaloosa County prepares to sink the SS United States, a debate is surfacing over whether the historic vessel will become a thriving reef or a toxic legacy beneath the Gulf.
After Dark at Eglin: The Critical Training You’ll Hear
Eglin Air Force Base will conduct night flying operations through April 23, bringing increased aircraft noise to surrounding communities during evening hours.
Left Behind, Never Forgotten: A Second Chance for Cats
A $20,000 grant is helping a local nonprofit bring more adoptable cats, many from military families, to Destin this weekend.
Seized Assets to Fund New Sheriff Gyms in Okaloosa County
Seized assets are now funding new gyms for Okaloosa County deputies.
