Okaloosa County Launches Sweeping Transit Overhaul After ‘Colossal Failure’ Warning
Okaloosa County leaders voted to phase out fixed-route transit service and replace it with a paratransit-focused model by August 2026 amid concerns over rising costs and low ridership.
North End development advances over first hurdle in Okaloosa
Tuesday’s actions captured the county’s broader challenge: north Okaloosa is growing fast on land mostly entitled for housing since the 1990s or earlier, while roads, utilities and environmental standards struggle to keep up. For now, River Park will move forward under a phased review process, while Millwood Ranch waits for answers on whether its roads and septic‑based design can be squared with today’s expectations for safe, sustainable growth.
Inside Okaloosa County’s plans for the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Rigdon Center
Okaloosa County officials hope that with a little bit of time and effort now, the fairgrounds will be a place families can enjoy for decades to come.
Okaloosa County Commission approves $17.7M for SR 85 widening, new sheriff’s office evidence facility
The Okaloosa County Commission approved major surtax investments for a State Road 85 widening project and a new sheriff’s office evidence facility as part of a long-term strategy to address growth, congestion and public safety without raising property taxes.
Okaloosa County Commission explores paid parking for non-county residents at beaches, parks
Okaloosa County leaders are taking the first steps toward paid parking at beaches and parks as officials look for new revenue sources to fund maintenance and offset potential state funding changes.
NAACP calls Gap Creek flooding an environmental justice crisis as local leaders emand Action in Fort Walton Beach
How long should a neighborhood live with flooding, mold, and contaminated water?
The NAACP says the answer for Sylvania Heights has been decades, and that’s unacceptable.
Audit fallout and director’s resignation leave Okaloosa County Transit at a crossroads
With an audit exposing years of oversight failures and the transit director announcing his resignation, Okaloosa County leaders are racing to stabilize a system facing financial questions, leadership turnover and an uncertain future.
Business leaders urge Okaloosa County to renew half-cent infrastructure surtax
Okaloosa’s business community is pushing to renew the county’s half-cent surtax — a tax they say has fueled more than $136 million in improvements and unlocked nearly $300 million in grants. Commissioners say voters now have something they didn’t in 2018: results.
Okaloosa County launches full opposition to Alabama CO₂ Injection Project citing aquifer threat
Okaloosa County is launching a full-scale fight against a proposed Alabama CO₂ storage project commissioners say threatens Florida’s drinking water and river systems.
Okaloosa County Commissioners freeze transit deal after scathing oversight audit
A scathing audit forced Okaloosa County to pause a new transit contract with MV Transportation as commissioners confront years of oversight failures and nearly $1 million in overpayments.
