Basin Alliance changes name, claims expanded mission.
The organization claims its renaming promises enhanced local water protection and increased coordination, pending verification of impact.
Niceville’s New Wawa Is Opening With Free Coffee and a First-Responder Challenge
Wawa will celebrate the grand opening of its new Niceville store Thursday, August 27, with free hot coffee, T-shirts for the first 100 customers and a Hoagies for Heroes competition featuring local first responders. The celebration at 1560 E. John Sims Parkway will also include remarks, music, Wally Goose and a ribbon cutting.
Curtis Johnson Murder Trial Ends With A Not-Guilty Verdict
A Santa Rosa County jury has acquitted former Okaloosa County corrections sergeant Curtis Marvin Johnson of second-degree murder in the 2025 shooting death of his roommate, Barbara “Barbie” Dedert. Johnson was found not guilty August 20, 2026, bringing the case to a close more than a year after the shooting.
OCSD Summer Feeding Program Serves More Than 71,000 Meals to Students
The Okaloosa County School District served 71,774 breakfasts and lunches through its 2026 Summer Feeding Program. The initiative helped ensure students had access to nutritious meals while school was out, with support from Food Services staff, school employees, athletic programs and participating schools across the county.
Mills Degree of Excellence | NEST Program helps new Eagles soar at Niceville High School
Niceville High School senior Alli Culbertson has spent her high school years helping incoming freshmen find their footing through the NEST Program. As a NEST director and varsity cheerleader, Culbertson helps students connect, learn school traditions and feel more comfortable as they begin their high school journey.
Mark Franks Rises to Top Leadership Post at Florida League of Cities
Shalimar Mayor Mark Franks has been elected president of the Florida League of Cities for the 2026-2027 term. The lifelong Okaloosa County resident will lead the statewide organization’s advocacy and member engagement efforts while representing the interests of Florida’s municipalities and promoting local decision-making throughout his one-year term.
Niceville Good Neighbor | Howard Hill dedicates decades to providing affordable soccer opportunities for Niceville kids
Howard Hill has spent more than 30 years leading Niceville’s PAL Soccer League, helping provide affordable soccer opportunities for local children. His dedication to youth sports and PAL’s special-needs VIP program earned him August’s Ryan Cabaniss Niceville Good Neighbor Award.
The hard-to-find history of Northwest Florida State College
On August 17, 1964, Northwest Florida State College opened its doors as Okaloosa-Walton Junior College. Operating out of a building now housing the Northwest Florida Heritage Museum, the school far exceeded expectations, enrolling over 1,300 students in its first year despite original projections of only 150. Here’s the history of Northwest Florida State College.
Cynthia West addresses questions about credentials; social media past
Okaloosa School Board District 5 candidate Cynthia West is responding after her opponent’s wife acknowledged making anonymous Facebook posts questioning West’s mental health qualifications. West says she has never claimed to be a licensed social worker in Florida and discussed her education, counseling experience and the social media posts circulating about her.
Crestview Council Backs Ban on Data Centers
Crestview City Council voted 4-0 to direct staff to develop an ordinance that would prohibit data centers within the city. The move comes as officials consider future development, potential annexation and infrastructure needs around roughly 1,400 acres of underdeveloped property near the recently completed bypass.
