Okaloosa County reconsiders funding for district School Resource Officers
Okaloosa County commissioners are reviewing their long-standing agreement to split School Resource Officer costs with the school district after officials said state Safe Schools funding may have shifted the financial burden heavily onto county taxpayers. The board plans to review seven years of funding data before deciding whether changes are needed.
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.
After Scathing Revelations About Transit Service, Okaloosa Commissioners Sign Off on $1M Contract Fix
Okaloosa avoids $1M transit repayment as leaders confront empty buses and consider sweeping service changes.
Controlled Burns Begin at Shoal River Preserve
Okaloosa County will begin prescribed burns at Shoal River Preserve later this week as part of an effort to improve habitat health, reduce wildfire risks, and prepare the preserve for its public opening.
Okaloosa: Commission gives away dozer amid criticism from “Facebook comments”
Okaloosa County Commissioners unanimously approved the donation of a surplus dozer to a charity tied to one of its members and restructured the county’s transit division under the Airports Department to tighten financial and grant oversight.
Crestview begins major facilities overhaul With $30M bond approval
Crestview officials approved a bond financing framework of up to $30 million to modernize aging fire and public works facilities, marking the first step in a long-term infrastructure plan funded through non-ad valorem revenues.
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.
Okaloosa County Commissioners question license plate reader cameras
Are license plate readers a powerful crime-fighting tool, or a step too far into surveillance? Okaloosa County leaders just opened the debate.
Destin City Council Weighs Conservation, State Talks Over $84M Land Deal
Destin leaders agreed to open discussions with the state about conservation zoning for the Norriego Point property while stopping short of formal action to maintain leverage over its future use.
From Norriego Point to CO2 pipelines: The Stories That Defined the Emerald Coast in 2025
An $83 million land deal, shuttered schools, snow-covered beaches: Here are the stories that stood out in 2025.
