Okaloosa County: Highway 98 connector, Santa Rosa Boulevard improvements, new ambulances

Big moves in Okaloosa County this week: commissioners voted to partner with Santa Rosa County on a regional road study that could create a new east-west corridor off Highway 98 — plus approved a $1 million grant to upgrade Santa Rosa Boulevard on Okaloosa Island.
Rep. Nathan Boyles files first bill aiming at expanding county authority over solar farms

From solar farms to storm prep, a new proposal from Rep. Nathan Boyles (R-Baker) would give counties more power over renewable-energy projects and hold utilities to stricter cost-benefit standard
Former Santa Rosa County Commissioner James Calkins launches campaign for Walton County seat

Former Santa Rosa County Commissioner James Calkins launches a bid for Walton County Commission District 4, promising conservative leadership amid lingering controversy over his past political conduct.
Okaloosa County to host public meeting on West 98 Collector Road project

Traffic relief may be on the horizon for residents near Hurlburt Field — but county officials want to hear from you first.
Kristen Shell named Okaloosa County’s next Growth Management Director

Kristen Shell, a veteran planner with over two decades of experience in Northwest Florida, has been unanimously confirmed as Okaloosa County’s new Growth Management Director.
Special Election: Nathan Boyles Wants to Be Your Fl-3 State Representative

Nathan Boyles isn’t done with public service — now he’s making his pitch to voters in Florida House District 3. Here’s what he says sets him apart ahead of the June 10 special election.
Grant Helps Kiwanis Deliver Hope to Foster Kids

Grant Helps Kiwanis Deliver Hope to Foster Kids Staff Reports May 26, 2025 8:55 am Uncategorized In Brief: A $3,000 grant from NextEra Energy Foundation will help the Kiwanis Foundation of Niceville-Valparaiso expand its Bags of Hope program. The initiative provides duffel bags with essential items to foster children across four Northwest Florida counties. With […]
Governor Appoints Zack Smith 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 […]
Gaetz’s Explicit AI Images Bill Clears Hurdle in Senate

A Florida Senate bill seeks to crack down on AI-generated explicit images—could this law change digital privacy rights?
Northwest Florida HVAC Company Announces Termination of Employee After Social Media Firestorm Over Homophobic Comments

A viral TikTok controversy has put a Northwest Florida HVAC company in crisis mode—here’s how the owner is responding to the flood of backlash.