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.
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.
Okaloosa County Corrections Earns Third State Accreditation

Okaloosa County’s Department of Corrections earned Florida Corrections Accreditation with 3rd Excelsior Status, marking continued excellence in correctional standards.
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 approves concept plans for new youth sports complex in Baker

The Okaloosa County Commission approved a conceptual plan for a new multipurpose athletic complex in Baker, expanding recreational opportunities for youth sports.
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.
Okaloosa County approves $700K contracts for artificial reef vessels

Okaloosa County is turning two old vessels into underwater havens for fish, divers, and anglers—here’s how the $700,000 project is making waves in the Gulf.
Okaloosa County approves $824K PAWS contract, considers in-house animal control

Okaloosa County secures another year of animal control services with PAWS — but commissioners are already planning for a future where the county takes the reins.