Commissioner Calls Out Tax Break: A Race To The Bottom?
Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles cast the sole dissenting vote against placing a referendum on the November ballot to extend a tax exemption for qualifying companies. Boyles, who originally supported the measure a decade ago, now argues the tax creates unfair competition, offers minimal benefit, and incurs high compliance costs. Despite his concerns, the referendum was approved, with proponents arguing that the exemption has attracted significant investment and job creation to the county.
Florida Governor Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Invest 97L
Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for most Florida counties due to Tropical Wave Invest 97L, which is expected to bring significant rainfall and possible flooding. The governor has activated the Florida National Guard and the Florida State Guard and authorized the suspension of tolls on state toll bridges. The storm has a high probability of becoming a named tropical storm or hurricane within the next week and may impact the Florida Gulf Coast.
Windes Leads in July As Candidates Raise Cash For Final Stretch of Okaloosa Primary Campaign
Okaloosa County’s primary election is nearing its conclusion, with notable fundraising competition in District Five and significant changes in vote-by-mail participation.
Medical Professionals Warn of Effects of Excessive Heat During Summer Months
With significant threats of excessive heat looming over Florida in the coming days, local hospitals are preparing for a potential influx of patients suffering from heat exhaustion and life-threatening heat stroke. The primary cause of concern is the high humidity levels, which, when combined with rising air temperatures, create dangerously hot conditions. “We tend to set aside the dangers of heat when we don’t hear about extreme or record-breaking temperatures, but with high humidity, the heat index can sneak up on people and have just as big an impact,” explained Dr. Erik Petersen, a board-certified emergency medicine physician at HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital.
Niceville Budget: Property Taxes Stay Put, But Trouble Looms As City Spends Reserves
Niceville grapples with maintaining its property tax rate amid financial strains exacerbated by the pandemic, contemplating budget cuts while facing uncertainty over future funding.
Nihill Taylor to Replace Martin at STEMM Academy
The Okaloosa County School Board has appointed Kimberly Nihill Taylor, current Assistant Principal at Niceville High School, as the new principal of STEMM Academy in Valparaiso. Taylor, a longtime educator with over three decades of experience in the Okaloosa County School District, succeeds Dr. Scheree Martin, who was reassigned following disciplinary issues. Taylor brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her new role, having previously served as a teacher, coach, and administrator in the district.
Northwest Florida State College Partners With Territorium
Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Territorium to advance skills-based education and hiring practices in the region. The collaboration will leverage Territorium’s LifeJourney solution, featuring a Learning and Employment Record (LER), a skills-first digital wallet, AI-powered career pathways, and a Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR) of achievements. This initiative aims to empower students with comprehensive ownership of their educational progress and skills, aligning with modern workforce demands.
Record Breaking Hurricane Beryl Advances Toward Mexico
The first hurricane of the 2024 season, Hurricane Beryl, has hinted at the possibility of several powerful storms forming over the next few months. In May, the NOAA predicted above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic this year, mainly due to near-record high water temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, the development of La Nina conditions in the Pacific, and reduced Atlantic trade winds and wind shear. Beryl, which strengthened to a Category 5 storm just 33 days after the start of the hurricane season, became the earliest Category 5 storm in any Atlantic hurricane season. According to the National Hurricane Center’s most recent advisory, Hurricane Beryl is progressing steadily across the Northwestern Caribbean Sea after weakening to a Category 2 hurricane following its official landfall in Jamaica yesterday. Beryl is currently 135 miles west of Grand Cayman and 275 miles east of Tulum, Mexico, moving northwest at 18 miles per hour. The National Hurricane Center warns of strong winds, dangerous storm surge, and damaging waves as the storm is expected to make landfall on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico by early Friday.
Eglin Air Force Base Welcomes New Commander
Eglin Air Force Base welcomed its new commander, Brigadier General Mark A. Massaro, in a ceremony held at the Eglin Climatic Hangar. Amidst dignitaries and airmen, Brigadier General Jeffrey Geraghty was relieved of his duties and will move on to serve at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Here are the best spots to watch Niceville 4th of July Fireworks on Boggy Bayou!
Here are the top five spots to check out for a wonderful, firework-filled evening on Boggy Bayou in Niceville or Valparaiso
