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.
$183,000 in Fines, One Big Question: Who Owns Hollywood Boulevard?
Fort Walton Beach leaders voted unanimously to reject a request for broader school-zone camera refunds, saying citations were legally issued despite an unresolved ownership dispute over Hollywood Boulevard.
Lionfish Tournament Makes Massive Impact On Gulf Ecosystem
More than 20,000 invasive lionfish were removed from Gulf waters during the Emerald Coast Open in Destin-Fort Walton Beach.
Okaloosa County Launches Sweeping Transit Overhaul After ‘Colossal Failure’ Warning
Okaloosa County leaders voted to phase out fixed-route transit service and replace it with a paratransit-focused model by August 2026 amid concerns over rising costs and low ridership.
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 Hurricane Damage, Destin Beaches Get a $10M Makeover
A $10 million project will restore sand to eroded Destin beaches damaged by Hurricane Sally, with work starting the week of March 23.
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.
Inside Okaloosa County’s plans for the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Rigdon Center
Okaloosa County officials hope that with a little bit of time and effort now, the fairgrounds will be a place families can enjoy for decades to come.
Okaloosa County Commission explores paid parking for non-county residents at beaches, parks
Okaloosa County leaders are taking the first steps toward paid parking at beaches and parks as officials look for new revenue sources to fund maintenance and offset potential state funding changes.
