Emerald Coast Open Removes 20K+ Invasive Lionfish

Staff members in blue shirts and gloves measure a lionfish under a tent at the 2025 Emerald Coast Open in Destin, Florida.

Emerald Coast Open Removes 20K+ Invasive Lionfish Staff Reports May 22, 2025 8:43 am Charities and Nonprofits, Destin, Events, Fort Walton Beach, News, Okaloosa County, Wildlife In Brief: 🐠 20,502 lionfish were removed from the Gulf during the 2025 Emerald Coast Open and Lionfish Festival in Destin-Fort Walton Beach. 🎯 Deep Water Mafia 1 led […]

City Manager Gives Update on Mullet Grounds Lease With Air Force, Potential For New Ball Fields in Niceville

Niceville City Manager David Deitch provided an update on efforts to expand the city’s sports field facilities, including ongoing negotiations with the Air Force for a long-term lease on the Mullet Festival Grounds and conversations with local landowners. The proposed lease would cost the city roughly $65,000 annually, though Deitch hopes to offset the cost with in-kind services. The total project could cost between $10-15 million, and the city is exploring a variety of funding sources to move forward.

Niceville Endowment Helps Fund College Dreams for Local Students

Kristi Evans and Mayor Daniel Henkel pose with three scholarship recipients at Niceville City Hall. Evans holds a ceremonial scholarship check while the students stand in front, smiling. An American flag and the Florida state seal are visible in the background.

Niceville Endowment Helps Fund College Dreams for Local Students Staff Reports May 19, 2025 8:46 am Uncategorized Four local students are heading toward college with a financial boost, thanks to more than $15,000 in scholarship funds from the City of Niceville’s Katie Mathews White Endowment. The scholarships, granted for the 2024–2025 school year, support participants […]

University of West Florida President Martha Saunders Resigns Amid Political Turmoil

University of West Florida President Martha Saunders speaks at a podium during a public address, smiling as she delivers remarks.

Dr. Martha Saunders, President of the University of West Florida (UWF), announced her resignation on Monday, concluding an eight-year tenure marked by significant institutional achievements and recent political challenges. In a letter addressed to students, faculty, and staff, Saunders stated: “When I returned to the University of West Florida as president, it felt like coming […]

Niceville’s Hidden Post-Soviet Sister City

A newly resurfaced letter from 1992 reveals a long-forgotten attempt to form a sister city relationship between Niceville and Penza, Russia, echoing today’s discussions about partnering with New Taipei City.

Mid Bay News

A drone view of the activity on Boggy Bayou before the annual fireworks festival put on every year by the cities of Niceville  and Valparaiso.