Former Okaloosa Deputy Charged In Death of Hurlburt Airman Fortson

The State Attorney has charged former Okaloosa Deputy Eddie Duran in the death of Senior Airman Roger Fortson.
General Gary Luck -“Father of America’s Joint Force” Dies

Retired Army General Gary Luck, a distinguished military leader and mentor, passed away at 87, with a memorial service to be held on September 19.
A Bed 4 Me Celebrates 3,000th Delivery To Needy Child.

A Bed 4 Me, a Niceville-area non-profit, celebrated the delivery of its 3,000th bed to a child in need during a special event at 3rd Planet Brewing. The organization, which provides beds, bedding, and pillows to children living in poverty, continues to rely on community support as it looks forward to helping even more families.
After Election Night – One Race Separated By Just 13 Votes

Election results are mostly in for Okaloosa County, with some close races still pending final counts. Sherri Cox is leading a tight race for District 3 County Commissioner, while incumbents Eric Aden and Paul Mixon secured decisive wins. Drew Palmer narrowly defeated Mary Anne Windes in District 5, and Parker Destin won a seat on the Okaloosa School Board.
Surfari Lifestyle: Niceville Grad Lance Moss’ Surfing Dream in Nicaragua!

Lance Moss, a Niceville native, took a gamble in his early twenties by purchasing land in Nicaragua to start a surf camp. Over two decades later, he and his wife built Surfari Charters, a successful boutique surf camp in Popoyo, helping to transform the local economy while living a unique lifestyle far from their Niceville roots.
After Campaign Rally With Republican Stars In Niceville – Congressman Gaetz Talks Affordable Housing, Rice’s Whales, Other Issues in Okaloosa County.

Congressman Matt Gaetz headlined a Republican rally in Niceville, discussing local and national issues, including affordable housing challenges in Okaloosa County and the impact of Rice’s whales on Eglin Air Force Base testing. The event featured speeches by prominent local and state Republican figures, drawing a crowd of 300 supporters.
Eglin Air Force Base Will Host Commander’s Cup Tournament

Eglin Air Force Base will host the USO Commander’s Cup, a prestigious Rocket League tournament, on August 10th at 2:00 p.m. and August 11th at 11:00 a.m. Teams of service members from all six U.S. military branches will compete at the USO Gaming Center, located at 404 Wicker Rd. on the base. The event will be streamed live on the USO Twitch channel, offering an exciting opportunity for at-home viewers to support their favorite teams. A formal RSVP is required by 9:00 a.m. on August 9th.
Okaloosa County School District Will Pilot Virtual Reality In Classrooms

The Okaloosa County School Board has approved a pilot program to implement a Virtual Reality (VR) curriculum in three schools in collaboration with Prisms of Reality. This initiative aims to enhance the teaching and learning of Math and Science through innovative technology. Prisms of Reality’s Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) platform engages tactile, kinesthetic, and visual learners, offering real-world problem-solving experiences. While the program aims to bridge learning gaps and ignite interest in STEM subjects, it also raises concerns about increased screen time for students and the long-term effectiveness of VR in maintaining student engagement.
TalkingParents Earns #3 On Top 100 Companies To Work For List

TalkingParents has been honored as one of Florida’s Best Small Companies To Work For, securing a prestigious top 5 position in its inaugural year on the list. This recognition comes from the annual Best Companies To Work For In Florida list, featured in the August issue of Florida Trend magazine. Based on workplace policies, practices, and employee satisfaction, the list ranks 100 companies across small, medium, and large employer categories.
Brother of Slain Hurlburt Airman Roger Fortson Shot and Killed in Atlanta

Tragedy strikes again for the Fortson family as the younger brother of a slain Hurlburt Field Airman is fatally shot in Georgia, amid a surge of teen violence in Atlanta.