Okaloosa commissioners say no to property tax hike (DOCUMENT)
FORT WALTON BEACH — Okaloosa County commissioners say they have no plans to raise property taxes despite facing a projected $4.3 million in additional expenses in the coming year. The board reached a...
View ArticleGulf Power kicks off site certification program
FORT WALTON BEACH — When it comes to being competitive with other states in attracting new or expanding businesses, Florida is falling behind. Gulf Power on Wednesday launched its new site...
View ArticleBoost for background checks for gun buyers: Senators compromise
WASHINGTON (AP) — Conservative senators from both parties announced their support for expanding background checks for gun buyers Wednesday, giving a burst of momentum to advocates of stronger...
View ArticleCircus elephant shot in Mississippi drive-by
TUPELO, Miss. (AP) — A circus veterinarian says the Asian elephant wounded in a drive-by shooting in Mississippi should be fully recovered within a few weeks. Meanwhile, a reward for information...
View ArticleFla. Senate passes $74B budget that has pay raises
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Senate on Wednesday voted unanimously to adopt a $74 billion spending plan that provides pay raises for state workers and includes a substantial increase in money...
View ArticleUS couple in jail after fleeing to Cuba with kids
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Joshua and Sharyn Hakken seemed to have a charmed life, doting on their two young boys, buying a comfortable home and building successful careers as engineers. It all derailed last...
View ArticleRaiders fall to 0-5 against 2nd-ranked Tallahassee (GALLERY)
NICEVILLE – It was a loss that embodied the struggles of a Northwest Florida State squad which has yet to find consistency at the plate, on the mount or in the field in the midst of a 4-10 Panhandle...
View ArticleWreck closes southbound SR 285 for a short time
No one was injured in a wreck on southbound State Road 285 near mile marker 15, but the roadway was shutdown for a short time, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Christopher L. McCroan, 39, of...
View ArticleResidents question use of bed tax funds to clean private beach
SANTA ROSA BEACH — Some Walton County residents object to their former county administrator authorizing the expenditure of bed tax funds to clean private beaches. Bob Hudson and Suzanne Harris claim...
View ArticleLaw enforcement chaplains get training on helping officers
SHALIMAR — As Okaloosa County Sheriff‘s Investigator John Merchant told the driver of a Jeep Patriot why he had been pulled over, The Rev. Franklin Browne of Hattiesburg, Miss., watched the passenger...
View ArticleTwo residents report phone scam attempts
Several scam attempts have been reported by two senior citizens, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. A 90-year-old Shalimar woman said two men, one with a Jamaican accent, called to say...
View ArticlePaving set for U.S. 331, Chat Holley intersection
SANTA ROSA BEACH - Traffic patterns will shift Friday at U.S. Highway 331 and Chat Holley Road while crews pave the intersection, the state Department of Transportation has announced. The lane shift...
View ArticleGuiding military careers
Establishing a professional network and having control over a career path can be challenging for mili-tary members. A new networking website aims to change that. RallyPoint.com is an online...
View ArticleACC units stand down, 53rd flights continue
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. — The United States Air Force will begin to stand down active duty combat units starting today to ensure the remaining units supporting worldwide operations can maintain...
View Article‘Yeah T,’ the dangers of texting, driving
During my way home from work one day I saw an annoying yet all too familiar sight. A minivan was speeding up, slowing down and braking for no apparent reason. The van would weave into my lane, slowly...
View ArticleEglin welcomes new Air Force weapons program executive officer
Brig. Gen. Scott Jansson, right, accepts the position of Air Force Program Executive Officer for Weapons from Lt. Gen. C.D. Moore II, commander, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center,...
View Article58th maintainers create new F-35 toolbox
The 58th Aircraft Maintenance Unit’s Support Section put into service a new toolbox specifically used for tire and brake changes in yet another example of the continuous improvements happening with...
View ArticleOn-base tax collector office hosts grand opening
The Okaloosa County Tax Collector’s Office held its grand opening at building 90320, room 111 at Hurlburt Field, April 2. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the office,...
View ArticleCeremony commemorates Month of Military Child
Hurlburt Field children and Airmen gathered for the proclamation-signing cremony, delegating April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Month of the Military Child at the Youth Center Gym on...
View ArticleSerial energy drink thief is nabbed, lawmen say
CRESTVIEW – Police arrested a man they say raided Panhandle Walmarts for 5-Hour Energy Drinks last year. According to a Crestview Police Department arrest report, on Sept. 13, 2012, a Walmart loss...
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