Runners show patriotism, holiday spirit in Jingle Bell Jog (GALLERY)
FORT WALTON BEACH — Despite the mist of rain that later became steady, the 1,300 participants in Saturday’s 34th Annual Jingle Bell Jog kept spirits bright with their jovial attitudes. PHOTO GALLERY:...
View ArticleJohnstone Supply looks forward to new home
FORT WALTON BEACH — The nation’s largest wholesale dealer of heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment soon will move its local operations to a state-of- the-art building. Construction on...
View ArticleTown hall meeting to discuss Laurel Hill dissolution on Tuesday
LAUREL HILL — Next week, residents can speak out on whether the city should take a vote on dissolving the city. A town hall meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church of Laurel Hill. A city...
View ArticleVICTORA: Differences between north and south are worth exploring
Every time I drive to the north end of Okaloosa County, I think of a family I interviewed years ago who had moved to the country so their children could grow up playing outside. They bought a large...
View ArticlePHOTO GALLERY: Ho Ho Holiday cheer in the Destin Christmas Parade
DESTIN — Thousands of parade goers lined Harbor Boulevard Saturday for a little more than two hours for a sackful of candy and a glimpse at Santa Claus. Where you at the parade? PHOTOS: Find your...
View ArticleOkaloosa commissioner wants internal auditor
In the wake of the Mark Bellinger fraud scandal, local lawmakers and community leaders have called for more oversight in Okaloosa County government. County commissioners have since set stringent...
View ArticleOkaloosa to help celebrate 500 years of Florida
Okaloosa County is looking for residents who want to help celebrate Florida’s 500th anniversary. Viva Florida 500 officially kicks off Jan. 1. “It’s an all-year celebration,” said Kathy Newby, the...
View ArticleCrist considers run as a Dem; GOP says bring it on
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Now that former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist is a Democrat, pretty much everyone in Florida's political world expects him to seek his old job. "I will consider it, and I will...
View ArticleCongressional aides: Obama asks $60.4B Sandy aid
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama asked Congress Friday for $60.4 billion in federal aid for New York, New Jersey and other states hit by Superstorm Sandy in late October. It's a disaster whose...
View ArticleBorn wild! Mom gives birth at upstate NY zoo
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — An upstate New York zoo got a surprise visit from the stork. A woman gave birth on a wildlife path at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse on Friday, delivering her baby girl...
View Article‘Like a family’: Destin’s Coast Guard station celebrates 35 years
In 1977, TV sets used vacuum tubes, telephones had cords, and U.S. Coast Guard Station Destin was commissioned. Station Destin turned 35 years old in November. Its mission is the same, but the...
View ArticleWalton County TDC gets an earful at forum
Some South Walton residents believe we don't need more tourists — just better crowd control. "We don't want everybody here. The problem is you need to get rid of the bottom tier,” said 32-year...
View ArticleBattling prostate cancer together
VALPARAISO — In 2003, a then-67-year-old Tom Mallette felt perfectly healthy as he headed to his yearly doctor’s appointment. But on that visit, his blood work found he had an elevated prostate...
View ArticleFirefighters schedule annual Santa Run
The Mary Esther Fire Department will make its annual Santa Run through the city this week. Fire trucks will visit neighborhoods from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Here is the schedule: Monday:...
View ArticleCoast Aquatics excels on the road
Coast Aquatics Places 5th at the Santa’s BEST Invitational Coast Aquatics, the local swimming club team based out Fort Walton Beach and Niceville, placed fifth with a team total of 633 points in the...
View ArticleResidents: TDC must do more than just attract tourists
SANTA ROSA BEACH — Some South Walton County residents believe there’s no need for more tourists, just better crowd control. “We don’t want everybody here. The problem is you need to get rid of the...
View ArticleEDITORIAL: A charter 'straw poll' turns lethal
We don’t know if the charter revisions proposed for Crestview would be good for the city or not. But we do know this: To shelve those revisions on the basis of a vote that was supposed to be...
View ArticleSome officials leery of proposed road on Norriego Point
DESTIN — It may be a bumpy road ahead for Norriego Point as the city tries to transform the ever shrinking spit of land into a park. “I was a little shocked to see a road,” Destin City Councilman Jim...
View ArticleKATHLEEN PARKER: Why McCain & Co. are ganging up on Susan Rice
WASHINGTON — A variety of insults have been deployed in opposition to Susan Rice’s likely nomination for secretary of state: She’s not qualified. She’s too aggressive. She “misled” the public...
View ArticleLandmark Center developers to present new offer to FWB
FORT WALTON BEACH — It could be do or die for the Landmark Center on Tuesday evening. Representatives from Ft. Walton Development partners will return to City Hall for a special meeting of the Fort...
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