Brush fire threatens communications tower
FORT WALTON BEACH — A brush fire threatened a communications tower in Fort Walton Beach early Sunday afternoon. The fire started about noon in an area of thick brush near the intersection of Hollywood...
View ArticleBoy Scouts revive group to serve older teens
CRESTVIEW— Teens between 14 and 20 years old have another option for after-school, weekend and school break activities with the revival of Venture Crew 773. An organizational meeting will be at 6:30...
View ArticleDestin councilman leery of closed-door planning meetings
DESTIN — Developing the city’s economic development plan behind closed doors doesn’t sit well with City Councilman Jim Bagby. “I’m a firm believer that public policy ought to be created in the...
View ArticleLocal man wants children to have bicycles for Christmas
MIRAMAR BEACH — Bill MacBride would like to give a gift of childhood memories this Christmas through shiny new bicycles. “I’ve always been fortunate enough to ride a bike,” said the longtime cycling...
View ArticleSanta goes on Skype (VIDEO)
SANDESTIN — In an office twinkling with Christmas lights and garland, Tommy Usry tests his Skype. His ability to communicate with children around the world is critical this time of year. Usry, widely...
View ArticleRetailers welcome holiday shoppers
DESTIN — People turned out in droves over the weekend to kick off the holiday shopping season. Starting with Black Friday, which for some stores technically began Thursday evening, and lasting through...
View ArticleLETTER: Once vs. twice
My Shalimar household was part of the change in garbage pickup schedules. It was called a test, but I believe the change from twice-a-week pickup to once a week was a forgone conclusion. Previously,...
View ArticleLETTER: The bear minimum
Cub’s up a tree. Mama bear underneath is stomping and snorting at anyone nearby. Knowing that a neighbor lady is out and about, I call the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. “Not our jurisdiction,”...
View ArticleSTEVE CHAPMAN: The Republican Party's environmental disaster
By the time he died this summer, Russell Train was largely forgotten. Most Americans didn’t know that, as The New York Times’ obituary said, he helped shape “the world’s first comprehensive program...
View ArticleJOHN STOSSEL: I'm not losing sleep over this 'fiscal cliff' hysteria
Yikes! We’re headed toward a fiscal cliff! It will crush the economy! Or so the media and politicians tell us. The “cliff” is a series of tax increases and budget cuts that automatically go into...
View ArticleEDITORIAL: Task force says it isn't Miller time
The Florida Defense Support Task Force is supposed to help protect the state’s military installations from budget cuts and job-whittling consolidation efforts. We hope it succeeds. But what we see...
View ArticleOfficials investigating DeFuniak Springs bank robbery
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — Officials are investigating a mid-morning robbery at the SunTrust Bank on U.S. Highway 331. A white man with brown hair is accused of walking into the bank around 9 a.m. and...
View ArticleBattle over car keys leads to a draw
NICEVILLE - A police officer was unable to determine who was the primary aggressor after a husband and wife spared over truck keys. On Nov. 18 a Niceville Police officer was called to a Margquette...
View ArticleWoman wakes up to discover pills missing
NICEVILLE - A woman reported her medication was stolen after a night of drinking. On Nov. 14 the woman called Niceville Police to report the theft. She said she was drinking the night before and a...
View ArticleWoman accused of attacking husband, kicking deputy
SANTA ROSA BEACH - A woman faces charges after she allegedly struck her husband, then lashed out at a Walton County Sheriff's deputy. The incident took place Nov. 12. The woman's husband said she...
View ArticleOctober was a mixed month for real estate
October was a mixed month for the local real estate market. Single-family home sales in Walton and Santa Rosa counties posted strong growth compared with last year, but sales were down in Okaloosa...
View ArticleHomicide prompts officials to improve communication
Officials with Florida’s First Judicial Circuit believe they have found a better way for authorities to share information about no-contact orders issued in Okaloosa County domestic violence cases....
View ArticleCounty: In-house construction crew will save money
These are busy days for the Okaloosa County Water and Sewer Department’s in-house construction crew. In addition to building a new $2.2 million lift station on Okaloosa Island, the workers are in the...
View ArticleHome invasion victim still in hospital
FORT WALTON BEACH — A man who was shot and stabbed during a home invasion on Alden Drive remains hospitalized a week after the incident. Christopher Lynn Carroll, 32, is in serious condition at an...
View ArticleCouple present fifth annual Geek Lights show (SLIDESHOW)
BLUEWATER BAY — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at 201 Antiqua Way. That’s the home of Jeff and Wendy Werner, who unveiled their fifth annual “Geek Lights on the Corner” on Monday night....
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