Snowbirds and their pets: A special relationship
DESTIN — The saying goes that you’re known by the company you keep. Perhaps that’s why Jim Wilson is known as “Jim and his girls.” For the last several years Wilson, of Rochester, N.Y., has gone...
View ArticleMan sentenced for bank robbery
FORT WALTON BEACH — A man will spend at least 15 years in prison after he was sentenced Thursday for robbing Beach Community Bank on Mary Esther Cut-Off nearly 18 months ago. Okaloosa County Circuit...
View ArticleOkaloosa commissioner worries about control of BP funds
Okaloosa County Commissioner Wayne Harris is concerned the county’s most recent financial scandal could hurt its chances of keeping control over any RESTORE Act money headed its way. At a RESTORE Act...
View ArticleMeetings on tap for deer, turkey management enthusiasts
For those interested in deer and wild turkey management, several meetings are on tap. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is looking at the Panhandle as a testing ground for...
View ArticleFlorosa woman indicted for child porn
Corine Danielle Motley, the Florosa woman arrested following a frantic international manhunt sparked by a child pornography video, was indicted Tuesday by federal authorities. Read the indictment for...
View ArticleDecember jobless numbers mixed in Northwest Florida
Florida’s economic recovery continued to outpace the national average in December, although there was some fluctuation in the local numbers. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity released its...
View ArticleDestin Auto brings luxury rentals; Niceville gets new furniture store
DESTIN AUTO RENTALS With its opening on Dec. 1, 2012, Destin Auto Rentals offers high-end, luxury vehicle leases, but the luxury doesn’t end with the set of wheels. “We offer a service where I can go...
View ArticleLaw enforcement, educators grapple with preventing, preparing for school...
Opinions are rampant in the area about how schools, and communities in general, should handle security. Some agree that having armed sheriff’s deputies in all schools is the best solution. Others...
View Article‘Deputy V brings the peace’
FORT WALTON BEACH — Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Dwayne Vasiloff never stops moving at his new job at Kenwood Elementary School. He walks the school grounds repeatedly. He pokes his head into...
View ArticleDestin officials await details of proposed strip club
DESTIN — If an adult entertainment club opens on Airport Road, city leaders probably won’t offer it a warm welcome. “It’s not a family-oriented business,” City Councilman Larry Williges said. “With...
View ArticleNo (visiting) dogs allowed
There was a significant omission on the newly revised Waterways and Beach Activities Ordinance that was released Monday. Removed was a line that would allow visitors the option to purchase permits to...
View ArticleMan charged with cutting neighbor with machete
NICEVILLE - A man has been charged with cutting his neighbor’s wrist with a machete on Friday evening, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Buddy Ray Fuller, 56, and his neighbor were...
View ArticleVICTORA: Nomination for weekly feature captures idea perfectly
In last week’s column I told you we would feature people weekly who make a difference in our community, and asked for nominations. The response has been amazing. Please keep them coming; I feel richer...
View ArticleFormer Destin Library Director turns love of literature into a business
CINCO BAYOU — Dooney Tickner has spent his life around books. He was a member of a book of the month club before he was a teenager. When he went to college, he majored in history and literature. For...
View ArticleCrestview considers potential uses for donated building
CRESTVIEW — A garage to store and investigate impounded vehicles? A recycling center? A community meeting hall? Those are among the possible uses Crestview officials have suggested for a building that...
View ArticleMural gains 23 Fallen Heroes (SLIDESHOW)
EGLIN AFB — Florida’s Fallen Heroes from 2012 and their families were honored Saturday with the unveiling the 23 additions to the Memorial Portrait Mural at the Air Force Armament Museum. View a...
View ArticleVIDEO, PHOTOS: Mardi Gras Parade on the island draws thousands
OKALOOSA ISLAND— The Abita Mardi Gras Parade and Helen Back Block Party on Okaloosa Island attracted thousands of people to catch beads, moon pies and to view floats from around the Emerald Coast....
View ArticleFour arrested over two days for meth
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office arrested four people Thursday and Friday for production of methamphetamine. On Thursday, a deputy found an active “shake-and-bake” meth lab in an occupied car parked...
View ArticleNo injuries reported in attic fire Saturday
CRESTVIEW - No injuries were reported from a small attic fire that broke out in a home on Bracewell Street at 12:22 p.m. Saturday, according to the Crestview Fire Department. The cause not immediately...
View ArticleWoman attacks with fists, fingernails, lawmen say
CRESTVIEW - A Baker woman was arrested after she and her boyfriend gave conflicting stories to Crestview Police about an alleged battery. Officers went to a Patton Street residence on Jan. 3 upon...
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