Walton likely to choose new administrator Tuesday
The Walton County Commission will decide by vote Tuesday whether Charlotte County Public Works Director Robert Halfhill is to be Walton’s next county administrator. “Mr. Halfhill has agreed to the...
View ArticleMaking a difference: In the business of customer service
DESTIN — Officially, Dan Dean is in the dry cleaning business. But that’s not how he sees it. Dean, whose family has been in the business for four generations, says he’s really in the business of...
View ArticleMan dies after truck is submerged in East River
NAVARRE — The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office has identified that man pulled from the East River on Monday. Justin Diel, 39, of Navarre was killed after his Ford pickup truck went to the bottom of...
View ArticleThe Next step: Four area teams ready for region semifinals
No matter the perspective, tonight’s regional semifinal round of the girls’ basketball playoffs holds unique possibilities for all four local teams that are still alive. At Choctaw, the pursuit of...
View ArticleGoodbye AFSOC training center, welcome Air Warfare Center
DUKE FIELD — The Air Force Special Operations Command has taken a step forward that is also a step back — in time. At a ceremony Monday, they dissolved the long-standing Special Operations Training...
View ArticleWalker: A little Prime Time, and a big smile
In this business, I never really know when a moment is about to reach out and grab me. It happens from time to time. Once, I was at a basketball game and I jumped out of my seat because a player made...
View ArticleJuvenile facility worker accused of sexually assaulting young girls
MILTON — Local and state authorities are investigating a third employee at the Milton Girls Facility following the center’s closing in December, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office....
View ArticleMary Esther man wins $500,000 in Florida Lottery
A 45-year-old Mary Esther man won $500,000 on a scratch-off ticket, according to a press release from the Florida Lottery. Robert Bolinski purchased the ticket from the Tom Thumb at 1209 East Miracle...
View ArticleEDITORIAL: Putting drones on a leash
Florida lawmakers are making progress in putting necessary limitations on law-enforcement uses of drones. The unmanned aircraft are becoming popular methods of surveillance. Not only are they cheaper...
View ArticleSTEVE CHAPMAN: This contest may be one the NFL cannot win
Professional football is the most popular spectator sport in America. With its famous athletes, storied franchises and lucrative TV contracts, it’s an industry whose future appears limitless. But...
View ArticleLETTER: Only way to be safe
In response to “Rethink the 2nd” (letter, Feb. 9), I don’t think the writer focused on the whole amendment, only the portion that forwarded his agenda. He ignored “the right of the people to keep and...
View ArticleLETTER: With evil intent
I support the Second Amendment. Inanimate objects cannot kill. To kill a human being, another human being must initiate the action. Guns are a tool, as is an automobile, a hammer, a knife or a...
View ArticleLETTER: Part-time cops
Reading the discussion about having a law enforcement officer in every school and thinking of the cost of such a program, I couldn’t help but think back to my 22 years as a police officer in a large...
View ArticleOdom pleads guilty to federal election violation
Destin developer Jay Odom pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to one count of causing a presidential campaign committee to make a false statement to the Federal Election Commission. He will be...
View ArticleMan sentenced to life for aggravated assault on 84-year-old
FORT WALTON BEACH — A 38-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison Tuesday following his conviction Dec. 18 of robbery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault on a person over 65. Okaloosa...
View ArticleFlorida Lottery announces second local winner
A 33-year-old Navarre man is the latest scratch-off game winner, according to a press release from the Florida Lottery. Han Cho claimed a $1 million prize in the 25th Anniversary Edition Millionaire...
View ArticleNWFSC President's/Dean's List
Northwest Florida State College recognized the superior scholastic achievement of students completing the Fall 2012 term by naming them to the President's List and Dean's List. The President's List...
View ArticleBug shell with no value reported missing
NICEVILLE – A man is looking for his Bug shell. Niceville Police received a call on Feb. 3 about the theft. A man who lives on Government Avenue called lawmen after discovering his Volkswagen Beetle...
View ArticleLack of dog door may have played role in theft of gun
NICEVILLE – A man’s gun is missing, and Niceville Police officers are looking into the theft. On Feb. 3 the Niceville man called lawmen to report the theft of the firearm, which had taken place...
View ArticleCouple arguing via text in same house take it to the real world
NICEVILLE – A woman who argued with her husband via text messages traded the virtual for the real world when she kicked open his bedroom door and walloped him, lawmen say. On Jan. 7 the two began a...
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