What is happening in Okaloosa County and along the Emerald Coast. Every story is briefed in our own words, with links to everyone who reported it.
Latest story
The Holley-Navarre Water System board approved a $105,000 engineering contract in April to design a replacement bridge at Hole 3 of the Club at Hidden Creek golf course. Southern Site and Utility Design will provide the design services for the timber bridge.
Niceville defeated Choctaw 3-2 in a competitive volleyball match Thursday, overcoming a 4-1 deficit in the final set with a 6-0 run to secure victory. The win positions the Lady Eagles as a top team in the area, improving their record to 11-3.
The Naval Junior ROTC program at Navarre High held a ceremony Friday morning to commemorate the September 11 attacks, featuring a documentary about the 2001 tragedy for attendees in the school cafeteria.
Direct from the source
The Okaloosa County School District is observing Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15 with a door decorating and art contest for students. The district is also encouraging participation in state-level art and essay competitions sponsored by the Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida.
Okaloosa County commissioners approved a contract with Niceville Animal Clinic to provide sheltering and veterinary services in unincorporated areas south of Eglin Air Force Base beginning September 2026, when the county's nearly 20-year relationship with PAWS ends. The agreement establishes a $4,000 monthly sheltering stipend with estimated annual operating costs between $120,000 and $180,000.
The Destin City Council voted Tuesday to direct its attorney to draft an ordinance requiring council approval before license plate reader cameras can be placed on city roads or property. The move follows Florida's statewide order revoking permits for the devices on state highways and the Okaloosa County Sheriff's decision to remove all Flock Safety cameras countywide.
The Town of Shalimar designated Sept. 13 as "The Church at Shalimar Day" through a town commission resolution, recognizing the congregation that began in 1951 as one of the community's founding institutions. The church will mark the milestone with a special service and luncheon on that date.
Direct from the source
A 46-year-old paraprofessional at Lewis School in Valparaiso was arrested on a child abuse charge after allegedly striking a 5-year-old autistic student in the face. Two witnesses told investigators they saw the paraprofessional's hand make contact with the child's face hard enough to turn the child's head, though the paraprofessional denied making contact.
The Niceville Fire Department is conducting its first-ever community survey to gather feedback for a three-to-five-year strategic plan. The anonymous survey, which takes 10 to 15 minutes, aims to identify the department's strengths, improvement areas, and operational priorities based on resident and worker input.
Ricki DeSantis, a Navarre resident who worked in finance in New York City, was near the World Trade Center towers during the September 11 attacks and was exposed to toxic materials including asbestos and heavy metals. He continues to deal with health complications from that day of exposure.
Crestview High School's "Big Red Machine" marching band has received the Phi Beta Mu Earl D. Irons Program of Distinction Award, a national honor recognizing excellence in the ensemble.
Direct from the source
The city partnered with InvoiceCloud to offer customers chances to win Visa gift cards by enrolling in paperless billing or automatic payments. The sweepstakes runs through October 31, with 39 total prizes ranging from $50 to $250.
Direct from the source
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office announced plans to designate a Deputy Director of Support Services position for inclusion in Florida's Senior Management Service Class under state retirement law. The move, which affects pension and benefits eligibility, is open for public comment through September 23.
Navarre's football team will play Niceville on Friday night in a road game that continues a challenging schedule for the Raiders.
Direct from the source
Fort Walton Beach is hosting free two-hour concerts every Friday night through October 23 at the downtown Landing, starting September 11 at 6 p.m. The series kicks off with Sons of Saints, and attendees are invited to bring lawn chairs or quilts.
Seven homes across Crestview are holding open houses this weekend, offering buyers options ranging from a three-bedroom on less than an acre to a five-acre property with a pole barn. The listings include new construction, flexible floor plans and various price points to accommodate different budgets.
The two counties are partnering to embed discarded metal signposts into concrete reef modules for placement in Escambia County waters, funded by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Welding students from George Stone Technical College are fabricating the structures, gaining hands-on experience while creating new marine habitats for fish and invertebrates.
The City of Crestview announced the rescheduled America 250 Veterans & Patriots Grand Parade will take place November 7 along Main Street, with a rain date set for November 8. Olympic speedskater Mia Manganello will serve as Grand Marshal for the event, which organizers describe as one of the county's largest patriotic gatherings.
A Crestview resident received a call from someone impersonating an Okaloosa sheriff's deputy, claiming she missed federal jury duty and demanding $25,000 via bitcoin ATM. The scammer used artificial intelligence and spoofed the sheriff's office phone number to appear legitimate, but Jenkins grew suspicious and contacted the actual sheriff's office instead.
Santa Rosa County Schools is hosting a free virtual workshop on September 22 focused on artificial intelligence use by students, covering how AI can support learning and related safety concerns. The session is part of the district's ongoing online safety program for families.
Keira Foy, a senior at Fort Walton Beach High School, has been selected as one of more than 16,000 National Merit Semifinalists nationwide, placing her in the top one percent of U.S. high school seniors. Most semifinalists are expected to advance to finalist status, with approximately 6,700 merit scholarships totaling $24 million to be awarded in spring 2027.
The Niceville City Council voted unanimously to reject a proposal that would have charged residents $8 monthly and non-residents $20 monthly to use the Senior Center, currently free for city residents. The council sent the matter back to city staff for further consideration after packed chambers of seniors opposed the hike, citing fixed incomes and concerns about isolation.
Staff at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, Twin Cities Hospital in Niceville, and West Hospital in Pensacola assembled treat bags and collected handwritten letters for deployed service members through Forgotten Soldiers Outreach. The three-hospital initiative combined two volunteer programs to support the nonprofit's monthly care packages sent worldwide to military personnel.
The City of Crestview rescheduled its America 250 Veterans & Patriots Grand Parade for November 7 on Main Street, with a rain date of November 8. Olympic bronze medalist Mia Manganello, a Crestview native, will serve as grand marshal for the event celebrating 250 years of American history.
Jacob Hill, who has worked in golf since high school, now directs operations for the City of Fort Walton Beach's course, handling everything from tournament management to pro shop merchandising. Hill, a native of the area, credits his success to taking on responsibility early and learning every aspect of the business.
Navarre's volleyball team lost to Catholic 25-22 in the fourth set Tuesday night in Pensacola, unable to force a decisive fifth set despite tying the match at 22-all late in the game.
The Okaloosa County America 250 Commission will host a free event Sept. 12 at Bob Sikes Airport in Crestview honoring military members and public safety personnel. The seven-hour gathering will feature live music, free meals for the first 500 attendees, food trucks, and activities for families.
Fort Walton Beach Police conducted a traffic safety checkpoint on U.S. Highway 98 during Labor Day weekend, targeting impaired driving. Officers arrested one driver with a blood-alcohol level exceeding three times the legal limit.
Ten candidates are competing for four seats on the Fort Walton Beach City Council in a public forum scheduled for Sept. 14, featuring a meet-and-greet at 5:30 p.m. and candidate questions at 6:15 p.m. at The Venue at Beach Weekend. The general election is set for Nov. 3.
Recreational fishing for snook began Sept. 1 across multiple Florida regions, including the Panhandle, and runs through Nov. 30. The harvest season opened in East Coast management areas and most Gulf Coast regions where anglers can legally take the fish.
Volunteers will construct bunk beds Saturday at the Fort Walton Beach Lowe's as part of Sleep in Heavenly Peace's national Bunks Across America initiative. The eight-hour event aims to address housing insecurity affecting an estimated 2-3% of American children who lack proper sleeping arrangements.
Eglin Federal Credit Union donated $50,000 to the Niceville-Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce during the organization's 70th anniversary year, with funds earmarked for exterior repairs and capital improvements to the Chamber's facility. The credit union, a member since 1973, framed the gift as an investment in the region's economic future as the Chamber navigates leadership transition.
The Navarre Beach Fishing Pier will restrict angler access on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 13, to conduct routine maintenance and cleaning operations. Volunteers assist with the quarterly upkeep of the facility.
Superintendent Marcus Chambers told business leaders the district is responding to enrollment declines driven by state-funded scholarships by revamping elementary education, expanding career training programs, and raising academic standards. About 1,500 students have left Okaloosa public schools for private options, while the district maintains A or B ratings at nearly 90 percent of its campuses.
Santa Rosa County commissioners voted Sept. 8 to have staff develop an ordinance regulating how animals can be tethered across the county. The move follows commissioner discussion about establishing countywide standards for the practice.
The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce will host a free public reception Oct. 1 for Bernard Johnson, who is retiring from Florida Power & Light after 20 years representing the utility in the region. Johnson has served on boards throughout Okaloosa County's business community and is believed to be the only person to have served on every chamber of commerce board in the county.
Destin High School appointed Chris Barbe as head tennis coach, bringing four decades of coaching experience and previous work at facilities across Louisiana and the Destin area. Barbe previously served as director of tennis at the New Orleans City Park Tennis Center and held the 1994 USPTA Louisiana "Pro of the Year" award.
The Crestview club wrestling team combined with Sons of Thunder and Daughters of Zion wrestling club in Panama City Beach over the summer. The merger aims to expand opportunities for youth wrestlers in the region.
The Emerald Coast Theater Company will present "Come From Away," a production about community resilience following the September 11 attacks. The show runs Saturday, September 12, with all proceeds supporting the Navy League of the United States' Bay County Council and the U.S. Navy's 251st Birthday Ball.
Sixteen establishments across the Fort Walton Beach, Destin and Crestview areas received perfect scores during health inspections the week of Aug. 31-Sept. 6, with no violations found. Three restaurants that initially failed inspections, including Cracker Barrel in Destin and Peppers Mexican Grill in Destin, subsequently passed follow-up inspections during the same week.
Headlines and briefings are written by Emerald Coast Connected. Full articles remain with the publishers linked under each story.