News Archive

After a three-day trial, an Okaloosa County jury on Sept. 13 found 32-year-old Crestview resident Anthony Michael Gabriel guilty as charged for armed burglary of a dwelling with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Thanks to a $5,000 grant from Florida Power & Light, leaders of the nonprofit Baker Block Museum soon will be able to enhance the museum’s outdoor pavilion.
The money will be used to provide electrical service, lights, fans and a cement floor for the pavilion, Museum Executive Director Ann Spann said on Sept. 14.

On Sept. 9, six members of the Crestview Fire Department participated in this year’s Tunnel to Towers Foundation 9/11 Stair Climb at Margaritaville Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi.

During its first of two budget hearings, the Crestview City Council on Sept. 12 unanimously agreed to adopt a tentative millage rate of 6.85 mills and a tentative budget of almost $74.4 million for fiscal year 2024.

After conducting its final public hearing on Sept. 11, the Okaloosa County School Board adopted a total millage rate of 5.48 mills and an overall budget of more than $747 million for fiscal year 2024.

The Crestview City Council on Sept. 11 unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance that calls for more-stringent residency restrictions on sexual offenders and predators.
A public hearing for the second and final reading will be held at the council’s 6 p.m. Sept. 25 meeting. Upon final adoption, the ordinance would take effect immediately.

The developer that recently had Eighth Street in Laurel Hill paved is seeking to have the city maintain the future roads in the developer’s planned White Oak Estates subdivision.
The developer, Cannon/Sullivan Properties LLC of Destin, plans to have 108 single-family homes built in the subdivision, the property for which stands just west of Eighth Street.

Crestview Fire Department firefighters include one who specializes in cooking Cajun food, another who has special dietary needs and cannot eat pork, and some who like to steal coffee creamer, according to CFD engineer Kevin Walters.

At the first of two public budget hearings, the Okaloosa County Commission on Sept. 5 unanimously agreed to give initial approval to the county’s proposed fiscal year 2024 countywide millage rate and budget.

The Okaloosa County Commission on Sept. 5 confirmed the appointment of Dana Bigham Stephens as the county extension director, effective Sept. 18.