News Archive

On April 3 of this year Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law Florida House of Representatives Bill 543 known as the Permitless Carry Law. The law goes into effect July 1.

Simply put, the new law no longer requires residents to get a concealed carry permit for their weapons. What the law doesn’t do is allow open carry or change any of the requirements in place to purchase a weapon.

Have you seen a black bear this summer?

In recent weeks, more and more black bears have been spotted in neighborhoods across northwest Florida. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) interactive public bear map, there have been over 40 calls since January concerning bears in Navarre alone.

Twin Hills Park will host a decorated-bicycle parade, a slew of games, food and drink vendors, and DJ-provided music that will continue through a half-hour-long fireworks show on the Fourth of July.

“It’s more than just fireworks: It’s a ‘Party in the Park,’” Crestview Public Information Manager Chance Leavins said.

The Crestview City Council on June 26 agreed to support, without any financial commitment, the development of the city of Niceville’s proposed regional aquatic sports and training facility that would serve Okaloosa and Walton counties.

The recently started construction of Okaloosa County’s first Florida Power & Light solar energy center is anticipated to be completed in about six to 10 months, according to FPL.

The 74.5 megawatt FPL Canoe Solar Energy Center is being built within a 543-acre site on Garner Landing Road near Interstate 10 in Holt. The center’s more than 200,000 photovoltaic solar panels will provide enough energy to power 15,000 homes.

Crestview officials plan to have the leaky roof on the 46-year-old gymnasium at Twin Hills Park sealed and restored by this fall.

And by late 2024, the 18,900-square-foot building could feature scores of other upgrades, including its first-ever HVAC unit that will provide air-conditioned comfort for basketball players and other gym users.

The city should consider requiring future developers to pay more money to help mitigate the traffic impacts from their projects, Crestview City Council members Doug Capps and Cynthia Brown said at the June 26 council meeting.

Known for its baby back ribs, fajitas and Big Mouth Burgers, Chili’s celebrated its grand opening at the Crestview Commons on June 26 with the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce.

Taina Campos, of Crestview, and her cousins Luke and Amelia Anderson of Milton take a popcorn break at the Panhandle Butterfly House in Milton.

Florida’s fiscal year 2023-24 budget includes a total of almost $9 million in funding for Okaloosa County projects, almost $2 million for city of Crestview projects and funding for city of Laurel Hill and Baker Fire District initiatives.