News Archive

Two local men face criminal charges after an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy allegedly saw them engaged in a sex act at Ray Lynn Barnes Boat Ramp near Crestview.

Hope for Heroes was held at Woodlawn Baptist Church on June 15.

The event, which was sponsored by the Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association, featured a concert by Christian recording artist Cochran and Cochran.

This week we learned from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that a white-tailed road-killed deer in Holmes County had tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease. It is Florida’s first case.

Emerald Coast Writers, formerly known as West Florida Literary Federation, is again publishing its biennial anthology, “Emerald Coast Review,” and is looking for submissions from regional writers and artists.

Twin Hills Park will be the site of 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.

While Senate Bill 1718 doesn’t take effect as a new state law until July 1, it already has been hurting Latinos, a few area residents said at the June 20 Okaloosa County Commission meeting in Shalimar.

The new bill was signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in May “to combat the dangerous effects of illegal immigration caused by the federal government’s reckless border policies,” according to a news release from the governor’s office.

A large, standing room only, crowd gathered outside Scott’s Outdoors in Jay Friday, June 9, to hear from and ask questions of U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz.

The event was a legislative update from the congressman, where he discussed the recent indictment of former president Donald Trump, governmental accountability and a plethora of other topics.

While taking a break from their moving-in tasks, Betsy Roy and Deb Gething beamed with happiness on June 21 while praising the new home of the Crestview Community Redevelopment Agency and Main Street Crestview Association.

To help meet future needs, Okaloosa County officials plan to buy a 20-acre undeveloped parcel that stands southwest of the county Sheriff’s Office training facility/shooting range near West Edney Avenue in Crestview.

It’s fine that some people elsewhere spent this year’s Juneteenth holiday enjoying barbecues and basketball tournaments, local educator Vaneesa Harrington said.

“But it’s important to put the educational aspect in this event,” Harrington, the assistant principal of Richbourg School and a member of Crestview’s Juneteenth Committee, said on June 19 at the Hub City’s second-annual Juneteenth Celebration.