529 plans: Underused but valuable
In just a few weeks, students will be heading off to college – and parents will be getting out their checkbooks. Without a college-bound student in your home right now, you might not be thinking much about tuition and other higher education expenses, but if you have young children, these costs may eventually be of concern – so how should you prepare for them?
Crestview man arrested on drug trafficking charges
Jerry Antonio Blackshear, of Williams Ave., in Crestview, was arrested Wednesday night and charged with resisting an officer without violence, possession of cocaine, trafficking in fentanyl, trafficking amphetamine, and drug equipment possession.
City Council approves proposed lower millage rate
For the first time in seven years, the Crestview City Council has approved a reduction in the proposed millage rate.
FPL plans to upgrade energy grid in Okaloosa County
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) is upgrading the energy grid in Okaloosa County in 2022 to continue enhancing day-to-day reliability for customers and improving resiliency in the face of severe weather.
Spawning success saves Shoal bass
Tucked away in rural Santa Rosa County within the Blackwater River Forest sits an operation that has been critical to recovery efforts of the Chipola River Shoal Bass population.
In existence for 80 years, the nearly 600-acre Blackwater Fisheries Research and Development Center in Holt has been at the center of helping to revive a species of fish that was devastated by Hurricane Michael in October of 2018.
Three teens in jail following Crestview burglaries
Two teens and a 20 year old are behind bars following a burglary in the Auburn community near Crestview.
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call of shots fired in the Auburn community and made contact with three teens in the area, leading to burglary and grand theft charges against the trio.
County undecided on location of new EMS tower
Okaloosa County commissioners voted not to proceed with construction of a new emergency services tower in Holt at last Monday’s board meeting, opting instead to ask staff to look at another location.
Toxicology report shows Wilks had drugs in system
On Tuesday, July 19, the autopsy results for Calvin Wilks Jr., who died after a incident with Crestview Police in October 2021, were released.
The autopsy report describes the cause of death as “cardiac dysrhythmia following physical exertion, prone restraint, and deployment of electroshock neuromuscular incapacitation device.”
New high-speed internet option coming to Crestview
Crestview and north Okaloosa County residents could have more options for their high-speed internet service in the coming months.
LiveOak Fiber announced on July 11 its plans to invest $100 million to build and operate a high-speed fiber optic network across Okaloosa County.
Parent challenges school safety protocols
A father is questioning the safety of his child at a summertime daycare operated at Bob Sikes Elementary School in Crestview.
John Leitschuck is angry that the same protocols that apply to the school apparently don’t apply to the daycare.














