Aug 6, 2025
Gaetz, Boyles help Holt residents after FPL solar farm breach
Florida Power & Light has acknowledged that a “catastrophic failure” occurred at its Kayak Solar Energy Center in Holt after a recent heavy rainfall led to large sediment discharges into wetlands and streams and onto residential properties, state Sen. Don Gaetz said at a public meeting on Monday evening.
Aug 5, 2025
Elderly Crestview couple looks to rebuild after tragic fire
On Monday evening, birds sang from trees above an outdoor gallery containing hundreds of photos of loved ones of 79-year-old Dorothy Bess-Preston, who looked over the charred remains of her adjacent house that recently was destroyed by a fire.
Aug 5, 2025
Former Okaloosa County corrections officer charged with murder
Longtime and now-former Okaloosa County corrections officer Curtis Johnson was fired on Monday following his arrest on a charge of second-degree murder in Santa Rosa County.
Aug 4, 2025
‘Support to Soar’ initiative will help students
The Okaloosa County School District, in partnership with the Crestview, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Niceville-Valparaiso Chambers of Commerce, announces the launch of “Support to Soar,” a community-powered initiative designed to help students thrive by providing essential classroom resources and healthy snacks.
Aug 4, 2025
‘Books on the Porch’ includes book sale, author appearance
Perseverance paid off for historian and author Ronald W. Collins while researching his book “Mystery at Green Pond: The Murder of Bud and Nancy Davis by the Blackwell Brothers.”
Jul 30, 2025
Florida will no longer tax disaster prep items
Starting on Friday, the following disaster prep items will be permanently tax-free in the Sunshine State:
Jul 29, 2025
A stroll in northwest Okaloosa County
Two black-morph female Eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies danced around the flowers of a sweet pepperbush, the sounds of mourning doves, a woodpecker and a red-shouldered hawk echoed through the Blackwater River State Forest, and a deer screamed at me during my recent hike at the Karick Lake Recreation Area.
Jul 28, 2025
School bus route details are now online
The Okaloosa County School District Transportation Department has released school bus routes for the 2025–2026 school year, which starts on Monday, Aug. 11.
Jul 28, 2025
FWB teen, woman from Texas die in traffic accident
A 19-year-old man from Fort Walton Beach and a 50-year-old woman from Fort Worth, Texas died in a traffic accident at 9:25 p.m. Friday on Okaloosa Island.
Jul 28, 2025
Crestview Chamber welcomes new chicken restaurant
Sunshine Hot Chicken N’ More District Manager Shannon Pelham handled the big scissors during Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the company’s new eatery at 2493 S. Ferdon Blvd. in Crestview.



