News Archive

After more than four decades in the newspaper business, Tim Smolarick is bringing his experience and passion for local journalism to Sandpaper Publishing as group publisher.

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a $775 million budget for fiscal 2027 at its final budget hearing Sept. 18. It also maintained the countywide millage rate of 3.8308 that it has set since 2017.

The job of a teacher is no easy task. Creating lesson plans, staying after hours to grade tests and maintaining the focus of students throughout the day can prove taxing.

However, the life of a teacher is never boring, and Shelby Frost’s passion for helping her students succeed is one reason she was named Crestview High School Teacher of the Year.

The City of Crestview Skate Jam returned to Eglin Federal Credit Union Skate Park this past Saturday, Sept. 19, for the fourth year.

The event featured live music, food trucks and trick competitions for skaters of all ages. The competition was broken down into ages 0-6, 7-12, 13-17 and 18-plus.

Okaloosa County is moving forward with the Okaloosa Lane Realignment and Improvements Project, voting unanimously to continue to the construction engineering and inspection (CEI) phase of the development at its Sept. 16 meeting.

Mosquito season may be nearing its end in Florida, but the South Walton Mosquito District encourages everyone to remain vigilant against West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses.

The Crestview City Council voted to approve on first reading an ordinance prohibiting the construction of data centers in Crestview at its Sept. 14 meeting.

The Okaloosa County Commission unanimously approved a $1.5 million state-appropriated Local Transportation Project (LTP) grant for the Millside Road Improvement Project at its Sept. 15 meeting.

As pickleball has exploded in popularity in recent years, Crestview’s TC Cooley is taking the sport beyond community courts and professional leagues, using it to spread the gospel in Eswatini, Africa.

Crestview City Manager Jessica Leavins will receive a 6.5 percent raise for fiscal year 2027, following a favorable evaluation and unanimous approval by the Crestview City Council at its Sept. 14 meeting.