Stories by Hansen Hasenberg

Legislative blues: Rep. Rudman talks frustrations with state government post-session

March 12, 2024

Politics can be a vicious sport, causing frustration and a desire to give it up. According to State Rep. Dr. Joel Rudman (R-Navarre), this past session has been one frustration after another. Despite this, he said he isn’t ready to step aside. Rudman first came into the Florida Legislature after winning the Republican primary and general election for former Rep. Jayer Williamson’s seat (District 3) in 2022. The 2023 Legislature began soon after Rudman was sworn in.

Crestview and Baker students receive nominations to service academies

February 2, 2024

Alan Ritchson talks Reacher, stardom and grinding out a career

December 14, 2023

When you star in your own hit television show and act alongside the likes of Vin Diesel, Jennifer Lawrence and Helen Mirren, it might go to your head but for Alan Ritchson, 41, he’s still just the kid from Niceville.

Afterschool educational program engages NWFL children in coding

August 29, 2023

On Aug. 26, Code Ninjas, an international afterschool learning center franchise with a focus on coding, held a grand opening for their Pensacola center. The center has actually been open since March 2023.

Bear sightings heating up this summer

June 29, 2023

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.

Gaetz addresses Trump indictment, more at Jay legislative update

June 22, 2023

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.

Fort Walton teen charged with threatening school shooting

June 8, 2023

A Fort Walton Beach teenager is facing a second degree felony in connection with threats of a mass shooting made toward students at Baker High School.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has charged 15-year old Caleb McLaughlin of Miracle Strip Parkway with sending written or electronic threats.

By the numbers

April 27, 2023

Nearly halfway through the 2022-23 fiscal year, Okaloosa County has brought in a total of $9.23 million in bed taxes, with $8.65 million of that coming from the south end of the county in the original tourism district.

The county is separated into different tourism districts, with the original tourist district including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island, Mary Esther and Cinco Bayou.

Crestview softball overcomes early deficit to beat Choctaw

April 21, 2023

Crestview Bulldogs softball traveled to Choctawhatchee High School Thursday, April 20, for an important pre-playoff matchup. After a tough first inning, where they gave up three runs, the Bulldogs began a methodical comeback, scoring a single run each inning until the top of the 7th inning, when they blew the game wide open with a Cambell Toolan home run that brought in three runners.

Rebekah Jones’ son arrested after alleged school threats

April 11, 2023

The teenage son of Rebekah Jones, a data analyst and former Democratic Party candidate for U.S. House, has been charged with intimidation, a second-degree felony. Jackson Jones, 13, was arrested for allegedly threatening to conduct a mass shooting at Holley Navarre Middle School, where he was previously a student. The threats first came to the attention of Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office March 20, when an East Bay K8 student told school officials about a school shooting threat she saw on social media.

Stories by Hansen Hasenberg

Stories by Hansen Hasenberg

850.682.6524