The Okaloosa County Clerk of Court’s Office recently announced the promotion of Brad Embry to the new chief of staff.

Embry was promoted from inspector general to chief of staff by JD Peacock.

Eglin Federal Credit Union once again supported the United Way Emerald Coast during the 29th annual Day of Caring.

Twenty-eight Eglin Federal Credit Union employees participated by painting and landscaping in Crestview and Fort Walton Beach Monday, April 17.

In the five-plus years that Narissa Jenkins has been providing equine-based counseling and therapy services, one of her biggest frustrations has been having to put clients on a waiting list because they don’t have enough space to provide the services to everyone who needs them.

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.

Winn-Dixie grocery stores throughout Northwest Florida is offering shoppers $20 in free groceries to shoppers who get vaccinated at one of their stores.
Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company of Winn-Dixie and Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket, is offering $20 in free groceries as vaccine incentives in all in-store pharmacies to further encourage customers and their families to get up to date on routine vaccinations.

The national retail chain Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey and will close all remaining stores nationwide.

Major construction on the main building at the new Crestview Commons development is completed and the first businesses are expected to open in early May.
Crestview City Manager Tim Bolduc gave an update on the Crestview Commons development at the City Council’s April 24 meeting.

The 2024 primary election is still well over a year away, but the ballot is starting to take shape.
The 2024 election cycle will be a busy one locally, with two Crestview City Council and the mayor’s seats up for election, along with the Okaloosa County clerk of court, sheriff, property appraiser, tax collector, supervisor of elections, superintendent, two school board seats and three county commission seats.

Seven people have been arrested following an undercover operation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office targeting adults looking to meet minors online for sexual encounters.
Operation April’s Fools is part of an going OCSO effort to protect children from predators looking to do them harm. The suspects in this operation traveled to a predetermined location with the intention to meet the juveniles, but instead were taken into custody by OCSO deputies.