Tallahassee – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced record-breaking visitation numbers in 2023. Tourists to Florida were found to have spent a record $131 billion in the state—an increase of 5% over 2022—in addition to $36.9 billion in local, state, and federal tax revenue. Florida remains the premier travel destination of the nation and the world.

Many invasive and problematic Muscovy ducks are about to be removed from Crestview’s Twin Hills Park.

Darice “Dusty” Allison, a retired longtime probation and parole supervisor for the Florida Department of Corrections, was chosen by the Crestview City Council on Monday to serve the remainder of the four-year term of former Precinct 1 City Councilor Joe Blocker, who resigned Nov. 30 because of health reasons.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement recently arrested James Coffman, 26, of Crestview, for soliciting a child for sex online and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.

Farmers, bikers, school bands, a beauty queen, first responders, members of businesses and nonprofit groups, church members, dancers, elected officials, mascots, horses, dogs, several Grinches, many modern and classic four-wheeled vehicles, and Santa and Mrs. Claus rolled, marched, boogied or were carried along in Crestview’s 1 1/2-hour-long Christmas Parade on Saturday evening up the renovated Main Street, the wide sidewalks of which were filled with throngs of happy kids and adults who caught thrown candy, stuffed animals, beads and other holiday treasures.

Florida Power & Light Co. has awarded 10 nonprofits across northwest Florida with grants totaling $50,000 that will help provide life-changing opportunities for communities.

The city of Laurel Hill’s 14th Annual Christmas Parade is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.

With the resignation of Matt Gaetz, there is a special election on the horizon to decide who will represent northwest Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives. As of Dec. 5, there are 13 candidates vying for the seat, including State Rep. Dr. Joel Rudman, Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis, and 2024 Democratic candidate for U.S. House district 1, Jennifer Gay Valimont. 

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is asking for the public’s help to find a 14-year-old boy who has been missing for over a year.

Thirty-five-year-old Holt resident Leah Feeback was arrested on Monday after she struck a state trooper with her vehicle on Interstate 10 and fled the scene.