Vaida Jasmine McDougald, a 13-year-old Okaloosa Online Student who lives in the Deerland area east of Crestview, was arrested at her home on Monday on a second-degree felony charge of making an electronic threat of a mass shooting/terrorist act.

Julius Tawun Sledge, 42, of Crestview, was arrested Sunday on a charge of attempted premeditated murder after he shot a woman several times, city police said.

“Keep Faith” – print No. 1,305 of the 2,420 in existence – has come home to Okaloosa County, county Supervisor of Elections Office officials said today on Facebook.

(Dear Readers, I have written this article in the anticipation it may be published before the Thanksgiving Holiday. If it is not, please be gentle with any criticism. Thanks! Mark)

Sometimes we focus on what we don’t have, or situations we aren’t in, and we lose sight of what we do have and where we are. I know I have a lot to be thankful for – at all times – even when I’m wrapped up in the day-to-day busy-ness of life. I gathered these versus to remind me of what true thanksgiving is and what my gratitude should be focused on. I hope you enjoy them during this time that we take a break from our routines and focus on being thankful for all of our many blessings – or as we set out to purposefully be a blessing to others.

City of Crestview officials have scheduled a special City Council meeting for 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, to interview candidates and choose who will replace Joe Blocker in the Precinct 1 council seat.

A 68-year-old woman named Jeanette Barrow died after being unable to escape a fully involved house fire in Baker on Sunday afternoon, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Members of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Section during November conducted an undercover operation targeting adults looking to meet minors online for sexual encounters.

The Okaloosa County School District on Tuesday held its oath of office ceremony and annual organizational meeting, marking an important milestone for district leadership.