The local desk · Okaloosa County
We read the county, the cities and the outlets that cover them, then brief it in our own words with a link to everyone who reported it. Updated every hour.
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Local historian and ghost tour guide Bert Moore will share eerie tales and mysterious accounts at a free event Tuesday at the Niceville Community Center. The presentation blurs the line between documented history and folklore from the region.
A lawsuit filed by Brian Littrell and his wife against a neighbor over trespassing and alleged stalking on their Santa Rosa Beach property continues through the courts, with a judge set to hear arguments in early December on whether to dismiss the stalking charge. The case centers on conflicting claims about where private property rights end and public beach access begins under Florida law.
Pink Pirates, a nonprofit focused on breast cancer awareness, held its annual 5K fundraiser on Navarre Beach on Oct. 17, proceeding despite hurricane concerns the previous week. The event raises money to provide mammograms to uninsured and underinsured residents.
Crestview's swim team qualified 14 athletes for the regional meet following the District Championship competition in Panama City Beach, marking the largest number of regional qualifiers in program history.
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Fort Walton Beach Police Detective Collin Savoie will receive the Medal of Valor and Life Saving Award for de-escalating an October 14 incident involving an armed veteran in mental health crisis. Savoie positioned himself feet from the man with a rifle, built rapport through their shared military service, and secured a peaceful surrender with no injuries.
The Destin Marlins defeated the Shoal River Mustangs 35-16 in the Okaloosa County Middle School Athletic Conference semifinals on Oct. 22, holding their opponents scoreless through the first half. Destin's defense forced multiple turnovers early, while quarterback Brantley Adams threw two touchdown passes in the victory.
A 38-year-old was taken into custody after authorities seized more than two pounds of methamphetamine that arrived at a local address through the mail in October. The Bay County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Postal Inspection Service tracked the package from the dark web, and the suspect fled on a motorcycle before being stopped and arrested.
Santa Rosa County launched a dedicated information line Friday to help residents with questions about storm debris removal across the county. The hotline operates daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will assist callers with proper debris placement, pickup scheduling, and reporting concerns as cleanup efforts continue over several weeks.
Nicholas Rashad Johnson, 34, was arrested after a traffic stop near U.S. Highway 231 and State Road 167 on Oct. 20 when a sheriff's K-9 detected roughly 7 grams of suspected fentanyl hidden in his truck. Johnson, who was on active probation, faces trafficking charges since the amount exceeds Florida's 4-gram felony threshold.
The Town of Century is inviting local students in grades four through high school to submit essays describing how they would improve the town if serving on its council. Winners in three age divisions will receive gift cards and certificates, with first-place essays read aloud at a town council meeting, with submissions due by October 30.
Brandon Abernathy Brown, 39, was taken into custody on October 15 after allegedly attacking a family member over 65 during a domestic disturbance at a Conference Road residence. Deputies observed bruising and swelling on the victim's wrist after Brown allegedly grabbed and shoved her while she was in his bedroom. Brown remains jailed with bond set at $7,500.
A 32-year-old was sentenced to federal prison after a September 2025 traffic stop by the Escambia County Sheriff's Office uncovered a loaded pistol, over $10,000 in cash, and more than 200 grams of methamphetamine in his vehicle. He pleaded guilty to methamphetamine distribution and firearm possession in furtherance of drug trafficking.