What is happening in Okaloosa County and along the Emerald Coast. Every story is briefed in our own words, with links to everyone who reported it.
The Mosley Dolphins defeated Niceville 28-9 on Friday night at Eagle Stadium, extending their winning streak in the rivalry to four consecutive seasons. The lopsided victory underscores Mosley's recent superiority in the matchup.
A Santa Rosa Correctional Institution inmate was convicted of manslaughter and received the maximum 15-year sentence for fatally choking his cellmate during a May 2022 altercation in Milton. The sentence will run consecutively to Williams' existing prison term for prior murder and robbery convictions, with no eligibility for early release due to his designation as a prison releasee reoffender.
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The City of Mary Esther held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Azalea Neighborhood Infrastructure Project, with construction set to begin September 8 on Caswell Circle. The initial phase will involve cleaning and inspection of the sanitary sewer system, with crews requiring access to manholes in streets and yards.
A developer has filed plans with Santa Rosa County to build a Zaxby's chicken restaurant on Highway 98's south side in Navarre, west of Costa Verde Court. The proposal was submitted August 31.
The Walton High School football team has won its first two games behind a dominant defense that has not surrendered a touchdown in 10 quarters, according to head coach Jay Lindsey. The Braves will use their early bye week to address special teams breakdowns before facing Taylor County and entering the heart of their district schedule.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office is searching for a 28-year-old Milton resident who was present during an armed home invasion at a Destin apartment early Friday morning. Two men entered the residence and attempted to rob occupants, but no injuries occurred and the woman left the scene before investigators arrived. Authorities say there is no threat to the public.
State Sen. Don Gaetz announced plans to file legislation reforming the Florida Department of Children and Families during a news conference at the Santa Rosa County Courthouse, outlining 10 provisions for the next legislative session. The proposal comes as a high-profile child welfare case concludes.
A new Beach Liquors location has opened at The Market Shops near Sandestin Golf and Beach Resorts, featuring a self-serve whiskey and wine room where customers can pour their own drinks. The store carries a wide selection of spirits, wines and craft beers and operates daily from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Crestview and Baker high school golf teams competed in a head-to-head match at Blackwater Golf Course under clear, hot conditions on Tuesday.
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Two armed men entered a residence on Dancing Cloud Court around 5:30 a.m. Friday and attempted to rob the occupants, according to Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office deputies. No injuries were reported, and authorities say there is no known threat to the public as the investigation continues.
A Navarre woman who escaped a two-year abusive relationship with help from Shelter House is now using her experience to assist other domestic violence survivors. Whitworth credits family, friends and the nonprofit organization with helping her find a way out of the situation.
The second annual Mayor's Charity Gala will be held October 16 at Henderson Beach Resort, featuring a black-tie dinner, live entertainment and auction. Proceeds benefit the Destin Parks Foundation, The Honor Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, while honoring Council Member Dewey Destin and Florida Chamber of Commerce CEO Mark Wilson for their community service.
Beach Liquors, a family-owned chain founded in 2000, opened its newest store at The Market Shops at Sandestin with a 4,800-square-foot space featuring a self-serve wine and whiskey bar, craft beer selection and cigars. The store marks the company's sixth location across Northwest Florida and offers wine tastings on Friday evenings.
The Niceville Lady Eagles defeated Pace 3-0 on Wednesday night with set scores of 25-19, 25-19 and 25-22 in their first home match of the season. Kate Jannazo and Katherine Newkirk led the offensive effort as Niceville improved its record to 4-2.
Hurlburt Field will conduct explosive demolition training on Sept. 8 and 10 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., producing loud detonation sounds audible across Okaloosa County. Low cloud cover and high humidity could amplify the noise, and training will pause if inclement weather occurs.
Jarod Christian Phelps, 36, was taken into custody following a Florida Highway Patrol investigation into a November 2025 crash that killed a female pedestrian on Old Bagdad Highway. Authorities identified Phelps as the driver of a red 2016 Ford Explorer that struck the woman and fled the scene. He faces charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and remains jailed without bond.
Jesse LaCoste was sentenced to 30 years in prison and ordered to pay $2.1 million in restitution after his conviction on racketeering and organized fraud charges. The scheme, which ran from 2018 to 2022, defrauded dozens of homeowners across Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties.
Okaloosa County commissioners rejected a moratorium or outright prohibition on data centers, instead directing staff to develop regulations for the facilities. The board will explore conditional-use approval requirements and standards governing site location, power and water consumption, noise, lighting and buffers, with an initial regulatory plan expected within 60 days.
The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners unanimously directed staff to develop rules for data centers within 60 days, choosing proactive regulation over bans or moratoriums. The county currently lacks specific zoning or land use provisions for data centers, leaving it vulnerable to developer applications that exploit gaps in existing code.
The Niceville campus will build a 4,000-square-foot facility to train students in shipbuilding skills including metal fabrication, composite work, aluminum welding and pipe fitting. Construction begins in December with classes expected to launch in January 2028, addressing regional employer demand for skilled workers in the maritime industry.
Antonio Austin Haner, 29, was killed during an Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office SWAT operation on Aug. 8. Court records and a recording made before his death show Haner believed he was the target of a coordinated campaign extending to federal authorities.
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The Leadership Experience Initiative, which has trained eight educators since 2024, extended its reach in 2026 to include high school students from Fort Walton Beach and Choctawhatchee high schools. Four students participated in immersive programs designed to build confidence and develop leadership skills alongside the district's ongoing educator training efforts.
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The City of Fort Walton Beach will hold a Community Redevelopment Authority board meeting at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, followed immediately by a special City Council meeting at 5:01 p.m. Both sessions will take place at City Hall and are open to the public.
Whitney Smith of Fleet, Smith & Freeman says do-it-yourself estate documents frequently contain legal defects like improper witnesses or unclear instructions that can force families into costly court battles. Only an attorney can testify about a client's intent if the plan is later contested, Smith said, making professional guidance critical for protecting wishes after death.
The Market Shops will host its annual Bloody Mary Festival on Oct. 10, featuring unlimited tastings from 18 local restaurants and bars competing for prizes, with all proceeds benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Walton County. Tickets are $65 in advance or $75 at the door, and the event has raised over $227,000 for local charities over the past decade.
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Cinco Bayou's renovated boat ramp and parking area will open Friday afternoon before the Labor Day weekend. The facility will enforce trailer traffic patterns and prohibit commercial activities like pontoon rentals.
Destin Fire Rescue will conduct a training simulation demonstration involving simulated smoke at a structure near Emerald Coast Parkway and Crystal Beach Drive from 10 a.m. to noon today. Multiple fire departments will participate in the exercise, and residents in the area may observe smoke during the training.
Navarre's girls swim team defeated Pace and Gulf Breeze at a tri-meet held Tuesday at the Pullum YMCA, scoring 574 points. Pace won the boys competition while Navarre finished third in that division.
Crestview will face Pine Forest on Thursday night while Baker travels for its first 1A district game of the season. The week features early football action in the Crestview area.
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Fort Walton Beach Police will operate a sobriety checkpoint on U.S. Highway 98 near City Hall from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Sept. 5 as part of a national drunk-driving prevention campaign. The checkpoint aims to deter impaired driving ahead of the Labor Day holiday, when federal data shows alcohol-related crashes spike significantly.
Navarre High School will play Milton on Friday night at Bennett C. Russell Stadium at 7:30 p.m. in a Santa Rosa County football rivalry matchup. Both teams are seeking their first win of the season.
Headlines and briefings are written by Emerald Coast Connected. Full articles remain with the publishers linked under each story.