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.
Florida is accepting applications through October 9 for a program offering financial assistance to private forest landowners in 44 northern counties to prevent southern pine beetle damage. The federally funded initiative provides incentive payments for thinning overstocked pine stands and cost reimbursement for activities like prescribed burning and replanting with beetle-resistant species.
A judge rejected a former Okaloosa County sheriff's deputy's claim of self-defense immunity in the 2024 killing of Senior Airman Roger Fortson, ruling that displaying a firearm constitutes non-deadly force and does not justify lethal response. The case against Deputy Eddie Duran, charged with first-degree manslaughter, will proceed to trial scheduled for late September.
Vue on 30a, a fine dining establishment operating since 1971 at Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club, has permanently shut down after inspectors discovered water intrusion and air quality problems in the structure. The club's board decided closure was preferable to costly repairs since the building was already scheduled for replacement under long-term plans.
Seven students from Niceville High School's Gifted Research Program traveled to British Columbia to present their work on coastal marine diversity at a global conference of marine station leaders. The school is the only high school worldwide affiliated with NaGISA, a project studying marine biodiversity, and has been invited to present at future conferences in Germany and the Philippines.
A shift toward mass-produced autonomous vessels and standardized military equipment could create opportunities for regional manufacturers to supply components to Navy and Coast Guard contractors, rather than building entire ships. Success requires manufacturers to meet rigorous quality and delivery standards to become trusted suppliers within the defense industrial base.
Destin lifeguards handled 1.7 million beach visitors from May through Labor Day with 155 rescues and one fatality, according to the Destin Fire Control District. Staffing has been reduced to eight rovers daily as post-Labor Day attendance dropped to roughly a quarter of peak summer levels.
First responders and community members climbed the stairs at Summerwind Condominiums on Navarre Beach on Friday to honor firefighters and other emergency workers killed in the September 11 attacks. The annual event drew dozens of participants to the beachfront location.
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The Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation will hold its sixth annual BBQ and Bingo event on November 5 at The District in Valparaiso to raise money for student programs and teacher grants. The evening event runs from 5 to 8 p.m. and welcomes community members, families and educators to participate.
The South Walton Fire District and DeFuniak Springs Police Department have joined Walton County's simultaneous 911 dispatch network, which routes emergency calls to multiple agencies at once based on caller location. The system, managed by the Walton County Sheriff's Office, went live in July and aims to reduce response delays and improve coordination among first responders across the county.
Santa Rosa County District Schools is highlighting mental health support options during National Suicide Prevention Month, distributing information about crisis hotlines, mobile response teams and dozens of local counseling providers to families and students. Resources include the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, crisis text services and community mental health centers throughout the county.
The Crestview Bulldogs competed in their first home swimming meet of the season on Saturday, hosting Fort Walton Beach after three consecutive away competitions in Destin.
The city of Destin's Adult Coed Softball League began play September 9 at Morgan Sports Center, with Emerald Coast Roofscapes, Reissue, Urban Air, and Destin Commons all winning their opening matchups. Destin Commons edged Beau Esprit 22-21 in a close contest decided in the final inning.
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Construction crews will work on five streets in Mary Esther's Azalea neighborhood from September 14-18, with sewer improvements requiring lane restrictions and possible yard access. Residents should expect truck traffic and follow posted signs, with work dates subject to change.
The Crestview Bulldogs volleyball team lost both sets in a sweep to Destin on Thursday and will continue their search for answers with upcoming matches against West Florida and a home game against Destin.
Crestview and Baker's golf squads faced off Tuesday at Blackwater Golf Course in a close boys' competition separated by just two strokes across the top three finishers. Crestview's girls' team maintained its winning position in the event.
About 70 motorcyclists gathered in Panama City Beach on Saturday for a 40-mile ride organized by a former search-and-rescue worker to commemorate those lost on September 11, 2001. All proceeds benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which supports families of first responders and veterans killed in service.
Fort Walton Beach's defense dominated throughout the game, allowing the Vikings to improve to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in district play with a shutout victory over Milton. The win keeps the program's Class 4A playoff hopes alive after the team entered district play at 1-2.
Multiple highways across Escambia County will experience intermittent lane closures and traffic shifts through Sept. 17 as crews conduct paving operations and infrastructure work. Nighttime closures on Interstate 10, U.S. 90, State Road 292 and other major routes will run between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., with some projects extending into late 2026.
Okaloosa County held the Heroes and Patriots Festival at Bob Sikes Airport on Saturday to commemorate the September 11th attacks and celebrate America's 250th anniversary. The event featured military displays, first responder booths, live music, free meals for the first 500 attendees, and drone-flying demonstrations for children.
A prairie dog found in the parking lot of Navarre's Walmart Supercenter has been reunited with its owner. The animal, which typically inhabits grasslands across the Great Plains, was spotted at the retail location.
The Tate High School football team defeated Crestview 28-7 on Friday night to improve to 3-1 after losing the previous week to Escambia. Quarterback Cade Pierce led the comeback, throwing two touchdown passes to Efidarius Bryant and scoring on a keeper run.
Milton High School faces Fort Walton Beach High School in the fourth week of Friday Night Rivals coverage. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. in Pace and will be streamed online.
Retired Sheriff Wendell Hall, who was eight months into his tenure when the attacks occurred, was watching a television in Ocala when he learned a plane had struck the World Trade Center, then witnessed the second impact unfold live.
The Holley-Navarre Water System board approved a $105,000 engineering contract in April to design a replacement bridge at Hole 3 of the Club at Hidden Creek golf course. Southern Site and Utility Design will provide the design services for the timber bridge.
Niceville defeated Choctaw 3-2 in a competitive volleyball match Thursday, overcoming a 4-1 deficit in the final set with a 6-0 run to secure victory. The win positions the Lady Eagles as a top team in the area, improving their record to 11-3.
The Naval Junior ROTC program at Navarre High held a ceremony Friday morning to commemorate the September 11 attacks, featuring a documentary about the 2001 tragedy for attendees in the school cafeteria.
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The Okaloosa County School District is observing Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15 with a door decorating and art contest for students. The district is also encouraging participation in state-level art and essay competitions sponsored by the Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida.
Okaloosa County commissioners approved a contract with Niceville Animal Clinic to provide sheltering and veterinary services in unincorporated areas south of Eglin Air Force Base beginning September 2026, when the county's nearly 20-year relationship with PAWS ends. The agreement establishes a $4,000 monthly sheltering stipend with estimated annual operating costs between $120,000 and $180,000.
Three high school girls golf teams finished their match Thursday at Stonebrook in Pace despite threatening thunderstorms and humid conditions. The event proceeded as scheduled despite weather concerns in the area.
The Destin City Council voted Tuesday to direct its attorney to draft an ordinance requiring council approval before license plate reader cameras can be placed on city roads or property. The move follows Florida's statewide order revoking permits for the devices on state highways and the Okaloosa County Sheriff's decision to remove all Flock Safety cameras countywide.
The Town of Shalimar designated Sept. 13 as "The Church at Shalimar Day" through a town commission resolution, recognizing the congregation that began in 1951 as one of the community's founding institutions. The church will mark the milestone with a special service and luncheon on that date.
Isabelle Johnson faces second-degree murder charges and is being held without bond in Walton County Jail after her capture last month in Cottondale following a nearly two-month fugitive period. The case had drawn national attention before her arrest.
Headlines and briefings are written by Emerald Coast Connected. Full articles remain with the publishers linked under each story.