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.
Multiple highways across Escambia County will experience intermittent lane closures and traffic shifts through October 1 as crews conduct resurfacing, paving and striping operations. Most work occurs during nighttime hours between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., though daytime paving on U.S. 90A and ongoing construction on Business U.S. 98 will also affect drivers.
Michael Carter, a Navarre resident in his sixth NFL season, has been activated by the Tennessee Titans for Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Carter signed with the Titans in April for his first season with the team.
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Mary Esther officials will hold a public forum October 1 to explain how Amendment 3, a proposed constitutional change affecting homestead exemptions and property assessments, would impact the city's budget. The session will feature a brief presentation followed by questions for Mayor Chris Stein and City Manager Jared Cobb.
Thelma Taylor, 102, and Delphine Klaput, 101, both former aircraft assembly workers during World War II, met in Northwest Florida over the weekend. Klaput visited the area to speak at an American Legion post in Fort Walton Beach and tour the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola.
Florida governor candidate Byron Donalds will stop in Fort Walton Beach on Sept. 30 as part of his "Defending the Florida Dream Tour." The free event runs from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Venue at Beach Weekend and requires an RSVP.
Emerald Coast Roofscapes routed T$M 14-1 in the run-rule victory, while Beau Esprit rallied from behind to defeat Legendary Marine 27-13 during week three of Destin's adult coed softball league. Destin Commons beat Fudpucker's 17-4, and Urban Air edged the same opponent 21-19 in a back-and-forth contest.
Destin Middle School's football team defeated Ruckel 21-0 on September 24, with running back Amaree Claridy rushing for 207 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. The Marlins' defense held Ruckel scoreless while the offense controlled the game throughout.
Andy D's Beachside Restaurant and Dock Bar on Navarre Beach was burglarized just after midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 22, with thieves making off with $2,500.
Taylor Netro is competing in her final year with the Navarre Raider girls golf team after spending the offseason refining her skills. The senior golfer entered the 2026 campaign feeling confident about her performance level.
A federal jury found 30-year-old Ke-Anthony Javon Blackmon guilty of distributing fentanyl and firearm offenses in Escambia and Okaloosa counties between November 2024 and May 2025. Authorities seized over 3 kilograms of fentanyl and multiple firearms from residences connected to him. Blackmon faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years to life in prison at sentencing scheduled for December 22.
The 96th Test Wing issued a public notice urging residents and visitors to avoid handling unidentified military or test-related items found on land, shorelines or water near Eglin's testing complex. Such items may contain hidden hazards including explosives, electrical components or chemicals, and federal law prohibits salvaging any debris; authorities ask people to report discoveries instead.
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The Okaloosa County School District will hold a recruitment event Thursday at its Crestview transportation facility to fill driver positions. Attendees can test-drive buses, apply on-site, and learn about paid training for commercial driver licenses.
Santa Rosa County District Schools established the District Parent Advisory Council to strengthen communication between parents and the school system. District officials said parent input is essential for improving schools across the county.
The Florida Department of Transportation will start resurfacing U.S. Highway 90 from State Road 87 to the Okaloosa County line beginning in 2028, with preliminary work starting late 2027. The project will repair travel lanes, shoulders and sidewalks while adding turn lanes at Jeff Ates Road to improve safety and reduce congestion on a corridor traveled by over 20,000 daily drivers.
Josh Pulliam, head football coach at Fort Walton Beach High School, announced he has been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a cancer of unknown primary origin. Pulliam, 41, began treatment and plans to continue coaching while undergoing care, including travel to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston later in the season.
The Florida Department of Health partnered with Santa Rosa County schools to expand substance abuse education after the county recorded 40 fatal overdoses in 2023. Programs included a drug-free lifestyle poster contest for fourth graders and presentations on addiction and overdose recognition for middle schoolers, with 86% of participating students reporting they learned something new.
Pete Salvucci took over as owner of the Italian restaurant in 2025 after working alongside founder Guglielmo Ianni for a decade. The establishment, which opened in 2016, recently expanded its menu to include hand-cut prime meats and fresh veal while maintaining its focus on authentic Italian cuisine and imported ingredients.
Anne Judith Kelz was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death after allegedly striking a 62-year-old pedestrian on Bluewater Boulevard in February and fleeing. A warrant was issued in Okaloosa County on Sept. 10, and Kelz was booked into jail before being released on bond.
A Navarre resident has installed a pirate-themed mailbox on the sound side of Navarre Beach, positioned next to the established mermaid mailbox that has long drawn families to the area. The two novelty mailboxes now stand together on the eastern shore.
Josh Davis, a Crestview resident who began his music career while recovering from a traumatic brain injury at Fort Bliss, won Outlaw Country Artist of the Year at the 2026 Josie Music Awards held in Nashville on September 20. The award marks Davis's second Josie Music Awards Artist of the Year honor.
The Navarre high school football team is taking advantage of its bye week to work toward improvement after an winless start to the season. Homecoming is approaching as the Raiders prepare for their return to competition.
Santa Rosa County has assumed ownership of the Turner house at 7315 Gulf Blvd. following court rulings that terminated a lease held by a Colorado resident for over two decades. The property, which county officials had viewed as a neighborhood problem, is now in public hands.
The Crestview Bulldogs defeated Rocky Bayou in a road match last Tuesday, improving their record to 7-9 as they position themselves for a district title run.
Students at Crestview High School gathered at the school's flagpole Wednesday to participate in See You at the Pole, a national student-led prayer movement that began in 1990 with 10 students at a single school.
Crestview High School faces a district matchup Friday night as the football season reaches its midpoint, while Baker prepares for an away contest in Panama City Beach.
Santa Rosa County opened Allentown Community Park on Wednesday near the volunteer fire department in Jay, featuring basketball courts, pickleball courts and a fitness facility. The county completed the project for more than $200,000 under budget by using in-house construction crews instead of outside contractors.
The Emerald Coast Zoo will host yoga sessions at its Reptile House on October 10 and 17, led by instructor Misty Peterson. Sessions cost $40 and participants may explore the rest of the zoo afterward.
A person was discovered dead inside a charred vehicle near Eglin Air Force Base early Wednesday morning during a routine security patrol on Range Road 234. The U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations and Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office are jointly investigating the incident.
Destin Mayor Bobby Wagner stepped down as president of the Northwest Florida League of Cities following an emergency board vote. Board members raised concerns about Wagner's conduct during government meetings in his mayoral role.
Both the Crestview boys' and girls' cross-country teams finished in the top three at the Kristine Lynn Invitational on September 19, continuing a season of steady improvement under head coach Daniel Richards.
The Holley-Navarre Water System board authorized spending over $495,500 for contracted services and materials, including $30,923 to repair an effluent pump and replace its motor at the wastewater treatment plant on Pepper Drive.
Two lifeguards rescued an injured pelican that had become tangled in fishing line with a hook embedded in its wing. The lifeguards removed the debris while patrolling the beach after receiving a report of the distressed bird.
Hurricane Eloise struck Fort Walton Beach as a Category 3 storm on September 23, 1975, killing dozens across the Caribbean and destroying nine of ten buildings south of U.S. 98 between Fort Walton Beach and Panama City. Storm surge reached 10.5 feet in Destin, and the newly built Okaloosa Island Pier was destroyed along with extensive sand dunes.
The Navarre Beach Fire District discovered a financial emergency in late April and has since secured a $300,000 line of credit, raised fire assessment rates and cut costs. The district redesigned its website this summer as part of efforts to improve efficiency and transparency.
Okaloosa County and Crestview began providing animal control services Sept. 23 after the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society's contract ended, with the county handling the south and Crestview handling the north. Commissioners also suspended citations against trap-neuter-return volunteers for 90 days while staff revises ordinance language to permit the practice.
The Tate Aggies fell to Niceville 3-1 despite winning the third set, while the Northview Chiefs were swept by Flomaton 3-0 in straight sets Tuesday night. Both teams play again this week.
Headlines and briefings are written by Emerald Coast Connected. Full articles remain with the publishers linked under each story.