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.
A 69-year-old Navarre man died Thursday after a black sedan struck his motorcycle on northbound Interstate 110 near the Airport Boulevard exit and fled the scene. The Florida Highway Patrol is seeking the suspect vehicle, described as a black sedan possibly a Honda or Toyota with rear damage.
The U.S. Postal Service has resumed complete mail operations across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties following Hurricane Isaias, with the Gonzalez Post Office now back online after service suspensions Monday and limited reopenings Wednesday.
Six Destin homes ranging from $375,885 to nearly $1.3 million will hold open houses Saturday and Sunday, featuring newly built townhomes, waterfront properties and options in gated communities. The listings span multiple neighborhoods and price points, offering buyers choices from compact urban townhomes to spacious single-family homes with large yards.
Destin High School's volleyball team captured the District 1-2A championship Thursday with a 25-18, 25-17, 21-25, 21-25, 15-13 victory over Maclay, marking the program's first district title. Isabella Volpe's late rally in the fifth set proved decisive as the Lady Sharks advance to the playoffs as the No. 6 seed.
Destiny Worship Center and Eight Days of Hope volunteers distributed hot meals, water, and ice to over 4,000 people through a multi-day drive-thru event following Hurricane Isaias. The effort provided both sustenance and spiritual support to the Navarre community in the storm's aftermath.
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K-9 Merlin’s final deployment before retirement ended in three narcotics arrests after a traffic stop near Fort Walton Beach on Wednesday. Deputies found suspected cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and drug paraphernalia, and arrested three Santa Rosa Beach residents.
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An unknown assailant shot a man in his 20s twice after confronting him at his apartment door around 1 a.m. Thursday on Okaloosa Island. The victim was conscious when emergency responders arrived and was transported to a hospital. Investigators are seeking information about the shooter.
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Fort Walton Beach is offering three Halloween activities for residents, including Candy with a Cop at the police department Thursday evening, trick-or-treating at the public library Saturday afternoon, and a Zombie Walk in downtown Saturday at 4 p.m.
The 96th Test Wing will conduct weapons tests in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday morning in a zone roughly 18 nautical miles south of Destin. All boats must avoid the hazard area, and mariners will receive notices on marine radio channels.
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Fort Walton Beach's Customer Service Office relocated to the Recreation Center at 132 Jet Drive NW while City Hall remains closed from Hurricane Isaias damage. The city is waiving late fees and service terminations during recovery and offering multiple payment methods including online, phone, mail and drop box options.
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Fort Walton Beach is organizing a community cleanup at Ferry Park on Saturday morning to remove storm debris left by Hurricane Isaias. Volunteers are asked to bring rakes and cardboard boxes to help clear branches and other tree waste from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Game cancellations have sidelined high school football in both Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties for the past one to two weeks. The FHSAA continues updating regional rankings despite the scheduling disruptions affecting area teams.
The space agency is developing strategies for the eventual retirement of the International Space Station and what orbital infrastructure will replace it. The planning effort addresses the transition as the current facility approaches the end of its operational life.
A cold front is moving toward Florida following Hurricane Isaias, which recently impacted the Destin area and left debris and damage across the community. Local businesses and residents are preparing for the incoming weather system as cleanup efforts continue.
FloridaCommerce has opened a $10 million emergency loan program for small businesses across Escambia, Santa Rosa, and 28 other Florida counties affected by Hurricane Isaias. Eligible businesses can borrow up to $100,000 at zero interest, with agricultural operations eligible for up to $150,000, through November 25 or until funds run out.
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Officers responding to a report of a man in a vehicle with a rifle and body armor on Miracle Strip Parkway SW negotiated with the veteran, who was experiencing a mental health crisis, until he surrendered without injury. Police said an officer who is also a veteran built rapport through their shared military service, and the man was then helped into a mental health evaluation.
Niceville City Council unanimously approved joining a federal program allowing police to interview residents about immigration status, detain individuals for federal custody, and access federal immigration databases. The city will receive federal grants to cover program costs, though the police chief retains control over officer selection and training.
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The City of Destin will auction a 0.345-acre parcel at 222 Sibert Avenue on November 5 following a June foreclosure judgment against the property owner. The electronic sale will begin at 11 a.m. Central Time through an online bidding platform.
Florida Power & Light linemen and national contractors worked through the weekend and into the week to restore electricity to Navarre residents following Hurricane Isaias, which left most of Northwest Florida without power.
Crestview's Mayor's Advisory Council met Tuesday to discuss upcoming community initiatives, prioritizing a youth summit and the city's annual holiday light display. The council reviewed multiple projects during the hourlong session.
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The city will eliminate its permit fees for residents repairing fences damaged by Hurricane Isaias, though applicants must still pay state fees of approximately $4 per permit. The waiver applies only to hurricane damage repairs, not new construction or other types of permits.
Northwest Florida State College will host a free educational event covering estate, financial and tax planning strategies on Oct. 22, with breakfast provided and seating limited to registered attendees. Local professionals will discuss asset protection, advance directives and family planning while distributing an estate planning checklist.
Destin Mayor Bobby Wagner has been personally removing fallen trees and debris for residents recovering from Hurricane Isaias, declining payment and instead asking residents to donate to the Destin Parks Foundation. Multiple residents have posted on social media praising Wagner's hands-on assistance in the days following the Category 2 hurricane.
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The Fort Walton Beach Golf Club sustained approximately 90-100 fallen trees, fence damage, and minor roof damage from a recent storm. The Pines Course will close through October 23 while the Oaks Course remains closed through November 1 as contracted crews remove debris and the maintenance team repairs turf; the driving range stays open.
Panama City commissioners approved an $800,000 state grant to develop a comprehensive stormwater management plan. The funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection will guide the city's approach to managing stormwater infrastructure.
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Two Multi-Agency Resource Centers open at 1 p.m. today in Fort Walton Beach and Crestview for anyone affected by Hurricane Isaias. State and nonprofit agencies will be on hand through Oct. 24 to help with food, housing, cleanup, legal aid and more. Bring ID, proof of residence and insurance paperwork.
Forecasters predict strengthening El Niño conditions will influence Florida's winter weather patterns. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is monitoring the oceanic phenomenon for potential impacts on the state's climate over the coming months.
Florida Power & Light and CHELCO have restored power to more than 95% and 99% of affected customers respectively in Okaloosa and Walton counties following Hurricane Isaias, with crews continuing work on remaining outages in the hardest-hit areas. FPL warned that additional outages may occur in coming weeks as storm-weakened trees fall onto power lines.
The U.S. Postal Service has restored regular mail collection and delivery across Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties following Hurricane Isaias, though retail counters remain closed at four facilities including Gonzalez. Carriers continue dispatching from the affected locations to deliver mail routes normally while crews work to restore counter services for package shipping and stamp purchases.
Headlines and briefings are written by Emerald Coast Connected. Full articles remain with the publishers linked under each story.