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‘Mosquitoes do not respect county lines’: How to protect against mosquitoes

On July 28, The Florida Department of Health raised the mosquito-borne illness advisory to an alert after a second human case of West Nile virus, or WNV, was confirmed in Walton County. “We want to...

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Cartoon: Turtle Tales

Log cartoonist Dill Beaty draws his comment on the recent beach clearing enforcement and turtle watch groups. 

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'Elsa’s Here!' Kid’s celebrate at Frozen-themed day camp

Anticipation mounted as 20 children awaited the arrival of a favorite Disney character, Elsa, at Rise Dance Center on Wednesday. As they waited, several of the kids wisped about the dance room dressed...

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'It has become a problem': Trash left on beach prompts city to dust-off...

After complaints and Facebook posts of items left on the beach at night, the city of Destin decided to enforce two ordinances to keep our beaches clean. As of July 24, locals and visitors alike must...

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Local taxi driver files federal lawsuit against Uber and Lyft

Tim Anderson of CABS.WS Technologies LLC., has a problem. His taxi service, as well as his online website connecting customers with drivers is taking a hit. Anderson said new ride-share mobile...

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City leaders to vote on takeover of private road

In September 2014, the property owners along Regions Way asked the city to repair the pothole-covered driving path to their homes and businesses. But the city declined to spend tax-payer money on a...

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Creating Captains: A look at The Captain School in Destin

Tucked among other office buildings along Main Street sits a small, often-locked office with the words “Captain School” written across the glass door. But what happens in the small office? Well U.S....

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Biz Bits: America’s smartphone obsession extends to mobile banking

Tip of the Week If you’re like most Americans, your smartphone is your first and last interaction of the day. Nearly 71 percent of consumers sleep with their smartphones nearby and 35 percent say it’s...

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READY: I’ve got a bad feeling about this

In Greek mythology, Cassandra, daughter of King Priam of Troy, had a big problem that eventually drove her to insanity and an early death. Granted the gift of prophecy by Apollo, she had the ability...

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HART: Allow the Cartel cab companies and Uber to compete: The clear winner...

The New York City Uber story unmasks the reality of the Democrats: politicians beholden not to the citizens’ best interests, but to their own. If your city makes it hard for Uber to do business, you...

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How smart home systems help with aging in place

Smart homes are the wave of the future. Many fans of home automation are enamored of the technology behind these systems, which allow us to program our vast array of electronic household devices and...

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A Social Scene: Vacation Daze

There’s no denying the role that social media plays in our daily lives, whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. Given Destin’s beauty, it’s no surprise that locals and visitors alike...

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Days Gone By: Birds

Although Destin may be a relatively new city by historical standards, there is no denying the abundance of local lore. Days Gone By will showcase photos of Destin’s yesteryear. To submit your photos,...

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Destin’s Ponder to enter State House District 4 race

Destin Mayor Mel Ponder has set his sights on the State House of Representatives. Ponder is the third person to pre-file to run for the District 4 seat, which will be vacated by Rep. Matt Gaetz. “It’s...

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Hungry for Hungary: Local student prepares for foreign exchange program

Unlike most high school students that relax during the summer or take on a fun summer job, LaRae Harris has been busy brushing up on her Hungarian. The rising Niceville senior, who was born and raised...

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Cartoon: Beach Trash Edition

Log Cartoonist Dill Beaty draws his take on the recent "Leave no trace," enforcement along Destin's beaches. 

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A day at the park: It’s water day at Kids’ Camp

Visitors found Clement Taylor Park a bit more busy than usual on Monday. Why? Because the City of Destin’s Recreation Department Kids’ Camp made its way over from the community center for “Water Day.”...

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Schools in session: It was back to school for rain minnows on Sunday (Video)

At first glance it appeared to be large masses of grass in the Gulf Sunday at Henderson Beach State Park and westward. But a closer look soon revealed it was huge schools of millions of glass minnows...

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Clean streets mean clean water: City boasts success with new street sweeper

By the numbers, the amount of street waste in Destin is staggering. Since the beginning of the year, the City of Destin has collected nearly 100 cubic yards of debris from city streets; that is...

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Police Blotter: Woman tells deputy 'it is what you think it is'

A 51-year-old Destin woman is facing drug charges after her vehicle was called in as suspicious. Okaloosa County Sheriff's deputies responded to a gas station in Destin on July 14 around 6:30 a.m.,...

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Watering the Fire Station: Sub shop supports local firefighters

Usually the fire station is called to bring water to douse a fire, but this weekend the call went the other way. Destin’s Firehouse Subs restaurant called fire stations across the county to come pick...

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Home Help: Tips for getting your security deposit back

Moving out of an apartment or rental home is hard work and often unveils inevitable wear-and-tear from living in the space. What can be even more challenging is restoring the space to its original...

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ARBOR WEALTH: All in the family … business

“Mom loves the both of them … you see it’s in the blood.” — from “Family Affair” by Sly and the Family Stone   My Mom was born in Limerick, Ireland, and immigrated to Canada as a young person. Years...

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Pooch Scoop: The dog daze of summer

Get Pup Close and Personal at the Destin Dog Park … Since it has become quite the social mecca for dogs and their companions, dog breed clubs meet to play, yuppie pups engage in business networking,...

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Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Miller is Red, White and Blue honoree

For Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Miller of the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Department, ensuring the safety of others is not just a job, it is a part of his life. Starting off the first eight and a half years...

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Seen-on-Scene: Down on the docks

The docks along Destin harbor are abuzz this time of year with people coming in from fishing, while others are just hoping to catch a glimpse of a big fish. Here’s a look at some of the folks spotted...

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Destin man arrested on second federal fraud case

A joint investigation between the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation resulted today in the arrest of Steven Michael Alford for state felony charges involving...

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A Social Scene: The joy of Destin

There’s no denying the role that social media plays in our daily lives, whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. Given Destin’s beauty, it’s no surprise that locals and visitors alike...

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Days Gone By: Scouting Around

Although Destin may be a relatively new city by historical standards, there is no denying the abundance of local lore. Days Gone By will showcase photos of Destin’s yesteryear. To submit your photos,...

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‘Everybody benefits from it’: Resort fees used to fund local activities

When shopping or dining at the HarborWalk Village, The Village of Baytowne Wharf, or even The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, you may have noticed a line item on your receipt reading, "village fee," or...

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Take advantage of school supply savings

As families around the state prepare for another school year, Department of Education Commissioner Pam Stewart and Department of Revenue Executive Director Marshall Stranburg are reminding residents...

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Cartoon: Ponder-ing

Log Cartoonist Dill Beaty depicts his take on the news of Mayor Mel Ponder's announcement to run for Florida House of Representitives next year. 

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That Summer Spirit: DMS dances their way to summer wins

Even though school is out, the Destin Middle School dance and cheer teams have had a busy summer. The DMS Dazzlers recently attended a Universal Dance Association camp in Hattiesburg, Miss., held at...

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'A level playing field': City to explore taxi regs

Based on the conversation from Monday night's City Council meeting, Destin's for-hire drivers could be subject to a new set of regulations in the near future. "It's been an interesting issue to,...

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A Twirler’s Life: Local baton twirlers earn national awards (Video)

In Northwest Florida the sports of choice for middle school and high school students tend to be football, baseball, cheerleading and soccer, but there is a lesser known sport making headway in the...

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Destin School Bus Schedule

School in Okaloosa County begins Aug. 17, so ahead of the first day of classes, here's a list of the local school bus stops for Destin Elementary and Destin Middle Schools. *All times are a.m....

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Order Up! Destin kids participate in cooking and serving camp

It was a white table cloth affair Thursday as 15 kids cooked and served a four-course meal to their honored guests at the Destin Community Center. The meal was the final event of a three-day kid’s...

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Wheels for the beach: Donated wheelchairs enable water access to all

At the end of the boardwalk ramp at the Shirah Public Beach Access sit three PVC pipe beach wheelchairs with large rubber wheels. The chairs have been made available free of charge to the public by...

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READY: What’s the dress code for getting old?

Lately, I’ve been thinking about getting bangs. My gray-streaked hair is getting long, so I pull it back in a ponytail or bun. Then, with no softening effect around my forehead and cheeks, my...

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HART: Cecil the Lion: Pride and Prejudice

Full disclosure: I don’t hunt much. It's not my thing. But I have friends who hunt birds. I understand at some level why they like it. Doves and ducks just seem to be asking for it. My friends call it...

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Days Gone By: Animal Land

Although Destin may be a relatively new city by historical standards, there is no denying the abundance of local lore. Days Gone By will showcase photos of Destin’s yesteryear. To submit your photos,...

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A Social Scene: Castles in the Sand

There’s no denying the role that social media plays in our daily lives, whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. Given Destin’s beauty, it’s no surprise that locals and visitors alike...

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Hip Hip Hooray! It’s BIG truck day!

It was swelteringly hot in Destin last Friday, but that didn’t deter young children and their parents and guardians from checking out the 15th Annual Big Truck Day at the Destin Community Center....

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Live History: Historical character, Andrew Jackson to visit Destin Library

Did you know that Andrew Jackson was the first governor of Florida? James E. Moore of Crestview does, and he is preparing to get into character and bring Jackson’s story to life this Friday at the...

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Police Blotter: Man accused of taking car, EBT card, checks

Man accused of taking car, EBT card, checks A Destin man is accused of going to an acquaintance's home and taking multiple items, including a car. Okaloosa County Sheriff's deputies were called to the...

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Cartoon: Crab Island Zip

Log Cartoonist Dill Beaty comments on the new business scheduled to operate on Crab Island. 

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Somewhere over the rainbow

Donald Price shared this photo of a double rainbow shining bright above the Marler Bridge and Choctawhatchee Bay recently. Be sure to share your photos with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or email...

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‘People are drowning’: Destin Fire Control District begins weekend patrols...

After two drownings and one person paralyzed from incidents at Crab Island this year, Destin’s Fire Control District has decided it has had enough. For the past two weekends the fire department has...

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City leaders debate boat launch fees, discuss budget

When city leaders gathered to talk about the proposed FY2016 budget, the majority of the discussion focused on boat launch fees at Joe's Bayou. "There's a lot of people out there who have an issue...

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Guest Column: The Graves Bill

The city of Destin did a 2013 economic study conducted by the Hass Economic Center to evaluate the value of tourism within the city limits, especially water sports on Destin harbor. Those results...

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