40 years ago — 1974
A letter to the editor complained that the U.S. 331 bridge, then out of commission, was obsolete and urged local leaders to push for a bridge from Destin to Niceville.
Postage for first class mail increased by 10 cents.
The president of the Okaloosa Island Authority complained that leaseholders on Holiday Isle and Okaloosa Island paid no ad valorem taxes, yet had “all the county services and demand far more than other residents.”
35 years ago — 1979
Capt. Ann Miller received her 50-ton license, enabling her to operate vessels carrying more than six passengers.
Charlotte Patterson became the first woman elected to the Destin Water Users Board of Directors.
A nine-unit residential building under construction on Holiday Isle collapsed in a gust of wind.
30 years ago —1984
Rep. James Ward agreed to sponsor a bill putting Destin’s latest incorporation effort on the November ballot.
Holiday Beach Resort employees raised $2,000 to help fund rehabilitation for David Rojas who was injured in a boating accident.
Winners of the third annual Destin Gumbo Contest were Dot Jones, Marlene Boutwell and Lloyd Taylor.
25 years ago — 1989
Kona, a bottlenose dolphin captured in Destin’s Joe’s Bayou, appeared on Good Morning America, swimming with co-anchor Joan London.
The problem of illegal dumping of garbage and construction debris in Destin was plaguing city officials.
Six Destin men were arrested in connection with a string of burglaries in the city.
The Destin Library Board officially transferred the library to the City of Destin.
20 years ago — 1994
The Fort Walton Beach Lady Vikings won the Class 5-A Girls State Basketball championship.
Due to anticipated cutbacks in state funding, Okaloosa and Walton counties could face an overflow of students without enough money to construct new schools, so discussion of a joint middle through high school program was underway.