Sewage spill swimming advisories lifted (DOCUMENT)
All swimming advisories posted following sewage spills in Fort Walton Beach and Valparaiso on July 6 have been lifted. Read a copy of the incident report. >> The Okaloosa County Health...
View ArticleU.S. 98 closed off and on for accidents on Okaloosa Island
OKALOOSA ISLAND - Two vehicle accidents blocked traffic on U.S. Highway 98 on Thursday, according to Okaloosa Island firefighters. A three-car crash about 11:30 a.m. at the top of the Marler Bridge in...
View ArticleChild hospitalized after near-drowning
DESTIN - A 4-year-old girl was taken to the hospital after nearly drowning in a swimming pool Thursday afternoon, Destin firefighters reported. Firefighters responded to the Inn at Crystal Beach at...
View ArticleCity councilman: ‘It's incumbent upon us to get people across that roadway...
While their ideas may vary on the best way to get pedestrians across U.S. Hwy. 98, city leaders can agree on one thing, that something has to be done — quickly. "A lot of people have been killed down...
View Article'Front and center': Destin Commons to welcome Uncle Buck's FishBowl and Grill
After a relatively quiet few months on the construction front at Destin Commons, things are about to get vertical as the mall announced the addition of a key component to its 100,000-square foot...
View ArticleLIGHTS OUT: The Lighthouse Restaurant will close and hopefully relocate
After 27 years of memories, smiles, friendships, and countless half-price specials, The Lighthouse Restaurant in Shoreline Village is closing its doors July 31. "The years just flew by," owner Mary...
View ArticleRON HART: New York: The City That Never Sleeps — with its spouse
NEW YORK CITY — Sometimes political events make op-ed satire so easy. Former attorney general, New York governor and hooker enthusiast Eliot Spitzer said he will run for comptroller. Spitzer is a man...
View ArticleRodeo ready as regulators aim to reopen snapper season in October
No trick, just treat — red snapper will likely be back on the catch list in October. In a special meeting of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council in New Orleans earlier this week, the council...
View ArticleMARY READY: Fig fight: The conflict of woman vs. nature
As a teacher of high school literature, I taught my students how every life conflict falls into one of four categories: Man vs. God, Man vs. Man, Man vs. Himself, and Man vs. Nature. Every summer,...
View ArticleThe Soundtrack of Destin: Part I
Marianne Lessner: ABBA songs LisaMarie Santos: Depends where I'm at in Destin. LOL. Marko Davisimo: "Too Many People" by Paul McCartney. Jody Jones: "Wish You Were Here" by Greg Barnhill Gerd Granli...
View ArticleAn ordinance or 'educational campaign'? City leaders reluctant to join county...
While the county may be tagging and removing items left overnight along the beaches of Okaloosa Island, some city leaders in Destin are not sure the same concept would work on Destin's beaches. "I...
View ArticleFive years ago first Okaloosa deputy was killed in line of duty
Five years ago Monday, Joey Forgione knocked on his mother’s door to tell her that his brother, his best friend, would not be coming home again. Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Anthony Forgione had...
View ArticleSheriff seeks $4.7 million budget increase
Okaloosa County commissioners will hear details Tuesday from Sheriff Larry Ashley about his 2013-14 budget proposal, which calls for an almost $5 million increase. Ashley will join the county’s four...
View ArticleWedged in: Car nearly hits building in McGuire’s plaza (PHOTOS)
This red Mazda, with Arkansas plates, found itself wedged in between a pillar and the entrance of Infinite Lasers LLC, near McGuire's, Tuesday morning after the driver ran onto the walkway. Michael...
View ArticleThe old lady in the Old Pier Motel: Owner Kathi McGowan celebrates three...
Kathi McGowan was not happy when her husband decided to purchase a motel in Destin. "I thought I died and went to hell," she deadpanned. After years of family vacations in Destin, McGowan's husband...
View ArticleLock up that rod and reel: Fishing gear becomes the perfect angle for boat...
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is asking Destin residents to help ensure that the burglar behind a rash of rod and reel robberies doesn’t become the one that got away. After an inquiry by The...
View ArticleMarlins on the run - Student athletes still pounding pavement during summer...
Four days a week, more than 20 Destin Middle School students meet as part of a five-week running camp of sorts to get in shape for the upcoming cross country season that starts in August. Not only do...
View Article'The difference between life and death': Beach safety lifeguards patrol East...
Anytime you can see a direct return on an investment, it's an occasion to celebrate — especially when you are in the business of saving lives. "We've extended our services to cover East Pass," Fire...
View ArticleJoJo a-go-go: Derelict boat removed from Choctawhatchee Bay
After spending more than a year abandoned in the Choctawhatchee Bay near an Indian Trail home, the sailboat JoJo has been removed from the water. City Code Enforcement Manager David Bazylak told The...
View ArticlePOLICE BLOTTER: Knock-down, drag-out fight in parking lot leads to both...
A woman is accused of leaving a bite mark on her boyfriend’s arm, which led to her arrest for battery. Meanwhile, the boyfriend was arrested for striking the woman in the face. The fracas took place...
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