General News February 5, 2026

Hope, Growth, and Support Empower Emerald Coast Autism Center’s 2026 Events

Hope, Growth, and Support Empower Emerald Coast Autism Center’s 2026 Events Staff Reports February 5, 2026 11:20 am Charities and Nonprofits, Destin, Emerald Coast, Niceville In Brief: Who: Emerald Coast Autism Center, founders Heidi Blalock and Staci Berryman What: 2026 fundraising events supporting autism services When: February through October 2026 Where: Niceville, Destin Harbor, and Grand Boulevard Why: To fund therapy, education, and vocational training for individuals with autism Niceville, Fla. — With autism diagnoses continuing to rise nationwide, Emerald Coast Autism Center (ECAC) is rolling out a full slate of fundraising events in 2026 aimed at expanding services and support for children and young adults with autism across Northwest Florida. According to national data, the incidence rate of children diagnosed with autism increased in 2025 from 1 in 36 to 1 in 31 children, highlighting the growing need for specialized care and education. Since its founding in 2009, ECAC has served as a vital community resource, providing Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy, education, and vocational training for individuals with autism and related unique abilities. Founded by Heidi Blalock and Staci Berryman, the nonprofit began by serving just five clients while sharing space with another business. Today, ECAC operates two buildings on the Northwest Florida State College campus, serving more than 100 children and young adults through its clinic and the Emerald Coast Learning Center, a dedicated school designed to meet specialized educational needs.   That growth, ECAC leaders say, is made possible through community support and annual fundraising efforts.... Read More

General News February 5, 2026

Quick Police Response Brings Relief in Fort Walton Beach Silver Alert

Quick Police Response Brings Relief in Fort Walton Beach Silver Alert Staff Reports February 5, 2026 10:16 am Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County, Public Safety In Brief: Missing endangered adult reported in Fort Walton Beach on Feb. 3 Silver Alert and license plate readers helped locate the vehicle The individual was found safely and evaluated by EMS Fort Walton Beach, Fla. — A missing endangered adult reported earlier this week was safely located after a coordinated response involving law enforcement, local businesses, and the public, according to the Fort Walton Beach Police Department. Police said officers received a report around 9 a.m. on February 3, 2026, that an endangered adult had gone missing after leaving her residence approximately an hour earlier in her vehicle. While officers were gathering information, employees at a local Waffle House contacted law enforcement to report a woman matching the missing person’s description who was attempting to distribute cash to customers, raising concern for her safety. Shortly afterward, the individual’s vehicle was detected by automatic license plate readers within Fort Walton Beach. A Silver Alert was issued, and a social media notification was distributed to help locate the vehicle. Officers with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department, working alongside the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, saturated the area in an effort to find the missing woman. A subsequent license plate reader alert indicated the vehicle was near Hill Avenue, where officers conducted a traffic stop. The individual was safely located, and emergency medical services responded to evaluate... Read More

General News February 5, 2026

New Emergency Room Brings Lifesaving, 24/7 Care to Walton County

New Emergency Room Brings Lifesaving, 24/7 Care to Walton County Staff Reports February 5, 2026 9:44 am DeFuniak Springs, Health, Walton County In Brief: Who: HCA Florida Healthcare, HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital, local leaders What: Opening of HCA Florida DeFuniak Springs Emergency When: Now open; ribbon cutting held last month Where: 160 Twin Springs Way, off Highway 331 near I-10 Exit 85 Why: To expand access to 24/7 emergency medical care and support a growing community DeFuniak Springs, Fla. — Residents and visitors in Walton County now have expanded access to round-the-clock emergency medical care with the opening of HCA Florida DeFuniak Springs Emergency, a new full-service emergency room located just north of Interstate 10 off Highway 331. The $19 million facility, located at 160 Twin Springs Way, officially opened its doors to patients as an extension of HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital, offering 24/7 emergency services for adults and children. The standalone emergency room is staffed by board-certified emergency medicine physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals and is supported by the broader HCA Healthcare network. “We are honored to expand access to round-the-clock emergency care by board-certified physicians at two convenient locations,” said Todd Jackson, chief executive officer of HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital. “Our new HCA Florida DeFuniak Springs Emergency provides expert local care supported by one of the largest emergency care networks in the nation.” Last month, community leaders, first responders, healthcare professionals, and local officials gathered for a ribbon-cutting and tours of the new 11,570-square-foot facility.... Read More

General News February 5, 2026

Walton Tourism Pros: “We have no voice” With Local Government

Walton Tourism Pros: “We have no voice” With Local Government Steven Saul February 5, 2026 9:25 am 30a, Government, South Walton A battle may be brewing for power between the Walton County Tourism Development Council and the board that appoints them – the Walton County Board of County Commissioners.  The Tourism Development Council (TDC) met this week at the South Walton Annex to review financial reports for the last two months of 2025 and to receive progress reports from the Tourism Department heads. Amy Wise-Coble (Seat 6) served as chair for the meeting due to the absence of Commissioner Drake.  Statements made by TDC members revealed their frustration and perception the Board of County Commissioners has ignored or trampled on them at every turn – to the taxpayers’ detriment.  The two bodies have begun meeting regularly to improve their working relationship. Following the last joint meeting in 2025, both groups indicated that the “work session” was productive.  However, remarks made by two of the TDC members (Amy Wise-Coble and Tim Taylor, (Seat 4) this week indicated a chasm exists between the two boards – as well as accusations some TDC members have abandoned their responsibilities.   Wise-Coble said, “We have got to try and get on the same page with the BCC, because I think we have members of this Council [referring to the TDC] that likely aren’t attending because they don’t feel like they are being heard.”  With reference to a decision the BCC made to purchase property, she added,... Read More
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General News February 5, 2026

Alexa+ is Now Free to Amazon Prime Members

Amazon has rolled out its advanced AI-powered assistant, known as Alexa+, to all Prime members in the United States as of February 4, 2026. This marks a significant expansion following an early access phase that began nearly a year earlier and attracted tens of millions of participants. The upgraded assistant is now fully available without […] The post Alexa+ is Now Free to Amazon Prime Members appeared first on Cord Cutters News. Read More

General News February 5, 2026

Witnesses testify in murder trial for fatal Waffle House shooting

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A confrontation that ended in gunfire outside a Panama City Beach Waffle House last year is now before a jury. Testimony began Wednesday in the murder trial of Ja’zai Mitchell. He’s accused of fatally shooting 19-year-old Ja’Dion Love Hughes. The shooting happened just after 10 p.m. in the Waffle House […] Read More
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General News February 5, 2026

Trump Says He Will Stay Out of Netflix’s & Paramount’s Fight to Buy Warner Bros. Discovery

The entertainment industry faces a high-stakes corporate battle as Netflix and Paramount Skydance vie for control of Warner Bros. Discovery assets in one of the most significant media consolidation efforts in recent years. President Donald Trump recently indicated that he intends to remain uninvolved in the ongoing competition, marking a notable shift from his earlier […] The post Trump Says He Will Stay Out of Netflix’s & Paramount’s Fight to Buy Warner Bros. Discovery appeared first on Cord Cutters News. Read More

General News February 5, 2026

Clearing & Colder by Thursday Morning

Northwest Florida Weather Update: Cold Front Brings Rain, Wind, and a Chilly Stretch Ahead A cold front is moving through our area right now, and it’s bringing some noticeable changes to the weather over the next several days. Rain Wrapping Up Tonight We’ve got a band of showers moving across northwest Florida this afternoon. It’s […] Read More