General News March 13, 2026

Big Funding Boost from Ingoglia for Panhandle Immigration Enforcement

Big Funding Boost from Ingoglia for Panhandle Immigration Enforcement Staff Reports March 13, 2026 1:01 pm Emerald Coast, Okaloosa County, Public Safety, State Government In Brief: Who: Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia and four Panhandle sheriff’s offices What: Nearly $1.4 million in funding for immigration enforcement support When: Announced March 12, 2026 Where: Announcement made in Shalimar, Florida Why: To support partnerships between local law enforcement and ICE under the 287(g) program Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced nearly $1.4 million in funding on Thursday to support immigration enforcement efforts by several law enforcement agencies in Northwest Florida. The funding will be distributed to four sheriff’s offices in the region. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. The announcement came during an event in Shalimar, where Ingoglia said the funds will help local agencies assist federal partners with immigration enforcement under agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “Florida has led the nation in anti-illegal immigration efforts, and we are second to none when it comes to supporting our law enforcement officers,” Ingoglia said. “My office will continue to stand alongside Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis in their mission to deport criminal illegal aliens and keep our communities safe.” The funding comes through the State Board of Immigration Enforcement, which reimburses law enforcement agencies that participate in immigration enforcement partnerships with federal authorities under the 287(g) program. Under that program, local and state law enforcement officers can work... Read More

General News March 13, 2026

After Hurricane Damage, Destin Beaches Get a $10M Makeover

After Hurricane Damage, Destin Beaches Get a $10M Makeover Staff Reports March 13, 2026 9:59 am Destin, Emerald Coast, Okaloosa County In Brief: Who: Okaloosa County officials, including Chairman Trey Goodwin, working with FEMA Where: West Destin beaches in Destin, Florida When: Equipment mobilization begins the week of March 23; dredging starts in April What: A $10 million beach renourishment project replacing 150,600 cubic yards of sand Why: To repair erosion caused by Hurricane Sally and protect shoreline infrastructure A long-awaited beach renourishment project in Destin is set to begin later this month, restoring thousands of cubic yards of sand lost during Hurricane Sally. Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners announced that crews will begin mobilizing equipment the week of March 23 as part of a $10 million project aimed at rebuilding portions of Destin’s eroded shoreline. County officials say the project will replace approximately 150,600 cubic yards of sand that washed away during Hurricane Sally in 2020. Shortly after the storm, county staff met with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assess storm damage and begin the process of securing federal recovery funding. The project is largely funded through federal disaster assistance, with $9 million provided by FEMA and $1 million coming from Okaloosa County tourism beach restoration reserve funds. “We are thrilled that this project is finally beginning,” said Trey Goodwin. “While we didn’t receive a direct hit from Hurricane Sally, the storm’s impacts were certainly felt in Okaloosa County. This is a great step toward... Read More

General News March 13, 2026

Community gathers for local veteran’s 100th birthday

GULF COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Owen Cook’s 100th birthday was a community affair. Dozens of family, friends, and neighbors gathered around the veteran as he rang in his birthday. The crowd also included the Wewahitchka High School band, which played a few songs in the front lawn for the Florida State fan. Cook spent 20 […] Read More
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General News March 13, 2026

Margaritaville PCB holds ribbon cutting for new clubhouse

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Margaritaville Beach Cottage Resort in Panama City Beach held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday for its new clubhouse. Officials from the resort gathered with the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the official opening. They broke ground on the new clubhouse last spring. It includes an arcade, fitness center, […] Read More

General News March 12, 2026

Walton County Emergency Management hosts mass casualty drill with regional agencies

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Thursday morning, representatives from across the state participated in Walton County Emergency Management’s mass casualty tabletop exercise. It marked WCEM’s largest disaster training exercise since 2019. Law enforcement, fire-rescue, military personnel, the medical examiner’s office, funeral homes, local government officials, and more participated. The event allows regional agencies to integrate […] Read More