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Emerald Coastie carries the flame – 18 years after Beijing Olympics Christopher Saul February 16, 2026 11:43 am Niceville, Sports Morgan Harrison (nee Montoya) and I meet at Black Rifle Coffee Company on an impromptu Thursday afternoon. I‘m there a little bit early, so I grab a coffee and sit opposite the big screen TV perched in the southeast corner of the roastery.    On the TV, Olympic ice skaters twirl and jump across the screen in outfits with their various national colors.    Out of the corner of my eye, I see Morgan enter the shop with a large, narrow cardboard box. In reflective red, the box has clouds in the Chinese circular style grafted onto it.    The box is almost 20 years old, which must be an eternity for cardboard. Despite plenty of military moves across the nation from Hawai’i, Alaska, Los Angeles, and finally here to the Emerald Coast, the box is in fantastic shape. It’s like viewing an 80-year old marathoner – a once-in-a-lifetime view itself.    Morgan has a big smile on her face as she says hi and lets me know she’s going to grab some coffee.    She sits down, and we begin to talk about the time she ran and carried the Olympic Torch through the only American City to host the flame for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in China.  RELATED: Local nonprogit secures adaptive bike for special needs child.  Happiness and Fear In 2008, Morgan lived in San Francisco.... Read More

Emotional Farewell, Powerful Future: The SS United States to Become a Massive Gulf Reef Staff Reports February 16, 2026 11:26 am Emerald Coast, Military, Okaloosa County In Brief: Who: Okaloosa County officials, Nick Tomacek, Coleen Marine What: Sinking the SS United States to create an artificial reef When: Planned for April, pending weather and Coast Guard inspections Where: 22 miles west of Destin-Fort Walton Beach in the Gulf Why: To create a marine habitat, boost tourism, and preserve the ship’s legacy in a new way OKALOOSA COUNTY — The historic SS United States is headed for a dramatic new chapter beneath the Gulf waters. According to a report by Fox 10 News and an article published in Cruise Industry News, Okaloosa County officials are preparing to sink the legendary ocean liner this April, transforming the once-record-breaking passenger ship into what is expected to become the world’s largest artificial reef. The vessel, which will be deployed approximately 22 miles west of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, was acquired by Okaloosa County in 2023 as part of a long-term effort to expand the area’s artificial reef program and enhance marine habitat and tourism opportunities. Built in 1952, the SS United States once symbolized American engineering might and luxury ocean travel. Out of service since 1969, the ship spent most of the last three decades docked at a commercial pier in Philadelphia before being relocated to Mobile, Alabama, where it is now undergoing final preparations for its assisted sinking. Extensive Cleanup Underway Before the ship... Read More

Walton tourism representatives say commission ignores advice at county’s financial peril Steven Saul February 16, 2026 10:50 am 30a, South Walton, Walton County Even though Walton County’s economic outlook revolves around tourism – local tourism leaders on the Tourism Development Council (TDC) accuse the Walton Board of County Commissioners (BCC) of ignoring their input – they say, to their peril.  The issue, tourism leaders say, came to a head over the BCC’s decision to purchase a parcel of land near the Eastern Lake Coastal Dunes for almost $10 million – only to decide against improving it for tourism purposes. The decision to leave the parcel as-is followed a contentious meeting in which the property’s neighbors came out in force to oppose planned improvements, including a parking lot and other amenities, to make the land more accessible to locals and tourists.  The Walton Tourism Development Council is made up of members who are typically experts in tourism and are appointed by various elected officials, including the Board of County Commissioners, for terms concurrent with their appointers.  TDC acting chair Amy Wise-Coble expressed her displeasure with the commission’s decision to use tourism development funds to purchase the land, and then bow to pressure to leave the parcel alone. She added in an interview after the meeting that she believes the county’s decision to skip the part of the decision-making process that involves the TDC meant the BCC has put themselves at risk for more SNAFUs where they decide to buy property with... Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The smell of spices filled downtown Panama City as food lovers gathered for gumbopalooza. “You put all that effort into something, seeing them smiling faces or that warm bowl of gumbo. Nothing better, nothing better”, Seth Carpenter, manager of ‘El Weirdo’s, said. The food was a big draw, with staff […] Read More