Choctawhatchee High Students Learn Real-World Budgeting at Reality Check Event Staff Reports December 4, 2025 3:08 pm Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County, Schools and Education In Brief: Who: Choctawhatchee High School students, Principal Michelle Heck, Ryan Taporco, Abby Heck, John Spolski, OPSF, and community partners What: “Reality Check” financial literacy simulation When: Held yesterday Where: Choctawhatchee High School, Fort Walton Beach Why: To teach students practical money management and real-life budgeting skills About 80 students at Choctawhatchee High School got a crash course in adulthood this week during the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation’s fourth annual Reality Check—a hands-on financial literacy simulation designed to teach teens how to budget, plan, and make smart money decisions. Students were assigned careers, salaries, and family scenarios before making their way through a maze of stations staffed by community partners. At each stop—Housing, Utilities, Insurance, Transportation, Communications, and others—they had to make virtual payments and build a budget that would hold up under real-world pressures. The event’s goal: show students the true cost of living and how everyday choices affect financial stability. Origin Bank sponsored this year’s program, helping to bring the large-scale simulation to life. Choctawhatchee High School Principal Michelle Heck said she was proud of how seriously her juniors and seniors approached the challenge. “Seeing our juniors and seniors participate in this incredible event reaffirms the importance of connecting classroom learning with real-life experiences,” Heck said. “Our students stepped up, asked thoughtful questions, really took this experience seriously, and represented our school and... Read More

LIBERTY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Georgia-Pacific in Hosford has released a statement regarding Wednesday’s fire. The fire was reported around 6 a.m. CST but was quickly put out. Georgia-Pacific said the fire did not involve hazardous materials but rather natural wood products used in its Oriented Strand Board manufacturing. Georgia-Pacific said it plans to return […] Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A Panama City Beach woman was arrested for animal cruelty on Wednesday. According to court documents, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office received information that Brooklyn Patterson, 20, was depriving multiple animals of food and water and possibly abusing them. Deputies reported there were three dogs and 10 cats, all allegedly […] Read More

FLORIDA – The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously rejected an appeal filed by a Death Row inmate convicted in the 2010 stabbing death of a Jacksonville woman. At least in part, attorneys for David Kelsey Sparre, 34, argued that his constitutional rights were violated because the jury in his case was “not drawn from […] Read More

FLORIDA – Initial unemployment claims in Florida decreased during the week shortened by the Thanksgiving holiday. The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday estimated 3,547 claims were filed in Florida last week, down from an average of 5,688 claims during the three previous weeks. An estimated 191,000 claims were filed nationally last week, the lowest […] Read More

Lauren Alaina Performed Two Beloved Songs During The Christmas In Nashville TV Special Country music star Lauren Alaina delivered a dose of holiday joy with two performances during the Christmas in Nashville program. Christmas in Nashville aired on NBC on Wednesday evening (December 3). The show started at 10:00 PM Eastern Time, immediately following the […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Walton County Adds ‘Full’ Parking Lot Near Beach. Here’s Where You Can Find It: Steven Saul December 4, 2025 9:48 am 30a In Brief:  New Facility: An 83-space municipal parking lot and “Wave Design” Transit Pavilion has opened on County Road 393 to serve Ed Walline and Dune Allen Beaches.  Beach Tram System: The new facility is a critical component of a future public transportation system (Beach Tram) set to launch in early 2026 to relieve 30A traffic congestion.  Funding & Future: The over $5.8 million project was 100% funded by the Tourist Development Tax and is designed for future vertical expansion as part of a new “pay for parking” program. Located on County Road 393 is another completed parking facility less than 2/10 of a mile from the Ed Walline public beach access on 30A.  This 83 parking space facility will help with the heavy demand for parking when residents and visitors make their way to the beach during peak seasons, when the search for a parking space is difficult.  The beautiful “Wave Design” Pavilion on the 2.3-acre site was designed by Anthony “Tony” Vallée of McWhorter Vallee Design Inc.  The Transit Pavilion on the property is impressive because of its ‘wave’ inspired rooftop that has a wonderful skylight ceiling with bathroom accommodations for those who are heading to the beach.   County Administrator Brian Kellenberger talked about the thanked Branch McClendon of RBM Contracting Services, who “took it [the property] from a forested piece of vacant land into this municipal parking facility... Read More

What is Westonwood Ranch? Steven Saul December 4, 2025 8:24 am Freeport In Brief:  Westonwood Ranch: A 40-acre working farm outside of Freeport transforming the lives of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).  Experiential Learning: Offers day programs focusing on Independent Living Skills, Vocational Training, and Job Readiness for participants in the Florida Panhandle region.  Future Housing: Actively fundraising for Phase 1 of a $7 million capital campaign to build long-term, 24/7 care housing for 44 young adults, addressing the critical need for lifelong care. Looking for the best the world has to offer can be challenging amid life’s struggles.  For many, there can be an attitude that ‘the grass is always greener over there.’  However, there is a special place, locally, that makes the world much better for those struggling with developmental disabilities.  Westonwood Ranch is not only a place that equips lives for success, but is a working farm that combines love and experiential learning for each participant. Westonwood Ranch is located on State Hwy 20 West outside of Freeport.  Recently, the Day Tripper from Mid Bay News visited Westonwood Ranch, a beautiful 40-acre farm designed to transform the lives of those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).   Westonwood Ranch employs aquaponics to grow lettuce and fish at the same time. A row of lettuce sprigs grown aquaponically at Westonwood Ranch. One of the animals at Westonwood Ranch near Freeport. A lettuce sprig grown aquaponically at Westonwood Ranch. A single sassy llama (alpaca?) at Westonwood Ranch Lindy Wood speaks to... Read More

Reba McEntire Hosts Christmas In Rockefeller Center Christmas In Rockefeller Center took place on Wednesday (December 3). This year’s festive event was hosted by country music superstar Reba McEntire and featured performances by Marc Anthony, Halle Bailey, Michael Bublé, Kristin Chenoweth, Laufey, New Edition, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, and Gwen Stefani. Additionally, the Radio City Rockettes […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Kyle Busch, Erik Jones lead stacked field into 2025 Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway Collin Bestor December 3, 2025 10:48 pm Sports In Brief: The Snowball Derby returns to Pensacola with one of its most star-studded fields ever, blending NASCAR champions, short-track legends, and rising young talents. The 300-lap showdown at Five Flags Speedway remains the ultimate test of skill, tire management, and mental toughness on one of America’s most unforgiving tracks. When the green flag drops Sunday, only one driver will leave with the Tom Dawson Trophy — the most coveted prize in Super Late Model racing Few events in short-track racing carry the weight, mystique and heartbreak of the Snowball Derby. For more than half a century, the first weekend of December showdown at Five Flags Speedway has delivered triumphs that define careers — and disappointments that linger for years. It’s a race where legends are built, favorites are humbled and underdogs occasionally rise to steal the sport’s biggest spotlight. Five Flags is a track that demands everything. Its rough, abrasive surface chews up tires, punishing those who get aggressive too early. It’s tight racing grooves that punish impatience. And the unforgiving 300-lap distance often separates contenders from pretenders long before the checkered flag waves. No driver lucks into a Snowball Derby win. Every lap earned is a battle. The 2025 edition brings another stacked field to Pensacola. NASCAR stars return seeking another crown jewel. Short-track aces arrive with unfinished business. And some of the sport’s brightest... Read More