Seized Assets to Fund New Sheriff Gyms in Okaloosa County Staff Reports March 25, 2026 11:07 am Crestview, Okaloosa County, Shalimar In Brief: Who: Okaloosa County Commissioners, Sheriff’s Office, Tatiana Abernathy What: Approved $80,000 for gym equipment When: March 2026 Where: Shalimar and Crestview facilities Why: Use federal forfeiture funds to support employee fitness and readiness The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners has approved an $80,000 funding request from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office to build out two employee fitness centers using federal asset forfeiture funds. The request, submitted by Tatiana Abernathy, authorizes an advance disbursement through the federal Equitable Sharing Program, a system that allows local agencies to receive a portion of seized assets from federal investigations. According to county documents, the funds will be used to purchase fitness equipment from multiple vendors for two separate gym locations: one inside the Sheriff’s Office Fleet Building on Eglin Parkway in Shalimar, and another at the Public Safety Training Center in Crestview. Officials say the program is intended to strengthen cooperation between federal and local law enforcement agencies by reinvesting forfeiture proceeds into resources that support operations and personnel. The Sheriff’s Office will provide invoices and proof of payment for all purchases and will return any unused funds to the county. With approval secured, the project is expected to move forward as equipment purchases begin in the coming months. More Local News Niceville Niceville Good Neighbor: Lucretia Waskow Fort Walton Beach FULL Unofficial results in Fort Walton charter referendum released... Read More

Walton County aggressively targeting THESE tax dodgers in 2026 Steven Saul March 25, 2026 10:24 am 30a, South Walton Walton County officials are intensifying their efforts to mandate compliance for Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) properties, focusing on collecting the required Tourist Development Tax (TDT) and enforcing mandatory fire safety inspections. Compliance is reportedly improving, yet concerns persist that a significant number of STVR owners are delinquent in submitting the “bed tax” and meeting essential fire safety requirements. Walton County Tourism & Livability Coordinator Joshua Allen reported that compliance is expected to rise from 90% to 95% in 2026, and the county is escalating legal action by summoning an increased number of non-compliant properties to magistrate hearings where fines of up to $500 per day can be imposed. Registration for Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) properties has been a significant effort for Walton County Tourism & Livability Coordinator Joshua Allen.  Over the past three years, Allen and a growing team have worked to bring vacation rental properties into compliance with county registration requirements.  Being in compliance requires that “ALL Walton County properties with rental stays of 6 months or less are subject to TDT (Tourist Development Tax).”  The Tourist Development Tax Office (touristdevelopmenttax@waltonclerkfl.org) defines this tax as “a pass-through, trust-type tax that is charged to & paid by the renters & passes through the owner/manager on the way to the proper taxing authority.  Once [the taxes are] collected from the renters, the TDT funds collected are considered county property held in trust... Read More

A Major Milestone for Liza Jackson Park: $3.1M Approved Staff Reports March 25, 2026 10:08 am Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County, State Government In Brief: Who: Fort Walton Beach City Council, Daniel Payne, Payne Walker, H&T Contractors What: Approved $3.1M park improvement project When: March 2026; construction starts August 2026 Where: Liza Jackson Park, Fort Walton Beach Why: Improve infrastructure now while waiting on the delayed federal permit for the boat ramp The Fort Walton Beach City Council voted 6–1 Monday night to move forward with improvements at Liza Jackson Park, awarding a $3.1 million construction contract that will bring major upgrades to the city’s popular waterfront boating destination. City leaders approved the contract with H&T Contractors, LLC, the lowest responsive bidder, to complete a series of upland improvements aimed at improving access, parking, and infrastructure at the park. Construction is expected to begin after August 1, 2026, to avoid disrupting peak summer boating season. The project includes a new elevated restroom building, expanded and reconfigured boat-trailer parking, improved vehicle circulation, sidewalks, and stormwater upgrades. However, the discussed boat ramp replacement remains on hold pending federal approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. City officials said the decision to move forward now reflects frustration with delays in the permitting process. “We wanted a new boat ramp, but since that required Corps permitting… There has been no progress on it,” said Public Works Director Daniel Payne. “Instead of just sitting and waiting… we decided with the upland improvements, we can... Read More

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – At Tuesday’s Panama City Commission meeting, the Gateway Overlay District Ordinance had its first of two public hearings. The ordinance aims to improve aesthetics and manage the nature of the businesses going into the city’s major roadways. Bail bond businesses, pawn shops, dispensaries, and check cashing businesses are just a […] Read More

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – Approval of the special event permit for the third annual Panama City Pride Fest was singled out for more discussion at Tuesday’s city commission meeting. What started off as a discussion over the event happening at the same time as the Farmer’s Market and how the two would share the […] Read More

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The stabbing at Walton Middle School on Tuesday morning left the DeFuniak Springs community in disbelief. Two seventh-grade boys are in critical condition after an attack by another seventh grader. Now, this small town is coming together in the only way they know how. “First of all, you’re in shock, […] Read More

CALHOUN COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A GoFundMe has been started to support the dozens of Calhoun County residents displaced after wildfires broke out over the weekend. The events left 43 residents displaced. 19 dwellings, seven outbuildings, and 15 vehicles or vessels were destroyed in the fire. The funds raised will go directly to those who […] Read More

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Three people are in the hospital after a stabbing at Walton Middle School on Tuesday morning. The suspect was identified as a seventh-grade student at the school. Two of the victims were students who are in critical condition. A school paraprofessional was taken to Fort Walton Beach Medical, but did […] Read More