Shoal River Headwaters State Park opens near DeFuniak Springs Staff Reports January 27, 2026 1:30 pm DeFuniak Springs DEFUNIAK SPRINGS — Florida State Parks has added a new destination to its system with the opening of Shoal River Headwaters State Park, a 2,480-acre preserve just west of DeFuniak Springs.   The park, located at 2239 King Lake Road, features rolling sandy hills, mesic flatwoods and floodplain forests along tributaries of the Shoal River, according to a Florida Department of Environmental Protection news release. It is open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset.   DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert said the new park reflects the state’s continued focus on conservation while expanding public access to natural areas.   “Shoal River Headwaters State Park highlights our commitment to protecting Florida’s natural treasures while providing new ways for visitors to explore, experience and enjoy the outdoors,” Lambert said in the release, adding that Florida’s park system continues to set a national standard for conservation and resource-based recreation.   The park currently offers hiking and wildlife-viewing opportunities. Florida State Parks officials said they will work with the public to develop long-term recreation and land management plans for the site.   State Rep. Shane Abbott, R-DeFuniak Springs, praised the preservation of the land, calling it an investment in the county’s future.   “This new state park will ensure that future generations have the same opportunities to enjoy the natural Florida that I did growing up,” Abbott said in the release.   Shoal River Headwaters State Park... Read More

Shocking Federal Indictment Brings Serious Prison Threat for Florida Airman Staff Reports January 27, 2026 12:52 pm Crime, Emerald Coast, Public Safety, State Government In Brief: A 24-year-old airman stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base has been indicted on federal child pornography charges. The case includes allegations of receipt, distribution, and possession, each carrying potential decades-long prison sentences. Federal and local agencies worked jointly on the investigation under Project Safe Childhood. A Florida airman stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base is facing multiple federal charges following a grand jury indictment tied to child pornography offenses. According to the District Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, Matthew Fooladian, 24, of Tyndall Air Force Base, was indicted on charges of receipt or attempted receipt of child pornography, distribution or attempted distribution of child pornography, and possession or access with intent to view child pornography. The charges were announced Tuesday by U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin. Fooladian appeared for his arraignment in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee. His jury trial is scheduled for March 23, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. before U.S. District Court Judge Mark E. Walker. If convicted, Fooladian faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and up to 20 years on both the receipt and distribution charges. The possession charge carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison. The investigation was conducted jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Air Force... Read More

“General Hospital” Actress Refuses To Watch Carrie Underwood “General Hospital” star Nancy Lee Grahn is apparently not a fan of country music singer and “American Idol” judge Carrie Underwood. President Donald Trump officially took the oath of office to become the 47th president of the United States January 20, 2025. His swearing-in ceremony was held inside […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Winter Brings Unforgettable Energy to Walton County With Mardi Gras, Valentine’s Events, and New Businesses Staff Reports January 27, 2026 12:08 pm 30a, Business, DeFuniak Springs, Destin, Emerald Coast, South Walton, Walton County In Brief: Who: Walton County Tourism, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, local restaurants, shops, and event organizers What: Winter 2026 events, dining specials, grand openings, and seasonal promotions When: January through February 2026, with ongoing monthly offerings and spring previews Where: Across Walton County, including Baytowne Wharf, Seaside, Alys Beach, Watersound, and DeFuniak Springs Why: To boost tourism, support local businesses, and provide new experiences for residents and visitors Walton County is welcoming Winter 2026 with a wave of new events, dining experiences, business openings, and seasonal celebrations aimed at both locals and visitors. From champagne shopping nights and charity runs to Valentine’s dinners, Mardi Gras festivities, and new restaurant concepts, the county’s winter calendar is shaping up to be one of its busiest yet. January kicks off with Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort launching “Bubbly Baytowne,” a new monthly champagne shopping stroll at The Village of Baytowne Wharf. The free, 21+ event invites guests to sip complimentary bubbly while browsing participating boutiques. The resort is also hosting the annual Fore Her Pink Run, bringing runners, walkers, and breast cancer survivors together for a morning of fitness, community, and fundraising. Marina Bar & Grill at Sandestin is also rolling out a new winter menu, paired with weekly dining specials including taco nights, fajita nights and Friday prime... Read More

Okaloosa County Commission explores paid parking for non-county residents at beaches, parks Collin Bestor January 27, 2026 11:57 am Okaloosa County SHALIMAR — Okaloosa County commissioners on Jan. 20 unanimously approved moving forward with exploring a pay-to-park system at select county beaches, parks and boat launches, directing staff to begin the process of procuring a vendor while postponing decisions on rates, locations and contracts.   The action gives county staff permission to continue researching options and return to the Board of County Commissioners with a proposed system for consideration at a later date. No parking fees were approved as part of the vote.   Parks Director Jeff Peters said the proposal is intended to generate revenue for capital improvements and maintenance of county recreational facilities and could help offset the county’s Municipal Services Taxing Unit rate for parks.   “This is more of a discussion period today,” Peters told commissioners. “Really, today, we’re looking for direction from the board on moving forward with a pay-to-park system, and we would bring a procurement with a vendor back at a later date with some of those options for you.”   County officials said the concept has been discussed previously but is gaining renewed attention as potential changes at the state level could impact future funding. Staff said paid parking could serve as a replacement revenue source if those changes occur.   According to county staff, paid parking is already common across Okaloosa County and neighboring jurisdictions.   Military beach parks on Okaloosa... Read More

Meet American Idol Contestant Bryant Thomas, Also Known As “The Secret Shower Singer” On TikTok One of the standout moments from American Idol‘s Season 24 premiere came when a contestant dropped to one knee and surprised his girlfriend with a proposal! 26-year-old Bryant Thomas from Mobile, Alabama, has 110,000 fans on social media. Yet, until […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Niceville Resident, Former Special Forces Officer Releases New Children’s Book Christopher Saul January 27, 2026 10:41 am Niceville One conversation with Niceville Author Dan Pace – and you are ready to nuke the clutter of busy crap in your life and focus on what’s actually important.    Instead of running with your hair on fire and a Fisher-Price molded plastic case with a roll of Band-Aids from emergency to emergency, you want to focus.    Focus on the problems you can control. Focus on the issues that actually matter. Focus instead of giving in to the industrial attention deficit disorder that has taken over American culture.    So, when Dan, full disclosure, asked me to do some marketing for his three books that will finish their releases in the first half of this year, I was excited.   His new offerings, The Whale and the Kraken (out now) and a memoir of an enlisted man during the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, It’ll Buff Out (out in February), cover vastly different sides of the same human experience. One is a children’s book that reads like a book that is definitely written for kids, but with the knowledge that parents will read it to them. The other is a reflective look at the war that many in his generation fought. It’s not a ‘strategic overview’ or something more academic (he’s already sort of addressed that here), it’s a story about soldiers.    “I started writing because I had this sense that... Read More

Niceville High School Goes on Brief Lockdown. Here’s What Happened: Christopher Saul January 27, 2026 10:27 am Niceville, Schools and Education Niceville High School’s administrators put out the all-clear just minutes after initiating a lockdown on Tuesday morning.    Niceville Principal Charlie Marello told Mid Bay News in a phone conversation the school took the action after a student saw another student with a rifle on campus.    Marello said the student had an air rifle that they were moving from one place to another in their duties as a member of the JROTC.    Once the situation was understood, the lockdown was lifted. This is the third lockdown-related issue in Niceville in the last 12 months.  Last April, Plew Elementary School went on lockdown after a message from the Okaloosa County School District Public Information Officer, Catherine Card, called the first-ever “instance of a miscommunication” with their app, supplied by the vendor Apptegy, sent to parents in error.    In August of 2025, Plew was again placed in lockdown after a suspect fleeing Niceville PD scaled the school fence, ran through the school’s property, and scaled another fence to leave.    Earlier this month, Okaloosa Academy, a Fort Walton Beach Charter School was placed on lockdown after reports of gunfire in the area of the school’s campus.  An earlier version of this story said the third lockdown took place at Fort Walton Beach High School. It took place at Okaloosa Academy. We regret the error.  This is a developing story. We’ll keep you posted as... Read More