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Fort Walton Beach voters to decide on charter amendments in March 2025 Collin Bestor December 23, 2025 3:45 pm Fort Walton Beach In Brief: Six proposed charter amendments will appear on the March 2026 ballot for Fort Walton Beach voters Changes include election timing, governance rules, administrative updates, and compensation for elected officials Voters will also decide whether to repeal limits on annual city budget increases FORT WALTON BEACH — Fort Walton Beach city leaders have approved a package of charter-related ordinances that will place six proposed amendments before voters in a March 10, 2026, referendum, setting up a wide-ranging decision on how the city conducts elections, governs itself, compensates elected officials and manages its budget.   The ordinances, adopted on second reading on Dec. 16, stem from months of City Council discussions and recommendations from the Charter Review Committee. City Attorney Jeff Burns said voter approval is required before any changes to the city charter can take effect.   Taken together, the measures would align city elections with statewide contests, revise governance rules, modernize administrative language, authorize compensation for elected officials and repeal limits on annual budget increases in the City of Fort Walton Beach. Moving city elections to November Ordinance 2195 would amend the charter to move municipal elections for mayor and City Council to coincide with statewide general elections held in November of even-numbered years. Under the proposal, officials would continue to be elected at large for four-year terms beginning April 1 following the election.   The... Read More

Fort Walton Beach recommends elevated flyover option for “Around the Mound” project Collin Bestor December 23, 2025 3:00 pm Fort Walton Beach In Brief: City council voted 6–1 to urge FDOT to reconsider an elevated flyover design for U.S. 98 Officials cited improved traffic flow and military mission readiness as key reasons for backing Alternative 1B Residents raised concerns about public input, funding clarity, and long-term neighborhood impacts FORT WALTON BEACH — The Fort Walton Beach City Council voted 6-1 on Dec. 16 to formally ask the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to reconsider an elevated design option for the long-planned “Around the Mound” rerouting of U.S. Highway 98.   The action came as the council approved Resolution 2025-31, reaffirming support for Alternative 1B, a design that includes elevated flyovers, over Alternative 1A or a no-build option currently under consideration by FDOT.   City Attorney Jeff Burns said the confusion appears to stem from a lack of a formal, recent statement from the city supporting 1B after a February 2024 public meeting, despite years of earlier council actions backing what was then known as Alternative 2 B. Burns said that gap may have contributed to FDOT advancing 1A as its recommended option at a December public hearing.   “I think it became apparent that, despite the fact that the city had pushed 1B over about a six- or seven-year period, there was never really an official position taken after that February 2024 meeting,” Burns said. “That possibly led to some... Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The man who stripped off all of his clothes and ran into a Panama City retail chain store Monday night is in the Bay County Jail. 31-year-old Zyreece Guy is being charged with indecent exposure, battery, and resisting an officer without violence. Panama City Police responded to the Hobby Lobby […] Read More

More details are emerging about the deaths of legendary actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, who died on December 14. Rob Reiner, the director behind some of Hollywood’s greatest films, was murdered at his home in Brentwood, California. His wife was also killed. The couple’s son, Nick, has been charged with two […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Jackson County commissioners have set the date to interview six different law firms hoping to represent the county. Commissioners have scheduled a special meeting for January 6th to conduct interviews. The search began when they decided to exercise their 90-day termination clause in their contract with Michelle Jordan. The relationship […] Read More

Rob And Michele Reiner Were Killed In Their Home, Their Son Nick Has Been Charged With Their Murders Rob and Michele Reiner’s children, Jake and Romy, have shared a new statement following their parents’ tragic deaths. Actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer and producer Michele Singer Reiner, were found deceased in their […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)- Around 7:45 p.m. on Monday, Panama City police officers got a call about a naked man at the Hobby Lobby on 23rd Street. Several customers, doing some last-minute Christmas shopping, were inside the store when an unidentified man ran in. A witness told News 13 the man took his clothes off […] Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)- Local business owners say the season brings more than decorations; it brings opportunity. Downtown Panama City businesses haven’t had what you might call a normal Christmas season for several years. The public has had to deal with road closures from the Harrison Avenue streetscape project.The project is now completed, the street […] Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Chairman of the Committee trying to recall Lynn Haven Mayor Jesse Nelson, has filed a new motion, asking the judge to allow their complaint to move forward. Back on December 5th, Nelson filed a motion, claiming the committee does not have legal grounds for their actions. Count one of […] Read More