South Walton’s End of Season Safety Report Steven Saul November 7, 2025 8:38 am South Walton In Brief:  Report Highlights: Beach calls for assistance dropped by 40% and no drownings occurred for the second consecutive year, but beach attendance was down over 10% from 2024.  Marine Life Warning: The number of days purple flags flew for dangerous marine life, like jellyfish, increased significantly, logging 90 straight days.  Yellow is the New Green: Beach Safety Director David Vaughn confirmed that the “Yellow Flag” (moderate caution) is now the baseline condition, as the USLA does not recommend flying the “Green Flag” over an open body of water due to quickly changing surf conditions. Share This Story! Beach Safety Director for the South Walton County Fire District, David Vaughn brought good news with some negative implications for local businesses to the Walton County Tourism Development Council at their last meeting.  The good news: the County’s beaches experienced much calmer waters and had 40% fewer calls for assistance to first responders.  The bad news: overall attendance at the beach was down a little over 10 percent from 2024.  After publication, Tourism Director Matt Algarin contacted us to provide additional context. He told us that attendance was down in the area of South Walton, where the South Walton Fire District provides contracted patrol services at 11 Walton County beach accesses. He noted that the South Walton Fire District also has six additional contracts for beach safety lifeguards at WaterColor, WaterSound, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Sandestin and Seaside.  Algarin added that David Vaughn said attendance at the... Read More

Trinity United Methodist Church Helps Reduce Student Lunch Debt in Okaloosa Schools Staff Reports November 6, 2025 4:17 pm Okaloosa County, Religion, Schools and Education In Brief: Trinity United Methodist Church raised funds to eliminate $906 in lunch debt at Shalimar Elementary. Contributions also helped reduce lunch debt at Pryor Middle School and assisted Trinity Preschool families with tuition. The effort was part of the church’s 65th anniversary Jubilee year, emphasizing community support and giving back. Share This Story! FORT WALTON BEACH — Trinity United Methodist Church celebrated its 65th anniversary this year by giving back to the local community through initiatives aimed at supporting students and families in Okaloosa County. As part of its Jubilee year celebration, a year dedicated to reflection, gratitude, and service, the church set a goal to pay down $906 in outstanding student lunch debt at Shalimar Elementary School. The congregation’s contributions exceeded expectations, allowing the church to also provide over $400 in support to reduce lunch debt at Pryor Middle School. Additional funds were used to help Trinity Preschool families clear outstanding tuition balances, ensuring that children could continue their education without financial barriers. “We are so grateful for Trinity United Methodist Church’s generosity and support of our students and families,” said Amy Klugh, Principal of Shalimar Elementary School. “Acts of kindness like this truly make a difference and remind our students that their community cares about them.” Okaloosa County School District Superintendent Marcus Chambers highlighted the church’s ongoing partnership with local schools. “Trinity... Read More

HVAC Give-Back: Local A/C Company Donates New System to Vet During Government Shutdown Christopher Saul November 6, 2025 3:43 pm Military, Valparaiso In Brief: Air Force Sergeant John Demos and his family are receiving a new HVAC system for Veterans Day from Mills Heating and Air. The gift is especially meaningful as Demos’s unit, RED HORSE, is often deployed to hostile environments without modern comforts, and the family is facing financial pressure from the government shutdown. Mills Heating and Air, along with partners Trane and Reme Helo, provided the labor, air conditioning unit, and air purification accessories as a token of thanks for Demos’s service. Share This Story! Air Force Sergeant John Demos and his family of five will have a brand-new HVAC system this Veterans Day, thanks to the team at Mills Heating and Air.    RELATED: HVAC Company Gives Air Conditioning Units to Crestview and Shalimar Families During Heat of Summer   Demos, a sergeant with the RED HORSE (or Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers) squadron, was one of many service personnel nominated to receive the upgrade, but he is one of the few whose job description allows him plenty of time in other countries without creature comforts like air conditioning, which we take for granted in the USA.    “When the air conditioning comes on – that’s usually the time we leave,” he said with a chuckle.   RED HORSE is the unit in the Air Force tasked with building forward bases and other... Read More

Local food pantries see rise in clients as federal shutdown deepens; SNAP, WIC funding decreased Collin Bestor November 6, 2025 11:00 am Okaloosa County In Brief: Food pantries across Okaloosa and Walton counties report record demand SNAP and WIC benefits cut as federal shutdown drags on Local nonprofits and volunteers step up — but say they can’t fill the gap Share This Story! NICEVILLE — As the federal government shutdown stretches into its second month, food insecurity across Northwest Florida appears to be rising.   Local food pantries, such as Sharing and Caring in Niceville, and regional organizations, like Emerald Coast Food Rescue, report that they are struggling to meet an unprecedented surge in demand as area residents lose or see reductions in federal food assistance.   Earlier this month, the Trump Administration announced that it would resume Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, but only at half of the usual rate, using $4.65 billion from an Agriculture Department contingency fund.   That fund only covers half of the $8 billion normally distributed nationwide each month.   Officials acknowledged the stopgap would leave “no funds remaining for new SNAP applicants, disaster assistance, or as a cushion against the catastrophic consequences of shutting down SNAP entirely.”   Two federal judges, in Rhode Island and Boston, ruled that freezing the nation’s most extensive anti-hunger program was unlawful and ordered the government to restore payments. However, even as emergency funding was approved, Treasury officials warned that it could take weeks for reduced benefits... Read More

Live Blog: FHSAA releases playoff brackets for area high schools Collin Bestor November 6, 2025 10:30 am Sports In Brief: Florida High School Athletic Association releases playoff brackets for Rural-7A classifications  With many teams in our area already guaranteed a spot (Choctaw, Baker, Pensacola Catholic), some sit in limbo (Crestview, Tate, Milton and Niceville). Playoff games begin Friday, October 14.  Share This Story!   After 11 weeks of local football action, filled with upsets, comeback victories and impressive performances, local teams will finally know where they stand come next Friday as the 2025 playoffs begin. Beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) will release the brackets for in all classifications, from rural to 7A. In the Mid Bay News coverage area, only brackets from Rural (Baker) to 6A (Crestview, Pace and Tate) will matter to us today.  Below is a live blog that will update when results come in. The most recent updates will be towards the top, with older updates at the bottom.    Update: 12:30 p.m. Region 1-6A Bracket No. 1 Buchholz vs No. 8 Oviedo No. 4. Nease vs. No. 5 Oakleaf No. 2 Mandarin vs No. 7 Crestview No. 3 Pace vs. No. 6 Evans   Update: 12:23 p.m. Region 1-5A Bracket No.1 Ponte Vedra vs No. 8 Niceville No.4 Beachside vs No. 5 Milton No. 2 Mainland vs No. 7 Middleburg No. 3 Mosley vs. No. 6 Lincoln   Update: 12:19 p.m. Region 1-4A Bracket St . Augustine takes the... Read More

JetBlue Expands Service to Florida Panhandle With New Flights to Destin–Fort Walton Beach Starting March 2026 Staff Reports November 6, 2025 9:43 am Aviation, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Tourism, Travel In Brief: Who: JetBlue Airways, Okaloosa County Commission Chairman Paul Mixon, JetBlue Vice President Dave Jehn What: Launching new nonstop seasonal flights to Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport When: Beginning March 5, 2026 Where: Flights from Boston Logan International Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to VPS Why: To expand JetBlue’s Florida network and connect Emerald Coast residents and visitors to major Northeast cities Share This Story! JetBlue Airways announced Thursday it will begin new nonstop flights connecting Boston and New York to Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) starting March 5, 2026. The addition brings one of the nation’s most well-known low-cost carriers to Northwest Florida for the first time, expanding air travel options for both residents and visitors along the Emerald Coast. The airline will operate five seasonal flights per week from both Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The routes will run on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. JetBlue Vice President of Network Planning and Airline Partnerships Dave Jehn said the new routes strengthen the airline’s Northeast–Florida network, while giving travelers in the Panhandle new access to the northeastern United States.“Florida continues to be a place where JetBlue’s combination of great service and value resonates strongly with travelers,” Jehn said. “By adding Destin–Fort Walton Beach to our... Read More

Okaloosa Families Encouraged to Apply for School Meal Benefits During Federal Shutdown Staff Reports November 5, 2025 10:59 am Okaloosa County, Schools and Education In Brief: Who: Okaloosa County families and students What: Apply for free or reduced-cost school meal benefits When: Ongoing, anytime household income changes; particularly relevant during the federal government shutdown Where: Okaloosa County, Florida; applications submitted online via myschoolapps.com or OkaloosaSchools.com Why: To ensure students continue receiving school meals even when families experience financial hardship   Share This Story! As the federal government shutdown continues, some families in Okaloosa County are beginning to experience interruptions in their regular paychecks. School officials are reminding households that students may still qualify for free or reduced-cost school meals based on current income, ensuring that students continue to have access to nutritious meals during uncertain financial times. The eligibility process is designed to reflect each household’s current financial situation. Families whose income meets the criteria can apply to myschoolapps.com, an online portal that streamlines the application and approval process. The application considers the household’s situation at the time of submission, allowing for quick and accurate assessment. “Eligibility for meal benefits is not limited to times of government furlough,” a spokesperson for Okaloosa County Food Service said. “Families can apply any time their income changes, and we encourage them to do so to ensure students are supported in the classroom and beyond.” Once a student is approved for free or reduced-cost meals, eligibility lasts for the entire school year, providing families... Read More

Niceville High School Class of 1980 Returns Home, Refurbishes School Sign 45 Years Later Staff Reports November 5, 2025 10:34 am Niceville, Okaloosa County, Schools and Education In Brief: Who, What, When, Where, Why Summary (with emojis): Who: Niceville High School Class of 1980 alumni, including Deanna Hodge Gelak, Kelly (Norton) Humphrey, Coach Sherman Eller, and Principal Mr. Marello What: Refurbished and rededicated the school sign originally gifted by their class When: Fall 2025, during their 45th reunion celebration Where: Niceville High School, Niceville, Florida Why: To celebrate their milestone reunion, give back to their alma mater, and inspire current students to stay connected and uphold the Eagle spirit Share This Story! Forty-five years after they first crossed the graduation stage, members of the Niceville High School Class of 1980 returned to their alma mater this fall—rekindling friendships, revisiting memories, and restoring a piece of the school’s history that continues to symbolize their shared legacy. The class, remembered for its unity, spirit, and generosity, donated the school’s first lighted sign as its senior class gift in 1980. The original donation was meant to serve as a landmark and a lasting message of pride for future generations of Eagles. “A sign points the way, but it’s also an identifier,” said class president Deanna Hodge Gelak, who helped lead the reunion effort. “As we continue to fly through life, our hearts continue to soar like eagles: ‘80 now, ‘80 then, Niceville Eagles ‘til the end!’” In the years since, the sign has stood as... Read More

Here’s What Happened at Defuniak’s Latest Council Meeting Steven Saul November 5, 2025 7:40 am DeFuniak Springs In Brief: Historic district design standards are causing a stir, with debates over enforcement versus property rights. Interim Finance Director Daniele McDaniel gets to stay until mid-2026 as the city continues its search for a permanent replacement. The city is actively looking for a new finance director, but qualified applicants are proving hard to find. Share This Story! Despite months of back and forth and multiple iterations of documents, a resolution still has not arrived for DeFuniak’s historic district. The CRA Director’s update highlighted the gap between those who want to streamline and enforce design standards in the historic district and those who believe their property should be their sole domain, regardless of its location in the city The DeFuniak Council voted unanimously to keep Interim Finance Director Daniele McDaniel on through the end of the second quarter of 2026 while the city looks for a permanent replacement for the position.   Row Continues Over Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Guidelines CRA Director Josh Ervin spoke to the latest iteration of the Historical Preservation Design Standards for the city’s three historic districts -. He told the council that the newest iteration of the design standards don’t add or remove any regulations to the CRAs buildings – they clearly delineate what those rules are in a single document.     A resident of the district, who did not give his name, spoke against the new standards... Read More