BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – With Florida ranking number one for most thunderstorms and number five for annual average number of tornadoes in the nation, it is important to have a plan in place when tragedy unfolds. Alert Bay is a county resource that is helpful during severe weather events. “Alert Bay is a program […] Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat at the front of a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus. Many credit her act as the beginning of the civil rights movement. 70 years later, Bayway buses are rolling forward with her legacy “I think we always need to […] Read More

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Washington County Public Library expansion project has been in the works since 2023. When it’s completed, it will almost double the size of the Chipley branch. “We’re very excited to add a new children’s area, which is basically going to be for elementary kids and under. Early literacy is […] Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Work on the roads surrounding McKenzie Park is nearing an end. Once completed, the Downtown Improvement Board was planning to move the Saturday farmers’ market back to the park. It’s been held on Harrison Avenue since August. But board members now say they’d like to see the market rotate around […] Read More

Tim McGraw Closes Out A Memorable 2025 In June 2025, Tim McGraw performed his first live show in just under a year due to back-to-back major surgeries. During a podcast interview on the Bobby Bones Show, McGraw revealed he had spent most of the year recovering. After touring, the singer shared he had to get a double knee replacement. The “Something […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Shocking Federal Fraud Case Ends as New Jersey Man Admits Identity Theft Staff Reports February 4, 2026 3:11 pm Emerald Coast, Niceville, Okaloosa County In Brief: Who: Michael Scott Hillwig, 59, of Camden, New Jersey What: Pleaded guilty to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and passport forgery When: Guilty plea entered February 4, 2026; crimes began in May 2023 Where: South Carolina and Florida, including Niceville, Bonifay, and Winter Garden Why: To fraudulently access and withdraw funds using stolen personal information New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud, Identity Theft, Passport Forgery in North Florida Case A New Jersey man has pleaded guilty in federal court to a sweeping fraud scheme that stretched across multiple states and targeted victims’ bank accounts using stolen identities and forged U.S. passport cards. Michael Scott Hillwig, 59, of Camden, New Jersey, admitted to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and false use or forgery of a passport, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida. The plea was announced Wednesday by U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin. Federal prosecutors say Hillwig unlawfully obtained sensitive personal identifying information — including names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and passport card numbers — beginning in May 2023. Investigators allege he then used forged U.S. passport cards bearing his photograph but containing victims’ information to withdraw money from their bank accounts. Court records show Hillwig traveled to financial institutions across South Carolina and Florida, including stops in Bonifay, Niceville, and Winter Garden. At each... Read More