Fast Start: New K-9 Atlas Takes Down Meth Suspect in First Patrol Stop Staff Reports January 16, 2026 3:26 pm Crime, DeFuniak Springs, Public Safety, Walton County In Brief: K-9 Atlas alerted deputies to meth during a DeFuniak Springs traffic stop. Deputies seized 9.7 grams of methamphetamine and arrested Roger Dwayne Dukes. The arrest marked the first case for Walton County’s newest police K-9. DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. — Walton County Sheriff’s Office officials announced their newest K-9 is already making an impact after helping deputies arrest a man on drug charges during a traffic stop Thursday night. According to the Sheriff’s Office, a K-9 deputy stopped a red Chevrolet pickup near Highway 331 North and U.S. Highway 90 around 9 p.m. on January 15 for an expired registration. During the stop, deputies learned the driver, 49-year-old Roger Dwayne Dukes, was also operating the vehicle with a suspended license. K-9 “Atlas” was deployed to conduct an exterior sniff of the vehicle and alerted deputies to the presence of narcotics. A subsequent search uncovered two small plastic bags containing a crystal-like substance, later confirmed to be 9.7 grams of methamphetamine. Dukes was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license. He was issued a $7,500 bond and remained incarcerated at the time of his release. The arrest marks the first successful case for the agency’s newest K-9. Atlas, a 15-month-old sable-colored Belgian Malinois, received both state and national... Read More

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A Walton County man was arrested for possession of methamphetamine Thursday evening. According to a news release, 49-year-old Roger Dwayne Dukes was stopped by a Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputy for having an expired vehicle registration; it was later discovered that Dukes had a suspended license. The deputy deployed WCSO’s […] Read More

Crestview Shooting Investigation Uncovers Illegal Weapons Cache Inside Apartment Staff Reports January 16, 2026 2:29 pm Crestview, Crime, Okaloosa County, Public Safety In Brief: A woman was injured when a firearm discharged during a Crestview disturbance on January 15. Deputies discovered seven firearms and ammunition during a search of the residence. Reginald Bradshaw was charged with possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted felon. CRESTVIEW, Fla. — An investigation into a January shooting in the Crestview area has resulted in criminal charges against a local man after deputies uncovered multiple firearms inside an apartment. According to investigators, the incident occurred on January 15 at a residence on West James Lee Boulevard, where deputies responded to a reported disturbance. During the altercation, a woman holding a firearm allegedly struck another woman who had arrived at the apartment. The gun discharged during the confrontation, striking the victim in the shoulder. The victim’s injury was described as non-life-threatening. During the investigation, deputies identified 54-year-old Reginald Bradshaw as a convicted felon living at the residence. Bradshaw reportedly admitted to owning two additional firearms inside the home. A subsequent search warrant led deputies to recover seven firearms and assorted ammunition from the apartment. As a result, Bradshaw was charged with possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon. The investigation remains ongoing. More Local News DeFuniak Springs Bold Vision for Better Roads: Public Input Opens on Regional Transportation Blueprint Okaloosa County JD Peacock Launches Powerful Bid for Okaloosa School Board Okaloosa... Read More

Violent Night of Gunfire Leaves Shalimar Man Wounded as Deputies Launch Urgent Manhunt Staff Reports January 16, 2026 2:05 pm Crime, Okaloosa County, Public Safety In Brief: One man was shot multiple times outside his Shalimar home and hospitalized in stable condition. Deputies tracked a stolen suspect vehicle to Villa Russ Park using the Flock Safety Camera System. Investigators believe the shooting may be connected to an earlier shots-fired call in Fort Walton Beach. SHALIMAR, Fla. — Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office investigators are working two connected shooting incidents that occurred Thursday night, leaving one man injured and multiple vehicles damaged by gunfire. Deputies responded to a reported shooting on Oak Lane in Shalimar, where a man was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds outside his home. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment and was last reported to be in stable condition. During the investigation, OCSO utilized the Flock Safety Camera System to track a suspect vehicle believed to be connected to the shooting. The vehicle was located inside Villa Russ Park and was later confirmed to have been reported stolen earlier in the evening. Investigators also determined that the Shalimar shooting may be connected to an earlier call for service on Shirley Drive near Fort Walton Beach. Deputies responded to reports of shots being fired in that area before the Shalimar incident. No injuries were reported, but two vehicles were struck by bullets. OCSO is asking anyone with information about either shooting to contact the Sheriff’s... Read More

“We cannot allow the bad stewardship and poor management of this program to continue.” Gaetz demands fiscal controls with passage of SB 318 Christopher Saul January 16, 2026 1:56 pm Schools and Education, State Government State Senator Don Gaetz’s SB 318 passed the Florida State Senate unanimously. Here’s what He said about the future of vouchers, private and public schools, should this bill pass the house and get signed into law by the governor. Christopher Saul interviewed Gaetz about the bill’s passage and what it would mean for students and families if it became law.    Christopher Saul: What does this bill mean for the future of school choice and the voucher program?   Senator Don Gaetz: “Well, it was a very good sign that the Senate passed the bill unanimously. School choice is not typically a topic that you can get unanimity on in the Senate or in the House, so I was very gratified that the Senate passed our bill.    Now what happens is that we began negotiations with our colleagues in the House to see if we can bring you know, bring this issue to some conclusion. We cannot allow the current state of affairs to continue because school districts are being shortchanged. Parents are placed at a disadvantage. They’re not getting their reimbursements in a timely fashion. Private schools are having difficulty. As we’ve discussed before, the current circumstances are untenable. There’s no way that we can continue to operate the school choice program the... Read More

Lawsuit seeks to block Fort Walton Beach Charter Amendments, claims ballot language misleads voters Collin Bestor January 16, 2026 1:00 pm Fort Walton Beach FORT WALTON BEACH— A local political committee has filed a lawsuit seeking to block five proposed amendments to the city charter from appearing on the Mar. 10, 2026, referendum ballot, escalating a months-long debate over a sweeping package of changes that city leaders say would modernize local government. Opponents argue that it is being misleadingly presented to voters.   FWB Watch Group and Travis Smith, a former city councilman, have sued the City of Fort Walton Beach, City Clerk Kim Barnes and Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux on Jan. 14 in Okaloosa County Circuit Court. The verified complaint asks a judge to declare the ballot titles and summaries for the measures unlawful under Florida election law and to prevent them from being placed before voters “in their current form.”   The lawsuit targets Ordinances 2196 through 2200 — five of six charter-related ordinances adopted on second reading by the Fort Walton Beach City Council on Dec. 16 after months of workshops and recommendations from the city’s Charter Review Committee.   Taken together, the complete package of six ordinances would ask voters to weigh in on changes involving election timing, governance rules, administrative operations, compensation for elected officials, and limits on annual budget increases.   At previous meetings, City Attorney Jeff Burns has said voter approval is required before any changes to the city charter... Read More

The Country Star And His Wife’s Donation Has Led To A Special Fund Being Named After Their Daughter, Rosie Every birth is a miracle, but any parent could tell you that doesn’t mean the struggles end when the baby arrives. At the beginning of the year, on Jan. 6, country artist HARDY and his wife, […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Bear Creek Feline Center hosted a community-wide event this evening to teach the general public about caring for endangered Florida wildcats. Bertie Braddus, director of Bear Creek Feline Center, hosted the event at St. Andrews State Park.She educated attendees on a variety of subjects like the specialized care required for […] Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Mexico Beach held an exciting groundbreaking Thursday for the first grocery store in the area since Hurricane Michael. Over the past few years, residents and visitors have had to drive to Panama City or Port St. Joe for groceries. With most construction projects, the first sign of life is usually […] Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Bay District Schools is celebrating a milestone for student success. Over the past ten years, the district has gone from a 78% graduation rate to a now 93.8% rate. They have the second-highest rate in Northwest Florida, just behind Walton County. Bay District officials credit their daily attendance checks, tutoring, […] Read More