Jury Sends Destin Man to Prison for Life Staff Reports March 2, 2026 2:10 pm Crime, Destin, Okaloosa County, Public Safety In Brief: A jury found Jerrish Stephens guilty of second-degree murder in the 2021 killing of Gregory Lacey in Destin. Surveillance video showed the confrontation and stabbing outside Lucky’s Rotten Apple. Stephens received a mandatory life sentence after the jury determined he qualified as a prison releasee reoffender. A jury in Okaloosa County has found 45-year-old Jerrish Donnell Stephens guilty of second-degree murder in the 2021 stabbing death of Gregory Lacey outside a Destin bar. The verdict was delivered February 26, 2026, following a trial presided over by Judge Lacey Clark. After the verdict, the jury also determined that Stephens qualified as a prison releasee reoffender. Under Florida law, that designation required the court to impose a mandatory life sentence. The case stemmed from a December 15, 2021, incident at Lucky’s Rotten Apple, located at 205 Mountain Drive in Destin. According to investigators with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the location shortly after midnight for reports of a stabbing in the parking lot. When deputies arrived, they found Gregory Lacey lying in the parking lot with multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators later determined the confrontation began inside the bar when two women began fighting. Surveillance video from the establishment showed the fight continuing outside in the parking lot. Authorities say Stephens was watching the altercation when he removed an... Read More

Walton’s Free Beach Tram Tackles the Parking Chaos on 30A Steven Saul March 2, 2026 1:07 pm South Walton, Tourism, Traffic, Travel, Walton County In Brief: Who: Walton County Beach Operations, drivers Dakota Hardesty, Bruce Godbery, Shawn Cubbedge, leaders Cory Thornton and Nora Hernandez What: Launch of a free, air-conditioned Beach Tram System with four routes and ADA-equipped vehicles When: Service began March 1 Where: Western end of 30A in Walton County, including Grayton Beach Municipal Lot and 393 Municipal Parking Lot Why: To relieve traffic congestion, improve public beach access, and reduce parking challenges during peak season On the western end of 30A, beach access may be a lot easier this summer for locals and vacationers who dread searching for a parking place and lugging all their coolers and other essentials to the beautiful white sand.  Mid Bay News (MBN) hopped on board the different transport buses/trams on the first public transport day (March 1) to see how the 4 new routes run, and MBN also sought tips from each of the drivers on how to make the most of your beach experience.  The key idea is to park at one of the new municipal parking lots and then catch a tram to the beach.  The benefit is that you can reach the beach quickly, and the Tram provides ease and speed from each of the Municipal Parking Lots to the boardwalks, which lead directly to the sand.  For current information on Beach Trams, go here. Grayton Beach Municipal... Read More

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – The City of Panama City Beach has released a statement on Monday regarding the death of former Councilmember Geoff McConnell. The statement reads: The City of Panama City Beach is saddened to learn of the passing of former Councilmember Geoff McConnell. Mr. McConnell served on the Panama City Beach City […] Read More

PANAMA CITY, Fla (WMBB) – On Monday, the Haven Schools hosted their first Amazing Shake Competition across the two schools’ fifth-grade classes. This competition is for the students to demonstrate necessary life and professional skills such as professionalism, communication, confidence, and respect. The Haven Schools pride themselves on providing education for “high expectations, high achievements” […] Read More

PHOTOS: Niceville Little League Opening Day 2026 Christopher Saul March 2, 2026 10:49 am Niceville, Sports Niceville Little League had its annual opening day parade this past weekend with more than 700 players participating.  The Little League in Niceville has operated for more than half a century. Niceville Valparaiso Little League president Drew Sanders opened the ceremonies with a short talk, reciting the players’ pledge, the coaches’ pledge, and the parents’ pledge (that one basically says you gotta be nice), and led the teams in the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem. Niceville’s Fire Department engines were on station as well to mark the occasion as they have been for decades   More Local News Niceville PHOTOS: Niceville Little League Opening Day 2026 Aviation Decorated Fighter Pilot Charged in a Shocking China Training “Betrayal” Emerald Coast Okaloosa and Walton Students Win Big at Regional STEM Load More The post PHOTOS: Niceville Little League Opening Day 2026 appeared first on Mid Bay News. Read More

 [[{“value”:” Safety on the beaches is a priority in Walton County and the “official” Beach Safety season kicked off on Sunday, March 1, 2026, as South Walton Fire District (SWFD) lifeguards returned to their posts across 26 miles of shoreline for daily surf rescue and coverage. “}]]  SoWal.com  Read More