Residents attack Walton County Eastern Lake plan Steven Saul January 15, 2026 8:05 am 30a Advocates say the local government’s plans for a beach access point could destroy a unique feature of Walton County’s natural ecosystem – and they won’t give up without a fight.  But local officials say the Eastern Lake Beach Access would be the first of its kind on a coastal lake – and would profit residents as another local attraction for tourists. Walton County Tourism and Beach Operations hosted a Public Workshop this week regarding the proposed Eastern Lake Regional Beach Access – and touted that the project would be funded entirely by tourism development tax dollars. In a presentation by Deputy Director of Beach Operations Ryan Adams, county officials stood by the idea they’ve had since 2021, which includes sidewalks, a vehicle turnaround, ADA-compliant dune walkovers, handicap parking, restrooms, showers, low-speed vehicle parking, bicycle parking, and drainage improvements. According to Adams, the construction would begin, on their timeline, in 2027 and finish up by 2029. Ervin stated at the conclusion of the presentation, “What we have tonight…is just an idea.  It’s not even a concept at this particular point.  We want to hear back from you all before we go back to the BCC [Board of County Commissioners]… And if the general idea tonight is that we do nothing, then we’ll bring that back.” The presentation of the facility and public services was met with unanimous opposition by attendees in the packed South Walton County... Read More

ORIGINAL STORY: https://www.mypanhandle.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=2332796&action=edit WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Walton County saw not one but two school bus crashes today. The first took place at 6:15 this morning in the area of Highway 331 and Lake Holley Circle. Florida highway patrol officials say a pickup truck collided with the rear bumper of the bus. There were […] Read More

This is What Niceville Will Build With Your Tax Money In The Next Five Years: Christopher Saul January 14, 2026 8:34 pm Niceville Niceville’s City Council met for about an hour and a half on Tuesday for its regular business meeting to discuss tens of millions of dollars in future building projects, about $500,000 in ‘free money’ the city grabbed, a potential, unanticipated $300,000 expense, and a long-awaited E-bike ordinance. Building Projects In a quick, unanimous vote, the city council approved a new 5-year capital projects plan. The plan, which is required by the state of Florida, will include, but not be limited to: Project Cost Who’s Paying Completion Date (Est) Fire Station in Deer Moss Creek $8.2 Million State and Federal agencies – and the city FY 2028 Police Department and Emergency Operations Center $9.0 Million FEMA EOC Grant, USDA (through loans and grants) FY 2028 Deer Moss Creek Water Tower $4.8 Million FDEP and City Water and Sewer FY 2027 Water Well  $4.0 Million FDEP and City W+S FY 2027 Crossing Boulevard Connector (Will go behind Walmart and Oak Creek Shopping Plaza) $3.3 Million State Legislative Appropriation, TRIP Grant (Possible) FY 2028 Old Town Landing Phase I $3.2 Million CRA Funds, FBIP + Tourism Dev. Tax FY 2026 Old Town Landing Phase II $2.0 Million CRA Funds, Tourism Dev. Tax FY 2028 Lions Park Land Acq, Boat Ramps, Seawall Improvements, Parking Lot Expansion, and Park Upgrades $2.5 Million CRA Funds, Tourism Dev. Tax FY 2029   You can... Read More

Florida Senate passes school choice scholarship overhaul after audit Collin Bestor January 14, 2026 8:00 pm State Government NICEVILLE — The Florida Senate on Tuesday passed legislation aimed at tightening oversight and improving the administration of the state’s school choice scholarship programs, responding to findings in a recent audit that lawmakers say exposed structural and financial weaknesses. The bill, Senate Bill 318, sponsored by Don Gaetz (R-Crestview), incorporates recommendations from a 2025 operational audit conducted by Florida’s Auditor General. Lawmakers said the changes are far-reaching, touching funding formulas, application processes, payment schedules and state oversight of scholarship funds. “Florida was the first state to pass universal school choice because we stand firmly on the principle that parents know best,” Gaetz said in a statement after the vote. He said the audit concluded that “whatever could go wrong has gone wrong,” prompting the need for legislative fixes to protect the long-term viability of the program. The legislation seeks to separate scholarship funding more clearly from traditional public school financing by establishing a categorical fund for the Family Empowerment Scholarship program. Under the bill, funding for those scholarships would be removed from local district calculations within the Florida Education Finance Program and handled separately, a move supporters say will improve transparency and predictability for school districts. The bill also reduces the administrative fee tied to the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program, a change lawmakers said is intended to free up more money for student scholarships. To address complaints from parents and schools... Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – With scissors in hand and community leaders gathered around, big bend hospice officially cut the ribbon to its new facility Wednesday, marking a major milestone in the region. “Big Bend Hospice has been in this area for 45 years, providing hospice and palliative care services. Today, marks are our expansion […] Read More

“Choosin’ Texas” Reaches New Heights Ella Langley‘s “Choosin’ Texas” landed with a splash upon its release in October 2025. It debuted in the 37th spot on the cross-genre Billboard Hot 100. By December 2nd, it had reached the top of the US Hot Country Songs chart, becoming Langleys’ first solo career #1 hit. Additionally, it was the fastest-rising […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Melissa Gilbert’s Husband, Timothy Busfield, Accused Of Sexual Abuse Timothy Busfield, husband of Little House on the Prairie actress Melissa Gilbert, surrendered to the Albuquerque Police Department on Tuesday (January 13). The actor was officially charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse, linked to alleged misconduct involving child actors during the filming […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Up until now, local economic leaders have been referring to it as ‘Project Kilowatt.” On Wednesday, they were finally able to unveil Bay County’s newest industry. “It’s Voltari Electric Inc., which is a Canadian-based company that makes electric motor boats that are on a carbon fiber hull. So they’re going […] Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – TDC board members approved a $28,000 bid on Tuesday to house Highway Patrol Officers at the beach as they assist with spring break patrols. “We always want to work collaboratively with our community leaders and, of course, our local law enforcement. When we found a need that really fit our […] Read More

Disturbing Arrest: Fort Walton Beach Man Accused of Lewd Act Staff Reports January 14, 2026 5:22 pm Crime, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County, Public Safety In Brief: A Fort Walton Beach man was arrested after a reported lewd act involving juvenile girls. Witnesses confirmed the incident after a mother contacted deputies. The suspect is also being held on an immigration detainer. A Fort Walton Beach man was taken into custody after allegedly making sexually inappropriate remarks and committing a lewd and lascivious act in front of several juvenile girls near David Street, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies say 23-year-old Marco Lanza Turicios was arrested on January 10 and charged with lewd and lascivious exhibition. The investigation began after a mother reported the incident to law enforcement, and deputies were able to confirm the account through witnesses. After locating Turicios, deputies determined he had entered the United States illegally approximately eight years ago. He was transported to the Okaloosa County Jail in Crestview and is also being held on an immigration detainer. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office continues to urge parents and guardians to report suspicious or inappropriate behavior involving children immediately. More Local News Charities and Nonprofits Urgent: Cold Weather Shelters Ready to Save Lives in Okaloosa 30a Residents attack Walton County Eastern Lake plan Niceville This is What Niceville Will Build With Your Tax Money In The Next Five Years: Load More The post Disturbing Arrest: Fort Walton Beach Man Accused of Lewd Act appeared first... Read More