Routine Stop Turns Serious as Deputies Seize Cocaine and Firearm Staff Reports January 14, 2026 10:40 am Crime, Walton County In Brief: Deputies recovered 44.7 grams of cocaine packaged in 32 baggies A firearm and nearly $5,800 in cash were also found during the search The arrest stemmed from a late-night traffic stop for a stop sign violation A late-night traffic stop in Santa Rosa Beach led to the arrest of a local man on cocaine trafficking and weapons charges after deputies discovered dozens of baggies of suspected narcotics inside his vehicle. According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies stopped a dark gray Dodge Ram just after 10 p.m. Monday, January 12, after observing the driver roll through a stop sign on J.D. Miller Road near Frito Lane. The driver, identified as 27-year-old Pablo Jesus Oviedo, immediately drew attention from deputies due to the strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Deputies also observed a marijuana blunt tucked behind Oviedo’s left ear and a THC-labeled pouch sitting in the center console. Based on those observations, deputies conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. During the search, deputies located multiple small individual baggies containing a white crystal-like substance, along with empty baggies, a digital scale with residue, and a spoon with white residue. Additional baggies containing the same substance were later found on Oviedo’s person, including inside his jacket pocket and waistband. A presumptive field test of the substance returned a positive result for cocaine. In total, deputies... Read More

Nearly 8 Months After Its Release, Morgan Wallen’s ‘I’m The Problem’ Returns To Top Of Billboard 200 “My castle crumbled overnight. I brought a knife to a gunfight. They took the crown, but it’s alright.”– “Call It What You Want,” Taylor Swift Almost eight months have passed since Morgan Wallen’s fourth studio album, I’m The […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Excellence Recognized: Walton County Official Honored Across Florida Staff Reports January 14, 2026 10:15 am Health, South Walton, Walton County In Brief: Who: Dawn Cooper, Walton County Jail Health Services Manager What: Named Florida Model Jail Standards Medical Inspector of the Year When: Award announced January 13, 2026; formal recognition in February 2026 Where: Walton County; recognition ceremony in St. Augustine, Florida Why: For leadership, collaboration, and excellence in correctional health inspections statewide Walton County Jail Health Services Manager Dawn Cooper has been named the Florida Model Jail Standards (FMJS) Medical Inspector of the Year for the 2025 inspection cycle, earning statewide recognition for her leadership in correctional health care. The honor, presented by the Florida Model Jail Standards Commission, recognizes outstanding performance among medical inspectors tasked with ensuring jail health operations across Florida meet constitutional and statutory requirements. Florida Model Jail Standards serve as the minimum benchmarks jails must meet to protect the rights, safety, and health of incarcerated individuals. Oversight of those standards shifted to the local level in 1996, when legislation transferred inspection authority from the Florida Department of Corrections to a commission appointed by the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Association of Counties.   This year’s award was especially competitive, with the FMJS Commission receiving a record 21 nominations from across the state before selecting the 2025 recipients. Cooper, a 20-year veteran of the Walton County Jail, became a certified FMJS medical inspector in June 2024. Since then, she has participated in eight jail inspections... Read More

Stokes named Niceville Firefighter of the Year Christopher Saul January 14, 2026 9:35 am Niceville Niceville Firefighters voted Firefighter Chris Stokes their Firefighter of the Year for 2025.  Niceville Fire Chief Alex Kukulus presented Stokes, a department member since 2024, his award and medal at the January City Council Meeting in front of his shift and citizens gathered for the event. “He was overwhelmingly chosen by his peers,” Kukulus said of Stokes, “It’s notable as a new firefighter to be selected as the Firefighter of the Year… I see him myself, just his positive attitude, his energy. He’s always out there, training. He raises his hand to be a part of things. He’s on several committees already, so I couldn’t be happier to have him.”   Stokes serves the city as a Firefighter/EMT and is working towards his Paramedic certification at Northwest Florida State College. He’s a 2019 graduate from Niceville High School, where he played on the Varsity Soccer team.  “Chris is an example of a Hometown Hero and a real NHS success story in that he chose a career that gives back and serves his community,” said Niceville High School Principal Charlie Morello. Currently, Niceville is working toward having enough Paramedics on its staff to become ALS certified. This certification, carried by most of the cities in Okaloosa County, provides city residents with an advanced level of care quicker than they have now.  RELATED: Niceville fire chief talks about the future of the department.    More Local News... Read More

Actor Kiefer Sutherland Was Arrested In Los Angeles Kiefer Sutherland was arrested in Los Angeles, California, early on Monday (January 12th). CNN reports that shortly after midnight on the 12th, the Los Angeles Police responded to a report of an assault at an intersection near Hollywood Hills. NBC 4 Los Angeles relayed the specific location […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

LYNN HAVEN, Fla. (WMBB) – Lynn Haven’s mayoral seat is officially filled after former mayor Jesse Nelson resigned late Friday evening, bringing the recall process to a halt. Nelson announced his resignation in an email to interim city manager Chris Lightfoot. Just hours earlier, Nelson had dismissed a lawsuit he filed against local business owner […] Read More

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Firefighters are trained to run towards danger, but the job carries hidden risks as long as the flames are out. “If I could and just begin with acknowledging the loss of our firefighter from this past year, Firefighter Dan Corcoran. Of course, his family carries the burden of that loss […] Read More

LYNN HAVEN, Fla. (WMBB) – Lynn Haven city commissioners got a surprise visit from some lawyers on Tuesday evening. During their city commission meeting, attorneys for former City Manager Vicki Gainer served commissioners her lawsuit against the city. The lawsuit claims eight counts, including violation of the Equal Pay Act, hostile working environment based on […] Read More

Marshals Set To Join The Yellowstone Universe Coming to CBS in 2026, Marshals is set to expand the Yellowstone universe with a new chapter centered on Kayce Dutton. The series follows John Dutton’s son as he takes a decisive turn in his life, joining an elite team of U.S. Marshals. Luke Grimes is returning to the role and has […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A Santa Rosa Beach man was arrested on drug charges after running a stop sign on Monday. According to a news release, just after 10 p.m., a Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped a truck after the driver went through a stop sign on J.D Miller Road near Frito Lane. […] Read More