Mary Esther leaders mobilize to fight proposed closure of elementary school Collin Bestor January 8, 2026 11:00 am Mary Esther MARY ESTHER — Mary Esther city officials and residents are mobilizing against a proposal to close Mary Esther Elementary School, warning that the loss of the nearly 60-year-old campus would erode the city’s identity, disrupt families, and leave the community as the only municipality in Okaloosa County without a public school. The issue dominated a special City Council meeting on Tuesday, where officials outlined the Okaloosa County School District’s timeline, and residents, many with lifelong or generational ties to the school, pleaded for intervention before a final decision is made. City Manager Jared Cobb told council members the district met with city staff on Dec. 5 to discuss a plan recommended by Superintendent Marcus Chambers to close Mary Esther Elementary and Longwood Elementary amid sharp enrollment declines in the southern part of the county. “So it opened about 1965, been serving Mary Esther for 60 years,” Cobb said of Mary Esther Elementary. “Their current enrollment is about 400 students, which is down from about 620 [in] ’18.” Under the district’s schedule, the school board is expected to vote Jan. 12 on whether to authorize a public hearing. That hearing is tentatively set for Feb. 23, when board members could vote on the proposed closures. “If this is approved, the potential closure would be for this next school year, and so come August, there would not be school at Mary Esther... Read More

 [[{“value”:” If you live anywhere in South Walton, or drive Hwy 331 north of the bay, you’re hearing the buzz and seeing the progress in Freeport. As commercial and residential land in SoWal gets gobbled up, Freeport has become more popular with open spaces and lower prices. New subdivisions, apartments, restaurants, parks, schools & churches have made Freeport among the fastest growing cities in the country. Progress is in the air with more and more families are moving to Freeport, Florida. “}]]  SoWal.com  Read More

Jim McBride Remembered As “Amazing Tunesmith” “Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee, never knew how much that muddy water meant to me, but I learned how to swim and I learned who I was — a lot about livin’ and a little ’bout love.” “Chattahoochee,” a beloved song within Alan Jackson’s body of work, was […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Okaloosa County Commissioners question license plate reader cameras Collin Bestor January 8, 2026 9:37 am Okaloosa County CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County commissioners took a deeper look Tuesday at a growing network of automated license plate reader cameras mounted along county roadways, debating privacy, data control and recurring costs.   At the same time, law enforcement defended the technology as an essential investigative tool.   Deputy County Administrator Jason Autrey briefed commissioners on the cameras, commonly called license plate readers (LPRs), and stressed that the county itself does not operate any citation-issuing red-light or school-zone systems.   “We have no mechanism on county-maintained and owned roadways where we issue citations,” Autrey said. “Okaloosa County does not have that.”   Instead, the cameras residents see along roadways belong to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, which contracts with the private vendor Flock Safety. Autrey said 28 cameras are installed on 26 county roadways, all by permit.   According to deflok.me, around 100 cameras are currently located within the county. According to county officials, the other cameras are located on state roads or in the other nine municipalities. Crime-fighting claims and investigative examples Autrey described the network as a “manpower multiplier,” saying deputies can query the database to find vehicles tied to an investigation.   “They’ve used it for stolen vehicles, missing persons, even a juvenile that was claimed missing,” he said, noting one case where deputies believed a teen was headed north but later found the vehicle in Ocala after LPR hits plotted... Read More

New Fitness Options Signal Major Shift in Air Force Readiness Staff Reports January 8, 2026 9:26 am Eglin Air Force Base, Government, Health, Hurlburt Field In Brief: The Air Force is updating fitness test options, allowing Airmen to choose between multiple exercises. Diagnostic-only fitness testing will run through June 2026, with official scoring resuming July 1. Fitness scores will again be included in performance briefs beginning in early 2026. ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Air Force has announced updates to its physical fitness assessment standards, including changes to testing options and a revised implementation timeline aimed at supporting Airmen’s long-term health and readiness. According to Air Force officials, the updated Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) will allow Airmen to choose between multiple exercise options while maintaining bi-annual testing requirements. One of the key changes from a September 2025 announcement is a shortened diagnostic testing period, which will now end in June 2026. “We care about the long-term health of our Airmen, and that starts with physical fitness,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach said. “The habits Airmen build by working out daily directly impact their quality of life in and out of uniform.” Under the updated standards, Airmen will have flexibility in each fitness component. Cardiovascular options will include either the traditional 2-mile run or the 20-meter High Aerobic Multi-shuttle Run (HAMR). Strength testing will offer a choice between one minute of push-ups or two minutes of hand-release push-ups, while core strength can be assessed through sit-ups, cross-leg reverse... Read More

Fort Walton Beach Rallies in Powerful Community Convoy for Firefighter’s Family Staff Reports January 8, 2026 8:40 am Fort Walton Beach In Brief: Who: Fort Walton Beach Firefighter David Leonard, his daughter Marlow, and the Fort Walton Beach community What: A Community Convoy fundraiser and show of support When: Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, beginning at 9 a.m. Where: From The Block to Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson in Fort Walton Beach Why: To support Leonard and his newborn daughter and honor the memory of his wife, Crysta Leonard FORT WALTON BEACH — The Fort Walton Beach community will rally Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, around one of its own, as local businesses, first responders, and residents come together for a “Community Convoy” in support of Fort Walton Beach Firefighter David Leonard and his family. The event is being held to support Leonard and his newborn daughter, Marlow, and to honor the memory of his wife, Crysta Leonard, who passed away last month due to complications from childbirth. Organizers say the convoy is meant to be both a show of solidarity and a way to provide direct support to the Leonard family during an unimaginable time. The day will begin at 9 a.m. at The Block nightclub, located at 113 Eglin Parkway SE, where attendees can enjoy live music, breakfast, and drop off donations for the family. No registration is required, and all motor vehicles are welcome to participate. At 11 a.m., the Community Convoy will depart The Block and travel north on Eglin... Read More

 [[{“value”:” Please join us for the annual Camellia Festival at Eden Gardens State Park on Saturday, Feb 7th from 10am to 2pm. “}]]  SoWal.com  Read More

 [[{“value”:” The familiar sound of sneakers hitting the pavement and the collective energy of thousands of runners will soon return to the sugar-white sands of South Walton. From February 12–15, 2026, the community gathers for the 24th annual Seaside School Half Marathon + 5K, an event that has evolved far beyond a simple race into a four-day celebration of education and coastal life. “}]]  SoWal.com  Read More

 [[{“value”:” If your four-legged best friend resolved to spend more time outdoors this year, we have the perfect way to help them keep it. On Sunday, January 18, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Dog-Harmony hosts its Sixth Annual Hops for Hounds. It’s a chance to grab the leash, get some fresh air, and support a cause that keeps our local pet community thriving. “}]]  SoWal.com  Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – City leaders are preparing to open the Martin Luther King Jr. Rec Center next week. Before they open, they are asking the community to share their opinions about the proposed membership rates. The city is considering charging $100 a year for Panama City residents aged 18 to 54. $75 a […] Read More