30A Breaking News

Urgent: Cold Weather Shelters Ready to Save Lives in Okaloosa Staff Reports January 15, 2026 10:27 am Charities and Nonprofits, Okaloosa County, Public Safety In Brief: Who: Okaloosa County Public Safety, community shelter partners, Patrick Maddox What: Cold weather shelter openings When: Thursday night, January 15 Where: Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, and Crestview Why: To provide warmth and safety during dangerously cold temperatures As cold temperatures settle across Northwest Florida, multiple cold-weather shelters will open on Thursday night across Okaloosa County to provide safe and warm accommodations for those in need. According to Okaloosa County Director of Public Safety Patrick Maddox, shelters are operating through strategic community partners in both the southern and northern portions of the county. Officials caution that operating hours and eligibility requirements vary by location. South County Shelters One Hopeful Place in Fort Walton Beach will open Thursday at 4 p.m. and will provide shelter for individuals 18 years of age and older. Bus transportation is available, with pickup beginning at 3:15 p.m. at 205 Shell Avenue. Two trips will be made, and participants will be transported back on Friday at 8 a.m. Participants may bring backpacks and essential overnight items. Bicycles, wagons, and suitcases are not permitted on the bus, though accommodations are available to secure personal items and bicycles at the pickup location. Generations Church in Niceville is also open Thursday night, with check-in available from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. This shelter is open to families with children and elderly individuals. Transportation is provided... Read More

 [[{“value”:” SoWal Comedy Fest returns Thursday, February 12 through Saturday, February 14, 2026, bringing three days of sharp, big-city stand-up to South Walton over Valentine’s weekend with more than a dozen performers — an ideal date-weekend escape built around intimate rooms, capped attendance, and unforgettable nights out. After two straight years of sold-out crowds and sellout nights across the festival, early ticket purchase is strongly encouraged. “}]]  SoWal.com  Read More

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