30a.news

Topsail Hill beach gets a cleanup

SANTA ROSA BEACH — Forty-three volunteers from Okaloosa and Walton counties and people from the park's campground gathered at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park recently for a beach cleanup. Within two hours the volunteers removed 15 pounds of debris from the beach to prevent it from reaching ... Read More



30a.news

Swimmers vs. shark fishermen dispute draws state attention

TALLAHASSEE — Shore-based shark fishing, which attracts sharks already near land to feed in areas that often have low visibility, is increasing in conflict with where people swim and surf. And now, amid calls to restrict or ban shark fishing from beaches, piers and bridges, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday directed staff members to craft new rules. Commissioner Michael Sole, a former secretary of the Florida Department of [...]
Read More

30a.news

Senator wants to put a tighter leash on airline rules for service animals

WASHINGTON - Congress will consider tightening the rules on service animals allowed to accompany passengers on airliners under legislation introduced this week. Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., has introduced an airline bill that would align the definition of a service animal to fit the stricter regulations in the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Burr, noting that things have gotten out of hand when people try bringing support kangaroos onto a plane, said in a news release that [...]
Read More

30a.news

Great white tracked off Northwest Florida coast

A white shark dubbed Hilton recently made a close approach to the Florida Panhandle and is now headed for the Mississippi River delta in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the shark-tracking website Ocearch.org .The shark was originally caught and tagged off the coast of Hilton Head, S.C., and was named after the community.It measures 12 feet, 5 inches in length and weighs a whopping 1,326 pounds.So far, [...]
Read More



30a.news

Deputies notice ‘nervous’ man who was a fugitive

DESTIN — A fugitive from Indiana wanted on several felony gun charges was arrested Wednesday after two Okaloosa County sheriff's deputies recognized him while on their lunch break.According to a press release from the Sheriff's Office, the deputies were their lunch break at a Destin restaurant when they noticed a man leaving who seemed “nervous” about their presence.Deputies thought the man resembled an individual in a “Be On the Lookout,” or [...]
Read More