30A Breaking News

Destin Fire, HCA Partner on a Powerful “Floating ER” Vessel Staff Reports March 4, 2026 11:23 am Destin, Emerald Coast, Fort Walton Beach, Public Safety, Tourism In Brief: Who: HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, Destin Fire Control District, Dr. Cathy Ho, Captain Doug Kocour What: Unveiling of Marine 19, a 52-foot advanced life support coastal fast response rescue boat When: Friday, March 6, 2026 | 9–10 a.m. Where: Destin Fire Control District Station 19 (Harbor Station), 127 Calhoun Ave., Destin Why: To provide faster, on-the-water trauma stabilization for maritime emergencies and improve patient outcomes ahead of peak tourism season As thousands of visitors prepare to descend on the Emerald Coast for Spring Break, local first responders are adding a powerful new tool to their arsenal on the water. HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and the Destin Fire Control District will officially unveil Marine 19, a 52-foot advanced life support coastal fast response vessel designed to function as a “floating emergency room” for maritime emergencies. The boat, the largest fire rescue vessel of its kind in Florida, significantly expands the reach of first responders across the Gulf and Choctawhatchee Bay. Officials say the vessel allows trauma surgeons, paramedics, and fire rescue crews to begin critical stabilization efforts before patients ever reach shore. As the tri-county area’s only trauma center, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital regularly treats high-acuity injuries ranging from vehicle crashes to severe boating accidents. With hotspots like Crab Island drawing heavy boat traffic and swimmers each season, the need... Read More

Niceville Eagle Pride Travels to Chicago for Percy Grainger Ensemble Steve Milz March 4, 2026 10:49 am Niceville, Schools and Education   82 members of the Niceville High School Band will start their spring break in The Windy City as the Wind Symphony ensemble has been invited to perform at the Percy Grainger Wind Band Festival in Chicago.   Percy Grainger was an Australian-born composer who moved to the United States shortly before World War I.  He revolutionized wind band music and is known as an experimental composer who pioneered folk music arrangements.   The annual Percy Grainger Festival features outstanding wind ensembles performing Grainger literature at Chicago’s Historic Orchestra Hall.  Niceville is one of only five bands from across the country selected to perform this year, with others from Massachusetts, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Texas.   “This is a very prestigious event and is really a big deal for Niceville High School and the Okaloosa County School District,” according to Matt Tenoré, Director of Bands.  To be considered, groups must submit an audition recording and a repertoire list, which are then reviewed by the festival’s artistic team to ensure they meet their high standards.  “Niceville Band’s history of outstanding past performances, along with our reputation on a national level, certainly helped us stand out with the selection committee.” Preparing the musicians for their performance isn’t the only part of getting ready for Chicago.  “The planning required for a trip of this scale is extensive and can be quite daunting.”, remarked... Read More

Pensacola Man Accused of Threatening the President Staff Reports March 4, 2026 10:23 am Crime, Florida, Government In Brief: A Pensacola man has been indicted on a federal charge of threatening the President. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted. The case was investigated by the Secret Service and Escambia County deputies. A 46-year-old Pensacola man is facing a federal charge after authorities say he made a criminal threat against the President of the United States. According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, Markus E. Hamlett has been indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of making a threat against the President. U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin announced the charge on Tuesday. Hamlett made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon at the federal courthouse in Pensacola. His trial is scheduled for April 6, 2026, before U.S. District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. If convicted, Hamlett faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, the agency tasked with protecting the President, along with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher C. Patterson is prosecuting the case. Federal officials emphasized that an indictment is merely an allegation. Hamlett is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 federal offices serving... Read More

Judge makes key ruling before critical Fort Walton Beach referendum Christopher Saul March 4, 2026 8:44 am Fort Walton Beach Judge William Stone has issued a preliminary ruling on the motion to stop the referendum on a handful of ballot measures before Fort Walton Beach voters next week.    While the voting will still take place, Judge Stone ruled that many of the referendum questions posed to the electorate obfuscated the measure’s true intent and therefore did not meet legal requirements for a valid poll question. These proposed amendments aimed to do everything from enshrining the necessity of an independent fire and police department to increasing the residency requirement for City Council candidates from six months to a year.    Early and mail-in voting has already begun in The Camelia City – one of the reasons Judge Stone decided not to enjoin the Supervisor of Elections and the City of Fort Walton Beach from proceeding with the election – but he added some caveats:   More below The court will make a final decision on whether the ballot questions were legitimate at a hearing held after the election.  The Supervisor of Elections and Fort Walton Beach Canvassing Board will conduct the elections, but not certify them until after the conclusion of this legal fight – including all appeals.  None of the results from the vote are to be publicly announced by the Supervisor of Elections on their website or anywhere else. Stone acknowledged that the results cannot be withheld from... Read More