Community

By Kenneth Books The longest-serving city manager in Florida will leave office Aug. 1 after 52 years on the job. Lannie Corbin, 80, who was first hired as city clerk in 1971, then made city manager two years later, said he wants to travel with his wife and do other things...

By Doug Stauffer Sept. 11, 2001: the first enemy attack upon American soil since Pearl Harbor. World attention immediately focused on the innocent victims of the attack and the first responders who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Until recently, another heroic part of the story remained classified and hidden from public...

By Lori Leath Smith Are you looking for ways to help our community? As always during the holiday season, there is an ongoing need for giving. Many children don’t have enough food to eat over a weekend, much less over Thanksgiving, and have to return to school hungry. Some don’t...

By Doug Stauffer Okaloosa County recently gathered together to celebrate the military, first with the U.S. Air Force’s 75th Anniversary celebration, followed the next day with a salute to several veterans inducted into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame at the Northwest Florida State College Mattie Kelly Arts Center in...

By Michelle Ruschman Foster parenting helps kids and enriches families. A common misunderstanding about fostering is that foster families are gatekeepers between children and biological parents. April Hight, the Foster Home Recruitment Specialist with FamiliesFirst Network for Okaloosa and Walton County, wants to clarify that a foster parent is more...

By Lori Leath Smith In April, local business F45 hosted a “Playoff” event to raise money for the 4th Annual Hope for the Hungry Emerald Coast packing event taking place August 6. No small feat, on this day, community volunteers are planning to pack 300,000 meals at the Emerald Coast...

Boggy Bayou Fireworks Show The annual Independence Day fireworks display will take place at approximately 8:45 p.m., Monday, July 4. Pre-show music begins around 6 p.m. Some of the most popular vantage points for public viewing are Lincoln Park, Lions Park, Kiwanis Park, Niceville Landing and the Turkey Creek area...

By now, you’ve probably heard or read in Bay Life about the opening of ALDI in Niceville. Known for offering food (and more) at great prices, this new grocery store opened June 23. If the company stays on track, it will become the third-largest U.S. retailer in terms of...

By Doug Stauffer Okaloosa County was privileged April 18 to host history in the making. Almost 2,000 of us were blessed to say, “I was there to witness this historic event.” This date marked the 80th anniversary of the World War II Doolittle Raiders bombing of Tokyo. Eighty men launched...

Summer beach days are here, but what is there to do at night? (Especially for families!) PRESTO! at the Magic Parlor is bringing some of the best magical talent from around the world for a show filled with illusion, showmanship and outright hilarity. This 90-minute magical masterpiece is Inspired...