Community

Gov. Ron DeSantis made a surprise visit to Okaloosa County recently to announce the inaugural group of schools to receive Florida Purple Star recognition. The Purple Star designation recognizes schools that provide extra support for children of military families. Once the school names were released, it was apparent why...

WEEK 17 Thursday, Dec. 29 Dallas Cowboys at Tennessee Titans, 7:20 p.m., Amazon Sunday, Jan. 1 Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons, Noon, Fox Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens, Noon, CBS Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions, Noon, Fox Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans, Noon, CBS Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs, Noon, CBS Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots,...

By Marta Rose-Thorpe Throughout 2022, A Superior Air Conditioning Company was able to bring our community’s Veterans and First Responders together for fellowship and meaningful camaraderie… nine times! We’ve been told many times how much these lunches mean to the men and women who unselfishly served, and are serving, our...

By Victoria Ostrosky When she heard the authoritative knock on her front door, she quickly ran to her baby brother and grabbed his hand. Her eyes were great pools of fear and, with a trembling voice, she begged to not be separated from her little brother. Their home, such as...

By Mark Messerly Walton County’s Dune Lakes are ecological treasures, and there are opportunities to help monitor and preserve these unique environmental systems. In addition to recreational activities, the lakes store and filter water, and provide unique transitional habitats for a unique mix of plants and animals. The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance...

By Heather Bennett Everyone, or at least almost everyone, has heard of Boy Scouts of America (BSA), but few may know about Venturing, a core program of BSA, or know we have our own local crew. I recently spoke to CJ Inman, a local scout and crewmember, about what Venturing...

Funds to Improve Imaging Services at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast The Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation held its 2022 Charity Golf Classic on Friday, Sept. 23, at Burnt Pine Golf Club in Sandestin. The tournament raised $218,145 for a new CT scanner at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast to better...

The 27th Annual Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) Festival of the Arts held Oct. 29-30 in the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin featured exhibits of more than 100 artists from throughout the U.S. showcasing a diverse palette of artistic styles in nearly 20 different art mediums. Guest...

Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center is creating a toy room for their families and agency partners to “shop” for children from newborn up to 18 years old. Bring unwrapped gifts, and Christmas wrapping paper for the gifts, by Dec. 23. Check out gift ideas to purchase for all age...

Impact100 of Northwest Florida Inc. awarded five $100,000 grants to nonprofits in Okaloosa and Walton counties. The 2022 grants are: Arts & Culture Stage Crafters Community Theatre Inc. – “The Show Must Go On…” Save Our Community Theatre’s Home Education Crestview Area Shelter for the Homeless – The Impact Village Opportunity Zone (Phase One) Environment,...