Crime report details multiple thefts and burglaries
November 14 a box with about $500 found near a back door after a suspect hid in an attic at Hardee's. Scampi's owner reports microwave oven and steaks plus liquor valued at 827.81 stolen with no forced entry. November 20 fuel equipment missing valued at 287. November 24 a Sears 19 inch color TV with remote stolen from Gulfshore Drive apartment with no forced entry.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chris Burgess
Hardee’s
Sheriff's Department
Charles Stacey
Stacey
Rick Bennett
Scampi’s
Johnny Eubanks
Linda M. McMillian
Gulfshore Drive
Joseph Earnhardt
Surfer Rescued After Daring Beach Save
Smith paddled out to aid Johnson who was grasping for air as a crowd watched. He pulled him onto a board, then guided both to shore where emergency crews treated them. Both men survived in stable condition. Smith, visiting his father for Thanksgiving, was hailed a hero.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Smith
Johnson
Johnsons
Fort Walton Beach Humana Hospital
Tampa
Gordon Johnson
Disincorporation drive gains support in Destin
Middleton pushes a petition campaign to disincorporate Destin, aiming for 2,500 signatures as she argues the move reflects local desires and taxes. Ward cautions against divisive stances, while Middleton says council should call a referendum once 10 percent of voters sign. She reports about 120 signatures so far and growing support.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Middleton
Coast Guard reports multiple aids to navigation and rescues
The 41-foot vessel assisted the King Mack disabled in the Gulf at 1 52 p m Owner operator Garrett McBride of Shalimar. Ruby Eileen aground 19 miles northwest of Station Destin at 4 25 p m vessel refloated by 41-footer and sailed under own power. A 23-foot craft disabled 2 miles off Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier at 3 50 p m under tow engines restarted and continued under own power. November 17 Deputy Ken Williams notified of a person jumping into the water to evade police. The 41-footer searched Brooks Bridge area but found no subject. It assisted a disabled Florida Marine Patrol boat at Boggy Bayou entrance at 2 23 p m Wessel towed to Lions Park in Niceville.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gulf
Garrett McBride
Shalimar
Ruby Eileen
Station Destin
Bay
Wayne Tucker
Huntsville
Okaloosa Island
Charles L. Johnson
New Orleans
Ken Williams
Okaloosa County
Florida Marine
Wessel
Lions Park
Niceville
Firefighters’ relief fund drive faces misdirection claim
Chief Stichler said he became suspicious and reported the incident to Watkins. NWFFC President Jim Sheraton said the council hired Gehl Corp of Orlando to run a December fund-raising drive. Gehl callers use a phone book sheet for the pitch and misdirected donations, Sheraton stated, noting funds go to a relief fund for Ocean City-Wright and Fort Walton Beach firefighters.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Stichler
Watkins
NWFFC
Jim Sheraton
Council
Gehl Corp
Orlando
Gehl
Destin
Sheraton
Ocean City
Wright, Fort
Funds aid Destin firefighters via local donations
Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island donors contribute to a fund used to pay medical care for injured firefighters and cover legal fees or loans for financially troubled thunder. Sheraton notes it also benefits Destin firemen through lobbying for favorable legislation, while Watkins urges direct in-station donations.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Destin
Watkins
Limited Use Approved for Lawton Chiles Airport after FAA Review
Okaloosa County voted to allow limited use of the Lawton Chiles Airport following an FAA safety standards report. District 5 Commissioner Mike Mitchell dissented citing lack of a control tower and narrow taxiways raising landing risks. County officials said FAA requirements are being met and safety precautions will be maintained while construction continues.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lawton Chiles
FAA
County Commission
District 5
Mike Mitchell
Mitchell
Destin
Commission
Sam Brunson
Okaloosa County
Coy Thomason
Thomason
White Point Piney Point Bridge Construction News
City council advances reporting on the White Point Piney Point Bridge project and schedules a second reading of the controversial litter ordinance that drew public attention weeks ago.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
White Point-Piney Point
Ordinance Adds Exemption for Construction and Reef Materials
The ordinance revision grants an exemption for construction and reef building materials stored in an authorized area, clarifying material handling within designated zones. The change affects permitting and storage rules for developers and marine projects.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Curt Grimes
G.W. Fountain
Coast Guard
Ethan Allen
Ethan Allen Gallery
Merv Esther
Ft. Walton Beach
Destin Savings Bank
Davage J. Runnels, Jr
Berton L. Brown
Alton H. Christopher W. Glenn Kilpatrick
John N. McCabe, Jr
George P. Petznick
Ralph F. Rivers
Ray Shoults
Douglas L. Stowell
W. Glenn Kilpatrick
Nan M. Owen
Marion R. Buckley
Nina Bergmann
June Biggs Tricia Carlee
Cyndi Saiz
Main Street Destin
Florida
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!