Destin News

With the 2013 hurricane season slightly more than a week away, state and county officials are preparing for what could be an active six months.

We don't have anything against dogs. Honest. We've given dog-walking parks a hard time on this page because they turn pet care into a government project by 1) using public land that could be put to better use or even sold off, and 2) using taxpayer dollars to pay for lighting, landscaping, maintenance and so forth.

A car and a sport utility vehicle collided on westbound U.S. 98 at the intersection with Airport Road about 1:40 p.m., according to Philip Metz, medical division chief for the Destin Fire Department.

The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation announces the Festival of the Arts is relocating from Henderson Beach State Park to its permanent home at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village at 4323 Commons Drive West.

The Okaloosa County School Board wants to sell the old Ocean City Elementary School property, which hasn't actually been used as a school since 2008, but board member Dewey Destin isn't so sure.

The Okaloosa Arts Alliance and HarborWalk Village held the 6th annual Family Fun Arts Fest this weekend at HarborWalk Village in Destin.

Voters' opposition to paying more taxes showed last week as they handily defeated a referendum by the Destin Fire Control District that asked for a hike in the millage cap from 1 to the state maximum of 3.75. The referendum was defeated by a vote of 1,685 to 402 .

As a man who wears many hats, Jim Bagby will have to hang up a few of them to become the executive director of the Walton County Tourist Development Council.

DESTIN, Fla. - The UT Tyler golf team rallied in the final round to capture the NCAA Division III National Championship Friday at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort.

A new Memphis-based airline has announced plans to offer direct flights between Destin Airport and cities around the Southeast.

If your pooch is in need of a little pampering, Goochie Poochie will provide your pet with a spa and hotel experience that is second to none.

Big Kahuna's VIP Day will be held June 9 with 100 percent of proceeds to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida.

The Fort Walton Beach Community Chorus will present "This is My Country," a musical journey across the United States, for its spring concert.

In the interest of honesty, I'll reveal upfront I haven't had time to read all of them.

"It's an amazing project," Destin Mayor Sam Seevers said Wednesday. "It just speaks volumes about the partnerships we have between the city and the county and the residents." Destin and Okaloosa County officials will celebrate the project's completion at 10 a.m. Friday at Jetty East Condominium Resort.

The Okaloosa County School Board decided Monday to start accepting bids for the 10.72-acre property and 65,152-square-foot building at 720 Essex Road.

Jim Bagby, the town manager of Rosemary Beach and a Destin city councilman, finished first among eight finalists, and commissioners promptly voted Tuesday to begin negotiating with him to take over the post Dawn Moliterno left April 9. Bagby said he hopes to bring "some calmness and stability" to a position that has grown increasingly controversial ... (more)

Voters on Tuesday emphatically denied the Destin Fire Control District's request to increase its millage cap to 3.75 mills, the maximum the state allows.

A new Memphis-based airline has announced plans to offer direct flights between Destin Airport and cities around the Southeast.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office said it happened at a home in Dorcas, FL around 2 a.m. Dorcas is about an hour north of Destin.