Emerald Coast News Digest

Major Crime Update

• 🔥 Outlaws Member Pleads Guilty: Gregory E. Simonds Jr., a member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club from Pensacola, pleaded...

Escalating clash over Holiday Isle park: Destin unanimously passes resolution seeking state approval to lease and manage the 4-acre site bought for...

Federal guilty plea reveals organized crime dangers spilling into Fort Walton Beach businesses.

• Rival clash explosion: Outlaws member Gregory...

Fresh morning weather from Local 10 News for 03/18/2026 – key for tracking severe weather, beach safety, and traffic in Okaloosa County. Quick 1:11 YouTube video gaining traction (838 views, 45 likes).

Fort Walton Beach residents with an eye for art, join the Community Redevelopment Agency's (CRA) Citizen Input Meeting today, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, to discuss upcoming art projects. Your input shapes community redevelopment!

Fun family event in Okaloosa County: Crestview Public Library hosts Power Wheels Drag Races for kids on March 28.

• Age groups: 3–4, 5–6, 7–8 years...

• Vibrant nightlife: Riverboat dinner cruise on Destin Harbor, 10PM-12AM, with music vibes and good drinks.
• Live entertainment: Shak N Up DJ...

Wine in the Woods brought joy to visitors of all ages, who enjoyed bunnies and chicks from Navarre's Bunnychick Haven amid the celebration. A perfect blend of wine tasting and family-friendly animal interactions made the day memorable.

Public Safety Alerts

• 🔥 Yellow Flag Beach Advisory: A yellow flag is in effect for beaches in Okaloosa County due to moderate surf and possible...

Public safety alert: Okaloosa deputies nabbed a registered sex offender wanted on multiple Virginia warrants.

Key details:

• Location: Fort Walton...

• Free diagnostics for plant issues, weeds, insects at UF/IFAS Extension Annex, March 20, 9-11 a.m.
• Bring fresh samples: stems with leaves, 4-inch...

Considering relocation near Destin? This full Freeport video tour reveals key lifestyle tradeoffs:

• Hammock Bay neighborhood walkthrough and...

CHELCO engages community at job fair.

• Joined Spring Into Action Rural Resource & Job Fair by CareerSource Okaloosa Walton
• Staff highlighted...

Yellow flag advisory active for Okaloosa County beaches due to moderate surf and possible rip currents—swim with caution.

• Lifeguards on duty 9 AM to 6 PM.
  Stay safe out there.

Community support ramps up during the cold snap in South Okaloosa County:

• One Hopeful Place at 1564 N. Beal Extension opens 4 p.m. today (Tue, Mar...

Safeguard against identity theft at the free Shred-A-Thon hosted by Gilmore, WEAR, BBB, and Striving 4 Perfection Ministries.

• Date/Time: Sat, March...

Proactive OCSO enforcement scores public safety win:

• Deputies investigated a disabled car near Bob Sikes Blvd, linking it to 26-year-old Andrew...

Urgent scam warning for Fort Walton Beach residents: Fraudulent bills claiming to be from the Growth Management Department are circulating, tied to...

Public Safety Incidents

• 🔥 Destin Commons Reopens After Bomb Threat: Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office issued all-clear after K-9 sweeps at...

Protest erupts over plan to reclassify ~1,200 short-term rentals as commercial, doubling fees from $527 to $1,100+ for a 2,500-sq-ft home.

• March 10...