Emerald Coast Civic Pulse

Housing Initiatives

• 🔥 Habitat for Humanity Zoning Approved: Bay County Commissioners approved a zoning change for a 2.3-acre lot on West...

• Habitat for Humanity zoning approved on West Baldwin Road despite neighbor traffic and character concerns.
• Commissioners highlight low-impact...

Griff Griffitts officially approved as Bay County TDC-CVB leader, poised to leverage his expertise for tourism growth.

Key strengths:

• Hotel...

Feasibility study deems mall unviable for retail but ripe for repurposing.

Key opportunities:

• Medical campus as prime recommendation, serving...

Cold Weather Response

• 🔥 Cold Night Shelter Opens in Fort Walton Beach: One Hopeful Place at 1564 N. Beal Extension opens as Cold Night Shelter...

• 3,500+ warnings in 30 days for speeding >10 mph over in active zones, enhancing child safety where officers can't cover all.
• Human-reviewed...

Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a registered sex offender in Fort Walton Beach after finding a disabled vehicle tied to him and...

Boost for local jobs: CHELCO joined CareerSource Okaloosa Walton's Spring Into Action Rural Resource & Job Fair.

• Staff highlighted department...

Walton County Engineer Chance Powell provides an update on the Nellie Drive Expansion project – click the link to hear the discussion. Stay engaged with local infrastructure developments!

• Yellow flag in effect across Okaloosa County beaches due to moderate surf and possible rip currents.
• Beachgoers: Use caution while swimming.
• Lifeguards on duty from 9 AM to 6 PM—swim near them for safety.

Shape Bay County's future: Join the Planning Commission Meeting on April 21, 2026, 1:30-3:00 PM in Panama City – public input welcome on zoning matters!

Walton County Finance Manager Devon Peyton from the Office of Management and Budget presented on property tax reform and its effects on local residents.

Key development spotlight in Bay County:

• Location: Along West Bay near Intracoastal Waterway, west of Hwy 79, close to Latitude Margaritaville...

Public safety ramps up for Mar 15-18 chill:

• Bay County: NWS Freeze Warning 12am-9am Tue, lows in 30s, protect people, pipes, pets, plants.
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Cold Weather Resources & Alerts

• ⚡ Walton & Okaloosa Shelters Open: Walton County offers individual case management by calling (850) 307-8100...

Regional cold snap hits hard: Walton sees freezing temps ahead; Bay's wind chills dip to upper 20s inland Tue morning, with lows in low 30s.

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Show appreciation for 911 dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week, April 12-18.

• Email khuyghue@fwb.org to get assigned a...

• Crime resolved: Pensacola's Gregory E. Simonds Jr., Outlaws MC member, pleads guilty to arson via explosive injuring Jimmy John's employee.
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Major boost for Walton County jobs and pet care: Capital Veterinary Specialists broke ground on a 20,000 sq ft specialty hospital on a 7-acre...

Stay warm—key resources amid the cold front:

• Walton County: Case management for those without heat, call (850) 307-8100 5-9PM only
• Okaloosa South...