By Christopher Manson
“Now and then we had the hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates.”
– Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi
The Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival returns to Fort Walton Beach May 15-19 with fireworks, a parade, fun family activities and much...
By Kelly-Murphy Redd
John Wambough says courage and love of country was the glue and inspiration that kept the F-105 fighter jet pilots climbing high in the sky at record speeds over North Vietnam. Retired Colonel John H. Wambough, remembers the heroic past of his pilot friends who daily went...
By Kelly Murphy-Redd
Local resident Ed Hubbard joined the United States Air Force in 1955. He flew the RB66 Destroyer while stationed in England and spent nine months in France. One Saturday afternoon, he received orders to deploy to Thailand. Ed dropped off his family in the U.S. and went...
By Wendy Rudman
Ten years ago in January, four swimming enthusiasts sat around a kitchen table in Fort Walton Beach brainstorming on how to bring community pools and competitive swimming opportunities back to the area. The last publicly accessible pools had shut down overnight in October of 2014, leaving swim...
Championship Football Coach, Urban Meyer, To Inspire All
The All Sports Association will host its 56th Annual Awards Banquet on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, from 5:30-10 p.m. at Northwest Florida State College. A key event for the association, the event honors outstanding athletes and people who have significantly contributed to youth...
By “Doc” Doug Stauffer
On Saturday, December 14, 2024, the Beal Cemetery, Gulf Cemetery, Heritage Gardens, Destin Memorial Cemetery and Sunset Cemetery will join more than 3,000 cemeteries nationwide for the annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony. These local events are more than just part of a national program; for many in...
Contributed by Tom Rice
On Sept. 11, 2014, the Freedom Bell that hangs in the Veterans Tribute Tower at Beal Memorial Cemetery was dedicated and rung for the first time by Navy Veteran, Governor Rick Scott. The three-day casting process was accomplished locally at Uptown Station by the Verdin Foundry...
The election season is upon us; are you registered to vote? Primary Elections are coming up August 20.
Political Party Affiliation
When completing the Florida Voter Registration Application Form, one of the fields is Party Affiliation. In this field, you have several options. You can choose from one of the major...
By Heather Bennett Eye
The Emerald Coast is home to numerous military bases and we are proud of the service members who call our community home. We deeply appreciate these brave men and women who have chosen a path of service and sacrifice. As we express our gratitude for their...
By Rick Karle
Dr Ryan Forbess and Lulu Gribbin. Photo courtesy Ann Blair Gribbin.
It was June 8th, and the 15-year-old looked up at her parents following surgery.
A day earlier she had been rushed to Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
It was the day after the shark attack.
“I made it,” the...
