Local Jennifer Conoley, President & CEO of Florida’s Great Northwest, the regional economic development organization in our area serving 13 counties, was appointed by Florida’s Secretary of Commerce to serve on the inaugural board for SelectFlorida, a newly formed organization focused on the state’s international commerce functions under FloridaCommerce....
A Legacy of Compassion and Leadership
By Doug Stauffer
Ken Hair, a name synonymous with compassion and dedication, has been the face, heart and soul of Children in Crisis (CIC) for 18 years, leaving an indelible mark on the community and the lives of children. After nearly two decades as president and CEO,...
By Barbara Palmgren
There are times when I am humbled. There are times when I am awe-struck. October 30, 2023, was one of those times. I watched Constance Newhouse being awarded a special honor that comes once in a lifetime: The Quilt of Valor. This event was held at the Fort Walton Beach...
By Carolyn Newcomer Ketchel, Okaloosa County Commissioner, District 2
Okaloosa County is fortunate to have a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services (UF IFAS) in Crestview. There was an office in the south end of the county on Hollywood Blvd. in Fort Walton Beach until Hurricane Sally...
By Barbara Palmgren
Before there was Regatta Bay, before there was Kelly Plantation, before there was Emerald Bay, there was iconic Indian Bayou.
As one of four Destin courses in Okaloosa County, Indian Bayou Golf & Country Club is recognized as the first course to invite tourists to play golf as well as enjoy the pristine...
By Kelly Murphy-Redd
The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport's eighth annual “Operation Home for the Holidays” campaign helped a “hero.” Every year the airport draws the name of one lucky entrant and pays for them to spend the holidays with their loved ones.
The campaign ran through December 5th and is open...
By Doug Stauffer
Imagine a world where every night brings the uncertainty of finding a safe place to sleep, where danger can be right around any corner, and feelings of fear, demoralization and alienation are constant companions. This isn’t a hypothetical scenario for many; it’s the everyday reality for those living...
After seven years of applying for this grant, on Sunday, November 5, 2023, the Heritage Museum of NW Florida was one of four non-profits to receive the Impact 100 grant of $100,000. For seven years the museum applied for a room addition to the overcrowded museum that houses historical...
