The Department of Health in Okaloosa County has a director that’s unafraid to speak truth. The Daily News reports that Okaloosa DOH director Dr. Karen Chapman told county officials, “Today, many family…
Tag: Okaloosa County
Grand jury slams Okaloosa school superintendent
An Okaloosa County grand jury issued a scathing report stating that School Superintendent Mary Beth Jackson failed to satisfy her obligations to provide for the safety and well-being of 30,000 students in…
From Pensacola to Destin, airports booming
The City of Pensacola released yesterday that 175,814 individuals arrived and departed from the Pensacola International Airport in July, setting a new monthly record. The passengers increased 13 percent over July 2016…
Okaloosa to ship recyclables to ECUA Perdido Landfill facility
Daily News reporter Tom McLaughlin reports that Okaloosa County will soon begin shipping its recyclables to ECUA’s new $10-million facility located at the Escambia County’s Perdido Landfill. Since West Florida Recycling went…
Okaloosa close to picking new airport director
Okaloosa County has narrowed its for a new director of Okaloosa County’s three airports down to three finalists: Okaloosa’s Interim Airports Director Tracy Stage; Daniel Dickten, director of aviation for Western Reserve…
Crime moves to the east as Okaloosa makes soaring crime list
24/7 Wall St. published its list of “Top 9 Cities Where Crime is Soaring.” The Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin metro area made the list at No. 8: > 5-year increase in violent crime…
New website aims to hold elected officials in Okaloosa County accountable
The website is AccountabilityOkaloosa.com created by Okaloosa County. It is a campaign to put the priorities of regular citizens at the forefront with elected officials. From its About page: “Through digital contact…
Walton County TDC has BP gift card issue, too
One of my favorite investigative reporters, Tom McLaughlin with the Fort Walton Daily News, reports today that auditors found the Walton County TDC had “inadequate” controls that prevented completely accounting for $121,000…
State Attorney agrees to not prosecute Vision Airlines
When the Vision Airlines pulled out of the Okaloosa County airport leaving behind more than $100,000 in Passenger Facility Charges, the state attorney filed charges for First Degree Grand Theft. Today State…
State wants further audit of Okaloosa County finances
The state’s Joint Legislative Auditing Committee ordered yesterday a countywide audit of all Okaloosa County finances as well as an audit of the Clerk of Court’s Office. The Auditing Committee, composed of…
School Board approves funds for deputies in elementary schools. Sigh, Okaloosa not Escambia
While Superintendent Malcolm Thomas is forming a task force on school safety, Okaloosa County is moving rapidly ahead on putting deputies in its elementary schools. And Okaloosa County is doing it with…
Official arrested being paid to raise money for festival
Okaloosa County Commissioner James F. Campbell was arrested today and charged with four counts of official misconduct and four counts of perjury. According to the arrest report, Campbell, who was elected in…
Gilmore Deposition for Valentino trial
Tomorrow, Okaloosa County Judge Jim Ward will rule on a motion by Barry Beroset to dismiss the misdemeanor charges for campaign solicitation in a government building against Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino….
More details on Morris kick-back scandal
Daily News reports: Attorneys for Michael Coup, Sandra Norris and David Yacks, Okaloosa County deputies and officials accused in bonus kickback scheme concocted by jailed former Sheriff Charlie Morris, will be asking…
SRIA misuses beautification funds
The Santa Rosa Island Authority has a beautification fund. Has the SRIA used that fund to buy equipment to get the tar balls and oil off the beach? No. How about buying…
News: Okaloosa County awaits BP oil onslaught
Northwest Florida Daily News reports: As Walton County beaches witnessed their heaviest showing of tar balls to date, Okaloosa officials are gearing up for a second strong wave of weathered oil to…
BP contacts can’t answer many questions, no surprise
State Senator Don Gaetz emailed last week to the media and his constituents the list of BP Contacts in Florida. I had reporter Ryne Ziemba contact them to find who they were,…
Okaloosa frustrated, too
The Daily News reports that officials in Okaloosa County are just as frustrated with BP’s Unified Command post as we are here. Read Okaloosa officials vent at spill bureaucracy Folks, BP isn’t…
BP gets to sit on stage for WSRE
BP gets to continue its spin. Don’t expect any technical answers for a PR person. We should allow BP on the stage only the person speaking is an engineer, clean-up expert or…