Matt Gaetz, son of State Sen. Don Gaetz, narrowly defeated former Destin Mayor Craig Barker by margin of 634 votes. Gaetz won the Republican primary thanks to a huge lead in early…
Tag: Okaloosa County
Right Size amendment
Press Release Sen. Don Gaetz and Rep. Will Weatherford Unveil Proposal to “Right Size†Class Size Amendment Proposal Would Place Update to Class Size Amendment Before Florida Voters Tallahassee – Aiming to…
Thornton to testify against Gonzalez
As I reported yesterday, Frederick Thornton, Jr., age 19, has agreed to testify against Patrick Gonzalez and the others involved in the murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings. Wearing a bright fluorescent…
Edgar rests in Thornton case
The prosecution rested its case yesterday against the chief of staff for jailed former Okaloosa County Charlie Morris. Sabra Thornton is accused of stealing money from the county by manipulating Morris, who…
Billings case: Wednesday, July 15
Search for Pamela Long Wiggins Wednesday, July 15 The Sarasota Herald Tribune opens the day with an article on Patrick Gonzalez cyberstalking in his ex-wife and in-laws, “Suspect in slaying of Pensacola…
Billings case: Tuesday, July 14
“We Have Found Them†Tuesday, July 14 Sheriff Morgan creates a new stir on Tuesday morning about the involvement of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Agency. It begins during…
Billings case: Monday, July 13 part 2
OKALOOSA GANG OF FOUR Monday, July 13 At around 2 p.m. Okaloosa Investigator Jeremy Peaden surveys Gary Sumner’s business, 5th Dimension at the 8 and 9 Duval St. in Fort Walton Beach….
Judge “guts” Sansom, Richburg cases
Daily News reports that Circuit Court Judge Terry Lewis issued a blanket order Monday addressing motions to dismiss criminal charges filed in April and May against former Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom,…
Odom does bait and switch
Okaloosa County developer Jay Odom is in trouble again. It was his airplane hangar that Odom got buddies former House Speaker Ray Sanson and ex-college president Bob Richburg to build with state…
Fight over Clearasil led to deputies’ death
The Fort Walton Beach Daily News reports that the marital argument that led to the deaths of two Okaloosa County deputies was over a tube of Clearasil. An offense report filed against…
Okaloosa Sheriff indicted
Okaloosa Sheriff Charlie Morris and his administrative director have been indicted by a federal grand jury. They face a maximum of 65 years in federal prison and up to $1.5 million in…
Okaloosa is the new Escambia
Escambia County has a reputation for political corruption – W.D. Childers and three other commissioners removed from office. Plus, we have had a school board member and ECUA board members removed from…
Okaloosa County Sheriff indicted
WEAR TV reports that We have breaking news out of Okaloosa County Sheriff Charlie Morris has been indicted on multiple federal charges and has been suspended as sheriff. On Wednesday, the United…
Walton County schools better than Santa Rosa
News Herald reports that the Florida Legislature passed the High Performing School District Bill last year to give such districts more flexibility with curriculum and finances. Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties’ school…
Dems resurrection
The local Democrats are getting uppity. They actually think that they can win a local race in Okaloosa County. Ahhhhh, the optimism of youth. Read Daily News: Confident Dems: ‘We will win’
What local voters think – some surprises
The College Democrats conducted a telephone survey between April 3-8. They polled 581 registered voters from Escambia (54%), Santa Rosa (33%) and Okaloosa (13%). Do you feel the country is headed in…
Escambia – Murder Capitol of NWFL
The Uniform Crime Reports Program of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has released the 2007 Annual Statewide Crime Report. Once again, Escambia County is the Murder Capitol of Northwest Florida (20…
Graduation and drop out rates up
Florida Department of Education has released its report on the graduation and drop out rates for 2005-06. Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa are better than the state averages: Graduation 71.0%Â Drop Out…