LATEST NEWS
Community rallies behind Destin business destroyed in fire
DESTIN, Fla. (WMBB) — With the busiest part of the tourism season just a few weeks away, dozens of local service workers are out of work. Tailfins Waterfront Grill in the Destin harbor was devastated by a fire on April 27. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is still investigating what sparked the blaze that could […]
Destin-Fort Walton Beach gears up for world’s largest lionfish tournament in 2024
The Emerald Coast Open (ECO), the world’s largest lionfish tournament, is preparing for its 2024 event in Destin, Florida. Building upon the success of the 2023 tournament, which saw 144 participants remove 24,699 lionfish, including 19,560 in just two days, organizers are excited for another record-breaking year. Last year’s event awarded $55,000 in cash prizes and over $40,000 in gear prizes.
DeFuniak Springs man arrested for allegedly assaulting pregnant woman
DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. -- A 30-year-old DeFuniak Springs man who was wanted for multiple charges, including the aggravated battery of a pregnant woman, was arrested on Monday. 30-year-old Robert Darding was arrested for active felony warrants for aggravated battery on a pregnant victim, false imprisonment, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Florida Health Department issues water quality advisory for two Fort Walton Beach parks
FORT WALTON BEACH — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County has issued two water quality health advisories at two parks within the Fort Walton Beach city limits. According to a news release, tests were conducted on April 29 at Liza Jackson Park and Garniers Beach Park. The water quality at both locations did not meet the recreational standards for Enterococcus bacteria set by FDOH.
More homesites for sale by St. Joe Company
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Due to the reportedly high demand for homes in the Watersound area, The St. Joe Company has announced the release of new homesites for sale. Since 2021, St. Joe officials say 201 Watersound Camp Creek community home sites have been sold. Sites currently available...
Isolated showers today, morning fog with increasing humidity
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – We’re starting the day with some clouds shifting east through the Panhandle this morning. There area a few isolated showers near Pensacola, FL and over in southern Alabama. Today, it’ll be warm and humid with a mostly sunny to partly cloudy sky. Temperatures...
Okaloosa Island motorists to expect new Highway 98 lane configuration near Brooks Bridge
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has announced that drivers on Okaloosa Island should prepare for a new configuration of the U.S. 98 travel lanes near Brooks Bridge. The shift is necessary to accommodate the construction of the new westbound Brooks Bridge structure and approach. In preparation for the southward...
This week’s 850Strong Student of the week is Graison Dorr
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - This week’s 850Strong Student of the Week said she is honored to be recognized. “I’m very proud as a Freeport High School student,” said senior Graison Dorr. When she is not hard at work studying for her favorite class of AP Precalculus,...
Gatsby Gala and Silent Auction to benefit Harlan's Place Foundation
SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - A fun night for an even better cause!. Thursday, on Newschannel 7 at 4 p.m., Michael from Harlan’s Place Foundation stopped by the studio to tell us all about the Gatsby Gala and Silent auction that will benefit Harlan’s Place Foundation. Harlan’s...
White Point Road and Lakeshore Drive to close on Saturday afternoons for tourist season
Okaloosa County has announced that White Point Road and Lakeshore Drive in Niceville will be closed to through traffic on Saturday afternoons starting May 25, 2024, to alleviate congestion and maintain traffic safety during the busy tourist season. The closure will be in effect from approximately noon to 6 p.m....
Sophistication at Seagrove Beach
Designer Laura Hamilton leveraged artistic license and traded out typical coastal treatments to create an elegant yet approachable beachfront retreat. Written by Kristen Hampshire I Photography by Jessie Preza. Laura Hamilton started staging beachfront properties for Realtors to elevate their presence on the market. About seven years ago, the service...
Wise beyond his years: student named fourth best debater in the country
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The fourth-best debater in the entire country goes to school at Fort Walton Beach High School. While many people run away from public speaking, 18-year-old Christian Bailey runs to it. He started debate in sixth grade. Getting into debate was something he argued and...
Niceville girls tennis falls in Final 4, ending season at 21-2
Niceville's bid for a 2014 state title repeat ended Thursday in the Final 4. Despite Audrey Hill remaining unbeaten at the No. 5 singles spot and Aspen Young leading her No. 1 match 3-6, 6-2, (6-3), the Eagles were eliminated in a 4-1 loss to St. Thomas Aquinas in the 3A state semifinals. ...
Destin's Week of Blessings is set to begin May 5. Here's what to know
Mark the calendar, May 5-10, for the annual Week of Blessings in Destin. New to town or never participated before? Here's what to expect. “It’s another opportunity to bless the community and serve our citizens outside the four walls of the church,” said Michelle Terry, president of the Church of Destin.
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