Community News
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 · Santa Rosa Beach
Crews Respond to Brush Fire at 257 Arizona St in Hollywood
Hollywood Fire Rescue is responding to a brush fire at 257 Arizona St in Hollywood, FL, dispatched at 2:40 AM today.
Dania Beach Officer-Involved Shooting: Ongoing Investigation and Response
An officer-involved shooting occurred early this morning at 205 N Federal Hwy #602 in Dania Beach, with an investigation now underway.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Lauderhill Brush Fire: Early Morning Blaze Prompts Emergency Response
A brush fire erupted on NW 26th Street in Lauderhill this morning, drawing a rapid emergency response from fire units Q57 and DST30.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Crews Respond to Overdose on 9000 Nw 24Th Pl in Sunrise
Emergency crews responded to an overdose incident at 9000 Nw 24Th Pl in Sunrise on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 10:27 PM.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Walton County Fire Rescue Reaccredited by National EMS Commission
Walton County Fire Rescue earns reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, maintaining its status as one of Florida's elite EMS agencies.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Missing DeFuniak Springs Man Identified 10 Years After Disappearance
Skeletal remains discovered on Eglin Air Force Base property have been identified as John Thomas Watson, a DeFuniak Springs man missing since August 2015. DNA analysis confirmed the identification after a decade of uncertainty.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
District 4 Residents Air Concerns Over E-Bikes, Drainage, Pickleball Courts
Walton County Commissioner Donna Johns drew a standing-room-only crowd Thursday to discuss e-bikes on sidewalks, drainage problems, and pickleball court placement in District 4.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
E-bike Safety, Drainage Top Concerns at District 4 Meeting
County Commissioner Donna Johns hosted a packed townhall meeting Thursday to address District 4 concerns ranging from e-bike safety to park upgrades.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Santa Rosa Beach Tennis Center Redevelopment on Track for Fall Opening
Santa Rosa Beach's Tennis Center redevelopment is progressing toward a fall opening, with crews pouring foundations and preparing pickleball court sites.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Santa Rosa County Can Submit Deepwater Horizon Restoration Projects
Santa Rosa County can submit project ideas for $8.8 billion in Deepwater Horizon restoration funds managed by a federal and state trustee council.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Walton County Sheriff's Office Oversees 600-Person Operation Across Three Divisions
The Walton County Sheriff's Office operates three divisions with over 600 staff members. Services include law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency medical transport, detention operations, and animal control across the county.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Gentle Hound Mix, Jade, Seeks New Home in Santa Rosa Beach
Jade, a gentle three-year-old hound mix weighing 41 pounds, became an owner surrender on May 26, 2026, and seeks a new home in Santa Rosa Beach.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Four-Year-Old Lab Mix Needs Home in Santa Rosa Beach
Saban, a friendly four-year-old Lab/GSP mix, seeks a permanent home in Santa Rosa Beach. The well-trained dog is good with kids, cats and other dogs.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Toro Toro Miami
Toro Toro Miami will offer a four-course prix fixe menu with live entertainment for New Year’s Eve 2024, featuring dishes like Wagyu Short Rib and Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
DeSantis Rejects Florida Gas Tax Pause Amid $4/Gallon Spike
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shot down calls to suspend the state's 25-cent gas tax, warning drivers won't feel relief at pumps hitting $4 a gallon. Despite pleas from Democrats and Palm Beach County leaders, he cited past failures and oil market volatility. As global tensions rise, Florida motorists brace for pain at the pump.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
DeSantis Signs 9 Key Florida Laws on Safety, Schools and Traffic
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed nine new laws Thursday in Tallahassee, tackling unlicensed drivers, church security and body camera privacy amid rising public safety concerns. Most take effect July 1, joining nearly 60 others passed this year. From stricter traffic penalties to expanded school guardians, the measures aim to bolster security across the Sunshine State.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Florida's Lab-Grown Meat Ban Survives Federal Court Challenge
Nearly two years after Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning cultivated meat sales in Florida, a federal appeals court upheld the controversial law as constitutional. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a challenge from California-based Upside Foods, cementing Florida's status as the first state to prohibit lab-grown meat—a move critics say protects the traditional livestock industry rather than consumers.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Florida Launches Mandatory Hurricane Drills Across All 67 Counties
With hurricane season looming just weeks away, Florida's Division of Emergency Management has rolled out mandatory public safety drills statewide to sharpen readiness. The initiative targets all 67 counties, urging residents to stock seven days of supplies and master evacuation protocols. Officials warn that recent storms underscore the need for swift action amid rising threats.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
DeSantis Greenlights UFC, Colleges in Florida's New License Plates
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill unleashing eight new specialty license plates, from UFC fighters to South Florida high schools and military academies. Drivers can start pre-ordering Oct. 1, but only if 3,000 vouchers sell in two years. With over 2.3 million special tags already on roads, these could boost scholarships, mental health and more.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026