Community News
Sunday, May 10, 2026 · Shalimar
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.
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.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Collier County Celebrates Picayune Strand Everglades Completion
A cornerstone Everglades restoration project spanning 55,000 acres in Collier County has reached full completion, restoring natural water flows and revitalizing wetlands. The Picayune Strand Restoration Project marks another victory in Florida's massive Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Officials hailed the milestone as a model of federal-state collaboration.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Florida Bills Slash No-Fault Auto, Shield Homeowners from Roof Hikes
Florida's 2026 insurance reforms repeal the state's no-fault auto system and protect homeowners from coverage denials over old roofs, aiming to curb skyrocketing premiums amid hurricane risks. Effective July 1, new laws mandate fault-based liability for crashes and require human review of AI claim denials. Drivers and residents from Miami to Tampa face a transformed market promising rate relief.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Air Force Senior Airman Stops Dog Attack on Holmes Boulevard
Air Force Senior Airman Marcus Wu stopped a dog attack on Holmes Boulevard on April 22, wrestling with one of two attacking dogs until police arrived. Police Chief Robert Bage presented Wu with a certificate of appreciation at the May 19 City Council meeting.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Fort Walton Beach City Clerk Kim Barnes Named Florida's Clerk of the Year
Fort Walton Beach City Clerk Kim Barnes wins Florida's Clerk of the Year award, recognizing her leadership and professional contributions to municipal government.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Fort Walton Beach City Clerk Kim Barnes Named Florida's Clerk of the Year
Kim Barnes, Fort Walton Beach's city clerk since 2015, has been named Florida's Clerk of the Year by the Florida Association of City Clerks.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Locklears Win June Yard of the Month for Pollinator Gardens
Mary Ann and Kirby Locklear won June's Yard of the Month for their Fort Walton Beach gardens that feed hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
VA Chaplains Help Homeless Veterans Rebuild Sense of Purpose
The Department of Veterans Affairs emphasizes that spiritual care, not just housing and food, is critical to helping homeless Veterans rebuild their lives and sense of purpose.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
VETLIFE App Connects Shalimar Veterans to Benefits They've Earned
VETLIFE's Battle Buddy app connects Shalimar-area veterans to earned benefits through guided, step-by-step support. Over 14,000 veterans used it in the last quarter to access VA disability benefits.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
VA Home Loans Help Shalimar Veterans Buy Without Down Payments
VA-guaranteed home loans allow Shalimar veterans to buy homes with no down payment and no private mortgage insurance, saving money throughout their lives.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Comment on USMC Cpl. Jason Dunham: One second, one decision by Laura Sorensen
A local family shares their experience with the lasting impact of IEDs on service members, highlighting a documentary about one Marine's eight-year recovery journey.
Sunday, May 10, 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.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Okaloosa County Begins Mosquito Spraying Program May 26
Okaloosa County Mosquito Control launches its seasonal spraying program Tuesday, May 26, using trucks, larvicide treatments, and mosquito-eating fish to manage populations.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Brooks Street Reopens to Two-Way Traffic Under Brooks Bridge
Brooks Street has reopened to two-way traffic under the Brooks Bridge, which is undergoing a $171 million replacement project set to finish in early 2029.
Sunday, May 10, 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.
Sunday, May 10, 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.
Sunday, May 10, 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.
Sunday, May 10, 2026