The idea of merging the public safety departments of Fort Walton Beach and Mary Esther is drawing mixed reactions from citizens. The City of Mary Esther has its own fire department; but, there haven’t been regular law enforcement patrols in the area since the contract with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s office ended about a year…… MORE
Yearly Archives: 2018
ECUA RATE INCREASE
The Emerald Coast Utility Authority may be raising water and sewer rates by 4-percent. That would add about $1.02 per month to the bill for the average water customer consuming 6,000 gallons per month and additional $1.31 per month for a customer with 4,600 gallons of sewer usage. The current average ECUA user pays $26.58…… MORE
SEXUAL ASSAULT SETTLEMENT
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says the Pensacola Area Housing Commission has agreed to pay a local woman $100,000 after she was sexually assaulted. Terry Hamilton, a maintenance worker, allegedly used his work-issued keys to enter the woman’s apartment without her permission and sexually assault her. The victim said the commission retaliated against her…… MORE
F-35 GEAR COLLAPSE FOLLOWUP
The F-35 Fighter that had the front landing gear collapse after landing at Eglin on Wednesday has been grounded until an investigation and damage assessment can be completed by the Air Force Safety Investigation Board. That could take up to 30 days, according to a spokeswoman for the 33rd Fighter Wing. The pilot had reported…… MORE
DELAYED TRAFFIC DEATH
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said a man who was seriously injured ten days ago after leading police on a vehicle chase down Highway 98 before jumping out of his moving vehicle, has died. 28-year-old Christian Norman, of Birmingham, Alabama, was involved in a hit-and-run traffic crash in his pickup. Deputies spotted the pickup on…… MORE
SPANISH-LANGUAGE BALLOT LAWSUIT
Newly-arrived Puerto Ricans are suing to have 32 Florida counties print ballots and other elections materials in Spanish before the November general election. The lawsuit filed earlier this month in federal court demands that elections officials provide ballots, registration materials and voting guides in Spanish in those counties. Tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans have…… MORE
BAY COUNTY WEST NILE VIRUS CASES
The Department of Health in Bay County has confirmed a third case of West Nile virus in Bay County. Two other cases were confirmed in late July. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat West Nile Virus, but most infected people do not have symptoms. About 1 in 5 people who are…… MORE
HIT AND RUN DRIVER RETURNING TO PENSACOLA
The Pensacola man accused of killing two people in a a hit-and-run traffic crash is being returned to Pensacola after being arrested in Philadelphia. Pensacola Police say Markquise Wallace was the driver of a car that struck three people who were crossing Cervantes Street back in June – killing two of them. Reports said Wallace…… MORE
ESCAMBIA COUNTY EARLY VOTING
There are still three more days of early voting in Escambia County with the Primary set for next Tuesday, August 28th. David Stafford, Supervisor of Elections, said through Tuesday 4,606 early votes have been cast. Another 13,882 votes have been cast by mail, for a total of 18,488 votes. There are eight different early voting…… MORE
ESCAMBIA COUNTY BUDGET
Escambia County Commissioners have scheduled two hearings for the proposed budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. The first meeting will be Tuesday, September 4th at 5:30 p.m. The second will be Monday, September 17th at 5:30 p.m., both in the Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place. Two public hearings are required to adopt the millage rate for property…… MORE
