Northwest Florida Daily News (Fort Walton Beach, FL) articles from July 2006

Northwest Florida Daily News (Fort Walton Beach, FL) archives from July 2006

Second man arrested in shooting: Okaloosa sheriff 's investigators say Joe Obregon and another shot a man on Tanager Road.
July 19, 2006... Byline: Amy Leigh Womack Jul. 19--A second man has been charged in a June shooting on Tanager Road in Wright, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff 's Office. Sheriff 's spokeswoman Michele Nicholson said the victim, Jose Alberto...

Student excels as McNair Scholar.
July 19, 2006... Jul. 19--John and Karen Phillips of Crestview are the proud parents of Sarah Phillips, a 2003 Horseheads High School graduate who is continuing her research in physics and as a McNair Scholar at Clarkson University in New York. Sarah...

Martial arts allow special athlete to excel.
July 19, 2006... Byline: Randy Dickson Jul. 19--CRESTVIEW -- With a crooked smile and wavy blond hair, Joseph Hust looks like most 12-year-olds. But the slender young man who trains at Crestview Taekwondo USA isn't your typical youth. Last month...

Okaloosa courting properties: OWC agrees to let county evaluate land for courts facility.
July 19, 2006... Byline: Jeff Ayres And Matt Tessnear Jul. 19--Tuesday proved to be another positive step in choosing a site for a long-in-the-works "courthouse annex extension" for Okaloosa County. But that doesn't mean plans have been finalized....

The waiting game.
July 19, 2006... Byline: Jill Nolin Jul. 19--MILLIGAN -- He has 36 years of on-the-job experience. He can capture hundreds of high-resolution photographic frames of innovative bombs during their flights. He is trained to use specialized equipment...

Niceville's fountain of hope: New features at Children's Park should be ready Aug. 1.
July 19, 2006... Byline: Wendy Victora Jul. 19--NICEVILLE -- Hardly a day goes by that the manager of the Niceville Children's Park doesn't field questions about when the newest features -- water fountains -- will open. The latest answer? The new...

Rod Smith gets off to a Hardee's start: Gubernatorial candidate visits Crestview eatery on campaign stop.
July 19, 2006... Byline: Leslie Fike Jul. 19--CRESTVIEW -- More than 80 people crowded into Hardee's restaurant Tuesday morning to welcome Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rod Smith, who stopped by the local eatery on three-day statewide campaign tour....

18-year-old dies in a one-vehicle accident: FHP says Justin Shane Butler was pronounced dead at the scene.(Obituary)
July 19, 2006... Byline: Heather Civil Jul. 19--DeFUNIAK SPRINGS -- Family and friends today are mourning the loss of 18-year-old Justin Shane Butler, who died in a car accident at 11:50 p.m. on Monday. Butler, the son of a Walton County sheriff 's...

Crestview library anything but quiet on 30th anniversary.
July 19, 2006... Byline: Leslie Fike Jul. 19--CRESTVIEW -- The dance floor was hopping at the Robert L.F. Sikes Public Library's 30th anniversary celebration Tuesday night. Under a large white tent, residents tested their swing dance moves to big...

Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, sports in short column.
July 19, 2006... Jul. 19--LOWBALL EVENT The following teams finished with top scores in the Thursday lowball event at Foxwood Country Club: Fred Schneider, Byron Davis, Jesse Dennis, Gary Zick, Brian Kamrowski a9; Tim Fink, Dave Hinnant, Gene Kester,...

Four-legged reunion: The North Okaloosa Humane Society to celebrate its fifth anniversary.
July 19, 2006... Byline: Leslie Fike Jul. 19--CRESTVIEW -- NOAH -- the North Okaloosa Humane Society -- is celebrating its fifth anniversary. "We're getting old," joked NOAH Founder Linda Altieri. But unlike other anniversary bashes, Altieri and...

Burglaries on the rise in Crestview.
July 19, 2006... Byline: Jill Nolin Jul. 19--CRESTVIEW -- There's a stack of burglary cases on investigator John Cook's desk. And nearly all of them involve crooks who didn't have to work very hard to get whatever it was they got. "Very rarely...

Agency invites locals to share and care for others.
July 19, 2006... Byline: Jill Nolin Jul. 19--CRESTVIEW -- The occasional food drive proceeds fill up Sharing and Caring's shelves, with the community's generosity spilling onto the floor in the form of tin cans and bags of beans. But it doesn't stay...

New Corrections Officer Academy offered at OWC.
July 19, 2006... Jul. 19--To help individuals prepare for a career in one of Florida's fastest growing job fields, Okaloosa-Walton College will offer a Basic Recruit Academy in Corrections at the college's Robert L.F. Sikes Center in Crestview. It is the...

American LubeFast to honor All-American Kids.
July 19, 2006... Jul. 19--American LubeFast will honor seven Gulf Coast-area students as All-American Kids in ceremonies on July 22 and July 29. In Mobile, a casual ceremony will take place on Saturday, July 22 at 3 p.m. at the American LubeFast location...

International organization seeks local coordinators.
July 19, 2006... Jul. 19--CRESTVIEW -- Academic Year in America (AYA), a leader in high school exchange, is looking for men and women to serve as local coordinators to make a difference in the lives of young people all over the world. Each year, AYA...

Dietician gives lecture on fad diets.
July 19, 2006... Jul. 19--Clinical Dietitian Kendra Appelt presented a lecture on "The Skinny on Fad Diets" last week as part of the ongoing Healthy Woman free community seminar program. More than 50 people attended the event, which took place at Woodlawn...

Destin accepts rental crackdown: City will register long-term properties, draw up regulations.
July 18, 2006... Byline: Patrick Mcdermott Jul. 18--DESTIN -- The City Council adopted a new set of rules for long-term rentals last week, but one landlord is looking for an amendment to bring the city into the process. Lou Richardson told the...

Up Turkey Creek without a motor.
July 18, 2006... Byline: Wendy Victora Jul. 18--NICEVILLE -- Count City Manager Lannie Corbin among those unhappy with the city's move toward outlawing gasoline boat motors on Turkey Creek. Corbin grew up fishing in the cool, tannin-stained water of...

Will the beach go to the dogs?: If one woman has her way, canines will have a place to run on the beach.
July 18, 2006... Byline: Dusty Ricketts Jul. 18--NAVARRE BEACH -- Beverly Warren's 4-year-old Welsh corgi, Maggie, fell in love with the beach while they vacationed at St. George Island. When she moved to Navarre two years ago, Warren was surprised...

Turtle drowns off Navarre: This is the second sea turtle killed by the trawler, Jana Lin, but restoration continued 11 hours later.
July 18, 2006... Byline: Dusty Ricketts Jul. 18--NAVARRE BEACH -- Another threatened sea turtle has died during a beach restoration project, but the dredging operation to add sand to the critically eroded beach continues. A loggerhead sea turtle was...

Walton County is planning ahead for sewer service: Mossy Head Waterworks designs project for the future.
July 18, 2006... Byline: Heather Civil Jul. 18--MOSSY HEAD -- This area is poised for development, and Walton County is preparing to provide sewer service, an essential element for successful growth. The county is working with the rural water company...

Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, lifestyle briefs column.
July 18, 2006... Jul. 18--Library to dedicate memorial garden DESTIN -- The Friends of the Destin Library will dedicate its newly completed Memorial Garden at 10 a.m. Wednesday, at the library, 150 Sibert Ave. After the ceremony, a reception will be...

EDITORIAL: Israel faces, as do we, stateless foes.(Editorial)
July 18, 2006... Jul. 18--It's important to step back and view the situation between Israel and Lebanon with some perspective. Israel is not engaged in a full-fledged "two-front war," at least not yet. It is dealing with guerrilla-style incursions undertaken...

Blinding innovation: Between-the-glass blinds look good and can be changed as often as a homeowner's mood changes.
July 18, 2006... Byline: Robbyn Brooks Jul. 18--No dusting, no damage, no maintenance. Between-the-glass blinds are fast becoming a fashion forward trend in every type of community. "It's a big relief when we walk in a house and see them," said...

Possible move of test wing triggers deluge of anger.
July 18, 2006... Byline: Tom Mclaughlin Jul. 18--The word is out. Okaloosa County residents don't like the idea of gutting the 46th Test Wing and moving what's left from Eglin Air Force Base to Edwards Air Force Base in California. And they're...

Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, monday briefs column.
July 17, 2006... Jul. 17--Vision preservation seminar scheduled MIRAMAR BEACH -- Sacred Heart and Dr. Priscilla Fowler will host a presentation called "Preserving Healthy Vision throughout Life" on Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Suite 3 of the Resource...

Heed rule book for school look: With tax-free, back-to-school shopping days looming, schools ask students, parents to mind the dress code.
July 17, 2006... Byline: Jill Nolin Jul. 17--Save on crayons, folders and short skirts. That's what Crestview High School Assistant Principal Kaye Mikell sees as she thumbs through her newspaper's advertising inserts -- pretty young girls in teeny,...

Region finally gets wet weather: Walton and Santa Rosa counties did not see as much rain as Okaloosa.
July 17, 2006... Byline: Patrick Mcdermott Jul. 17--A typical summer rainstorm made its way through the region Sunday, a welcome relief from a very dry year. "It's a miracle," said Fort Walton Beach resident Colette Cox, a gardener who's happy her...

Correction.(Correction notice)
July 17, 2006... It is the policy of the Daily News to promptly correct all errors that appear in news stories. If you wish to report an error, or clarify a news story, please direct your call to 862-6397. All corrections or clarifications will be published...

Destin honors slain Marine: The 23-year-old's memory will be honored with a monument at the new City Hall annex.
July 17, 2006... Byline: Patrick Mcdermott Jul. 17--DESTIN -- It isn't easy saying goodbye. But Betsy Beebe can find comfort knowing her son, Adam, died saving others, serving his country and, most importantly, doing what he loved. Sgt. Adam...

Old Blue still truckin': When the four-wheel-drive truck was buff and intact, it pulled boats all over town.
July 17, 2006... Byline: Wendy Victora Jul. 17--Old Blue hasn't left the lot in 12 years, but it still spins its wheels on a regular basis. It doesn't matter that the 1972 Chevrolet pickup is missing a door and a seat and that the bed, which rusted...

Authorities: Updates on girl cease.
July 17, 2006... Byline: Amy Leigh Womack Jul. 17--Santa Rosa County lawmen say no updates will be released about the death of a 17-year-old Mary Esther runaway until there's a major development in the case. And it's unclear when that might be. ...

Made in the SHADE: Are your eyes protected against the sun's damaging rays? If not, maybe it's time you looked into getting new sunglasses.
July 17, 2006... Byline: Robbyn Brooks Jul. 17--We lather on sunscreen when we hit the beach or wear cover-ups to protect our skin. We spend time and money on picking the right products to keep the suns cancer-causing rays from damaging our bodies. ...

Contracting, fund-raising challenges delay Destin YMCA construction: First phase likely to be complete by May 2007.
July 17, 2006... Byline: Patrick Mcdermott Jul. 17--DESTIN -- Residents looking forward to taking a swim in the Destin Family YMCA's promised pools will have to wait a little while longer. Despite estimates that the first phase of the project would...

Qualifying set for this week; many candidates unopposed.
July 16, 2006... Byline: Jeff Ayres Jul. 16--Don Gaetz is campaigning for the Florida Senate as if he's trailing a popular incumbent by double-digit percentage points. Not that he has to. He isn't behind in any polls. He doesn't even have an...

Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, Perry Ballard column: A day with the young golfers teaches you some lessons.
July 16, 2006... Byline: Perry Ballard Jul. 16--The carry over the water to the 16th green at the Fort Walton Beach Pines course was about 95 yards. To a 9-year-old, wielding a fairway wood almost as tall as he was, it probably looked like a mile....

DeFuniak Springs woman killed in accident on SR 83.
July 16, 2006... Byline: Matt Tessnear Jul. 16--DeFUNIAK SPRINGS -- The Florida Highway Patrol has identified the victim of a fatal fourvehicle accident Friday afternoon north of town. Patricia Newby, 45, of DeFuniak Springs, was killed when a Mack...

Change is good for the heart: Fort Walton Family YMCA gets new cardiovascular and weight equipment.
July 16, 2006... Byline: Matt Tessnear Jul. 16--FORT WALTON BEACH -- Fort Walton Family YMCA has added almost $200,000 in cardiovascular and weight-training equipment as part of a three-month renovation and expansion plan. Cardio Techs Inc., based in...

Walnut Avenue to get speed humps, not bumps.
July 16, 2006... Byline: Jill Nolin Jul. 16--CRESTVIEW -- Some residents of West Walnut Avenue will get their speed humps. But the request didn't roll through the Crestview City Council as smoothly and quickly as they say motorists speed down their...

Local BRIEF.
July 16, 2006... Jul. 16--Man robs Crestview snow cone shop CRESTVIEW -- A masked man armed with a gun robbed Rainbow Snow Cones on Ferdon Boulevard Saturday afternoon, police say. A store employee said a young slender man wearing dark glasses...

Baker Museum to turn 10 years old.
July 16, 2006... Byline: Leslie Fike Jul. 16--BAKER -- The Baker Block Museum will celebrate its 10th anniversary on July 30 by inviting visitors to step back in time to 1908. Visitors will be able to tour the still-existing office of A.B. "Belah"...

Thanks a latte: Specialty coffee brewers are coming on strong in west Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties.
July 16, 2006... Byline: Matt Tessnear Jul. 16--For years if you wanted a fast cup of mocha latte you had to drive to the Books-A-Million in Destin or the Starbucks at Sandestin. Not anymore. What began as a trickle in the late '90s has become a...

Speaking of Business? with Penny Warriner.
July 16, 2006... Byline: Matt Tessnear Jul. 16--Nanny Penny's Babysitters may be employed for a day, several days, or a week, anywhere between Panama City and Destin. They are licensed, bonded and CPR-trained, and some are trained in sign language. ...

OPINION: Eglin's silence won't ease anxiety over 46th.
July 16, 2006... Byline: Pat Rice Jul. 16--The Air Force is wrong to try to keep quiet the discussion about the possible move of the 46th Test Wing from Eglin Air Force Base to Edwards Air Force Base in California. The public has a right to be...

Cessna 210 crashes on Eglin Air Force Base reservation; passengers unharmed.
July 16, 2006... Byline: Matt Tessnear Jul. 16--EGLIN AFB -- Two men walked away unhurt from a plane crash on the base's reservation Saturday afternoon. Daniel Roper, an ophthalmologist from Shalimar, and another man were flying in Roper's Cessna 210...

EDITORIAL: Florida 'democracy' or mob rule?(Editorial)
July 16, 2006... Jul. 16--Tucked away amid the news from Tallahassee last month was this scary little nugget: The state Supreme Court has approved ballot wording for the so-called Florida Hometown Democracy initiative, a proposed constitutional amendment that...

Mr. Good Housekeeping: Although he didn't win the top prize in the well-known magazine's contest, Keith Bobenrieth is No. 1 with his wife and the neighbors he's helped.
July 16, 2006... Byline: Angie Toole Jul. 16--NAVARRE -- Annie Bobenrieth's neighbors tease her by calling her "Her Highness, Princess Annie." It's all in fun, because they also joke that they rent her husband from her. That's because Keith Bobenrieth...

Keeping seniors warm: Friends crochet lap robes for patients at area nursing homes.
July 16, 2006... Byline: Matt Tessnear Jul. 16--FORT WALTON BEACH -- Gerald Roper didn't want to see people shiver from the cold. When he visited the Gulf Coast Center on Third Street several years ago to see a neighbor who was recovering from hip...

Desert site is Edwards' blessing and curse.
July 16, 2006... Byline: Mladen Rudman Jul. 16--NICEVILLE -- It's an arm patch of distinction, maybe THE arm patch of distinction in the Air Force. Graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School, it proclaims. Eglin Air Force Base 46th Test Wing pilots...

A different kind of battle: Falcons' defensive end anxious to get back to football after a three-month deployment in Middle East.
July 16, 2006... Byline: Randy Dickson Jul. 16--DESTIN -- It has been an interesting ride for Shaun Hardy the last few weeks. A little more than a week ago, the 6-foot-2, 260-pound Hardy was repairing Air Force planes as a mechanic deployed in...

Voided fair lease puts events in limbo: Fairgrounds board to mull over city's decision Wednesday.
July 15, 2006... Byline: Wendy Victora Jul. 15--Early Friday morning a volunteer phoned Lill Jennings, community development specialist for Covenant Hospice. Where are you going to hold the garage sale, the volunteer asked urgently. At the...

One is caught; two still at large.
July 15, 2006... Byline: Matt Tessnear Jul. 15--WYNNHAVEN BEACH -- Bob is lucky to be alive. The 14-year-old Shar-Pei and chow mix was attacked by three pit bulls early Wednesday outside the home of his owner, Thomas Wannemacher, at 651 Wildwood St....

EDITORIAL: Okaloosa building gets a little easier.(Editorial)
July 15, 2006... Jul. 15--Who would've thought it? On at least one issue, Okaloosa County's Republican commissioners are actually behaving like Republicans. The commissioners have decided that developers of apartment, townhome, condominium and other...

Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, faith briefs column.
July 15, 2006... Jul. 15--New Life Deliverance Temple Church is having its 4th annual Unity in the Community event from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. July 22. Everyone is invited to enjoy games, give-a-ways and food. "I Can Dance" and music artist "The Preachaz Son" will...

Walton plans for a second restoration: County Commission must approve beach project before work can begin.
July 15, 2006... Byline: Heather Civil Jul. 15--SANTA ROSA BEACH -- Walton County may start a second beach restoration project to repair more than 12 miles of eroded coastline within the next year. The county Tourist Development Council hosted a...

Niceville couldn't weight; crowd packs Y for grand opening.
July 15, 2006... Byline: Matt Tessnear Jul. 15--NICEVILLE -- More than 100 people turned out Friday for the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of the Niceville Family YMCA in Palm Plaza shopping center on John Sims Parkway. In addition to the ceremony...

Creature comforts: Eligible seniors can adopt a dog or cat free from PAWS.
July 15, 2006... Byline: Leslie Fike Jul. 15--The Panhandle Animal Welfare Society wants to help senior citizens find some new friendships. PAWS was recently awarded a grant from Pets for the Elderly that will enable seniors to adopt a cat or dog for...

Business BRIEF.
July 15, 2006... Jul. 15--Destin surgeons attend symposium DESTIN -- Dr. William R. Burden and Dr. L. Scott Ennis of Destin Plastic Surgery were honored by being asked to attend the Mentor Master Series for breast surgery, breast augmentation and...

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship welcomes guest speaker Sunday.
July 15, 2006... Jul. 15--The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Emerald Coast welcomes the Rev. Dr. Thomas Laine Butts to speak at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Butts, currently minister emeritus of First United Methodist Church of Monroeville, Ala., was...

Leaving no doubt: Runner-up the past three years, Darren Chapman blows away the field with final-round 65.
July 15, 2006... Byline: Ted Raymond Jul. 15--FORT WALTON BEACH -- The theme to Darren Chapman's second round in the 27th annual Marvin De-Bolt Daily News Junior Classic could easily have been "What a difference a day makes." After opening with a 76,...

Santa Rosa asks to add channel.
July 15, 2006... Byline: Dusty Ricketts Jul. 15--MILTON -- One of Santa Rosa County's latest efforts to keep residents informed during disasters won't reach as many people as originally thought. Santa Rosa County officials have continued to look for...

Miller: DOD will review 46th plans: Lawmakers protest proposed cuts as Rumsfeld aide vows to get involved.
July 14, 2006... Byline: Tom Mclaughlin Jul. 14--U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller met with the Defense Department's number two man Thursday and received a pledge that he will review the proposed liquidation of Eglin Air Force Base's 46th Test Wing. Gordon...

Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, local briefs column.
July 14, 2006... Jul. 14--Lawmen seek help to identify woman Okaloosa County sheriff 's deputies need help identifying a woman wanted for multiple counts of credit card fraud. The woman made numerous purchases with credit cards that were stolen...

Subdivision in the works: Developer plans to build more than 900 homes.
July 14, 2006... Byline: Jill Nolin Jul. 14--CRESTVIEW -- Construction of the more than 900 homes on the east side of town is expected to begin next summer after the city annexes 340 acres. The land will house a planned unit development (PUD) that...

Consultant: Region needs a more diverse economy.
July 14, 2006... Byline: Jeff Ayres Jul. 14--NICEVILLE -- Okaloosa County can no longer rely strictly on the military and tourism for its economic base, and steps should be taken to diversify the area's economic offerings, a consultant told community...

Tattooed suspect confesses to Navarre beating: Anthony James Griffin's parents took him to jail after reading Thursday's Daily News story.
July 14, 2006... Byline: Amy Leigh Womack Jul. 14--NAVARRE -- Perhaps it was divine intervention when a suspect in the brutal beating of an 85-year-old man was arrested and charged on Thursday. Anthony James Griffin, 22, is accused of beating Joseph...

Sheriff hands jail keys to county: Walton commissioners are left to operate jail after Sheriff Ralph Johnson relinquishes responsibility.
July 14, 2006... Byline: Heather Civil Jul. 14--DeFUNIAK SPRINGS -- Walton County Sheriff Ralph Johnson has said that his office will no longer run the county jail and has left it to the County Commission to operate the facility beginning Jan. 1. ...

Playing musical chairs: After the senior center lost its furnishings, Niceville official loans spare items.
July 14, 2006... Byline: Wendy Victora Jul. 14--VALPARAISO -- Visitors to the Valparaiso Senior Center are once again sitting pretty, thanks to a loan of tables and comfortable chairs from the City of Niceville. After hearing that the seniors had...

Fair group loses lease: FWB council votes to break three-year deal for fairgrounds.
July 14, 2006... Byline: Jeff Ayres Jul. 14--FORT WALTON BEACH -- The Northwest Florida Fair Association will have to find a new home. Saying that valuable land is being underused, the Fort Walton Beach City Council voted 4-2 Thursday night to end...

Business BRIEF.
July 14, 2006... Jul. 14--Office seminar deadline nears NAVARRE -- The deadline to register for the Enhancing Office Productivity seminar is July 21. The seminar is scheduled for 8 a.m. July 27 at the Navarre Community Center. Call the Navarre Beach Area...

Show celebrates flight team's 60 years.
July 14, 2006... Byline: Angie Toole Jul. 14--Saturday, the biggest show in the area will be the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show, and as long as you can see the sky there, you'll probably have the best seat in the house. And, this year's event is a...

Classic title still up for grabs: Competition at junior golf event is wide open going into today's finals.
July 14, 2006... Byline: Ted Raymond Jul. 14--FORT WALTON BEACH -- Going into the final round of the 27th annual Marvin DeBolt Daily News Junior Classic, golfers from several age groups still have a good shot at the overall title. Chase Seffert of...

Report clears Okaloosa jail officers in inmate's death: Chad Broumley's suicide is the third death in the jail since December 2001.
July 13, 2006... Byline: Amy Leigh Womack Jul. 13--An internal review released by the Okaloosa County Jail on Wednesday about an inmate's suicide in May reveals no wrongdoing by jail employees. "In reviewing this incident, I find that our staff acted...

DNA solves six-year-old rape case.
July 13, 2006... Jul. 13--DeFUNIAK SPRINGS -- A sixyear-old rape case was solved this week when a man pleaded guilty in the shadow of DNA evidence, according to a city police news release. When the rape occurred in 2000, DeFuniak Springs officers say...

From BRAC elation to trepidation: 46th plan leaves some officials feeling ? tricked'.
July 13, 2006... Byline: Tom Mclaughlin Jul. 13--One question has been on the lips of many residents since word got out that the Air Force was considering moving the 46th Test Wing from Eglin Air Force Base to California. What about BRAC? The...

Divine intervention?: Jesus tattoo becomes attacker's mark of shame after scolding.
July 13, 2006... Byline: Dusty Ricketts Jul. 13--NAVARRE -- Joseph Molnar is battered and bruised, with 28 stitches on the left side of his face after he was brutally attacked in his home Tuesday night. But Molnar still has his faith. And so might...

Union: 'We're being treated like a bastard child'.
July 13, 2006... Byline: Mladen Rudman Jul. 13--EGLIN AFB -- Add American Federation of Government Employees Local 1942 to the group of people wanting answers about the 46th Test Wing's future. If the test wing downsizes or moves, or both, to Edwards...

EDITORIAL: Facts, fears and the fight for the 46th.(Editorial)
July 13, 2006... Jul. 13--So Niceville City Manager Lannie Corbin says news that Eglin Air Force Base's 46th Test Wing may be truncated and transferred to California "surprised the heck out of me." Join the club, Lannie. The Air Force played this one...

Boys & Girls Club takes a walk on the wild side: The group was part of a program aimed at child volunteer services.
July 13, 2006... Byline: Patrick Mcdermott Jul. 13--DESTIN -- A group from the Boys & Girls Club got some wildlife education Wednesday on a field trip to the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge. Kids ages 9 to 12 from the Fort Walton Beach center met the...

Local sales tax backed by officials.
July 13, 2006... Byline: Jeff Ayres Jul. 13--Okaloosa County residents are seldom fond of more taxes. A 1-percent local sales tax increase failed five years ago. You have to go back to 1989 and 1995 to find residents supporting higher taxes -- for...

DCA officials tour Front Porch: The organization has community garden plans.
July 13, 2006... Byline: Matt Tessnear Jul. 13--FORT WALTON BEACH -- Members of the Florida Department of Community Affairs visited Fort Walton Beach on Wednesday for the first stop on their "5 Days of DCA" tour. DCA officials will visit five Florida...

Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, Mladen Rudman column: Keeping the big fish a bad idea.
July 13, 2006... Byline: Mladen Rudman Jul. 13--The world-record great hammerhead shark caught in southern Florida two months ago is a perfect example of why trophy fishing must be prohibited. Prohibited not with laws but by anglers voluntarily...

Nemours Clinic expands: Today's opening will mean a shorter drive for many parents.
July 13, 2006... Byline: Angie Toole Jul. 13--SANTA ROSA BEACH -- For parents like Todd Humphrey, having pediatric oncology treatment closer to home could mean a big difference to his entire family. His 17-year-old son, Carlton Humphrey, has had...