Niceville News: Local Updates & Community Announcements

COMMUNITY NEWS

Okaloosa County EMS Community Paramedic Andrew Kindle in uniform.

Okaloosa EMS paramedic earns national Community Paramedic award

August 28, 2026

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — An Okaloosa County EMS paramedic has been named the 2026 Community Paramedic of the Year by the National Association of…

Wawa to open Niceville store Thursday with grand opening celebration

August 24, 2026

Brett Hinely stands at a marina in Bluewater Bay.

Hinely, Evanchyk win Okaloosa County School Board races

August 19, 2026

School bus driver seated behind the wheel of a yellow school bus.

Okaloosa County 2026–27 school calendar, holidays, breaks

August 10, 2026

Deer Moss Creek® advertisement by Ruckel Properties, Inc. promoting available homes and lots.

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LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS

Florida State Parks Foundation representatives, Florida State Parks officials and park rangers gather with new e-bikes being distributed for ranger use across Florida state parks.

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park to receive new ranger e-bike

September 1, 2026

NICEVILLE, Fla. — Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville is among the Florida state parks set to receive a new electric bicycle…

A bay scallop shell rests in a person’s hand after being recovered during the Great Scallop Count in Choctawhatchee Bay.

Great Scallop Count finds signs of scallops in Choctawhatchee Bay

August 27, 2026

Okaloosa County and municipal seals displayed over an aerial view of a residential community.

Okaloosa officials outline concerns over property tax Amendment 3

August 26, 2026

FDOT Okaloosa-Walton traffic advisory graphic showing road work alert

Roadwork to affect Okaloosa, Walton County drivers

August 23, 2026

SCHOOL NEWS

Hinely, Evanchyk win Okaloosa County School Board races

August 19, 2026

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — Okaloosa County voters elected two incumbent School Board members to four-year terms Tuesday, reelecting Linda Evanchyk to the District 3…

Okaloosa County 2026–27 school calendar, holidays, breaks

August 10, 2026

Stuff the Bus drive returns across Okaloosa County

July 31, 2026

Baker High School graduate Jayden Wasson holds a ceremonial $1,500 Roy Warner Memorial Scholarship check from Frances Roy Agency at a baseball field.

Baker graduate awarded Roy Warner Memorial Scholarship

June 30, 2026

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LOCAL MILITARY NEWS

U.S. Air Force Col. Ryan Hayde, left, passes the 505th Test and Training Group guidon to Col. William Gery during a change of command ceremony at Hurlburt Field on July 2, 2026.

505th Test and Training Group welcomes new commander

July 24, 2026

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. — The 505th Test and Training Group welcomed a new commander July 2 as Col. William “Echo” Gery assumed leadership of…

Graphic featuring the Eglin Air Force Base crest with the words "For Your Information" on a blue digital camouflage background.

Boaters advised of Eglin munitions testing in bay

June 30, 2026

Maj. Gen. Scott A. Cain presents the 96th Test Wing guidon to Col. Chris Keithley during a change of command ceremony at the McKinley Climatic Lab at Eglin Air Force Base on June 16, 2026.

Keithley takes command of Eglin’s 96th Test Wing

June 25, 2026

U.S. Air Force Col. Terry Hjerpe transfers the 505th Communications Squadron guidon during a change of command ceremony at Hurlburt Field as Lt. Col. Justin Raynor assumes command from outgoing commander Lt. Col. Crystal Lusardi on June 18, 2026.

Raynor takes command of 505th Communications Squadron

June 25, 2026

THINGS TO DO

Paddle Rodeo graphic for Bluewater Bay Marina featuring paddle boarders, outrigger canoes and surf skis on the water. The event is Saturday, September 5, at 10 a.m.

MARKETPLACE NEWS

Bluewater Paddle Rodeo offers chance to try variety of paddle craft

September 2, 2026

NICEVILLE, Fla. — Paddle enthusiasts and newcomers alike are invited to Bluewater Bay Marina on…

Wawa to open Niceville store Thursday with grand opening celebration

August 24, 2026

Gravestone of Augustus “Gus” Tart, an early Northwest Florida pioneer who was born into slavery in 1840 and died a free man in 1915.

Ceremony to honor Northwest Florida pioneer Augustus ‘Gus’ Tart

August 13, 2026

Promotional graphic for the seventh annual Casino Night benefiting A Bed 4 Me on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at LJ Schooners Dockside Restaurant & Oyster Bar in Niceville. The event features casino games from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with all proceeds benefiting A Bed 4 Me and 10% of food sales donated to the organization.

Casino Night in Bluewater Bay to benefit A Bed 4 Me

August 6, 2026

Colorful flyer promoting the Scouts BSA Troop 157 Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at American Legion Post 221 in Niceville. The flyer features a stack of pancakes with butter and syrup, tropical graphics, flamingos, and Scout silhouettes. Breakfast is $5 per person and includes two pancakes, two sausages, and coffee or juice.

Pancake breakfast in Niceville to benefit Scouts BSA Troop 157

July 29, 2026

Eglin Federal Credit Union auto loan ad featuring two women beside a blue Ford Bronco and promoting new and used auto loan rates as low as 4.74% APR.

Niceville.com Community Partner

OUTDOORS

MARKETPLACE NEWS

Bluewater Paddle Rodeo offers chance to try variety of paddle craft

September 2, 2026

NICEVILLE, Fla. — Paddle enthusiasts and newcomers alike are invited to Bluewater Bay Marina on Saturday, September 5, for a Paddle Rodeo offering participants…

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park to receive new ranger e-bike

September 1, 2026

Great Scallop Count finds signs of scallops in Choctawhatchee Bay

August 27, 2026

A Florida Department of Health infographic explains how to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses by using insect repellent, eliminating standing water, repairing window screens and protecting homes from mosquitoes.

Health officials urge protection against mosquito-borne illnesses

July 22, 2026

A bright cloud-to-ground lightning strike branches across a stormy purple sky above a rural landscape at night.

Lightning safety Q&A: UF/IFAS experts share lifesaving advice

July 16, 2026

Bluewater Paddle Rodeo offers chance to try variety of paddle craft

September 2, 2026

NICEVILLE, Fla. — Paddle enthusiasts and newcomers alike are invited to Bluewater Bay Marina on Saturday, September 5, for a Paddle Rodeo offering participants…

FLORIDA NEWS

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