Niceville News: Local Updates & Community Announcements

COMMUNITY NEWS

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

Okaloosa County 2026–27 school calendar, holidays, breaks

August 10, 2026

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — The 2026–27 school year begins Tuesday, August 11, for students in the Okaloosa County School District, with the calendar outlining…

Facilities/Procurement Specialist Andrew Funk stands with Eglin Federal Credit Union employees after being recognized as the credit union's Five-Star Performer for the second quarter of 2026. Mr Funk holds his award while colleagues gather around the Five-Star Performer recognition plaque.

Niceville resident earns Eglin FCU Five-Star Performer award

August 4, 2026

Stuff the Bus drive returns across Okaloosa County

July 31, 2026

Recipients of the 2026 Okaloosa Saves Teach a Child to Save campaign pose with Okaloosa County commissioners, Okaloosa Saves board members and participating financial institution representatives after being recognized during the July 21, 2026, Okaloosa County Commission meeting in Fort Walton Beach.

Okaloosa Saves campaign helps children save more than $42,000

July 22, 2026

Niceville.com Community Partner

LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS

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

SHALIMAR, Fla. — A dedication ceremony honoring Augustus “Gus” Tart, a formerly enslaved man and early pioneer of Northwest Florida, will be held August…

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

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

SCHOOL NEWS

Okaloosa County 2026–27 school calendar, holidays, breaks

August 10, 2026

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — The 2026–27 school year begins Tuesday, August 11, for students in the Okaloosa County School District, with the calendar outlining…

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

Graphic announcing the winners of the America 250 History Writing Contest, featuring patriotic red, white, and blue colors, American flags, stars, balloons, and text referencing the significance and impact of the Declaration of Independence.

Okaloosa students earn top honors in America 250 contest

June 10, 2026

Niceville.com Community Partner

LOCAL MILITARY NEWS

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

LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS

Ceremony to honor Northwest Florida pioneer Augustus ‘Gus’ Tart

August 13, 2026

SHALIMAR, Fla. — A dedication ceremony honoring Augustus “Gus” Tart, a formerly enslaved man and…

Casino Night in Bluewater Bay to benefit A Bed 4 Me

August 6, 2026

Pancake breakfast in Niceville to benefit Scouts BSA Troop 157

July 29, 2026

Larry Williams, Residential Horticulture Agent with the Okaloosa County Extension, University of Florida/IFAS

Lawn care seminars to help homeowners solve common problems

July 15, 2026

Fourth of July celebrations planned across Okaloosa County

July 1, 2026

Digital campaign banner for Brett Hinely for Okaloosa County School Board District 5 featuring the slogan "Here for Our Schools" above a formal portrait with an American flag in the background.

OUTDOORS

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 & WELLNESS

Health officials urge protection against mosquito-borne illnesses

July 22, 2026

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County is urging residents and visitors to take simple precautions against mosquito bites…

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

Boaters advised of Eglin munitions testing in bay

June 30, 2026

The 224-foot Henry Alex vessel travels through a harbor before its planned conversion into the Sposit Reef, an artificial reef off the Emerald Coast.

224-foot vessel to become newest Gulf artificial reef

June 30, 2026

Promotional graphic for the 2026 Light Up the Bayou Independence Day fireworks celebration honoring America's 250th birthday over Boggy Bayou.

Community-funded July 4th fireworks return to Niceville

June 29, 2026

Ceremony to honor Northwest Florida pioneer Augustus ‘Gus’ Tart

August 13, 2026

SHALIMAR, Fla. — A dedication ceremony honoring Augustus “Gus” Tart, a formerly enslaved man and early pioneer of Northwest Florida, will be held August…

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