Top producers in July
The Top Producers for the month of July at Crye-Leike Coastal Realty in Closed Sales Volume was the John Paulsen Group and the Top Listing Agent for the month of July was also the John Paulsen Group....
View Article‘Everybody benefits from it’: Resort fees used to fund local activities
When shopping or dining at the HarborWalk Village, The Village of Baytowne Wharf, or even The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island, you may have noticed a line item on your receipt reading, "village fee," or...
View ArticleTake advantage of school supply savings
As families around the state prepare for another school year, Department of Education Commissioner Pam Stewart and Department of Revenue Executive Director Marshall Stranburg are reminding residents...
View ArticleCartoon: Ponder-ing
Log Cartoonist Dill Beaty depicts his take on the news of Mayor Mel Ponder's announcement to run for Florida House of Representitives next year.
View ArticleThat Summer Spirit: DMS dances their way to summer wins
Even though school is out, the Destin Middle School dance and cheer teams have had a busy summer. The DMS Dazzlers recently attended a Universal Dance Association camp in Hattiesburg, Miss., held at...
View ArticlePaddle at the Porch purse increases to $6K, offers kids fun race
The 4th Annual Paddle at the Porch featuring $6,000 cash purse is slated for Aug. 15 in the emerald green waters behind The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House in Destin. The event will feature a...
View ArticleLetter: Preparing Students for a 21st Century Global Economy
As students head back to school this month, I’m reminded that a quality education is quickly becoming the new economic development currency. Florida’s students no longer compete with students from...
View ArticleLetter: Why it is so hot
When I was born in 1938, the only pavement in Destin was U.S. 98, a very narrow strip of asphalt running right down the middle of town. Later a soft mixture of asphalt and sand was placed upon Calhoun...
View Article3rd annual Kayak & SUP Fishing Tournament winners
The Bluewater Bay Marina and Paradise Paddle Boards hosted its 3rd Annual Kayak & SUP (Stand-up Paddle Board) Fishing Tournament on July 25. The tournament began at first light and ended at noon...
View ArticleBoys & Girls Club to host Walk-A-Thon Aug. 10
The Boys and Girls Club is having a Walk-A-Thon Fundraiser Aug. 10 at Choctawhatchee High School on Racetrack Road in Fort Walton Beach. The Walk-A-Thon is a fun activity for club members to promote...
View ArticleDestin Marlins prepare for opener
The Destin Middle School Marlins have been on the practice field most every morning for the last couple of months getting prepared for the upcoming football season. Destin kicks it off at 6 p.m....
View ArticleDear Monty: Home seller questions listing agent tactics
Reader question: Hi, Monty, I read your articles regularly and find them very helpful and now have a query myself. Our Realtor called us for permission not to present offers below asking price; we...
View ArticleCustomers are real sports when it comes to ‘sporty’ Gulf
Fishing has had its ups and downs this week, mostly from the rough Gulf of Mexico. Although many of the captains have not said exactly how high the waves have gotten, the words “pretty sporty” have...
View ArticlePainting your walls: Go neutral or not?
“Home for sale” listings are sort of an addiction of mine … especially the house photos. And not the ones of multi-million dollar mansions, either. Real estate for the rest of us is, in my opinion,...
View ArticleThree reasons homeowners should leave tree work to the professionals
For the "do-it-yourself" homeowner, outsourcing tree work may seem like an unnecessary expense. But in reality, the costs of tackling tree care on your own can run high — damaged property, hospital...
View ArticleHilton Sandestin and Miles win Best in Show, Best Overall
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa and advertising agency, Miles, are the recipients of yet two more awards for excelling in online advertising. After winning the regional Best of Industry...
View ArticleBlue Marlin Realty Group celebrates grand opening of new 30A branch
Blue Marlin Realty Group unveiled their new branch office on Tuesday, Aug. 4, with a ribbon cutting and reception at 4987 County Highway 30A in Seagrove. The new location will serve as an office for...
View Article'A level playing field': City to explore taxi regs
Based on the conversation from Monday night's City Council meeting, Destin's for-hire drivers could be subject to a new set of regulations in the near future. "It's been an interesting issue to,...
View ArticleA Twirler’s Life: Local baton twirlers earn national awards (Video)
In Northwest Florida the sports of choice for middle school and high school students tend to be football, baseball, cheerleading and soccer, but there is a lesser known sport making headway in the...
View ArticleDestin School Bus Schedule
School in Okaloosa County begins Aug. 17, so ahead of the first day of classes, here's a list of the local school bus stops for Destin Elementary and Destin Middle Schools. *All times are a.m....
View ArticleOrder Up! Destin kids participate in cooking and serving camp
It was a white table cloth affair Thursday as 15 kids cooked and served a four-course meal to their honored guests at the Destin Community Center. The meal was the final event of a three-day kid’s...
View ArticleRibbon cutting for Creative Threads Embroidery & Silk Screen
Destin Area Chamber of Commerce staff and ambassadors gathered July 16 to celebrate Creative Threads Embroidery & Silk Screen with a ribbon cutting. Creative Threads Embroidery & Silk Screen...
View ArticleWheels for the beach: Donated wheelchairs enable water access to all
At the end of the boardwalk ramp at the Shirah Public Beach Access sit three PVC pipe beach wheelchairs with large rubber wheels. The chairs have been made available free of charge to the public by...
View ArticleREADY: What’s the dress code for getting old?
Lately, I’ve been thinking about getting bangs. My gray-streaked hair is getting long, so I pull it back in a ponytail or bun. Then, with no softening effect around my forehead and cheeks, my...
View ArticleHART: Cecil the Lion: Pride and Prejudice
Full disclosure: I don’t hunt much. It's not my thing. But I have friends who hunt birds. I understand at some level why they like it. Doves and ducks just seem to be asking for it. My friends call it...
View ArticleDays Gone By: Animal Land
Although Destin may be a relatively new city by historical standards, there is no denying the abundance of local lore. Days Gone By will showcase photos of Destin’s yesteryear. To submit your photos,...
View ArticleA Social Scene: Castles in the Sand
There’s no denying the role that social media plays in our daily lives, whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. Given Destin’s beauty, it’s no surprise that locals and visitors alike...
View ArticleHip Hip Hooray! It’s BIG truck day!
It was swelteringly hot in Destin last Friday, but that didn’t deter young children and their parents and guardians from checking out the 15th Annual Big Truck Day at the Destin Community Center....
View ArticleLive History: Historical character, Andrew Jackson to visit Destin Library
Did you know that Andrew Jackson was the first governor of Florida? James E. Moore of Crestview does, and he is preparing to get into character and bring Jackson’s story to life this Friday at the...
View ArticlePolice Blotter: Man accused of taking car, EBT card, checks
Man accused of taking car, EBT card, checks A Destin man is accused of going to an acquaintance's home and taking multiple items, including a car. Okaloosa County Sheriff's deputies were called to the...
View ArticleCartoon: Crab Island Zip
Log Cartoonist Dill Beaty comments on the new business scheduled to operate on Crab Island.
View ArticleSomewhere over the rainbow
Donald Price shared this photo of a double rainbow shining bright above the Marler Bridge and Choctawhatchee Bay recently. Be sure to share your photos with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or email...
View ArticleCalm seas and big fish
After a rough go on the Gulf last week, the calm seas the last couple of days have been a welcomed surprise and anglers are bringing in some mighty fine catches. As a matter of fact, the group of...
View ArticleDestin Dolphins prepare for upcoming season
With only a week of practice under their belts, the Destin Dophins youth tackle football teams are shaping up. “They are showing a lot of hustle and willingness to learn,” said Nate Beard, coach of...
View ArticleCommunity Meetings Aug. 12
All area codes are 850 unless specified. Destin City Hall All City Council meetings, workshops, executive sessions and CRA Board meetings are held at the City Hall Annex, 4100 Indian Bayou Trail. All...
View ArticleCommunity Happenings Aug. 12
All area codes are 850 unless noted. Diabetes class Jenny Stuckey, registered nurse and certified diabetes educator, and Anne Townley, registered dietician and certified diabetes educator, will host a...
View ArticleFood For Thought's annual Art of Giving
Food For Thought Outreach announces its Third Annual Art of Giving benefit from 6:30-8 p.m. Sept. 17 at v. lala Gallery at 30Avenue, Inlet Beach. Three local South Walton artists, Velia Lala, Matt...
View ArticleUnited Way Completes Training for Loaned Executives
United Way completed training for 45 Loaned Executives, 45 volunteers from local businesses and organizations who loaned their best and brightest to United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties. These...
View ArticleDaniel 'Rudy' Ruettiger to speak at fundraiser
Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, best known for his awe-inspiring story of carving his name into the history books of college football and becoming the most famous graduate of the University of Notre Dame,...
View ArticleDiscover roads less traveled with CBA
The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) of Northwest Florida State College announces the fall session of its award winning eco-tourism initiative, Discover Roads Less Traveled: Eco-Adventures of...
View ArticleUpcoming Arts and Entertainment (beginning Aug. 19)
Wednesday Night Concert Series Listen to a free concert with the music of Betty Fox Band from 7-9 p.m. Aug. 19 in the Events Plaza at Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin. • Aug. 26: JP Soars & The Red...
View ArticleThe Market Shops announces Bloody Mary Festival to benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast
Market Shops, located at the entrance to Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, will host the inaugural Bloody Mary Festival benefiting Sinfonia Gulf Coast from 12-3 p.m. Sept. 19. Attendees will enjoy...
View ArticleTacos & Tequila Night supports arts, education
Join the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 27 at the newly opened Rockin Tacos Grill & Tequila Bar at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. Restaurateur John Perry will host this...
View ArticleOn The Town Aug. 12
Let us see your photos from around town. Post on Destin Log Facebook page or email to pgriffin@thedestinlog.com.
View ArticleSunday Brunches in Destin
Many restaurants in Destin offer a Sunday brunch, or even brunches everyday. But there are some whose food and/or view sets them apart. A few of them are: 790 on the Gulf– Brunch is served from 11...
View ArticleArts and Entertainment Aug. 12 - 19
Wednesday Night Concert Series Listen to a free concert with the music of Stephen Simmons from 7-9 p.m. Aug. 12 in the Events Plaza at Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin. Seaside Summer Concerts Celebrate...
View Article‘People are drowning’: Destin Fire Control District begins weekend patrols...
After two drownings and one person paralyzed from incidents at Crab Island this year, Destin’s Fire Control District has decided it has had enough. For the past two weekends the fire department has...
View ArticleCity leaders debate boat launch fees, discuss budget
When city leaders gathered to talk about the proposed FY2016 budget, the majority of the discussion focused on boat launch fees at Joe's Bayou. "There's a lot of people out there who have an issue...
View ArticleGuest Column: The Graves Bill
The city of Destin did a 2013 economic study conducted by the Hass Economic Center to evaluate the value of tourism within the city limits, especially water sports on Destin harbor. Those results...
View ArticleNFL talks go religious
Matt’s Take: It’s not uncommon to see football players motion the shape of a cross on their chest before a game or circle up afterwards to pray. It’s not uncommon to see a player drop to a knee after...
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