Emerald Coast Florida

Destin Vacation Abuse Ends in a Life Sentence Staff Reports February 26, 2026 9:59 am Crime, Destin, Okaloosa County, Public Safety In Brief: A jury found Justin Andrew Busby guilty of sexually battering a 10-year-old child during a 2022 Destin vacation. The victim disclosed the abuse after returning home to Mississippi, prompting a multi-agency investigation. A judge sentenced Busby to life in state prison and designated him a Sexual Predator. An Okaloosa County jury has found Justin Andrew Busby guilty of sexually battering a child under the age of 12, resulting in a life sentence in state prison and his designation as a sexual predator. On January 13, 2026, Circuit Judge David Oberliesen sentenced Busby to life behind bars following the jury’s verdict in an Okaloosa County courtroom. According to prosecutors, the abuse occurred between December 27, 2022, and January 3, 2023, while the then 10-year-old victim was on vacation in Destin. Authorities said the defendant was a trusted family member at the time of the incidents. The child did not immediately disclose what had happened. After returning home to Lucedale, she later made a spontaneous disclosure to her parents. That disclosure prompted an investigation involving the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Lucedale Police Department, and the Canopy House Child Advocacy Center. The Lucedale investigation was led by Captain Jason Smith. During the course of the investigation, authorities said Busby minimized his conduct but did not deny the allegations made by the child. Assistant State Attorney Christine Bosau prosecuted the... The post Destin Vacation Abuse Ends in a Life Sentence appeared first on 30A Breaking News.

Luke Combs Laments Lack Of Spaces For “Middle Ground” In Political Discourse “Stomp on the flag and light it up. Yeah, you think you’re tough? Well, try that in a small town.”– Jason Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town” “‘Wear your mask, take your pills.’ Now a whole generation’s mentally ill.”– Kid Rock’s “We More Country Music Nation  The post Luke Combs Declares He Is “Heavily Moderate” In Interview Discussing His Political Leanings appeared first on 30A Breaking News.

  Spring is just around the corner, and after months of cold weather, it is the perfect time to start planning the vacation you have been dreaming about all winter. If you are imagining sunny skies, warm sand, and clear, inviting waters, Panama City Beach should be at the top of your list. With miles   The post Plan your Special Spring Vacation in PCB appeared first on 30A Breaking News.

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A man has been arrested after attempting to fraudulently cash in a fake check from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. According to WCSO, deputies were alerted to a check cashed in March 2025 to Steve Guzman, withdrawing $1,520.70. However, it was later determined that Steve Guzman was a fake identity. The post Man arrested for trying to cash fake check from Walton County Sheriff’s Office appeared first on 30A Breaking News.

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Wednesday, Bayway Transit honored four outstanding employees with the ‘A Better Bayway’ award. Bayway officials say it’s a rigorous process choosing who to honor. But, it ultimately goes to those who consistently go above and beyond in their service to the community. In fact, one honoree couldn’t attend the event The post Four Bayway Transit workers earn ‘A Better Bayway’ award appeared first on 30A Breaking News.