Page 3 - Jay Odom News Today

FORT WALTON BEACH — State Rep. Ray Sansom and state Sen. Don Gaetz were seated at the end of a long conference table, meeting as they often did with the Northwest Florida Daily News editorial board, when Sansom received the call notifying him that he had been designated to serve as Speaker of the House during the 2009-10 legislative sessions.  It was hard to tell, on that day in 2005, which of the two men was happier when Sansom shared the news. Gaetz and Sansom were friends and political ...

Developer Jay Odom seeks legislatures help to change Freeport alcohol sales ordinance © FILE PHOTO/DAILY NEWS Hammock Bay FREEPORT — Developer Jay Odom wants to bring a little taste of The Villages to Walton County, but to do so hes going to have to find a way around a city ordinance that restricts the sale of alcoholic beverages within 1,000 feet of a school. He has suggested changing two state laws to accomplish his goal, and enlisted the assistance of Walton County State Rep. Brad Dra...

The Fort Walton Beach Fire Department was assisted by the Ocean City-Wright Fire Control District and Okaloosa Island Fire Department.  Early detection of the fire and a quick response reportedly played a substantial role in mitigating damage to the business. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to a small section outside of the building and used a ladder to ensure the fire had not spread to the roof. 

*Editors note: this story was updated to clarify that Eglin staff are still awaiting final approval of their impact report. FORT WALTON BEACH — Okaloosa County Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel on Tuesday shared some great news for bicyclists, joggers and other pedestrians who want to safely travel along U.S. Highway 98 between Fort Walton Beach and Destin. Ketchel said the county learned from Eglin Air Force Base officials last week that a document known as the final “Finding Of No Signific...

OKALOOSA ISLAND — A local developer and a Niceville physician are teaming up to sponsor a free holiday dinner on Christmas Day for local active-duty military personnel who wont be able to go home for the holidays. Operation Holiday Cheer is sponsored by developer Jay Odom, whose projects include Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach, and the mixed-use residential Hammock Bay community in Freeport. Serving as a sponsor along with Odom is Dr. Garry Banks, a family medicine specialist practicing...