The Vested Interest in K-9s program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and are actively working and certified in law enforcement duties. Since its inception, the nonprofit has provided more than 4,100 vests to K-9s in all 50 states through private and corporate donations.
The organization accepts tax-deductible donations in any amount. A single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1,744 to $2,283, weighs 4-5 pounds and has a five-year warranty.
For more information about the program, or to donate or volunteer, visit vik9s.org.
Main Street DeFuniak Springs hosts Music on Main
Special to The Northwest Florida Daily News/USA TODAY NETWORK
DEFUNIAK SPRINGS Main Street DeFuniak Springs, in partnership with Visit South Walton, presents Music on Main from 7 to 8 p.m. Fridays in February at Historic Florida Chautauqua Theatre, 840 Baldwin Ave.
“By hosting new and exciting events in our Main Street district, we give locals and regional guests the opportunity to discover, or in some cases rediscover, downtown DeFuniak Springs,” said Main Street DeFuniak Springs Executive Director Chelsea Blaich. “We have a variety of locally owned and operated businesses on Main Street. We encourage guests to make an evening out of these events by shopping our retail merchants beforehand and grabbing a bite to eat at one of our numerous restaurants.”
Northwest Florida Daily News/USA TODAY NETWORK
FORT WALTON BEACH A Crestview man was arrested Saturday after deputies reportedly discovered an array of drugs and paraphernalia in his vehicle during a traffic stop.
Deputies charged 29-year-old Steven Coplen with trafficking in heroin, possession of oxycodone, possession of drug paraphernalia and a traffic violation, according to an Okaloosa County Sheriff s Office news release.
Coplen was stopped on Hurlburt Road near Fort Walton Beach when a deputy noticed he had an expired registration. Coplen also was found to have an expired driver s license for non-payment of car insurance.
An OCSO K-9 alerted on Coplen s truck. Deputies found heroin under the driver s seat, more heroin on the passenger floorboard, oxycodone, a plastic bag with methamphetamine residue, a scale and assorted paraphernalia consistent with narcotics use and distribution, the release said.
Northwest Florida Daily News/USA TODAY NETWORK
FORT WALTON BEACH A mobile home on Racetrack Road was destroyed in a fire Wednesday night, according to an Ocean City-Wright Fire Control District post on Facebook.
The blaze was reported at a residence in the Pinecrest Mobile Home Park at 441 Racetrack Road N.W.
Engine 1, Squad 1, Engine 3, Engine 11, Fort Walton Beach Fire Department Engine 7, Battalion 1, and Battalion 6 responded to the fire and made a fast attack to protect threatened structures nearby.
There were no reported injuries in the fire, and none of the surrounding structures was damaged.
Firefighters were assisted on scene by the Okaloosa County Sheriff s Office and EMS.