Last Thursday’s fire at 290 Anderson Drive in Fort Walton Beach has been ruled as arson by the State Fire Marshals Office.

There is now a sign posted in front of the home offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the identity of the person responsible for the fire. If you have any information call Arson Control at 1-877-662-7766.

FREEPORT — A woman was arrested Tuesday afternoon after allegedly housing an inmate who escaped from the Walton County Jail.

According to arrest reports, Logan Hamilton, 28, allowed Joshua Handley, the escaped inmate, to stay in a shed outside her parent's home where she resided.

MILTON — Both westbound lanes of I-10 near mile marker 26 in Milton are shut down after an 18-wheeler crash.

Keith Andre Washington, 54 of Mobile, Alabama, is in serious condition after his International box truck drifted into the right lane of 1-10 and hit the left rear of a Freightliner truck, according to a press release from Florida Highway Patrol.

Listen to an interview with the newly appointed Okaloosa Superintendent of Schools Marcus Chambers as he answers questions from Daily News reporter Tom McLaughlin, Executive Editor Jason Blakeney and Managing Editor Wendy Victora.

MARY ESTHER — A 20-year-old Fort Walton Beach man was arrested early Thursday after allegedly causing a crash that killed one young woman and seriously injured another. 

Hilson Robert Smith was arrested just before 4 a.m. and charged with DUI homicide, DUI serious injury and underage possession of alcohol, according to the Florida Highway Patrol media release.

Alexis Michaela Marshall, a 26-year-old Mary Esther woman, was killed in the crash that happened just before 2 a.m. at the intersection of Mary Esther Cut-Off and Hollywood Boulevard, the release said.

Daily News reporter Jim Thompson interviews Tracy Stage, Okaloosa County Airports Director to see if there are any issues locally with the partial goverment shutdown.

Five days after being suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Okaloosa County Superintendent of Schools Mary Beth Jackson on Wednesday requested a formal hearing from the Florida Senate to challenge DeSantis’ decision. Under state law, suspended officials can go to the Senate to seek to be reinstated.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY — A 19-year-old woman and 21-year-old man died on State Road 87 near Hopewell Road Tuesday night following a vehicle rollover.

Traffic will, however, be limited to two-axle vehicles including cars, trucks, SUVs, school buses and limited EMS and first responder equipment. Semi-trucks and commercial vehicles will be required to use alternate routes until permanent repairs to the Mid-Bay Bridge are complete. According to the news release, the restrictions are in place "as a cautionary measure intended to minimize the stresses on the bridge while FDOT contractors make repairs."

Marcus Chambers was named the acting superintendent of the Okaloosa County School District following the suspension of Mary Beth Jackson by Governor Ron DeSantis. This is a conversation between Daily News reporter Tom McLaughlin and Chambers.