Category Archives: Local News
BP workers clean tar balls, sea slugs off Walton’s beaches
WALTON COUNTY -- After a beachgoer reported concerns about "oil covered entities" at the beach access in the Beach Highlands Neighborhood Monday afternoon, a deputy with the Walton County Sheriff's Office Beach Unit went to inspect that area....
THE WALTON WAY: More interest develops in high-end homes
Starting in Destin and heading toward Scenic Highway 30A, there can be found between 40 to 50 high-end, luxury properties on the market. Among those, the home at 238 Walton Way sets a standard in pricing and availability that reflects the current...
LETTER: Shocked in Walton: It’s time to TRIM!
As have most Walton County property owners, I have just received my 2010 Truth in Millage notice. To say the least, I am shocked at the results.
On my full-time residence, property taxes are proposed to go up 18.3 percent this year alone. Per the...
Author teachers others how to be ‘The Ultimate Caregiver’
Frustration over uncaring corporations motivated Tena Scallan to write and publish “The Ultimate Caregiver.”
“I was just sick of this; I wanted to teach the world how to be the ultimate caregiver,” said the Sandestin resident.
A breadth of...
Counter balance: Florida Bath and Surfaces expands to 25,000 square feet
Florida Bath and Surfaces Inc. is now offering the largest selections in the area of granite, marble, and quartz countertop services in the region.
In the area since 2002, Florida Bath recently added a new 5,000-square-foot slab gallery where its...
PARTY LIKE IT’S 1909: As community celebrates its centennial, The Sun looks back on the days of yore
The Santa Rosa Beach community will celebrate its 100- year founding near Ed Walline Park this week.
For a look back and sneak peak into the Walline family lore, The Sun sat down with Walton County born-and-bred daughter of the park’s namesake,...
Time for tennis: Children get off to a Quickstart at Sandestin camp
Back by popular demand, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, in association with the United States Tennis Association (USTA), will host the Quickstart Tennis Camp Program. Children ages 5–15 are expected to have a ball while learning new skills on...
Walton County undersheriff ‘s son arrested, gets early hearing at jail
Greg Chapman, son of Walton County Undersheriff Bill Chapman, got out of jail quicker than most after being arrested Wednesday on a misdemeanor battery charge.
Circuit Court Judge Kelvin Wells was called to the Walton County Jail about 11 p.m. to...
Sheriff’s office working on sketch of sexual assault suspect (UPDATED)
SEAGROVE BEACH – Lawmen are still looking for a man who broke into a vacationer’s room and sexually assaulted her earlier this week.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office released more details on the incident Friday after initially reporting it...
FPRA Honors Walton County Sheriff as Community Person of the Year
Miramar Beach, Fla. – Each year during its annual board installation ceremony, the Northwest Florida Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) recognizes a professional who has made a significant contribution within the field...
COLUMN: At 100, you’ve come a long way, Walton
The area we live in around Santa Rosa Beach will be celebrated with a knock-out birthday party on Sept. 11 and 12 at Gulf Place located at County Road 393 and 30A.
Santa Rosa Beach was wild in 1910. It was probably the hardest place to live in the...
THIS OLD HOUSE: Washaway endures test of time (PHOTOS)
Before the community now known as Grayton Beach existed, the Washaway house stood tall and proud on its beaches.
The Washaway was built around 1890 as a hotel by McCaskill Land and Timber Company as a place for their crews to live, said long-time...
Rash of counterfeit bills hits DeFuniak Springs
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS – Police have recently received numerous reports of counterfeit currency, most of which are $20 bills that all have the same serial number.
The counterfeit bills “are good copies” but lack security features such as...
Deputy finds bags of marijuana in car’s console
A Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrested 34-year-old Kazeric Darnell Freeman Wednesday after allegedly finding bags containing marijuana in the console area of his vehicle.
According to a Walton County news release, Deputy Steve Key...
Meet the new master of disaster in Walton County
The new point man at the Emergency Operations Center, Capt. Joe Preston, said coming in during the middle of a hurricane season and a waning oil crisis is “a little rough.”
The “biggest challenge” is “getting up to speed,” the new...
PHOTO SHARE: Marne Rasche finds big snake in the road
Marnie Rasche of Santa Rosa Beach took this photo. “How would you like to come home and find this on your street?” she asked. “This snake was seen Aug. 13 on Sugar Drive in Santa Rosa Beach. The police took charge.” Share your photos with The...
Grit & Grace reborn with new twists History of Walton County comes alive in new production
Grit & Grace, Walton County’s official Folk Life Production, is returning to the stage Sept. 9-11 at Walton High School in DeFuniak Springs.
Established in 2000, productions have taken a hiatus since 2007.
“This is our rebirth,” said G&G...
Fears of oil in inland waters grow after fish kill (VIDEO)
With the Clyde B. Wells Bridge visible to the east, the air carried a heavy stench as 10-year-old Chandler Gibson emptied nets containing the scooped remains of a fish kill in Choctawhatchee Bay last Saturday.
“I love to fish out here and he does...
GAME PLAN — Recruiter helps parents, student athletes prepare for playing on college level
When it comes to getting a scholarship to play ball, George Henshaw has a plan.
Henshaw, former NFL coach and recruiter for the National Collegiate Scouting Association, shared a step-by-step plan with more than a dozen athletes at South Walton High...
PARTY LINE: Vine to Wine packs the house
Destin Charity Wine kickoff — Vine to Wine — Aug. 27 at Sago Palms saw a full house of folks turning out to sample winners for the upcoming Taste of the Beach. Todd Vucovich, Michael McIntosh, Len Olsen, Kathy Fly Bridges, John Russell, Lori...
‘Alabama Charlie’ helps local fan get ‘Back to The Beach’ with Vince Gill
After he read about Santa Rosa Beach resident Vicki Gatliff’s troubles getting tickets for the upcoming Vince Gill concert, “Alabama” Charlie McPeak took matters into his own hands.
The eight-year Destin resident told The Log that he offered to...
PCB man survives shark bite, plane crash, heart attack, gun shot
PANAMA CITY BEACH — The top of Mark Rush’s head was covered in a cap, keeping the results of a near fatal gunshot wound a tantalizing secret.
But when he finally removed the hat Monday afternoon to reveal his skull, there was no trace of the...
Associate teachers will not be used in Walton County this year
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — Associate teachers will not be used in Walton County schools this year.
The School Board and teachers union failed to reach an agreement to implement the program designed to help Florida schools skirt strict state-imposed class...
‘THE JOY OF FENCING’: A sports where cunning trumps brute force may soon be coming to Walton County (PHOTOS and VIDEO)
Master-At-Arms, Robert Drake, wants to spread the “poison” of traditional swashbuckling sword play to Walton County area neighborhoods.
“You just have to use deceit and treachery; it’s very much a mental sport,” said the 34-year-fencing...
Autopsy results for Santa Rosa Beach man: No foul play
SANTA ROSA BEACH -The autopsy results for the 60-year-old man found dead Friday on Blue Bell Circle have found no foul play.
According to a press release from the Walton County Sheriff's Office, Robert Storm died from a self-inflicted gun shot...
LETTER: Animal lovers, We need your help
Everyone is invited to the first public meeting of the Friends of the Walton County Animal Shelter, Inc., on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Freeport Community Center. A nationally recognized speaker from the Humane Society of the United States will first...
LETTER: Stop negating the north; there is no ‘South Walton’
I agree with the writer of “Borders matter” (letter, Aug. 8), but perhaps she should take her own advice.
After correcting the writer of the Green Berets article on the proper dateline for Sandestin, she signed her letter with the location ...
COLUMN: Are you ready for some football (and some hypocrisy)?
I grew up loving football. Years ago, if you wanted to crack a bank vault in my hometown, a Friday night when the stadium lights are on would be your best bet.
All the cops would be at the game and no one would notice until Monday morning. If...
From the rubble of Katrina a Fire is born: Brenda Darr witnesses the best and worst of humanity while riding out the killer storm and its aftermath (PHOTOS)
Brenda Darr lived in New Orleans for 16 years before opening her restaurant Fire in an old abandoned firehouse on Annunciation Street just outside the Warehouse District.
She opened the eatery in June 2005.
Two months later, Darr, along with the rest...
LETTER: If our children are the future let’s act like it
Children are our future. I think the Walton County School Board and more importantly the superintendent need to be reminded of this.
The overwelming concern with Walton schools is the budget. Experienced teachers were terminated in favor of the...
RON HART: Don’t take the bait: Ignore Mosque near Ground Zero
NEW YORK -- President Obama said he has “no regrets” about endorsing a mosque/Islamic community center near Ground Zero.
This was between vacations and right before he started his trip around the country to raise money and campaign for Democrats...
FAT AND HAPPY: More than just a pizza joint, Fat Clemenza is a best-kept Italian secret (PHOTOS)
It’s a Monday night and while business at most restaurants would be slow on this night of the week, that is not the case at Fat Clemenza.
It’s a full house, enticing aromas fill the air, and Dominic Damiano is making the rounds from table to...
Stephen Baldwin to bring Thunder Response Team to Walton County (PHOTOS)
Actor, radio host, and filmmaker Stephen Baldwin is continuing to take action to help clean up the devastating aftermath caused by April’s oil spill in the Gulf region. Despite the news that the oil spill has been capped, there are still millions...
WHEELHOUSE COMES FULL CIRCLE: Landmark restaurant space will return to 30A as developers plan a culinary campus
A South Walton landmark on County Road 30A, The Wheelhouse Restaurant, is getting a new lease on life.
Victoria and Skip Moore bought the property in April and plan to rebuild a restaurant on the site, plus a little lagniappe.
The Wheelhouse...
LETTER: After oil spill it’s time to pump up the volume
Now what?
BP has apparently killed their oil well permanently, but their secret is no secret anymore.
Oil companies have always withheld information about their drilling activities. Except for the tragic blowout three months ago, I doubt any of us...
LETTER: It’s time to think outside the bureaucratic box
I read about the County Commission candidates telling us the wonderful things they want to do to hold down operating costs. I guess this "feel good" talk is supposed to encourage us to accept the increased millage rates.
However, in the same Sun...
STAR CHAMBER: ‘Celebrity’ affair brings in more than $40,000
The Walton County Chamber’s 4th annual celebrity waiter dinner brought in more than $40,000 last week to fund the Chamber’s upcoming leadership programs.
More than 300 Chamber supporters and community business leaders attended the dinner held...
Primary election results bring smiles and ‘jelly rolls’
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS — His seasoned-radio voice bounced down the vacant hallways, relaying primary election polling results live to radio listeners from the Walton County Courthouse.
“Use to be everyone would come here,” said Art Dees, the...
LETTER: Tea Party time! We scored big in primary elections
With eight of their 10 endorsed candidates winning in the county primary elections, the Walton County Tea Party Patriots are celebrating the success of their choices. Of the selected candidates, only Mike Hill, State Senate District 2, and Mike...
‘ARTISTIC DIFFERENCES’: Jones & Co. split after more than two decades together
An era spanning 21 years ended last week when popular local band Jones & Co. split with sax man Al Alvarado.
Alvarado attributed the split to “artistic differences.”
Known for walking and working the crowd while blowing his horn, Alvarado began...
CHICK HUETEL: The WWII airplane mystery of Choctawhatchee Bay
Recently, I reported the discovery by the Hoey family of the missing boiler that could have been part of a long-ago bay steamboat. Many have searched but the Hoey’s made a plan and found the site!
But bad weather and murky water made it...
Man shot at DeFuniak Springs home; Police investigating
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS - Police are investigating a shooting at a home on Constitution Avenue that left a man wounded.
DeFuniak Springs officers responded to a call about a self-inflicted gunshot wound early Tuesday, according to a Police Department news ...
Comander wins big in Walton GOP primary; voters oust longtime School Board member
Walton County Republicans kept the present and rejected the past on Tuesday, choosing incumbent Sara Comander over former commissioner Ro Cuchens as their nominee for the District 4 seat on the County Commission.
Comander, bidding for a second...
