After the Hurricane: Damaged HVAC Systems Can Pose Hidden Safety Risks. Here’s five tips to stay safe
As residents and businesses begin recovering from Hurricane Isaias, a local heating and air-conditioning company warns that storm-damaged HVAC equipment may pose serious hazards long after the wind and rain have passed.
Damage and disaster update: Hurricane Isaias
This is our damage and disaster update for the Emerald Coast cities of Niceville, Valparaiso, Eglin Air Force Base, DeFuniak Springs, Freeport, Destin, Fort Walton Beach and surrounding areas.
Isaias: The Atlantic’s First Hurricane of 2026?
We are four months into the 2026 hurricane season, and not a single one has yet to form. But with a storm building on the horizon, will the quiet come to an end? It is the beginning of October, and the Atlantic Coast has yet to produce a hurricane. The first time in 112 years. […]
DEVELOPING: Isaias resources and updates
Here are our links to good resources for information and help as we prepare for tropical weather this weekend.
Does the Proposed Emerald Coast Motor Club Have a Location Problem?
Is a motorsports club in north Walton County a good idea? Kim Falconer explains why it may
HISTORY: 1898 fire ignites new future for DeFuniak Springs
In 1898, a devastating fire swept through downtown DeFuniak Springs, charring 22 wooden structures on Baldwin Avenue. Yet, this catastrophe sparked transformation. Forced to rebuild, merchants turned to durable brick, creating the safer, denser downtown we recognize today. This shift helped solidify the town’s future, leading to official incorporation and essential new municipal services.
Why small-town Florida will have a critical role in America’s maritime future
Inland communities like Century, Jay, Mossy Head, and DeFuniak Springs may not have coastal views, but they could play a key role in America’s maritime future. Connected by I-10 and rail, these towns offer available industrial land and skilled workers to build components for Navy and Coast Guard ships.
Fire Assessment Passes in DeFuniak Springs, but Many Questions Remain
The DeFuniak Springs City Council voted 3-2 to impose a $100 annual fire assessment on homeowners and businesses. The decision comes amid debate over the future of the city’s fire department, including a potential transfer to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and concerns about costs, control and unanswered questions.
The powerful story of Defuniak’s unlikely WWII Hero, Ewart Sconiers
From childhood hardship in DeFuniak Springs to the cockpit of a B-17, Ewart Sconiers’ life was defined by resilience. After flying his first combat mission on August 17, 1942, Sconiers displayed extraordinary valor just days later, piloting his crippled bomber to safety and securing a place in aviation history.
CHELCO Golf Tournament Scores Big for Local Children, Raises Nearly $18,000
CHELCO’s 2026 Charity Golf Tournament raised a record $17,946.27 for three Northwest Florida nonprofits serving children and families. The event drew 30 teams and 35 sponsors to Eagle Springs Golf and Recreation Center in DeFuniak Springs. Since 2021, the tournament has raised more than $75,000 for local organizations.
