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. […]
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: Hurricane Opal Makes Landfall in Navarre
When Hurricane Opal rapidly escalated into a Category 4 storm overnight in October 1995, it caught Northwest Florida off guard. The storm caused massive traffic gridlock, over $1.2 billion in destruction, severe coastal erosion, and sparked decades of legal battles over beach restoration across Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton counties.
He tried to kill a priest and start a bloody rebellion – at nearly 90 years old!
In 1675, Juan Fernandez Diocasale, a leader of mixed Euchee and Chatot heritage, stood accused of plotting the assassination of a Spanish friar. His attempted rebellion against Spanish authority in the Florida Panhandle sparked a violent struggle for power, eventually reshaping the region’s tribal dynamics forever.
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.
HISTORY: Hurricane Ivan the Terrible makes dramatic landfall
In 2004, Hurricane Ivan became one of history’s most destructive storms, causing over $14 billion in damage along the Gulf Coast. Beyond the physical destruction, Ivan ignited the “sand wars”—a landmark legal conflict over beach ownership and renourishment that remains a defining local issue in Walton County politics today
Fiscal Reality or ‘Monopoly Money’? Commissioners Clash Over Discretionary Spending
As the Board of County Commissioners weighs the impact of a potential $4 million budget shortfall driven by Florida Amendment 3, a contentious debate has erupted over discretionary spending. Commissioners clashed over allocating funds to local groups, with resident Barbara Morano warning, “This money is not monopoly money.”
Ponder Highlights Maritime, Innovation Initiatives At Walton Chamber Lunch
Northwest Florida State College President Mel Ponder recently unveiled a bold strategic plan at the Walton Area Chamber’s Power of Business Lunch. With new investments in maritime training, hospitality, public safety, and engineering pathways, the college is aggressively aligning its curriculum with regional economic demands to transform students’ future success.
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.
Walton Commission says ‘flock you’ to controversial cameras in rapid vote
The Walton County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to remove Flock license plate reader cameras from county rights-of-way. While proponents noted the system’s success in locating missing persons, skeptics raised concerns about data privacy, facial recognition, and surveillance, leading to a 5-0 vote to disconnect the devices on county-controlled roads.
