JUDGE PROMISES RULING IN “WEDDING HOUSE” LAWSUIT Parties seeking summary judgment. _____ ENERGY CONSERVATION DISCOVERY EXPO Money-saving green technology on display. _____ WCEDA BOARD MEETING MAY 3 Funding report for business startups. _____ CHAMBER HAS NEW PRESIDENT First Friday Breakfast welcomes Kellie Jo Kilberg. _____ TESTIMONY CONTINUES ON DRIFTWOOD RESTAURANT Experts speak for both sides [...]

By DOTTY NIST Attorneys for the owners of a large short-term rental home in Seagrove Beach have made the argument that Walton County has “no regulatory basis” to prohibit renters from holding weddings, receptions, and other events in the home. Walton County has maintained that the occurrence of these events amounts to “nonresidential use” of [...]

By DOTTY NIST Several hours of testimony by two planners as expert witnesses consumed most of an April 30 public hearing on the proposed Driftwood restaurant. Much of the discussion was on the topic of compatibility. The hearing was a special Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meeting at the South Walton Courthouse Annex. [...]

By ALICIA LEONARD The Walton County School Board (WCSB) met in its regular session May 8 at 9 a.m. The board’s Chairman, Dennis Wallace, opened the meeting and Vice-chairperson Faye Leddon led the prayer and pledge of allegiance, before Wallace briefly discussed minor changes in agenda items. District 1 member Mildred Wilkerson was not present [...]

By REID TUCKER Though numerous other events were taking place in DeFuniak Springs on Saturday, May 5, the 6th Annual May Day Festival attracted big crowds throughout the day and into the evening. This year’s event began before 6 a.m. as contestants from 16 teams arrived from around the state in anticipation of the annual [...]

By REID TUCKER DeFuniak Springs’ first annual Energy Conservation Discovery Expo demonstrated firsthand how “green” technological innovation can help save the planet while helping individuals and local government alike save greenbacks. The drizzly, overcast morning on Saturday, May 5, did little to dampen the spirits of the hundreds of Walton County residents who attended the [...]

SWCC FORUM ON OIL SPILL Scientist speaks on effects in gulf. _____ FREEPORT CITY COUNCIL APRIL 26 MEETING C.W. Roberts expansion anticipated. _____ FLORIDA SUPREME COURT APPROVES REVISED REDISTRICTING PLAN Senate revision passes constitutional review. _____ HEARINGS HELD ON HARRIS LAWSUIT Court hears argument on dismissal, no ruling yet. _____ FREEPORT SEASON ENDS AT DISTRICT [...]

By DOTTY NIST “As a scientist, I don’t think I can ever say that we can rest easy,” scientist Richard Snyder’s told community members as he addressed them two years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Snyder, a professor with the University of West Florida’s Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation, was featured speaker at [...]

By DOTTY NIST An hour’s worth of arguments were heard on April 30 in the matter of Suzanne Harris’ legal challenge resulting from Walton County’s 2010 purchase of property on Chat Holley Road. Count II of the lawsuit, which had alleged violation of the Sunshine Law in connection with the purchase, has now been dropped [...]

By BEN GRAFTON At the Freeport City Council meeting of April 26, City Planner Latilda Henninger presented a report on the progress of the Waterfronts Florida workshops, the most recent of which was held on April 18. The workshops have been well attended and a number of good suggestions for improvements put forth. With the [...]