By LEAH STRATMANN The South Walton County Tourist Development Council (TDC) continues to report good news about increasing bed tax revenues over 2007. To date, more than $11 million has been collected through September 2008, representing an increase of 5.18 percent over last year. This information was provided in the regular monthly meeting last week. [...]

Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) Nov. 10 regular meeting  A yes vote was to approve the motion. Request by Ronnie Bell, county administrator, for BCC authorization of transfer of $50,000 in existing funds within the Walton County Sheriff’s Office to be applied to a transition team for the new administration. A motion for [...]

Mark Martin – Freeport’s new councilman By BEN GRAFTON At its last meeting, Freeport’s City Council appointed Mark Martin to fill an open seat on the Council. The term will expire in 2010. Martin, who will be 44 this month, was born in Enterprise, AL., and was brought to Freeport as a toddler in 1967 [...]

An accident on Nov. 13 on U.S. 98 left two Santa Rosa Beach teens injured. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Destiny K. Hulsey, 17, was driving a 1992 four-door Toyota, with passenger Lindsay Clausen, 15, both of Santa Rosa Beach. Hulsey was waiting to make a U-turn from westbound U.S. 98 into the eastbound [...]

By PATRICK CASEY The Walton Braves closed their 2008 football season a long way from home with a 54-6 victory over the Franklin County Seahawks. Traveling to the new school that is located between Apalachicola and Carrabelle took more time than it did for the Braves to build a 34-0 halftime lead and Walton wrapped [...]

DFS COUNCIL APPROVES LAND ACQUISITION Council plans municipal airport runway extension. WALTON MAN ARRESTED FOR CHILD ABUSE Man admits to repeatedly biting children. COTTAGES FOR KIDS 2008 Delightful playhouses show off designer’s flair. S. WALTON CLAIMS FIRST FOOTBALL DISTRICT CROWN The Seahawks sailed into history with a win over Baker. FOCUS ON FINANCE A checklist [...]

  BOBBY KEMP, a Walton County Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) who has been serving Walton County citizens for nearly four decades, has retired from the county government. Local officials believe that Kemp is the oldest licensed E.M.T. in the state. Kemp began his career as a volunteer firefighter and has provided EMS services to the [...]

  PAXTON’S NEW MAYOR, HAYWARD THOMAS, is sworn in by Circuit Judge Kelvin Wells, having served in that office in years past. Outgoing Mayor Wanda Smith received a plaque of appreciation, a gift, and words of praise from her friends and colleagues. Two of the Council members being sworn-in were incumbents Jenice Armstrong and Bobby [...]

By DOTTY NIST Walton County commissioners recently complied with their legal counsel’s request to authorize seeking an injunction against a borrow pit operation. On Nov. 10, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) voted to authorize Mike Burke, county attorney, to file an injunction to stop mining operations at the Thomas Hicks borrow pit [...]

By BRUCE COLLIER Two vehicular crashes have left two people dead and two seriously injured. Both took place in Walton County, on Nov. 7 and Nov. 9. Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) investigator Tpr. Chester Jackson reported that on the evening of Nov. 7, a vehicle was driving west on the inside lane of I-10, at [...]