REP. BRAD DRAKE has completed his first session in the Florida Legislature, which ended the second week in May, slightly past the normal time of adjournment. “It took a little bit of extra time, we wanted to make sure we did it right,” said Drake, who recently took time to speak with the Herald [...]

  THE WALTON COUNTY Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) received a call around 9:15 p.m. on June 6 from a Paxton resident that a 15-foot alligator was sitting in the middle of the road in a residential neighborhood. When deputies arrived they discovered that indeed an alligator had made its way down Adams Street and was lying [...]

  AS OF FRIDAY, May 22, vehicular traffic can once again access historic Fort Pickens, just east of Pensacola Beach. Named after Revolutionary War hero General Andrew Pickens, Fort Pickens is the largest of four forts meant to defend the mouth of Pensacola Bay and the adjacent Navy Yard. During the Civil War, Confederate soldiers [...]

ACLU VS. HOLMES COUNTY The national group alleges retribution against citizen by commissioner. PILCHER EXPOUNDS ON PROPERTY Property appraiser explains assessment process and services. AMASON’S ANGLE Ashley discovers home is where the heart is. ADDING TO THE SWEET LIFE IN SEASIDE New shop offers salted-caramel cupcakes and other tasty cupcakes. WHS RETIREES WISHED WELL School [...]

By DOTTY NIST Prior to a temporary height limit ordinance being approved in November 2007, there was no specific limit on the height of new construction north of the bay in Walton County. The temporary ordinance set a 50-foot height limit, uniform with the limit that had existed in south Walton County for many years. [...]

By BRUCE COLLIER Rep. Brad Drake has completed his first session in the Florida Legislature, which ended the second week in May, slightly past the normal time of adjournment. “It took a little bit of extra time, we wanted to make sure we did it right,” said Drake, who recently took time to speak with [...]

By ALICIA LEONARD Two neighbors and one Holmes County commissioner have done what many could not. They have brought the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida and the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) together. Both organizations, together, served Holmes County a complaint on June 8, on behalf of their client, Daniel Stone. [...]

Staff Reports The Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) received a call around 9:15 p.m. on June 6 from a Paxton resident that a 15-foot alligator was sitting in the middle of the road in a residential neighborhood. When deputies arrived they discovered that indeed an alligator had made its way down Adams Street and was [...]

Staff Reports During a traffic stop, north of DeFuniak Springs on the evening of June 16, Walton County Sheriff’s deputies encountered a drunk, naked driver. A pick-up truck being driven by Dearry Smiley, 58, of DeFuniak Springs, was parked off the shoulder partially blocking traffic on County Highway 1883. Upon approaching the vehicle the deputy [...]

Staff Reports The 9th annual Old Nick’s Speckled Trout Shootout was held from May 23-31 with many avid fisherman hauling in some of the largest specimens during the last few days of the event. Nick’s Restaurant in Basin Bayou sponsors this annual event which brings out lots of local fishermen and their families who enjoy [...]