THE YEAR IN REVIEW What happened in 2010. _____ AREA SPORTS 2010 Games, photos. _____ FORMER DFS MAN DETAINED IN HAITI Faces possible kidnap charge. _____ “TRUE GRIT” IS TRULY GRITTY Movie review. _____ PAXTON TOWN COUNCIL WRAPS UP 2010 Agreement with Dixie Youth League. _____ MOSQUITO CONTROL BOARD CLOSES OUT YEAR Talks budget, administrative [...]

By DOTTY NIST For those who like to celebrate New Year’s Eve out and about, there is a multitude of options close by, including family-oriented outdoor celebrations open to the public.

Staff report Paul Waggoner, 32, whose sister Randi Lightner lives in DeFuniak Springs, is being held in the Haitian national penitentiary in Port-au-Prince, a detainee facing accusations that he kidnapped a baby who subsequently died in a hospital where he was volunteering. Waggoner was doing volunteer work for Materials Management Relief Corps, a group he [...]

By REID TUCKER The Paxton Town Council wrapped up a year’s worth of city business by voting unanimously to approve the renewal of the interlocal agreement with the Paxton Dixie Youth League.

By LEAH STRATMANN At the last meeting of the year for the South Walton County Mosquito Control District (SWMCD) director Stephen Sickerman reported the county has forwarded 30 percent of ad valorem taxes and the district has spent 12 percent of the budget thus far. To date, the district has received no funds from the [...]

By BRUCE COLLIER Nobody but the Coen Brothers would dare to tackle a remake not only of a legendary film, but of a legendary Western film featuring an Oscar-winning performance by a legendary film actor. True Grit wisely bypasses the 1969 Henry Hathaway film and hews to the novel that started it all.