THE YEAR IN REVIEW: 2012 Top stories and photos. _____ PREVIEW: BCC HEARING ON BEACH ACTIVITIES ORDINANCE Issues for Jan. 8 public hearing _____ FREEPORT BASKETBALL TOURNEY PDL girls take second place, Walton boys take fourth. _____ POLAR BEARS TAKE THE PLUNGE! Photos from annual south Walton New Year’s tradition. _____ WALTON COUNTY ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED [...]

Story and photos by DOTTY NIST The countdown to Walton County’s 200th birthday continued on Dec. 29 with a celebration on Eastern Lake.

Story and photos by JEFFREY POWELL For the first time in nearly a decade no one plunged into the Gulf of Mexico behind the Watercolor Inn and Resort on the first day of the new year. It was not for lack of interest or possible polar bear participants but for the conditions of the choppy [...]

By DOTTY NIST Revisions to Walton County’s Beach Activities Ordinance are to be considered by county commissioners at a Jan. 8 public hearing. The proposed revisions come after three public workshops held on the ordinance by Walton County Administration.

By PATRICK CASEY The eight team Hilton Sandestin Beach Basketball Blowout girls basketball tournament got underway on Dec. 28 at Freeport Middle School with four members of the Area 5 taking part, three against out-of-state competition.

By PATRICK CASEY and REID TUCKER The Walton Braves basketball team made county history in 2012 by finishing fourth at the 18th Annual Hilton Sandestin Beach Basketball Blowout tournament, which wrapped on New Year’s Eve.