-- A Freeport man was arrested who was arrested for driving under the influence after a series of disruptive incidents in Santa Rosa Beach on Friday allegedly wiped feces all over a jail cell according to the Walton County Sheriff's Office Deputies say they responded to a call about a heavily intoxicated man harassing patrons at a Grayton Beach restaurant on Friday identified as 47-year-old Jason Lavar Buchanan Deputies say Buchanan was reportedly driving by the restaurant Deputies discovered a firearm within arm's reach in his vehicle Buchanan was confrontational and refused to exit the car leading deputies to use a Taser on him multiple times Buchanan continued his disruptive behavior at the jail smearing feces on the glass window and door Buchanan was charged with driving under the influence and obstruction without violence His criminal history includes a previous DUI conviction and multiple obstruction-related charges He is currently being held in Walton County Jail on a $5,000 bond Santa Rosa Beach resident Tasha Mayo is fired up to showcase her grilling expertise in the final round of LongHorn Steakhouse’s eighth annual Steak Master Series “My team has a great deal of confidence in me,” Mayo said “They tell me to go do my thing and bring that trophy home.” A five-year veteran of the LongHorn Steakhouse team Mayo names the Outlaw Ribeye and Crispy Brussels Sprouts as her favorite menu items She values that “LongHorn takes pride in quality” as her favorite aspect of working at the restaurant For home grillers looking to improve their technique Mayo offers this advice: “Never move a steak before your grill marks are set Join the best local newsletter read by thousands of locals each weekday morning and more public beaches than its eastern counterparts Santa Rosa Beach woman wins $1 million scratch-off prize from Florida LotteryNorthwest Florida Daily NewsSANTA ROSA BEACH — A Walton County woman is $1 million richer after she claimed the grand prize from a scratch-off game at the Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee According to a news release published on April 11 claimed a $1 million prize from the BONUS LETTER CROSSWORD game She chose to take her winnings as a one-time lump-sum payment of $640,000 Clarke bought the winning ticket at Cumberland Farms on U.S the store will receive a $2,000 commission for selling the lucky ticket The BONUS LETTER CROSSWORD is a $5 word-themed Scratch-Off game where winners can win many prizes With more than 5.4 million winning tickets and over $76 million in total cash prizes the odds of winning anything in the game are about 1 in 4 Scratch-offs are big business for the Florida Lottery; in 2024 they made up roughly 74 percent of all ticket sales last fiscal year Scratch-Off games have paid out more than $65 billion in prizes and helped generate over $19.8 billion for Florida’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund which supports public schools across the state Conservation groups say that while confined to Walton — home to Seaside Blue Mountain Beach and other tourist draws — the conflict echoes across Florida and an economy powered by sun and sand Palm Beach County has also seen tussles over beach ownership owners of multimillion-dollar mansions along a once-sparsely visited beach in the Town of Palm Beach began planting white poles in the sand to stake their claim on beach they said they owned beachgoers were told they could be cited for trespassing while it was OK for them to walk east of the so-called "erosion control line," or mean high water line The fight was unusual in Palm Beach County where multiple public beaches offer mostly unlimited access but there have also been issues on Singer Island in Riviera Beach signs put out by the Oceantree Condominium made it clear what parts of the sand were for "Oceantree Residents Only."  And the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island has reserved its beach for Marriott guests only The general manager in 2018 said the hotel staff doesn't stop people from walking through the Marriott's beach to get to the nearby public Ocean Reef Park north of the Marriott but they are not allowed to plant a towel and stay So the battle throughout Florida is now being played out in Walton County “A visitor who comes to the state of Florida and experiences issues they don’t think this is just Walton County they think this is Florida,” said Pepper Uchino president of the Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association That’s what was crimped seven years ago with the state law that overturned a 2016 ordinance by the Walton County Commission The county had declared the public had recreational use rights to the county’s 26 miles of dry sand beach along what was known as the Gulf of Mexico now referred to as the Gulf of America by the U.S Many beachside owners fought the county’s move And state lawmakers were lobbied to negate the ordinance by former Arkansas Gov who owned a beach house in Walton County at the time Huckabee sold his Blue Mountain Beach home in 2021 The law nullified Walton County’s customary use ordinance while allowing older ordinances in other counties to remain intact any sand below the high tide water mark is publicly accessible sparking clashes in coastal communities where private property borders public beaches The 2018 law blocked any city or county from approving a customary use ordinance until it notifies affected homeowners holds a public hearing and goes before a judge who determines whether a private beach has historically been open to visitors Five years of court fightingWalton County tried to get a court to order that the public had access to 1,194 private parcels of beachfront But the five-year court fight ended last year with most of the private beaches remaining private not everyone wants to see every strip of sand in Walton County made open to the public “The owner who can’t say ‘no trespassing’ doesn’t own his home anymore,” said John Howard But most of those testifying at the bill’s first committee stop said it’s needed to restore peace on the beach to bring back visitors angered and reluctant to return to the region after facing problems with beach access Homeowners are in trouble along the scenic beach highway known as County Road 30A “I sell a lot of 30A property,” said Rachel Warrell don’t have beach access and when access is restricted leading to fewer jobs and lost tax revenue.” who left office in January to run unsuccessfully for Congress had introduced a repeal bill (HB 6043) in the House Rudman said the region’s economy is hurt by the beach restrictions “Only 5% of vacation homes are gulf-front,” Rudman said “So we are effectively blocking beach access to 95% of the vacation homes in the area … If you don’t have rent “We’re about to have an economic collapse and a housing collapse in Walton County the likes of which you’ve never seen,” Rudman told senators “I’m not OK with the idea that Walton County’s economy is struggling,” he said “Or that people who live near the beach can’t use it.” Beach backstory... Fences on the beach? Lawmakers target cities, counties... Florida's GOP-led Legislature aims to limit the power of city, county governments But whether lawmakers are ready to undo what was done in 2018 is an open question as the two-month legislative session enters its second half Opposing the repeal were two former Senate presidents: Kathleen Passidomo Passidomo sponsored the 2018 law and said she still supports the legal outline it includes for determining beach access who said he’s owned non-beachfront property in Walton County for 40 years said he’s watched the tug-of-war play out there for years He was convinced that if the repeal was approved by lawmakers and the county again tried to declare the beach fully public “We’ll be talking about all kinds of things He was confident that feuds between the rival sides will continue the Hatfields and McCoys will be back at it again next week.” Palm Beach Post reporter Kimberly Miller contributed to this story John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Network’s Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com, or on X at @JKennedyReport Watercrest Santa Rosa Beach earned an impressive score of 4.8 out of 5.0 in overall satisfaction ratings News & World Report rankings are awarded by analyzing data from nearly 450,000 consumer experience surveys at more than 3,800 senior living communities nationwide individual locations earned a specific final weighted score tabulated in the independent methodology developed by the U.S News recognizes communities that have excelled at providing highly satisfactory services and making residents feel safe and well cared for.  Watercrest Santa Rosa Beach also received notably high ratings in safety and value  "For three years, Watercrest Santa Rosa Beach has achieved the honor and distinction of the best in senior living by U.S. News and World Report, one of the nation's most esteemed organizations," says Marc Vorkapich principal and chief executive officer of Watercrest Senior Living Group and to be amongst the nation's top tier providers in services offered is truly a testament to the world-class care and exceptional experiences provided to our seniors at Watercrest Santa Rosa Beach." Watercrest Santa Rosa Beach is conveniently located at 205 West Hewett Road along the Emerald Coast in Santa Rosa Beach The community's unique architecture and design boast a stunning promenade Watercrest's Market Street Residence showcases an innovatively designed 'outdoor' streetscape with numerous LifeBUILT programming touches; a highlight and crucial element of their multi-sensory memory care programming Pelican Landing Assisted Living and Memory Care has been prestigiously recognized by U.S News & World Report earning "Best.. Watercrest Spanish Springs Assisted Living and Memory Care has been prestigiously recognized by U.S Health Care & Hospitals Publishing & Information Services Surveys, Polls and Research Senior Citizens Do not sell or share my personal information: -- A woman in Santa Rosa Beach was shot by her estranged husband on New Year's morning supposedly ending his own life moments later the Walton County Sheriff's Office says Deputies say a woman called 911 saying she awoke to her estranged husband in her bedroom He entered her home on Campbell Street uninvited She says when she tried running from the home he shot at her Deputies say her injuries are non-life threatening "The suspect was found with fatal injuries that appeared to be self-inflicted." went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior Steve grew up with strong values that shaped the foundation of his life—a life marked by dedication earning the honor of valedictorian in high school before pursuing an engineering degree at the University of Tennessee His career as an electrical engineer led him to Atlanta where he met and married the love of his life leaving an indelible mark on everyone they encountered Steve loved and cherished every second with Karen Their journey together included many adventures to sailing the serene waters of the British Virgin Islands Family was the cornerstone of Steve’s life he was also a loving father-in-law to Lisa Steve cherished every moment with his seven grandchildren—Tyler and Emmy—passing on his love for the ocean and the joy of family during treasured summers at their Florida beach house They could feel the love from him and will carry that with them the rest of their lives He is also survived by his beloved younger sister who grew up with Steve in Turtletown - their relationship always marked by being there for one another A close and unique bond with Karen’s father Pete was not only his father-in-law but also one of his dearest friends sharing many meaningful moments - primarily based around “fixing things” together Steve’s steadfast Christian faith guided his actions and unwavering values left an indelible mark on all who knew him Steve Hughes will be remembered with love as a devoted husband compassion and integrity will continue to inspire those who knew him and his memory will forever remain in their hearts *All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased Please enter the amount you would like to give and click continue These year-round volunteers serve in Leadership or Student Relations to promote the work of Operation Christmas Child in every season These volunteers teach The Greatest Journey discipleship course to shoebox recipients and train others how to lead the 12-lesson study These short-term volunteers welcome shoebox donors and load their precious cargo onto trucks at nearly 5,000 locations across the country These volunteers share the Gospel at outreach events where shoebox gifts are delivered These volunteers train pastors and community leaders to host Operation Christmas Child outreach events and also equip The Greatest Journey teachers They also help coordinate the logistics of shoebox gift delivery in their country These short-term volunteers prepare shoebox gifts for international shipping at eight locations across the U.S.: Atlanta; Boone North Carolina; Baltimore; Charlotte; Chicago; Denver; Dallas and Southern California These seasonal volunteers coordinate shoebox packing and collection for their church or group Estos Voluntarios de corto plazo dan la bienvenida a los donadores y suben su preciosa carga a los camiones en cerca de 5,000 lugares alrededor del país Estos voluntarios enseñan el curso de discipulado de La Gran Aventura a quienes reciben cajas de regalos y entrenan a otros en cómo dirigir el estudio de 12 lecciones Estos voluntarios temporales coordinan el empacado y la recolección de cajas de regalos para su iglesia o grupo Estos voluntarios entrenan pastores y líderes comunitarios para llevar a cabo los eventos de evangelismo de Operation Christmas Child y también capacitan a maestros para La Gran Aventura También ayudan a coordinar la logística de la entrega de las cajas de regalos en sus países Estos voluntarios de corto plazo preparan cajas de regalos para envío internacional en ocho lugares alrededor de Estados Unidos: Atlanta; Boone Carolina del Norte; Baltimore; Charlotte; Chicago; Denver; Dallas y Sur de California Estos voluntarios comparten el Evangelio en eventos de evangelismo donde se entregan las cajas de regalos Children who complete all 12 lessons receive a certificate at graduation This official memento of their accomplishment is a treasured keepsake for many The Greatest Journey graduates receive a New Testament in their own language This may be the first copy of the Scriptures they or their family have ever owned This colorful 12-lesson resource equips the student to follow along with the story This in-depth manual helps instructors apply Bible stories to their students’ lives to encourage the boys and girls to re-tell them to others The Greatest Journey teachers are taught to be good storytellers who ask questions of children to keep them engaged This method allows nonliterate cultures to participate and equips teachers to continue discipleship lessons with their students long after they complete the workbook o Relaciones Estudiantiles para promover el trabajo de Operation Christmas Child en cada temporada ¿Buscas Operation Christmas Child en español? It only costs $6 to provide lesson books and a Bible for a boy or girl participating in this discipleship program by Samaritan’s Purse It only costs $10 to provide a Bible or Christian literature for a family in need through the Christmas catalog This booklet invites children to receive God’s Greatest Gift This resource equips local churches with information on how to organize a distribution and invite boys and girls to participate in follow-up discipleship Examples Include t-shirts (size adult large or smaller) If you have a question about your product or service as a gift-in-kind Millions of shoeboxes and thousands of volunteers take up a lot of space You can help us each fall by donating empty warehouse space to be used as a processing center A facility from 30,000 to 100,000 square feet is needed near Atlanta many children have the opportunity to learn more about the Gospel through our Biblical discipleship program You can donate printing for leaders’ guides It only costs $6 to provide lesson books and a Bible for a boy or girl participating in the Samaritan’s Purse discipleship program. Learn more ￫ provides one shoebox recipient with a 12-lesson Bible study and the guidance of a trained teacher/mentor in the community Only giving online through Follow Your Box will enable you to discover the destination of your shoebox gift Attach a Follow-Your-Box tracking label to your shoebox, and you can use our Lookup Tool to find out the country where your box will be delivered with the message of Christ’s love Your $9 per gift donation is critical in helping with shoebox processing, shipping, and gospel materials. Learn more ￫ A step-by-step suggested presentation of the Gospel appears in the Ministry Partner Guide along with a series of two-panel posters that illustrate the text This guide fosters consistency in how the Good News is presented during Operation Christmas Child outreach events Este recurso a color de 12 lecciones permite al estudiante a seguir la historia y hacer actividades en clase o como tarea en casa este folleto de historias del Evangelio presenta a Cristo a niños y niñas y los invita a seguirlo ¡Algunos niños consideran esta pieza de su caja de regalo como su favorita En la Guía de Compañeros de Ministerio aparece una presentación del Evangelio paso a paso junto con una serie de posters de dos paneles que ilustran el texto Esta guía promueve consistencia en cómo presentar las Buenas Nuevas durante los eventos de evangelismo de Operation Christmas Child Este manual detallado ayuda a los instructores a aplicar historias Bíblicas en las vidas de sus estudiantes para animar a los niños y niñas a volverlas a contar a otros se enseñan a los maestros de La Gran Aventura a ser buenos contadores de historias que hacen preguntas a los niños para mantenerlos atentos Este método permite a las culturas analfabetas a participar y capacita a los maestros a continuar las lecciones de discipulado con sus estudiantes mucho después de que ellos hayan completado el libro de trabajo Los niños que completan las 12 lecciones reciben un certificado en la graduación Este momento oficial de su logro es un recuerdo preciado para muchos Este folleto invita a los niños a recibir el Mejor Regalo de parte de Dios—Su Hijo Jesucristo Este recurso capacita a las iglesias locales con información de cómo organizar una distribución compartir el Evangelio e invitar a niños y niñas a participar en el discipulado de seguimiento los graduados de La Gran Aventura reciben un Nuevo Testamento en su propio idioma Esta puede ser la primera copia de las Escrituras que ellos o sus familias han tenido this Gospel story booklet introduces boys and girls to Christ and invites them to follow Him Some children find this piece to be their favorite part of their shoebox gift Una donación de $6 dólares provee a un niño la oportunidad de participar en el programa de discipulado de Samaritan´s Purse, cubriendo el costo del libro del estudiante y una Biblia. Más información ￫ Únicamente al realizar tu donación en línea a través de Follow Your Box podrás descubrir el destino de tu caja de regalos Agrega una etiqueta Follow Your Box a tu caja de regalos y podrás utilizar el Buscador para conocer el país al que esta llegará con el mensaje del amor de Cristo Tu donativo de $9 nos ayuda a cubrir los costos de procesamiento de las cajas, envío y los materiales de evangelismo. Conoce más ￫ millions of shoebox gifts are collected at thousands of drop-off sites in all 50 states and Puerto Rico We are looking for companies interested in donating or discounting transportation on a state or national level or online advertising or airtime can have a tremendous impact by inspiring more individuals to pack shoebox gifts Gifts such as tickets to events or attractions can provide exciting incentives that can be used during Operation Christmas Child special promotions or contests owner and operator of best-in-class luxury villa rental companies in the US announces the appointment of Abbey Sports as general manager of Exclusive 30A in South Walton Sports brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this position Exclusive 30A represents more than 130 villas along Florida's Emerald Coast a 24-mile stretch from Destin to Panama City which is referred to as "the Hamptons of the South." Exclusive 30A offers an array of homes along the corridor in Inlet Beach Sports will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the business portfolio development and homeowner and guest experience Sports served as the general manager of Callista Vacation Rentals by 360 Blue since 2023 Sports was the senior property manager at 360 Blue she was the operations manager at 30A Escapes Vacation Rentals.Sports holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Tourism Management She resides on 30A with her three daughters SANTA ROSA BEACH — A three-time championship motocross racer was arrested in Santa Rosa Beach on March 21 According to an arrest report from the Walton County Sheriff's Office, Haiden Deegan, 19 was arrested after allegedly performing donuts in a sports car at the Walton Sports Complex parking lot The arresting deputy reported hearing the sound of squealing tires and revving engines while on patrol he observed four vehicles in the sports complex's front parking lot while other cars in the area appeared to belong to patrons using the pickleball courts law enforcement officers saw a gray Audi R8 with illuminated brake lights release its brakes and accelerate west before executing a full rotation in the lane leading to the pickleball courts The deputy activated his patrol vehicle’s emergency lights and siren at which point the driver allegedly completed another rotation before parking also witnessed the incident and detained the driver “We were all drifting,” according to the report Deegan was arrested and a traffic citation was issued Deegan was transported to the South Walton Substation before being transferred to the Walton County Jail The Audi R8 was towed and placed on a 30-day hold On Saturday morning, Deegan posted a $1,000 bail/professional bond. After the incident, Deegan posted the booking history on his Instagram stories page he called himself a "certified stunt driver" with a laughing emoji More news: City of Fort Walton Beach to activate speed cameras in school zones on April 1 Deegan is the son of 14-time motorsports champion Brian Deegan Haiden Deegan secured back-to-back SuperMotocross World Championships in the 250cc division in 2023 and 2024 He also captured the 2024 AMA Pro Motocross Championship in the 250cc class Deegan currently competes in the 250 Supercross West division which is part of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series He is currently the championship point leader by 12 points over Julien Beaumer (This story was updated to add new information) SEAGROVE BEACH — A Walton County judge has ruled in favor of a Santa Rosa Beach man in a free speech lawsuit ordering the county to pay $42,000 in legal fees and fines In 2021, Marvin Peavy gained national attention after displaying two large banners supporting President Donald Trump from the balconies of his home on County Road 30A Walton County officials cited him for violating property maintenance codes and fined him $50 per day until the banners were removed Peavy argued that the ordinance infringed on his First Amendment rights and refused to take down the banners or pay the fines While supporters offered to cover the costs or start fundraising efforts The case has been in litigation for the past several years in Florida's First Judicial Circuit reversed the Code Enforcement magistrate at the cause of the issue citing that Peavy did not violate Walton County's Land Development Code now or in the future related to the sign ordinance at issue," Lewis wrote The ruling states that Walton County is ordered to pay Peavy $42,000 to cover costs and legal fees associated with the litigation within 10 days of the ruling "We just settled on that because (what) it basically boils down to is: Walton County has to admit that they were wrong for coming to my house on Father's Day four years ago," said Peavy Peavy believes that not only is there now a precedent for free speech rights in Walton County "It's about what our forefathers signed up for back in 1776 and Walton County cannot supersede my First Amendment rights with their sign orders," Peavy said "Sometimes you just got to lay down the law and fight the government." Peavy said that residents should expect more signs monthly as he continues to support the Trump administration "There will be a new sign hung every month to let everybody know what's going on in the world We have a giant billboard there and we're going to take the time and we're going to put them up and make everybody in Seaside love us," Peavy said Plans for a toll on the Navarre Beach Bridge moved closer to reality Monday. Santa Rosa County commissioners voted unanimously to approve design of a toll system and a rate study to help establish the amount of the toll Approval of the task order authorizes payment of $385,665 to Jacobs Engineering to design a new tolling station at the north end of the bridge with toll-by-plate equipment for southbound vehicles only The rate study would consider the possibility of tailoring a fee structure allowing different rates for beach residents has been calling for fellow board members to replace the current 65-year-old bridge he’s been pushing for a toll to raise needed funding if we’re gonna get a bridge and we got to put some of that money towards a new bridge,” Eddington said I know we got to put some toward repair of the old one because we just spent $8 million and getting ready to spend another $3 million of taxpayer’s money.” That’s a reference to mounting repair costs for the bridge that opened in 1960 and has now been rated as “functionally obsolete” by the Florida Department of Transportation because it does not meet current design standards the estimated cost of constructing a new bridge is between $150 million and $350 million “We’ve got to get a new bridge and it’s gonna take a lot of money But I believe we can get it done the right way Navarre resident Tamara Fountain recognized the need for the toll as just one of the sources needed to pay for new bridge “We’ve already been told by every leader in the state that we’re going to have to come up with our own matching grant funds if we’re going to quality for any kind of FDOT help,” said Fountain “I want to make sure that money is put in a segregated fund and allowed to grow and that we would not use it for anything else other than grant-matching funds for the purpose of a bridge.” Fountain questioned spending the toll on maintenance of the bridge because the county doesn’t toll any other bridge in the county for maintenance District 3 commissioner Rhett Rowell echoed similar concerns about using toll revenue for bridge maintenance of the bridge said he has no problem with using some of the toll for bridge upkeep “That’s one of the reasons I support the toll because that’s not going to buy a new bridge,” Smith said in reference to the estimated $2 million annually the toll projected to generate “It would take 100 years for that to buy a new bridge.” If Santa Rosa commissioners follow through with their plan a toll for the Navarre Beach Bridge will be nothing new It previously operated as a toll bridge from the time it opened in 1960 until the toll was eliminated in 2006 -- An illegal immigrant from Mexico is charged for a shooting incident in Santa Rosa Beach on Wednesday It happened Wednesday afternoon in the area of Bella Boulevard stopped in a pick-up truck in front of an address where they were working and fired two shots in the air from a handgun Witnesses indicated this has been an ongoing feud between those involved a spent shell casing was found below a work van located in front of the residence," a release states where they say he admitted he was the driver of the pickup truck but said it had been parked for the last several hours a spent shell casing matching the one found near the van was found below the windshield wipers of Michua’s truck," a release states Michua was arrested for discharging a firearm from a vehicle Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a hold on Michua ICE will have 48 hours from that point to assume custody," the sheriff's office says he will stay in custody until the completion of the judicial process in Walton County at which time ICE will be given 48 hours to take custody." while others will simply look at it as a case of finally getting around to doing the right thing More than a month after heavy rains polluted Mulat Bayou and exposed the shoddy erosion control efforts of two developers clearing and building in the same Santa Rosa County neighborhood those builders have made significant strides toward controlling red clay runoff in the Avalon Beach subdivision "We've been on top of it and everything looks like they finally spent some time and money and are doing what they ought to do," said Santa Rosa County Assistant County Administrator Jared Lowe the managing partner of a company called Furlong Lots and Development LLC has been receiving county code enforcement citations since August for environmental violations Cornelison has clear cut 14 lots on the east and west side of Furlong Drive in Avalon Beach His company has been hit by the county with fines totaling $35,163 for failures to control runoff from the site The Northwest Florida Water Management District fined Cornelison $21,000 in September for failing to obtain an Environmental Resource Permit before initiating clearing of his property and also for failing to maintain appropriate erosion controls and adversely impacting a wetland area as two new members of the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners were being sworn into office two-and-a-half inches of rain was falling on the Milton/Pace area Water ran south off of dirt road portions of Damon Drive and Furlong Drive and entered the bayou behind the residence of Art Hauck The red clay turned the water the color of chocolate milk according to one witness to the pollution event Hauck was flabbergasted and angered to see the extensive damage done to the shallow tip of the waterway his home overlooks "Everyday I would come outside and see bluegill and bass 'Why isn't someone (angry) that this is happening?'" he asked shortly after the weather event county code enforcement agents added more than $16,000 to the fines it had assessed against Cornelison two months earlier was also cited for 22 environmental violations and fined $8,966 by Santa Rosa County following the November rain storm Hanley Holdings had failed to obtain a required environmental resource permit before initiating development activities More: 'It's a disaster out there': Developers fined for clearcutting, pollution in Avalon Beach Hauck remains livid about the damage done at his home He said recently that while he'd seen some county effort to establish erosion control by establishing turbidity curtains to remove sediment from water entering the bayou he didn't see any evidence that the developers responsible for the original pollution event were doing enough "Somebody's got to take responsibility for what's going on," he said Hauck last week sent out a Facebook post indicating erosion control measures had not only been installed but were also apparently working Along with correctly installing silt fencing and hay bales to prevent soil from leaving the development sites project managers at Furlong Drive have built a "swale" to cleanse water flowing toward the bayou of sediments The swales have been in place since about Dec More: Santa Rosa County Commissioner announces new fines for Mulat Bayou polluters "Drainage swales are intended to channel water to an appropriate place for the water to convey," Lowe said The swale installed along Furlong features a "rock mat" that lets water flow through while capturing sediments The soil gets trapped in the rocks while the water passes over and around "They have definitely done some work over on Furlong to address the drainage issue," Hauck told the Pensacola News Journal I haven't seen that since this all started I'm just blown away by the amount of work being done on Furlong." Hauck credited one of the newly sworn county commissioners, Bobby Burkett, with playing a role in seeing action taken in his neighborhood Burkett was a code enforcement officer for the county before being elected to his seat Since taking office he has floated the idea of creating a task force to recommend methods of better policing environmental compliance among developers in fast growing Santa Rosa County The erosion control work done on Cornelison's behalf along Furlong Drive got its first test late Saturday and into Sunday when according to the National Weather Service in Mobile between two-and-a-half and three inches of rain fell in the Milton area Photographs taken after the weekend event were posted on Facebook and showed that clay had again muddied the waters of Mulat Bayou behind Hauck's home Local activists held the muddied water out as an example of ongoing developer negligence But Lowe said the work done to curb sediment runoff reaching the bayou had made a significant difference in minimizing the extent of the damage "There were some failures that are being re-stabilized today and there was some sediment intrusion during the heaviest of rains," Lowe said "But it’s nowhere near the level of erosion it had been." Though they've taken steps to prevent further fines both Hanley Holdings NWFL and Furlong Lots and Development each face additional sanctions at the hands of the state's Department of Environmental Protection "We are still investigating this case," DEP spokesman Jesse Whitfield said in an email Lowe said Thursday he had not been updated on DEP action in the case Lowe said the county had not been updated regarding any ongoing EPA investigation nor had it been alerted to any charges filed or penalties assessed by the federal authority and play along these scenic beach communities VERO BEACH, Fla., April 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Each day at Watercrest Santa Rosa Beach offers seniors an opportunity to thrive in an environment purposefully designed to provide enrichment interaction and socialization beyond the expectations of your average senior living community Watercrest Santa Rosa Beach is an award-winning assisted living and memory care community operated by Watercrest Senior Living certified for seven consecutive years as a Great Place to Work With a team of expertly trained and dedicated associates caring for seniors the services and amenities at Watercrest Santa Rosa Beach are top-notch residents delighted in a variety of unique community events from the 'Pinot in Paradise' Paint and Sip Party to a nostalgic 1950's Sock Hop Residents pitched in with community partners for a successful Stuff the Bus Food Drive supporting the Freeport Elementary School Food Pantry while also enjoying pet therapy and favorite hobbies from the gardening group to cruising a remote-controlled boat out on the water Paddy's Day Brunch where residents and family donned their lucky green attire for corned beef and cabbage and live music by The Gilleran's Island Band Watercrest Senior Living takes a unique approach to healthy aging focusing on individuals achieving personal wholeness through participation in programs aligned with the seven facets of wholeness These facets provide the framework for their Live Exhilarated™ program which involves celebrating the residents' story and offering variety and choice to all residents Watercrest Santa Rosa Beach is a multi-award winning senior living community including the prestigious recognition by U.S News & World Report as a Best Assisted Living Community and a Best Memory Care Community and recipient of the 800 Award by Reputation a global leader in reputation performance management The community also celebrated the benchmark of hitting 100% resident occupancy amongst its many distinctions Additionally, Watercrest's Market Street Residence showcases an innovatively designed 'outdoor' streetscape with numerous LifeBUILT programming touches; a highlight and crucial element of their multi-sensory memory care programming SANTA ROSA BEACH — The Santa Rosa Beach community welcomed the first of two McDonald's locations on June 13 Costa Enterprises announced that the new location built by Stansell Properties & Development The 4,000-square-foot store features a large parking area It also features kiosks where customers can use cash to pay for meals a first for a McDonald's location in the market The newest McDonalds location also adds over 60 jobs to the local workforce we have been looking for the right locations in Santa Rosa Beach and we are so excited to finally be able to bring a McDonald’s to South Walton,” said owner/operator David Costa "Opening the restaurant with 61 employees has been a true joy to watch our new team come together as we welcome residents and guests alike into our new restaurant." More Walton Co.: City of Freeport launches new community art project The grand opening celebrations began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce followed by the Costa family's $500 donation to South Walton High School South Walton Fire District and the Walton County Sheriff's Office the donation was doubled to $1,000 for each organization this is the first of two restaurants planned to open in 2024 in Santa Rosa Beach The second restaurant will be located near the Walmart in West Santa Rosa Beach the Costa family plans to make further charitable contributions to the community surrounding each restaurant -- The Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Office wants to lure more visitors to Navarre Beach They may spend millions in tourist tax dollars to do it Tourism development officials want to add a visitors center and boardwalk to the pier and existing pavilions on the beach Julie White says this has been in the works since 2019 and has been approved in the county’s budget for next year The TDC has saved more than $5 million in tourist tax revenue for this project White says that’s what’s needed to bring in a new visitor center and boardwalk along Navarre Beach The first phase brings in some retail space White says this would attract more visitors and educate them about the area "An interpretative visitor center where we have ranger-led talks," White said "We could offer our visitors more of a learning system there’s so much to learn about our coastal ecosystem.” The project will also bring in a parking lot to accommodate the visitors There's no information on the number of spots yet “We have so many people that want to have an event out here," White said " This new boardwalk will have that space to have a community-type event we could have a Saturday morning farmers market if we wanted we could have bands on the beach here if we wanted Navarre Beach currently doesn’t have that space so I think it’ll bring a huge added value to our destination.” Tamara Fountain is the Pier Operator and Co-Owner of Windjammers She says this could draw in more tourists and give locals a chance to start up businesses "There are some stalls for small business operators so they can do their version of a store which I love so that’s very positive," Fountain said " It gives local small business owners an opportunity to get into business.” Fountain says visitors will be able to find the center easily to get more information County officials say staff is working on a full design task order to be approved by the board of commissioners White says phase one is slated to be done in two years the county will work on phase two of finishing the board walk to connect to the pavilions I've lived in Florida for eight years but only recently heard of 30A a growing travel hot spot in the Florida panhandle stunning views of the blue-green Gulf of Mexico Once only popular among Southerners who lived within driving distance 30A continues to gain steam with vacationers around the country Florida's South Walton County, which includes the 30A area, had one of its busiest tourist seasons in 2023 seeing over $1 billion in spending and over 1 million visitors between March and May alone I was curious to see why 30A's communities like Rosemary Beach so I planned my own two-night stay in the area Here's what it's really like in Florida's up-and-coming beachfront hot spot I stayed in a studio apartment in a condominium building right between Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach the Airbnb suited me perfectly and was located right in the middle of the 30A action There are also plenty of large homes available for rent all over the region from cute beach cottages in Seaside to sun-washed townhomes in Alys Beach The area is incredibly well-suited for biking with plenty of bike-rental companies and bike paths running down 30A though I was also glad I had a rental car so I could more easily explore attractions like state parks Having a car also saved me time since some towns were a 15-minute drive apart Beaches along Florida's panhandle are known for their white sands and clear blue waters — the ones in 30A are no exception The road is dotted with small beach towns and villages like Alys Beach each with its own beach-access points and powdery sand I visited multiple during my visit, and each was postcard-perfect and among the most gorgeous beaches I've been to The beaches of 30A (and ones of Northwest Florida in general) are almost always private reserved for guests staying in vacation rentals or hotels nearby all of which were marked with signs saying they were exclusively for residents or guests of certain rental properties The only beach I was able to set foot on in 30A was the one near my Airbnb — my stay came with a wristband that got me access to it I walked as far as I could up each beach-access point to see the shore but wasn't able to put my toes in the sand There are a few regional beach-access points and state parks along 30A that offer public beach access though you may have to pay entrance fees to use them I could've stayed at the beach all day while in 30A but I also wanted to see other parts of the area which were created thousands of years ago when winds redistributed sands on the dunes to make shallow bodies of water that are usually about 5 feet deep These rare lakes can only be found in a few places around the world 30A is also home to bayous and state parks the grounds of a gorgeous mansion with ancient oak trees covered with moss 30A is located between Panama City and Destin and is just close enough to states like Alabama and Louisiana that it picks up lots of Southern influence I ate some amazing comfort food and found Southern culinary delights like shrimp and grits and Nashville hot chicken on a lot of menus I felt the Southern hospitality at these places Even better, a lot of restaurants were located right on the beach. I enjoyed some amazing views while I ate, and one of my favorite spots was Bud and Alley's in 30A's Seaside Its rooftop had the perfect view of the sunset Dining my way through 30A was a true pleasure Some of my favorite dishes were a smothered jalapeño breakfast biscuit ($16) topped with sausage gravy and scrambled eggs in Seaside at Pickle's and Nashville hot chicken mac and cheese ($25) at Idyll Hound Proper in Inlet Beach where I enjoyed a Nashville hot chicken sandwich ($18) while reading on the upscale eatery's sweeping outdoor porch the menu prices at the restaurants I visited were on par with those in my own Central Florida beach town and other local cities I've visited In Seaside, I walked along Airstream Row an outdoor line-up of travel trailers serving everything from crepes to gyros Seaside is also home to adorable beach cottages and a large amphitheater performance area cinema fans might also recognize it as the place where the 1998 movie "The Truman Show" was filmed Rosemary Beach has a distinctly European vibe with many cobblestone streets and Dutch-inspired architecture Some parts of Florida, like Miami I wouldn't put 30A in that category — the area didn't seem to have a lot of bars or nightclubs my Airbnb had signs noting a "quiet curfew" between the hours of 10 p.m and most of the groups of friends I saw out and about were keeping things pretty tame and the people who were visiting at the same time as me seemed to have gotten a collective memo that this wasn't a party town but more of a gorgeous slice of Florida coastline designed for maximum relaxation I felt 30A drew in a lot of well-off tourists who wanted to soak in beach-town vibes and relax the demographics and dynamics of the visitors seemed to vary I watched families bike along 30A, couples walk hand-in-hand through Rosemary Beach, retirement-aged groups have breakfast at waterfront restaurants and 20somethings pose for photos at sunset once most Florida schools were back in session Although a full week in 30A could get pricey — small rentals average between $450 and $530 a night and larger homes can be around $2,500 a night — two nights felt like too short of a time to be in the area I was on the go nonstop to try to explore everything 30A had to offer but I eventually ran out of time with so much left to see and do I think three or four nights at minimum is a great amount of time to experience 30A the area felt on par with the rest of the state of Florida in terms of affordability for a vacation Food prices were similar to what I find back home like metered parking or park-entrance fees I can't wait to return to the area with my husband and teenagers since a family vacation seems like it'd be pretty doable and relaxing here I'd go back to 30A with just about anyone — the area seems ideal for any traveler looking to relax somewhere beautiful -- A 46-year-old Santa Rosa Beach man is dead after an overnight crash in Walton County on Monday Troopers say the crash occurred on Highway 98 at Professional Place around 1 a.m Florida Highway Patrol says the man's SUV crashed into the rear of a 40-year-old Miramar Beach woman's SUV FHP say the force caused the man's SUV to fall into a ditch and catch on fire while the woman's SUV was pushed into a ditch on the south side of U.S The woman and her 18-year-old Miramar Beach passenger had minor injuries In his two years as a Santa Rosa County Commissioner, Ray Eddington has been a lot of places and seen a lot of things One thing he said he's never laid eyes on, though, is the reconstruction of a stretch of sugar white sandy beach He should get his chance during the week of Nov when a Navarre Beach renourishment project gets underway I'll be down there watching," Eddington said Monday after the Santa Rosa County Commission agreed without discussion to set aside $11,414,218 to fund the project A pre-construction meeting has been set up for Nov according to Santa Rosa County Public Works Director Michael Schmidt Setting aside funding for the beach renourishment was placed on the county's consent agenda to be finalized by a vote Thursday at the regular commission meeting Eddington said funds had been moved over to cover the cost of the project last year but were held back as officials worked to finalize the permitting process The project is being funded from the Beach Berm Restoration Budget and with Federal Emergency Management Agency funds He said the $11.4 million is a place holder and an overall project cost will be established based on the amount of sand placed to meet the permitted restoration profile It could be more or less than the bid amount More: Santa Rosa County Commission votes to go all in on Navarre Beach restoration. Commissioners voted in late April of last year to go all in on restoring the beach which in September of 2020 lost an estimated 254,000 cubic yards of sand to Hurricane Sally The last time the beach was fully renourished was in 2016 when 1.37 million cubic yards of sand were placed on the beach Schmidt said it is estimated 580,000 cubic yards of sand will be needed to fully revitalize the Navarre Beach coastline this time around The contractor assigned to restore the beach has until Feb The effort to rebuild Navarre Beach began in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sally when the Federal Emergency Management Agency embarked on a damage assessment. Following the assessment FEMA agreed to cover the bulk of the cost of placing sand on approximately 3.5 miles of Navarre Beach More: Navarre Beach set for $16 million renourishment project to replace sand lost to Sally The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the county partnered to provide the other 25% of the money needed to cover the cost of the project The price tag for the county was estimated in 2023 to be approximately $4.3 million which is owned by the county and home to a marine park and other amenities the federal government passed a law known as the Coastal Barrier Resource Act in an attempt to discourage development on barrier islands had resulted in "the loss of barrier resources and the expenditure of millions of tax dollars each year." the county had been allowed to place sand in the CBRA zone and Schmidt said that was done at the county's expense without help from FEMA FEMA has rejected the county requests to conduct its own restoration project the area will not be renourished," Schmidt said in an email There was some discussion during the beach renourishment planning stages of extending the restoration project some distance into the Gulf Island National Seashore property which lies on the western end of Navarre Beach It was hoped that by doing so the county could slow the erosion of the county owned beach in that vicinity Schmidt indicated negotiations with the federal authorities who operate the National Seashore "Staff and our coastal engineer have been in contact with National Seashore personnel to work within the park," he said in the email park personnel have been clear that this process More: Gulf Islands Seashore gets more visitors than Grand Canyon. Here's how to get in free. Sand for the project will be collected from a borrow area a few miles offshore of the beach It is the same borrow area that was used for the county's first major renourishment project in 2006 when 2.9 million cubic yards of sand was put down For the protection of endangered sea turtles and other wildlife the beach will be inspected every morning and marine patrols will be monitoring the area around the hopper dredge used to pull the sand from the floor of the Gulf of Mexico The dredge is also equipped with safeguards Some features on this page require the use of a different browser Thirteen counties border what is known as the Forgotten Coast quaint historic districts and popular beach-side cities and towns Renowned for sparkling white sands and emerald waters stretching from Pensacola southeast to Cedar Key along the Gulf of America the Panhandle is one of Florida's best-kept secrets it boasts some of Florida's best beaches and a climate for year-round boating Panhandle sanctuaries include 10 aquatic preserves the Gulf Islands National Seashore and the 234,000-acre Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve – one of the most important bird habitats in the United States' southeastern waters There are currently no Events/Public Notices that match the selected criteria The Walton County Sheriff's Office asked drivers on the north side of Highway 98 near County Road 83 in Santa Rosa Beach to please stop trying to take selfies with a bear spotted sitting on the side of the road "Famous last words, 'If not friend, why friend shaped?'" the WCSO said in a Facebook post "Because this black bear is stressed depressed lemon zest "Onlookers were trying to take selfies with the bear and he’s clearly not in the mood for pictures," the WCSO said "The bear has shown signs of severe stress." Officers from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission came to handle the bear Never approach, try to feed or take pictures with bears, the FWC warns. This is the time of year they're more likely to be active around urban areas and roadways “Juvenile or yearling bears – between the ages of 1 1/2 -2 1/2 – start dispersing in spring and summer each year,” said the FWC’s Bear Management Program Coordinator, Mike Orlando in a release “The best thing people can do if they see a bear in an unexpected area is to give them plenty of space and to never approach or feed them and they will typically move along on their own.”   Younger bears are looking for new habitats this time of year, and mating season for black bears is from mid-June to mid-August, according to the U.S. Forest Service black bear sightings increase in suburban and urban areas Jacksonville and others around the state.," Orlando said if a bear is not able to find food and is given space "Feeding bears can make them lose their natural fear of people." It's also illegal in Florida to intentionally feed bears or leave out food or garbage that will attract them let your neighbors know and keep your dog inside or on a leash If you're having a problem with a bear, call 911 or the local FWC regional office or to report someone who is either harming bears or intentionally feeding them call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) Officials say in recent years there has been a significant increase in human encounters with bears. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission reports a 33% increase in animal nuisance calls with nearly 6,000 bear-related calls out of a total of 14,000 calls in 2022 or substantial damage to a dwelling." The FWC must be notified within 24 hours and the person may not "possess Grayton Beach has a relaxed vibe that's even more laid-back than your typical beach town Santa Rosa County's Beaches to Woodlands Tour has highlighted fall offerings that take you outside and get you in the spirit of the season From pumpkin patches to fishing and outdoor concerts — all interests are covered Here's a sampling of events coming up. You can find a full calendar of events here Holland Farms Pumpkin Patch & Maze Sept. 21-Nov. 3It's pumpkin season. Get your pick from the patch at Holland Farms in Milton Bands on the Blackwater Fridays through Oct. 25Whether you listen by boat or relaxed in the grass, there's not a bad seat in the house. This live concert series is free, just bring your own chair or blanket. See the lineup of bands here. Navarre Fishing RodeoOct. 5 & 6Cast your line and bring your catches to weigh-ins at Juana's Pagodas and be eligible for cash prizes. Find details at navarrefishingrodeo.com. 4th Annual Batty Fang-Tastic HalloweenOct. 19Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge gets in the spooky season on Saturday, Oct. 19 with animal encounters, activities, a costume contest, and, of course, candy. Details at emeraldcoastwildliferefuge.org It once was one of the South's best-kept secrets A 26-mile Florida highway known as 30A — lined with towns including Rosemary and Santa Rosa Beach that front the Gulf of Mexico — has become one of the country's hottest luxury vacation destinations Nestled between two famous spring break destinations, Destin and Panama City Beach the 30A beaches earned their reputations as quiet family-oriented destinations somewhat off the beaten path those visitors were mostly from Southern cities within driving distance local real-estate agent Beau Blankenship told Business Insider "Now you're seeing people from the Northeast reported in 2023 that visitor spending during the peak summer season has increased $500 million compared to 2019 It's even earned the nickname "the Hamptons of the South." Locals describe 30A beaches as mixing Caribbean-esque clear blue waters and powdery white sand with trademark Southern hospitality attracting visitors — and homebuyers — from around the country six-bedroom home in Inlet Beach with wraparound porches on every level to a family from Chicago four-bedroom home in Santa Rosa Beach to a family from Montana Blankenship said the popularity is spreading through word of mouth though national coverage from outlets like The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times has certainly helped "The family from Chicago came down because their brother told them about it," he told BI "They loved it so much they bought after the first time they came." Luxury rental owner Kemp Stewart has witnessed the explosion of 30A firsthand he moved to Santa Rosa Beach from Oklahoma and started his vacation rental management business with just one home manages 35 homes across 30A communities with prices as high as $2,500 per night a rise that mirrors the rest of the region has seen the median sales price of homes increase from $1.1 million in July 2019 to $3 million in July 2024 according to real-estate listings site Redfin vacation rentals on sites like Airbnb and Vrbo are commanding higher rates rising from 69% to 84% monthly average for occupancy according to data from short-term-rental analytics site AirDNA and then a house surrounded by trees and brush," he told Business Insider you'd see individual developments of monster homes being built on the beach." The luxury homes made sense alongside planned communities that were popping up along 30A. Alys Beach and a town center with high-end shopping and restaurants "The infrastructure that had been built and all the quality development is paying off in a way that we hadn't seen previously," Stewart said Even with the influx of visitors and investor money "This is a place for families to go on vacation and connect with one another in one of the most beautiful environments in the world." Costa Family McDonald’s celebrated the grand opening of their first restaurant in Santa Rosa Beach on Thursday The restaurant boasts a spacious parking area this location introduces kiosks that allow customers to pay cash for their orders The opening has also created over […] The opening has also created over 60 new jobs in the area “For years we have been looking for the right locations in Santa Rosa Beach and we are so excited to finally be able to bring a McDonald’s to South Walton,” said David Costa owner and operator of Costa Family McDonald’s The grand opening began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. attended by the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce The Costa Family presented $500 checks to South Walton High School with David Costa personally doubling each donation to $1,000 “Opening the restaurant with 61 employees has been a true dream to watch our new team come together as we welcome residents and guests alike into our new restaurant,” Costa shared This opening marks the first of two planned Santa Rosa Beach locations for Costa in 2024 with the second set to open across from the Walmart in west Santa Rosa Beach The company aims to give back to the local community and charities surrounding each restaurant in Walton County Here are our favorite places to eat for breakfast CDT: A new tornado warning has been issued for southwestern Walton County a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Santa Rosa Beach This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of southwestern Walton County the National Weather Service Tallahassee said CDT: A tornado warning has been issued for Walton County until 6:45 a.m a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Destin CDT: A tornado watch is in effect until 1 p.m A tornado watch has been issued for three counties in Florida's western Panhandle as Tropical Storm Francine continues to move inland Francine made landfall with 100 mph winds about 8 p.m ➤ Track all active storms ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Francine was located 170 miles west of Pensacola heavy rain is spreading across the Panhandle the National Weather Service issued a second tornado watch for Escambia A tornado watch was issued for the following counties in Florida: The tornado watch remains in effect until 6 a.m What is a tornado watch?A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area take inventory of your supplies and check your safe room Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center for counties where tornadoes may occur A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar There is imminent danger to life and property Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris Warnings are issued by your local forecast office Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a tornado identified by a forecaster on radar or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm wind advisories among other weather warnings issued for Florida PanhandleAlso in effect across portions of Florida's Panhandle are: Weather watches and warnings are issued by the National Weather Service The map automatically updates as conditions change Follow the National Weather Service Mobile on Twitter. Fla— A fugitive wanted out of Fairfax County for an attack on his child’s mother and abandoning an infant in the snow was arrested Thursday in Walton County "These charges are in accordance with Virginia State Statute and may be worded differently than Florida State Statute but reflect serious charges of aggravated battery and false imprisonment," the Walton County Sheriff's Office says in a release Deputies received a tip Thursday morning that Caballeros had fled to Santa Rosa Beach from Virginia His active warrants in Virginia stemmed from an incident on Feb 12 where Fairfax County Police Department responded to a domestic assault "An investigation found Caballeros assaulted and strangled the victim and the victim’s 13-day-old infant was dropped during the fight," deputies say in a release "Caballeros fled the scene on foot with the infant before officers arrived A Good Samaritan found the infant left in a pile of snow The victim was hospitalized with serious injuries after the attack." Caballeros was arrested Thursday morning by Walton County deputies leaving an apartment in Santa Rosa Beach "A felony stop was conducted after deputies confirmed Caballeros was a passenger in the vehicle," the release states He was transported and booked into the Walton County Jail where he is awaiting extradition back to Virginia Early voting for the general election starts as soon as next week for most across Northwest Florida Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties will have polling locations open for early voting starting Oct Walton County's early voting begins Oct You can cast your ballot in advance from 7 a.m Each county has a selected list of polling places where early voting will be available: ESCAMBIA COUNTY SANTA ROSA COUNTY OKALOOSA COUNTY WALTON COUNTY You must vote at your designated polling location if you wait to cast a vote then Jun 10, 2024 1:30 PM EDTAuthorities are telling beachgoers to stay on high alert after three people were injured in two separate shark-related incidents in less than two hours on the same stretch of beach along the Florida panhandle coastline on Friday with a woman losing part of her arm and a teen losing a hand and most of her leg According to a Facebook post from the South Walton Fire District in Santa Rosa Beach the first incident occurred around 1:20 p.m when an unidentified 45-year-old woman was bitten by a shark as she was swimming near WaterSound Beach When emergency responder arrived on the scene she was found to have sustained critical injuries on her hip and lower left arm and was airlifted to a nearby trauma facility South Walton Fire District Chief Ryan Crawford later told reporters that the woman sustained "significant trauma" to the midsection of her body, and part of her left arm had to be amputated, per ABC News just four miles east of the first incident were attacked while wading in waist deep water with a group of friends While the 17-year-old sustained only minor flesh wounds to her foot suffered serious injuries to her upper leg and hand and was likewise rushed to a trauma facility In a blog post, via WDHN News Gribbin's mother said that the shark had bitten off the girl's left hand and that doctors were forced to amputate her right leg halfway up from her knee to her hip She also had lost about two-thirds of the blood in her body and is expected to require four to five surgeries to finalize her amputations Her mother explained in the post that she had just heard reports of a shark attack before panicking and realizing that something was wrong "I saw her wounds on her leg and started to scream," she wrote of the moment she saw her injured daughter lying on the beach "The wound on her leg or all that was left of her leg was something out of a movie I finally made it back to her and held her hand and she saw me I had no idea how long she had been there or what had happened." Officials believe it was the same bull shark that attacked all three individuals By Stacey Ritzen is a Breaking/Trending News Writer at Men's Journal A dust devil startled vacationers at Blue Mountain Beach in Florida as it whipped sand and beach umbrellas into the sky We recognize our responsibility to use data and technology for good We may use or share your data with our data vendors The Weather Channel is the world's most accurate forecaster according to ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview Want to experience a taste of the Caribbean without leaving the United States Take a tropical trip to Florida's Emerald Coast This remarkable slice of paradise in Northwest Florida beautifully intertwines with the Gulf of Mexico Soak up some rays while feeling the gorgeous white sand on your skin Dip your toes in the refreshing turquoise waters on the pristine Destin Beach Explore the unique ambiance along the iconic and scenic State Road 30A This incredible stretch is lined by rare coastal dune lakes and unique outdoor exploration like the Dead Lakes Florida's Emerald Coast has an abundance of cozy lakeside towns Here are the eight best lakeside towns on Florida's Emerald Coast Neighboring Western Lake is the luxurious waterfront community of Seaside Calling this area stunning is an understatement Seaside is famously known for the pastel cottages that line the crystal-clear beach and gleaming white sands It's the town where the Jim Carrey film "The Truman Show" was made the area naturally has some stunning boutiques waiting to welcome visitors Discover a new favorite read at Sundog Books Sundog Books has a small collection of banned books for sale Spruce up your style with flattering fashions from Mercantile and grab something for the kids from The Seaside Style Kids Be the hottest at the beach with a new suit from Ophelia Swimwear and you will be the star of Seaside beaches Savor waterfront dining and a lively rooftop retreat Nothing beats a sunset dinner by the water Indulge in roasted salmon and vanilla bean crème brulee while soaking in the alluring coastal serenity get a taste of the good life in this lakeside beauty by renting a cottage and breathing in that fresh Seaside is truly a luxurious and one-of-a-kind experience The intimate rooms are stocked with plush bedding It's the perfect romantic getaway or elegant treat Right by 800-acre Powell Lake, the largest coastal dune lake in the United States, is the energetic town of Panama City Beach Night owls will feel right at home in this exciting lakeside town as the area is known for its thriving nightlife Known as the spring break capital of the world Panama City Beach is all about free-spirited fun head over to Pineapple Willy's and lose yourself in the beachy atmosphere a delicious and famous concoction made with rum Pineapple Willy's website states they sell more than 70,000 of these bad boys every year The unique flavor profile is out of this world Visitors to Camp Helen State Park will find room for birding Rejoice at sunset and watch the daily cannon firing at Schooner's Last Local Beach Club Catch them at the right time and they might have a live band such as Glory Days or Stainless Steel Have a wild night at the iconic Coyote Ugly Saloon Dance the night away and embrace the energetic and entertaining atmosphere drown yourself in the good stuff with a coffee from The Pour The coffee shop is open at 7 am if you dare to be up that early visit Dave and Buster's for the best hangover cure Chicken strips with fries are a classic remedy or try the smashed burger sliders for smaller hungers Avoid the fear of missing out by staying at the Boardwalk Beach Hotel Relish being in the heart of all the action All the exciting nightlife is within walking distance so there is no need to worry about finding a ride South of the majestic Choctawhatchee Bay is Destin the "World’s Luckiest Fishing Village." From red snapper to tiger shark Destin waters are loaded with more fish species than you can count Try to catch them all during your stay in this wonderful lakeside town Rent a boat and go solo or book a fishing charter to have an expert show you the ropes For an adrenaline-filled water adventure through Destin's crystal-clear waters as the ticket includes everything from snorkeling and paddle boarding to shelling and kayaking It is the ultimate experience and a must-try when in Destin Make a splash at Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park Bring your surfer dreams to life by riding the waves at the Honolulu Half Pipe Take a thrilling slide down the Maui Pipeline or the Pirates Escape be fearless on the Skycoaster or relax with Tropical Mini Golf Finish off the day with a wonderful dining experience at Harborwalk Village a high-spirited outdoor bar with refreshing cocktails Pick up a late-night snack from The Fudgery Nothing beats a midnight munch session in the hotel room State Road 30A highway is home to many captivating lakeside towns venture around the upscale gem of Rosemary Beach the area's beachy vibes and colorful tropical architecture are a true taste of the Caribbean Book a stay at The Pearl and experience the pinnacle of elegant luxury This top-rated boutique hotel is conveniently in the center of all the action Sleep until noon and sprawl out on the private balcony while soaking in the views of the Gulf of Mexico Spend an afternoon at the rooftop pool and then treat yourself to a hydrafacial at the spa Take a step into Cuba at the Havana Beach Bar The Caribbean-inspired menu and Cuban decor are a vacation in itself Walk the cobblestone streets and browse the cutest shops in the Town Center The area features a unique blend of architectural styles with a mix of European and Caribbean style buildings making it an incredible backdrop for photos Curl up with a good book at The Hidden Lantern Bookstore Now is the time to grab a new nighttime read for the hotel or Luminary for the perfect addition to your wardrobe kick back with a cappuccino or matcha latte at Charlie's Cafe An area as beautiful as Rosemary Beach must also be home to an amazing art gallery Take an afternoon to wander through the collectible fine art at Curate30a Santa Rosa Beach is a peaceful lakeside town and striking coastal retreat or bike alongside Campbell Lake and Morris Lake Visitors on alltrails.com state the area has some of the most immaculate hiking trails and it's one of their favorites on the Florida Panhandle Grayton Beach State Park is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts or those looking for an adventure Coast through Western Lake with a paddleboard or kayak rental Given the rarity of the coastal dune lakes gliding through Western Lake should be a priority Rent a cozy cabin in Topsail Hill Preserve State Park for a remote home away from home and the perfect weekend getaway Wake up next to the waters at the exquisite WaterColor Resort or the natural sand dunes can be your daily morning greeting Catch some rays on the resort's private beach and indulge in the local Floridian cuisine at Gather Kitchen + Bar Have an unforgettable experience with a visit to the Underwater Museum of Art conveniently near Grayton Beach State Park The museum is the first permanent underwater sculpture garden in the country and is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity From the Arc of Nexus to the Neptunian Oak this unique gallery is one to be remembered for a lifetime Continue satisfying your art itch with stunning works at the Justin Gaffrey Gallery and the Mary Hong Studio Both galleries have a solid 5 stars from visitors on TripAdvisor Miramar Beach is a wonderful lakeside marvel and a seamless blend of quiet luxury Delicately placed near stunning lakeside properties Stewart Lake is a relaxing Miramar Beach landmark This family-friendly area is a top choice for water activities Kids and adults alike will love the relaxing atmosphere and endless activities Spend the day at Silver Sands Premium Outlet Fashionistas can browse over 100 designer and branded stores and enjoy savings of up to 65% Take the kids along; they will love the mall's play area If you still have energy and money after this excursion The area boasts an impressive 765,000 square feet of excitement Grab a new gadget for the chef in your life at William's Sonoma pick up something cute for your home at Pottery Barn or grab some activewear at Lululemon for all of your Miramar Beach activities See the beauty of Miramar Beach on wheels through Runaway Rentals or go snorkeling in the stunning turquoise waters at Dolphin Reef or kid win in a heated beach volleyball match The loser has to buy dinner at Emeril's Coastal Emeril's menu has fancier fare like the Yellowfin Tuna Poke Bowl and kid-friendly choices like the buttermilk fried chicken Located inland lies the historical masterpiece and lakeside town of DeFuniak Springs Take a day to lounge around Chipley Park and lose yourself in the perfect circular body of water that is Lake DeFuniak one of two natural and nearly perfect circles of spring-fed water in the world — the other being Kingsley Lake in northeastern Florida Immerse yourself in the calm waters by fishing Take a tour of history and explore the DeFuniak Springs Historic District Wander around Circle Drive and snap photos of Saint Agatha's Episcopal Church DeFuniak Springs's rich heritage continues at Walton County Heritage Museum See the original couch from Hotel DeFuniak vintage items from the 1930s at Allison's Grocery Enjoy fresh farm-to-table cuisine and homemade bread Warm up with French Country Soup and a comforting cup of Earl Grey tea Wewahitchka is an inland lakeside beauty by the iconic Dead Lakes and Apalachicola River Get some exercise and wander through the swampy labyrinth at Dead Lakes Park The ecosystem at Dead Lakes Park is truly one of a kind Visit Wewahitchka in May and check out the annual Tupelo Honey Festival An article on The Spruce Eats website describes Tupelo Honey as having unique flavor notes of cinnamon Tasting the honey is a rare experience considering Tupelo Honey is only produced in two regions in the United States Try interesting drink combinations at Birdie's Brew Nothing says Wewahitchka like the Honey Bunnie Latte Enjoy live music on the weekends or a game of pool or darts Pub 71 has typical bar classics like a Whiskey Ranch Burger Soaking up the sun on the snow-white sands near the shimmering aqua waters is an unbeatable experience While Florida's Emerald Coast is known for its pristine and magazine-worthy beaches visit Destin for top-tier fishing or get wild in Panama City Beach for the ultimate nightlife Enjoy family-friendly fun at Miramar Beach or soak in luxury at Rosemary Beach Load up on the rich history in DeFuniak Springs or immerse yourself in Santa Rosa's creative haven with its unique art Make your way through the iconic dead lakes or take home a rare jar of Tupelo Honey in Wewahitchka Florida's Emerald Coast is an absolute masterpiece featuring an amazing combination of warmth and eight of the best lakeside towns you'll ever encounter photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com The Emerald Coast is a great place to chill out in Florida's Panhandle region in 2024 Its tropical beaches and azure-colored water beckon beachcombers There are secluded beaches with live entertainment The area stretches through seven counties and is world-famous for its laidback vibes and jaw-dropping scenery. Towns like Panama City Beach are known for their party scene while towns like Santa Rosa Beach are known for their seclusion Here are the best places to chill in the Emerald Coast in 2024 there is much more to this perfect beach town throughout the year Among the many attractions are two state parks The Sky Wheel is a fun attraction right on the beach It is a 200-foot observation deck that rotates for unparalleled views of the Gulf of Mexico and the town book a two-hour sunset cruise with Island Time Sailing which offers a relaxing cruise through the waters around Shell Island Santa Rosa Beach is a few miles east of Destin and is a tranquil setting when the crowds get too large The coastal dunes and several parks offer a relaxing atmosphere with beautiful scenery Topsail State Park is named for the shape of its dunes along with its wetlands and old-growth pine forests You can also tour the impressive Wesley House the centerpiece of Eden Gardens State Park in the historic Point Washington community The Victorian home received an antebellum renovation and more extensive restoration in the mid-1960s Guests are allowed to tour the mansion and gardens on the 163-acre property Santa Rosa Beach is the ideal Emerald Coast town for tranquility and to avoid large crowds Editorial credit: Andriy Blokhin / Shutterstock.com Known as the "world's luckiest fishing village," Destin is a tropical paradise with multiple golf courses Destin Harbor Boardwalk winds around Florida's largest fishing fleet and offers numerous shopping and dining opportunities Another great spot to chill is Crab Island The island is a massive sandbar in the emerald water and you can enjoy the floating bars and obstacle courses by boat or simply by wading out The Destin History and Fishing Museum offers a respite from the heat while learning about the fascinating history of this coastal town through exhibits and memorial walls historic coastal village with a gorgeous coastline and an award-winning state park Grayton Beach State Park is a 2,000-acre paradise with four miles of trails through scrub oaks and pines and primitive and cabin camping West Lake is a premier fishing and kayaking destination with dunes and pine forest views The Underwater Museum of Art is a unique and very relaxing attraction the sculptures rotate annually and include works from around the world a collection of 58 reefs shaped like a sea turtle Editorial credit: Ken Schulze / Shutterstock.com Rosemary Beach is a planned community developed in 1995 for the climate The designers used New Urbanist and traditional beachfront architecture with cobblestone streets for a visually stunning and laidback aesthetic The Rosemary Town Center is a focal point for many and the walkable streets are wrapped in three-story street-facing residences and rooftop bars The architecture and several restaurants, like Havana Beach Bar and Grill, evoke the Caribbean You can also opt for relaxed fine dining at Edward's Fine Food and Wine the best sunset view is at the Pescado Seafood Grill and Rooftop Bar and casual fine dining at Rosemary Beach make this a unique destination on the Emerald Coast The small resort town of Seaside is known for its New Urbanist designs and pastel-colored homes with white picket fences There is also a classic white-washed post office and stylish walkways leading to the sugar sand and tropical waters of the Gulf of Mexico The local art galleries are interspersed between independent shops like Sundog Books and Central Square Records The culinary scene is another fantastic aspect of Seaside Airstream Row is a collection of retro Airstream food trucks serving everything from 100-layered donuts to barbeque If you are looking for a restaurant setting The waterfront restaurant and bar has been a staple for over 30 years serving Gulf Coast classics and celebrating sunsets on the rooftop Navarre Beach is a peaceful retreat known for its many outdoor adventures It is also a relaxing beach destination with natural wonders The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge is an educational and rehabilitative center where you can learn about this coast's natural species and habitats Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Area is another marine life educational center with live exhibits and is home to Sweet Pea The 1,500-foot Navarre Beach Fishing Pier is ideal for sunsets and relaxation The oldest family-owned restaurant in Navarre Beach is on the pier and serves some of the best food and views on the Emerald Coast Niceville is on the northwest shore of Choctawhatchee Bay It is a quiet town near Eglin Air Force Base that is full of natural beauty Nature lovers will enjoy Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park and is a premier fishing and hiking destination The Turkey Creek Nature Trail is popular among visitors and locals and a shaded boardwalk leading past park benches and kayak slips The walkable downtown is full of small-town charm and local retailers and is a perfect way to unwind after a day at the nature trail There may be no better place in the Southeast for chilling than the Emerald Coast The beaches are some of the best in the world and there are many state parks and nature trails Part of the attraction to this area is the small-town charm This unique combination provides a pleasant atmosphere where you can throw all your cares away Seaside and Rosemary Beach were developed for the tranquil environment offering an authentic beach aesthetic and attractions There is a lot to see and do along this coast but it is also the best place to do nothing but relax