DeFuniak Herald Beach Breeze

08/31/2024

08/30/2024

08/30/2024

✅ I am pleased to report that the 2024 Primary Election in Walton County is officially certified, and the post-election 100% independent audit and reconciliation was successfully completed, verifying every oval on every ballot and voters to ballots cast. We strive to conduct Walton County elections with integrity, so you can have confidence that your vote is counted legally, securely, accurately, honestly, and timely. Learn more at VoteWalton.gov/Integrity. 🎯👍🏼🔒🗳️🇺🇸🔎

📊 Nearly 17,500 ballots were cast in this election, leading to a 30.12% turnout, the highest in a primary election in Walton County since 2018, and only the second time in 20 years we surpassed 30%. I agree that a 30% turnout doesn't sound great, but the state turnout was only 22.39%, and we were higher than most of our neighboring counties, so I'm pleased to see some improvement. We'll keep pushing for more!

📈 55% of ballots cast in the election were done before Election Day, largely stemming from a record early voting turnout, a 47% increase over the prior early voting record set in 2022. Early in-person voting at one of the 4 convenient early voting sites continues to grow in popularity among voters. To learn more about early in-person voting, visit VoteWalton.gov/Early. 🗳️

🔜 Now it’s time to look forward to the 2024 General Election. This election is a big one and it will be here fast! We will likely see a 70% turnout or higher. With the election less than 10 weeks away, now is the time to make your voting plan and check your voter record. Don't let life get in the way. Plan now on how you will vote in this important election. Visit VoteWalton.gov to get registered to vote or check your voter status. You can also update your record, request a mail ballot, find your polling place or early voting sites, and more. As we get closer to the elections, look for sample ballots, voting guides, and important election dates to help you plan your voting experience. We are committed to helping you exercise your sacred right to vote so you can make your voice heard. 🇺🇸

Sincerely,
Ryan Messer
Supervisor of Elections

08/30/2024

08/30/2024

08/30/2024

District 2 Commissioner Danny Glidewell has postponed the planned history fair on September 3 at the Coastal Branch Library in south Walton County, due to the Sports Complex workshop being held at the same time. The history fair will be rescheduled for a later date.

08/29/2024

The City Council Budget Meeting is scheduled for today,Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 4:00 pm. The meeting will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers located at 1350 Baldwin Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, Florida, 32435. This meeting is open to the public.
To view the agenda, use the link below:
https://www.defuniaksprings.net/DocumentCenter/View/22704/08292024-Budget-Workshop

08/28/2024

South Walton varsity box score for the Gulf Breeze game this past Saturday and Walton’s for their game last Friday at Marianna.

08/28/2024

👏🏼 Introducing the newest members of the WCBCC team! Please join us in congratulating and welcoming them!
👉🏼 If you or someone you know is interested in a career with the Walton County Board of County Commissioners, visit: https://waltoncountyfl.munisselfservice.com/employmentopportunities/

08/27/2024

08/26/2024

SHARE: DFS Council - report in the August 28 issue!

08/26/2024

***TRAFFIC ADVISORY***

Motor vehicle accident 331 South in the northbound lanes just south of Coy Burgess Loop. 1 lane shutdown. Please Slow Down while responders work the scene.

08/24/2024

South Walton varsity football warming up here in Gulf Breeze as the Seahawks get set to face the Dolphins in their first-ever varsity meeting on the gridiron.

08/24/2024

08/24/2024

WCFR & WALTON EM RESPOND TO LARGE DIESEL SPILL IN MOSSY HEAD

At 8:43 AM, Walton County Fire Rescue responded to a large diesel spill at Love’s Travel Stop in Mossy Head.

Walton County Emergency Management is on scene, and a HAZMAT team is en route to assist.

Please use caution in the area as Walton County Emergency Management works to clean up the spill.

08/23/2024

The City Council Meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 26, 2024, at 5:00 pm. It will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers located at 1350 Baldwin Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, Florida, 32435. This meeting is open to the public.
To view the agenda, use the link below: https://www.defuniaksprings.net/DocumentCenter/View/22672/08262024-CC-Regular-Meeting-Agenda

To watch this meeting via YouTube, use the link below:
https://www.youtube.com//streams

08/23/2024

UPDATE: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection issued the following statement on Friday, August 23, 2024 on their social media platform X:

"Due to the overwhelming interest with the 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative, DEP is looking for new venues to accommodate the public.

We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate. Public input is vital to DEP decision-making. To gather feedback on your favorite state parks, we’ve launched a dedicated webpage for more suggestions: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7983173/Great-Outdoors-Initiative.

New meeting dates will be announced soon, with meetings expected the week of Sept. 2, 2024."

***

Notice of Meeting/Workshop Hearing

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks, announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, August 27, 2024, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (CT)

PLACE: Watercolor Inn & Resort 34 Goldenrod Circle Santa Rosa Beach, FL, 32459, The Lakehouse

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: Presentation of proposed amendments to the unit management plans for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State Park followed by public comments.

A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks, Office of Park Planning, 3800 Commonwealth Blvd., MS #525, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, or by email at [email protected].

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, religion, s*x, pregnancy, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) are asked to contact DEP’s Limited English Proficiency Coordinator at (850)245-2118 or [email protected] at least forty-eight (48) hours before the meeting. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, (800)955-8771 (TDD) or (800)955-8770 (voice).

08/23/2024

Walton County Public Works is scheduled to close Lakewood Drive in DeFuniak Springs to through traffic starting Monday, August 26, 2024, from 8:00 am until repairs are complete. This closure is associated with a culvert replacement project in the vicinity of 320 and 366 Lakewood Drive. The public is encouraged to use alternate routes during this time.

All planned construction activities are weather-dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution and to expect delays when traveling through a work zone and to watch for workers and equipment when entering and exiting the roadway. For more information, please contact Walton County Public Works Department at (850)-892-8108.

08/23/2024

UPDATE: Deletions to be considered:
Commissioner William "Boots" McCormick
#32 - (24-1200) Request to direct staff to draft a Request for Proposals (RFP) for vending services on County owned beaches
#36 - (24-1204) Request approval to direct staff to negotiate a contract with Adkinson Law Firm and bring back to the Board

Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) regular meeting Aug. 27, 1 p.m. South Walton Annex. Among items on the agenda are: A request by Walton County Code Compliance for direction regarding standard operating procedure; public hearing on ordinance setting standards for operation of low-speed vehicles; public hearing on ordinance to allow dogs in certain parks. Among items to be brought up by individual commissioners are: Commissioner Anderson - Request approval to send a letter to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) expressing the BCC's opposition to the proposed additions to our state parks; Commissioner McCormick - Request approval to direct staff to negotiate a contract with Adkinson Law Firm and bring back to the BCC; Commissioner Johns - Discussion regarding commercial activity in residential neighborhoods and request for staff to draft a code of conduct for all volunteer boards.

To precede regular meeting at 11:30 a.m. is a special meeting/closed executive session on Inlet Beach Water System, Inc. v. Walton County, Florida and Florida Community Service Corporation of Walton County, case no. 2021-CA-269

Link to regular meeting agenda: https://walton.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=6745

Link to live stream for meetings: https://walton.civicweb.net/Portal/Video.aspx

08/23/2024

The City Council Budget Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 4:00 pm. The meeting will be held at the City Hall Council Chambers located at 1350 Baldwin Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, Florida, 32435. This meeting is open to the public.
To view the agenda, use the link below:
https://www.defuniaksprings.net/DocumentCenter/View/22653/08292024-Budget-Workshop

08/23/2024

Today marks the opening day for the 2024 high school football regular season with Walton playing at Marianna tonight at 7 p.m. in the 94th meeting on the gridiron between the two schools while Freeport will play on the north side of Panama City against North Bay Haven, also at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, South Walton will open their season at Gulf Breeze at 7 p.m.
Walton has just found a 10th game for the season as Delray Beach Atlantic (a Class 5A, Region 4, District 14 squad) will make the 580-mile drive to play the Braves in DeFuniak Springs on Sept. 20. The Eagles went 9-2 in 2023 and have a student population of approximately 2,000 students.
Good luck to all three Walton County teams this season!

08/22/2024