DeFuniak Herald Beach Breeze

02/14/2025

02/14/2025

South Walton pulls out a 44-42 win at Tallahassee Florida High on Thursday night to move on to Jacksonville to face the Bolles Bulldogs in a Region 1, Class 3A semifinal on Feb. 18.

02/14/2025

02/13/2025

02/13/2025

Tonight’s boys basketball playoff scores:

Class 6A
Milton over Oviedo 62-59 OT
Ocala Forest 67-57 over Crestview.
Milton at Tocoi Creek 2nd round.

5A
Ponte Vedra 67-57 over Pensacola Washington.
Leon over St. Augustine 56-53.
Fleming Island 76-58 over Tallahassee Lincoln.

4A
Ribault over Fort Walton Beach 75-55.
Bishop Kenny over PC Bay 51-39.
Tallahassee Rickards over Paxon 49-34
Tallahassee Godby over Raines 65-62.
Godby at Rickards in 2nd round.

3A
Jacksonville Andrew Jackson over Walton 74-30.
Marianna over Fernandina Beach 72-56.
Marianna to Jax AJ in 2nd round.
Newberry over Bolles 82-77.
Florida High over Episcopal 60-27.

2A
Jax University Christian over Tallahassee Maclay 89-56.

1A
Eagles View over Tallahassee North Florida Christian 60-58.
Tallahassee St. John Paul II over Christ Church Academy 56-44.

Rural
Chipley 56-52 over Baker.
Graceville over Bethlehem 56-47

Quincy Crossroads Academy over Blountstown 45-39.
Quincy Munroe over Port St. Joe 59-54.

Hilliard over Trenton 57-54.
Fort White over Madison County 46-44.

Hawthorne over Moore haven 54-32.
Williston over Wildwood 75-40.

02/13/2025

02/13/2025

***Residential Structure Fire***

Wednesday evening February 12th 2025 the City of DeFuniak Springs Fire Department was dispatched to assist at a mutual aid fire in the Liberty Volunteer Fire District in the area of Paradise Island Drive. Crews arrived on scene to find a fully involved camper type RV and began to extinguish the flames. The State Fire Marshall’s office has been contacted as well as the American Red Cross to assist the occupants.

02/12/2025

https://www.mywaltonfl.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3088

02/12/2025

UPDATE: 10:30 AM
All eastbound lanes of Highway 98 are back open.
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ONE EASTBOUND LANE OF HIGHWAY 98 SHUT DOWN NEAR MAC BAYOU ROAD

A large paint spill has shut down the middle eastbound lane of Highway 98 near the Mack Bayou Road intersection in Santa Rosa Beach.

Walton County Sheriff's Office deputies and South Walton Fire District are on scene. Please use caution in the area at this time.

02/11/2025

UPDATE: SUSPECT IN CUSTODY FOLLOWING DISTURBANCE OUTSIDE P.F. CHANG'S IN MIRAMAR BEACH

Earlier this afternoon, Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Grand Boulevard in Miramar Beach following reports of an individual physically attacking others outside of P.F. Chang's.

Upon arrival, the suspect, identified as Kyle Smith, 37, fled on foot. After a short pursuit, deputies successfully detained him. Once in handcuffs, Smith began banging his head on the asphalt, causing self-inflicted injuries.

He was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Once medically cleared, Smith will be transported to the Walton County Jail on charges of battery, resisting arrest without violence, and disorderly intoxication.

There is no ongoing threat to the public. Thank you for your cooperation as we worked to secure the scene.
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WCSO ON SCENE OF DISTURBANCE OUTSIDE OF P.F. CHANG'S IN MIRAMAR BEACH

Walton County Sheriff’s Office has responded to Grand Boulevard in Miramar Beach regarding a call involving an individual physically attacking others outside of P.F. Chang's.

The suspect has been detained, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.

We ask that everyone avoid the area as deputies work to secure the scene and ensure the safety of all involved.

Thank you for your cooperation. We will provide updates as needed.

02/11/2025

***Meeting location change and agenda update for Feb. 11 Walton County Board of County Commissioners meeting***

Per Walton County Public Information:

Please be advised that the location of the Walton County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting Scheduled for February 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM has been moved to the South Walton Courthouse Annex, located at 31 Coastal Centre Boulevard, Santa Rosa Beach, FL.

This change in location is due to unforeseen building maintenance issues in the DeFuniak Springs Board of County Commissioner Boardroom.

Additionally, due to this change in location, the Board of County Commissioners is requesting to continue the Blackstone PUD Amendment Public Hearing.

02/10/2025

SHARE: DFS Council - report in the Feb. 12 issue!

02/08/2025

Walton(14-13) boys basketball is the only team on the boys side going to the state playoffs from the Area 5 covered by the DeFunial Herald. The Braves are the #8-seed and will play Region 1 top seed Jacksonville Andrew Jackson(25-2) on Wednesday in the opening round of Class 3A.
Final records for:
South Walton (16-11)
Paxton (14-12)
Freeport 13-9)
PDL (9-16)

02/08/2025

Walton’s district title from six years ago against Pensacola Catholic in a game played at West Florida Tech.

02/08/2025

The Walton Braves rallied from a 31-20 deficit after three quarters to capture a 36-35 victory at South Walton as senior Malcolm Byrd hit two free throws in the final seconds to earn Walton the District 1, Class 3A title. Both teams were expected to advance to next week’s playoff, however, South Walton was edged out of the bracket with the loss to the Braves.