County News
WCFR Cadet Post 850 Shield Presentations and Promotions Ceremony
Tuesday night marked a proud milestone for the Walton County Fire Rescue Cadet Post 850, as cadets, families, and mentors gathered for the first-ever ceremony celebrating their accomplishments. The evening included heartfelt shield presentations and promotions,...
Leading By Example – Another Reason We Are Glad to Call Walton Home
Recently, our dedicated Animal Control Officer, Trish Quinn, truly embodied this spirit. She met an elderly woman struggling to care for her two senior dogs, who desperately needed grooming but couldn’t be transported. Instead of just offering advice, Trish personally...
WCSO Announces Passing of Beloved Retired K-9 “Drago”
We truly hope all dogs go to heaven. We are heartbroken to share the passing of "Drago", a retired K-9 who served the Walton County community alongside Deputy Steven Tector. Born April 13, 2012, in the Netherlands, K-9 Drago, a Dutch Shepherd, was a multi-purpose...
Gearing Up for One of Country’s Most Popular Motorcycle Rallies
Engines are roaring and the fall breeze is rolling in this week! One of the most popular motorcycle rallies in the country begins Wednesday, October 22, along the beautiful Emerald Coast. This rally will be accompanied by beautiful, fall riding weather. We could see...
Northwest Florida State College Earns Prestigious Collegiate Purple Star Campus Designation
Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) has been officially designated as a Florida Collegiate Purple Star Campus Designation by the Florida Department of Education. The designation recognizes NWFSC’s steadfast commitment to supporting active-duty military members,...
NWFSC New Partnership with Pray Aviation & Proposed Fees
Northwest Florida State College’s Board of Trustees will meet on November 18, 2025 at 3:00 pm, to review proposed course fee changes for Spring 2026. These fee changes are the result of the College establishing a partnership with a new VA-approved flight training...
WCFR Recognize Two Incredible Members
Walton County Fire Rescue is proud to recognize two incredible members of our family, Quality Assurance Coordinator Deanna “Renee” Adams and Community Health Coordinator Arianna Deneau, for their outstanding dedication and impact on our community. Renee Adams, our...
Syverson Promoted to WCSO Sergeant
A quiet servant leader. As a graduate of High Point University in North Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Sergeant Syverson completed the law enforcement academy at Northwest Florida State College before beginning his journey with the Walton...
Obituaries
Sheila Kate Clenney
Mrs. Sheila Kate Clenney, age 77, passed away July 23, 2025. She was born on May 26, 1948 in Walton County, Florida to Belvin and Lalar Idell Adkison Gainey. Mrs. Clenney was a lifelong resident of DeFuniak Springs, Florida. She was Baptist by faith. She was a...
Lucy Joyce Bledsoe Anderson
Lucy Joyce Bledsoe Anderson, born March 5, 1926 at Pensacola, Florida, passed away on July 23, 2025 in Walton County, Florida. She was the youngest daughter of the eight children of Will P. Bledsoe and Bessie Dell McKnight Bledsoe. She married Lance Warren Anderson,...
Anthony “Tony” Dudek
On Sunday, July 20th, 2025, Anthony “Tony” Dudek—a devoted husband, proud father, cherished grandfather, and beloved friend—was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He passed away peacefully at the age of 63, surrounded by love and the echoes of...
Edith Martha Schibel
Edith Martha Schibel, age 95, passed away Monday, July 21, 2025 in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. She was born January 19, 1930 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Alwin Geisler and Ella Martin. A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 16, 2025 at Kingdom Hall of...
Sports
Canes Fall to Mustangs in Overtime
DALLAS — After the Miami Hurricanes and SMU Mustangs slogged through a dreary first half in Big D, the sun came out at halftime. So, too did the fireworks. A scintillating second half gave way to overtime, where the Mustangs forced a turnover and followed it up with...
Auburn Offense Stumbles in 10-3 Loss to Kentucky
AUBURN, Ala. – Kentucky sacked Auburn’s quarterbacks seven times and scored the game’s only touchdown on the opening drive of the third quarter to earn its first SEC victory, beating the Tigers 10-3 Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium. “They did a great job of shortening...
Bowens TD Run Lifts Bulldogs Past Gators
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Running back Chauncey Bowens broke free for a 36-yard touchdown run with 4:36 to play in the fourth quarter to lift the fifth-ranked Georgia football team to a 24-20 win over Florida on Saturday at EverBank Stadium. It was Georgia's fifth straight...
Raiders Roll Past Baton Rouge to Open Season 2-0
NICEVILLE, Fla. — For the second consecutive night, Northwest Florida men's basketball put on a dominant display, defeating Baton Rouge 91-67 to remain unbeaten to start the season. After dropping 32 points in his Raider debut, DJ Shine once again led the charge,...