County News
Walton County Emergency Management Hosts 2025 HERricane Florida | Landfall Walton County
All participants enjoyed an incredible week last week during the jam-packed 2025 HERricane Florida | Landfall Walton County summer program! Our campers and mentors took part in activities like: * Team-building * MRE Cooking Competition * Beach Safety * Financial...
Forging Tomorrow’s Leaders Through STEM Mentorship
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – What begins as curiosity in a classroom can become innovation in a lab — especially when guided by the right mentors. Eglin interns shared the results of their six-week Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics journey July 31...
Two WCFR Members Graduate Professional Schools
A big congrats is in order for two of our own at Walton County Fire Rescue! Landon Rogers has officially graduated from EMT school, and Juan Raigosa has completed Paramedic school through Northwest Florida State College! We’re incredibly proud of their accomplishments...
Walton County Jail Receives Innovation Award
The Walton County Jail was the recipient of the 2025 American Jail Association Innovation Award for a medium-sized jail. The award is presented to facilities that have developed an innovative and progressive approach that helps the industry as a whole. Awards are...
Three Members of the SWFD Attend International Conference
Several members of our Emergency Communications Division recently attended the 2025 APCO International Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Communications Director Jose Perez Jr., as well as our 2024 Telecommunicator of the Year Lt. Autumn Hanks, and 2024 Rookie...
CHELCO Member’s Donation Continues to Impact Local Communities
In its second year of distribution, The Drebing Fund—a charitable initiative established in memory of long-time CHELCO member Muriel “Midge” Drebing—continues to create meaningful change across local communities. Mrs. Drebing, who passed away in October 2021, left an...
Lightning After Dark
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Residents may experience aircraft noise August 5-7, when the 60th Fighter Squadron conducts night fly operations in the area. Fighter aircraft will conduct missions between 8:15 and 10:15 p.m. Night flying is required for training...
Eglin Claims a 2025 Department of Defense Environmental Award
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Department of the Air Force dominated the 2025 Department of Defense Environmental Awards, entering and winning seven of nine categories. Eglin claimed the Sustainability, Non-Industrial Installation award. Eglin AFB combined...
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
Seven Raiders Sign with NCAA Programs
It's that time of year again—when Raiders take the next step in their journey from junior college standouts to NCAA student-athletes. This year's squad continues the proud tradition, with seven athletes making the leap to NCAA Division I and II programs. With this...
Seven NWFSC Lady Raiders Make the Jump to NCAA Division 1
It's that time of year again—when Raiders take the next step in their journey from junior college standouts to NCAA student-athletes. Fresh off a National Championship, this year's squad continues the proud tradition, with seven sophomores making the leap to NCAA...
Three Raiders Named NJCAA All-Americans; Heyl Crowned National Pitcher of the Year
This week, the NJCAA announced its 2025 Softball All-America selections, and Northwest Florida State was once again well represented. Cailyn Heyl and Sister Arnold earned First Team All-America honors for the second consecutive year, while Lulu Luedtke earned a spot...
SEC Springs Meetings Day 3 Notebook
MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. (May 29, 2025)-----The 2025 Southeastern Conference Spring Meetings concluded Thursday at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort. The annual gathering included meetings of the SEC's Presidents and Chancellors, Athletics Directors, Senior Woman...