County News
F-15EX Offers First Look at Indo-Pacific Airpower Evolution
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- In a significant milestone for U.S. airpower modernization in the Indo-Pacific, two F-15EX Eagle II aircraft from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, arrived at Kadena Air Base, July 12, for integration and...
Community Support Needed for One of Our Own
This past weekend, one of our Walton County Animal Control Officers, CJ, was seriously injured in an off-duty accident and is currently in the hospital. Our hearts are heavy, and we’re asking the community to hold CJ and his family close in your thoughts, prayers,...
Missing 10-Year-Old Boys Located Safe
UPDATE: As of 3:10 pm, the boys have been located safe. ----- The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is currently searching for two missing 10-year-old boys last seen in the Maravilla neighborhood of Miramar Beach. Deputies responded to 295 Maravilla Drive at...
SWFD Responds to Structure Fire In the Area of Thompson Road in SRB
South Walton Fire District firefighters responded to a structure fire Saturday evening, July 19, in the area of Thompson Road in Santa Rosa Beach. The call originated just before 6:30 p.m. when SWFD Dispatchers received a 911 call stating a grill had exploded at a...
Main Street DFS Receives Florida Department of State Sunshine Booster Award
We’re thrilled to announce that Main Street DeFuniak Springs has received the Florida Department of State Sunshine Booster Award for our transformative Big Store Makeover! The Big Store, a historic landmark that sat vacant for over 40 years, is now a vibrant and...
SWFD Celebrates Survival and Recovery
On the morning of April 13, 2025, we first met Mark Gaddini when he went into sudden cardiac arrest. It's because of his tenacity and the actions of responding personnel, we can celebrate his survival and recovery. Our responding A-Shift crews were initially...
Eglin Test Aircraft Fly in Pacific Exercise
ANDERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- The 53rd Wing and 96th Test Wing's F-15s and F-16s arrived at Guam last week to participate in the large-scale exercise Resolute Force Pacific. REFORPAC is a comprehensive contingency-response exercise, training military members to...
High-Traffic Intersection Finally Gets Long-Awaited Traffic Light
"Oh my God, okay, it's happening. Everybody, stay calm!" - Michael Scott, probably, finding out that the Highway 98 and S Church Street intersection is finally getting a traffic light. After years of praying for a gap in traffic, it's finally happening. Here's the...
Obituaries
Bobbie Jewel Strouse
Bobbie Jewel Strouse passed away on June 21, 2025. She was 84 years old. Bobbie was born April 10, 1941, in Brewton, AL to Austin Pittman and Lizzie Mae Howard. Returning to the area after her husband was stationed in Hawaii, Bobbie took a job frying chicken at the...
Gwynn Baker
On June 21, 2025, a true Earth Angel found her wings and returned home to Heaven. Her grace, love and light remain with us, echoing in every memory, gesture, and quiet moment. Though we each feel her absence differently, were united by the depth of her presence- and...
Rexford J. Brogdale
We sadly announce the passing of Rexford (Rex) J. Brogdale of DeFuniak Springs, FL who passed on June 22, 2025. Rex Brogdale was born on December 1st 1938 in Elmira, New York. He is predeceased by his father, Howard Brogdale, mother, Winifred Brogdale, brothers, Alden...
Teresita Lagura Leyva
Teresita “Tess” Lagura Leyva, age 85, departed this earth, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at her residence surrounded by loved ones as sweetly and gently as she is graced with her presence. She was born September 25, 1939, in the Philippines to Faustino Lagura and Emelia...
Sports
Offense Fires Early, Heyl Stays Hot as Raiders Defeat No. 7 Gaston 6-2 to Reach Semifinals
YUMA, Ariz. — Powered by a fast start at the plate and another dominant outing from sophomore right-hander Cailyn Heyl, Northwest Florida State downed No. 7 Gaston 6–2 on Wednesday afternoon to advance to the NJCAA World Series semifinals in Yuma. The win is the...
Raiders Rally for Five Unanswered to Walk Off No. 6 Odessa
YUMA, Ariz. — Down but never out, Northwest Florida State softball mounted an incredible comeback to stun No. 6 Odessa College, scoring five unanswered runs across the final two innings to walk it off, 5-4, on a clutch single by Falyn Beebe. What started as a...
Raiders Open World Series with 2-0 Shutout Over Southern Union
YUMA, Ariz. — Behind another masterclass performance from their ace, the No. 3 seed Northwest Florida State Raiders opened their 2025 NJCAA Softball World Series run with a 2-0 shutout victory over No. 14 Southern Union Tuesday afternoon in Yuma. Sophomore...
Raiders Open World Series with Second Round Matchup Against #14 Southern Union
YUMA, Ariz. — No. 3 seed Northwest Florida State will begin its 2025 NJCAA Softball World Series run in the desert with a second-round matchup against No. 14 seed Southern Union on Tuesday, May 20 at 3:15 p.m. (CST). The Bison earned their spot in the second round...