County News
96th Medical Group Welcomes New Leader
Col. Tara Lovell assumed command of the 96th Medical Group July 11, 2025, during an official change of command ceremony. Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro, 96th Test Wing commander, served as presiding officer. "Lovell brings a broad scope of experience," said Massaro....
Three Raiders Selected in MLB Draft, Four More Sign Pro Contracts
The 2025 MLB Draft has officially wrapped, and once again, Northwest Florida State had a strong showing, with multiple current and former players hearing their names called—or signing contracts—as they take the next step in their baseball careers. This year, three...
WCSO Lieutenant Graduates Florida Sheriff’s Association Commanders Academy
Walton County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant James E. Pitman, Jr. has graduated from the Florida Sheriffs Association’s (FSA) prestigious Commanders Academy. Lieutenant Pitman was among personnel representing 36 Florida sheriffs’ offices from across the state in Class...
Walton County Commission Meeting Summary
The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) met in regular session this week to handle the business of the county. The meeting was held in the Courthouse in DeFuniak Springs. Numerous items were passed by general consent of the Board. For instance, the Board...
Witherspoon Brothers Selected on Day One of the MLB Draft
For many young athletes, the dream of one day becoming a Major League Baseball player begins the first time they pick up a baseball. This week, that dream becomes reality for more than 600 players across the country as the MLB Draft takes place in Atlanta, Georgia....
Cultural Arts Alliance Awards More Than $30,000 in Art For All Grants to Support Walton County Arts Education
The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) is proud to announce that over $30,000 in Art For All grant funding has been awarded to support arts education and creative projects benefiting more than 900 K-12 students across Walton County. In its ongoing mission...
DFSFD Recognized for 2nd Year in a Row
The City of DeFuniak Springs Fire Department has achieved Silver level recognition for 2023 & 2024 as part of the Lexipol Connect Customer Recognition Program, which recognizes Fire Service agencies for excellence in training management. High-quality, ongoing...
WCSO Welcomes Newest Members of the Sheriff’s Office Family
Join us in congratulating the four newest members of the Walton County Sheriff's Office family! Recent graduates of the Northwest Florida State College Law Enforcement Academy will begin an in-house academy before moving on to our 16-week field training program. Join...
Obituaries
Stephen Paul Bristol
Stephen Paul Bristol, age 79, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 16, 2025. He was born on August 23, 1945, in Mobile, Alabama, to Eugene and Doris Kirk Bristol. Steve was a longtime resident of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. He was of Catholic faith and lived with a...
Benjamin Gordon Watts
Benjamin Gordon Watts passed away peacefully on Friday, June 20, 2025, in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. He was born on July 30, 1947, and his parents were George W. Watts, Jr. and Nelrea Taylor Watts of Chipley, Florida. Ben graduated from Chipley High School in 1965. He...
Michael Edward James Clark
Michael Clark was born on March 2, 2012, at Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, Alabama. He was a beloved son, brother, grandson, cousin and friend whose life, though brief, was filled with love, joy and unwavering strength. Michael is survived by his loving...
Marva Eleonora Woodberry
We are honoring Marva Eleonora Woodberry for touching so many lives on this earth. She truly was a compassionate, kindhearted soul. She had a distinguished passion and love for teaching children. She began life on November 27,1966, born in Ashland Kentucky to her...
Sports
Northwest Florida Set to Open Postseason Play Wednesday in Clearwater
CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Northwest Florida State College softball team will begin its pursuit of a state title on Wednesday morning, facing off against Eastern Florida State College in the opening round of the 2025 FCSAA Division I Softball Championship. The Raiders...
Raiders’ Season Comes to an End Following Game 2 Loss to SCF
NICEVILLE, Fla. — Northwest Florida State's 2024 baseball season came to a close Saturday afternoon after an 11-6 loss to State College of Florida in Game Two of the FCSAA Championship Opening Round. Despite a late push fueled by Tristan Bittle's grand slam, the...