County News
2025 Beach Safety Season: By the Numbers
South Walton Fire District couldn't be more grateful for your support during our 20th Season of Beach Safety Operations. Here's a quick breakdown of the stats from the past season, which runs March 1 - October 31. 78 Water Rescues 322 Public Assists 487,503...
Christmas Reflections Starts Friday, November 28th in DeFuniak Springs
Enjoy beautiful, peace, and a celebration of the Christmas season in lights - all in the midst of Historic DeFuniak Springs! It's THE event of the year! Bring the entire family any night of the week or come and stay the weekend in the beautiful, historic DeFuniak...
White, Diagne, and Wilkins Power Raiders Past Hillsborough 71-61
No. 1 Northwest Florida State women's basketball passed its first road test of the season Friday afternoon, defeating Hillsborough 71–61 behind another dominant outing from its core trio of Jadah White, Khoudia Diagne and Niylia Wilkins. The three accounted for 52 of...
Lady Raiders Fall in Final Minutes to #18 Florida Southwestern 53-52
FORT MYERS, Fla. — No. 1 Northwest Florida State women's basketball saw its perfect start come to an end Wednesday night, falling in a late thriller to No. 18 Florida SouthWestern to move to 5–1 on the season. The Raiders trailed for the majority of the contest and...
Shine and Nichols Lead Raiders Past Hillsborough 81-72 on Saturday
DAYTONA, Fla. — No. 6 Northwest Florida State men's basketball closed out its weekend in Daytona with an 81–72 win over Hillsborough on Saturday, pushing the Raiders to a perfect 6–0 start. DJ Shine delivered another standout performance, leading all scorers with 23...
U.S. Marshals Task Force Arrest Fugitive Wanted for Assault of a Child
The U.S. Marshals Task Force arrest a wanted fugitive out of Tyler, Texas. Friday morning, members of the U.S. Marshal Task Force, including members of the Walton County Sheriff's Office, arrested Christopher Lynn Bowles, 42, at a home on Coy Burgess Loop. Bowles has...
Ponce de Leon Man Arrested by WCSO After Violent Physical Attack On Pregnant Victim
A Ponce De Leon man is behind bars after violently attacking a pregnant woman Tuesday in Walton County. On November 11th, just after 1 pm, deputies responded to a report of a physical disturbance on County Highway 183 S. When they arrived, deputies located the...
Monument Acceptance Ceremony Held at Pilcher Park
Thursday afternoon, South Walton Fire District and Walton County Board of County Commissioners, Florida leadership hosted a Monument Acceptance Ceremony at Pilcher Park. Fire District, County, and community representatives came together to formally introduce the...
Obituaries
Joe Charles Davies
Joe Charles Davies (JC) passed away on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Wanda Jean Sunderlin Davies, and by his parents Annie Josephine Walling Davies and Charles Davies. JC is survived by his two children, daughter Renee...
Jordan Ivy Sinclair
With broken hearts, we announce the passing of our beautiful daughter, Senior Airman Jordan Ivy Sinclair on October 25, 2025. Jordan most recently served as a Defender in the United States Air Force as a member of the 48th Security Forces Squadron at Lakenheath Air...
Bonnie Sue Gomillion
Ms. Bonnie Sue Gomillion, age 65, passed away Sunday, November 2, 2025. She was born July 26, 1960 in Munich, Germany to Sanford and Mary Riley Sidebottom. Ms. Gomillion was a resident of Ponce De Leon, Florida. She was Catholic by faith. She was a devoted wife,...
Melissa Margaret Hetrick
Melissa Margaret Hetrick, age 53, passed away October 28, 2025 at her home. She was born February 8, 1972 in Youngstown, Ohio to Melvin Hetrick and Louisa Craig. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Watkins of DeFuniak Springs.
Sports
October 18’s Third Round of the CFP College Football Rankings/Brackets Released
The rankings and brackets are only a prediction of the playoffs games based on this week's rankings. They are subject to change as the season plays out. New rankings and brackets will be published weekly until Conference Championship weekend in December....
Aggressive Bulldogs Surge Past #10 Texas, 35-10
ATHENS, Ga. — The fifth-ranked Georgia played to win again and again against No. 10 Texas on Saturday night at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs were aggressive on fourth down, even in their territory, and they even tried and converted a surprise onside kick after scoring...
Florida State Conquers Virginia Tech 34-14
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida State football team concluded its home schedule with a 34-14 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium. The win is the 600th in program history, as FSU achieves the mark in its 79th season with a 600-295-17...
Gators Fall 34-24 to #6 Ole Miss in Oxford
OXFORD, Miss. — The Gators held up the conductor longer than many anticipated, but the Lane Train eventually pulled away in the second half as No. 6-ranked Ole Miss defeated Florida 34-24 on Saturday night at Vaughn-Hemingway Stadium. In Florida's first game at Ole...