Community News
Friday, July 31, 2026 · Defuniak Springs
Overdose Reported on 2933 NE 12th Terrace in Pompano Beach
Pompano Beach emergency responders were dispatched to an overdose incident on 2933 NE 12th Terrace on Tuesday.
Hollywood Officer-Involved Shooting: What We Know So Far
A police officer has been involved in a shooting incident in Hollywood, with at least one person transported to the hospital in critical condition.
Friday, July 31, 2026
Cardiac/Respiratory Arrest Reported on N Powerline Rd; Total of 5 Units Dispatched
Pompano Beach Fire Rescue is on scene for a cardiac/respiratory arrest at 1500 N Powerline Rd, with a total of 5 units dispatched.
Friday, July 31, 2026
Hollywood Brush Fire: Rapid Response Underway on North 14th Avenue
A brush fire was reported shortly before midnight at 419 N 14th Avenue in Hollywood, with emergency crews swiftly responding to the scene.
Friday, July 31, 2026
DeFuniak Springs to Vote on Fire Services Assessment
DeFuniak Springs proposes a fire services assessment ranging from $199 to $238 annually for homeowners, pending City Council approval and public hearings.
Friday, July 31, 2026
Missing DeFuniak Springs Man Identified 10 Years After Disappearance
Skeletal remains discovered on Eglin Air Force Base property have been identified as John Thomas Watson, a DeFuniak Springs man missing since August 2015. DNA analysis confirmed the identification after a decade of uncertainty.
Friday, July 31, 2026
District 4 Residents Air Concerns Over E-Bikes, Drainage, Pickleball Courts
Walton County Commissioner Donna Johns drew a standing-room-only crowd Thursday to discuss e-bikes on sidewalks, drainage problems, and pickleball court placement in District 4.
Friday, July 31, 2026
E-bike Safety, Drainage Top Concerns at District 4 Meeting
County Commissioner Donna Johns hosted a packed townhall meeting Thursday to address District 4 concerns ranging from e-bike safety to park upgrades.
Friday, July 31, 2026
DeFuniak Springs Unveils Five-Year Pavement Improvement Plan
DeFuniak Springs is implementing a five-year pavement improvement plan from 2027-2031 to proactively maintain its 83 miles of roadways, shifting from reactive repairs to preventative care.
Friday, July 31, 2026
Walton County to Revise Development Code Based on Roundtable Input
Walton County will use feedback from roundtable meetings to rewrite sections of its Land Development Code and streamline the permitting process.
Friday, July 31, 2026
Walton County Switches to OpenGov for Vendor Bids
Walton County began using OpenGov in February 2024 to manage vendor bids and proposals. Vendors can register free accounts to receive bid alerts.
Friday, July 31, 2026
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Toro Toro Miami
Toro Toro Miami will offer a four-course prix fixe menu with live entertainment for New Year’s Eve 2024, featuring dishes like Wagyu Short Rib and Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass.
Friday, July 31, 2026
Battalion Chief McElyea Wins State Cadet Advisor Award
Walton County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief TJ McElyea won the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association Cadet Advisor of the Year award for founding and leading Cadet Post 850.
Friday, July 31, 2026
DeSantis Rejects Florida Gas Tax Pause Amid $4/Gallon Spike
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shot down calls to suspend the state's 25-cent gas tax, warning drivers won't feel relief at pumps hitting $4 a gallon. Despite pleas from Democrats and Palm Beach County leaders, he cited past failures and oil market volatility. As global tensions rise, Florida motorists brace for pain at the pump.
Friday, July 31, 2026
DeSantis Signs 9 Key Florida Laws on Safety, Schools and Traffic
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed nine new laws Thursday in Tallahassee, tackling unlicensed drivers, church security and body camera privacy amid rising public safety concerns. Most take effect July 1, joining nearly 60 others passed this year. From stricter traffic penalties to expanded school guardians, the measures aim to bolster security across the Sunshine State.
Friday, July 31, 2026
Florida's Lab-Grown Meat Ban Survives Federal Court Challenge
Nearly two years after Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning cultivated meat sales in Florida, a federal appeals court upheld the controversial law as constitutional. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a challenge from California-based Upside Foods, cementing Florida's status as the first state to prohibit lab-grown meat—a move critics say protects the traditional livestock industry rather than consumers.
Friday, July 31, 2026
Florida Launches Mandatory Hurricane Drills Across All 67 Counties
With hurricane season looming just weeks away, Florida's Division of Emergency Management has rolled out mandatory public safety drills statewide to sharpen readiness. The initiative targets all 67 counties, urging residents to stock seven days of supplies and master evacuation protocols. Officials warn that recent storms underscore the need for swift action amid rising threats.
Friday, July 31, 2026
DeSantis Greenlights UFC, Colleges in Florida's New License Plates
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill unleashing eight new specialty license plates, from UFC fighters to South Florida high schools and military academies. Drivers can start pre-ordering Oct. 1, but only if 3,000 vouchers sell in two years. With over 2.3 million special tags already on roads, these could boost scholarships, mental health and more.
Friday, July 31, 2026