Community News
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 · Defuniak Springs
Hollywood Officer-Involved Shooting: What We Know So Far
A police presence is active on Coolidge Street in Hollywood following an officer-involved shooting reported early Friday morning, with no further details immediately available beyond initial dispatch information.
Crews Respond to Fire Alarm on 7050 Sunset Dr S in St. Pete Beach
St. Pete Beach crews responded to a fire alarm at 7050 Sunset Dr S early Wednesday morning.
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Officer Involved Shooting on 1829 Coolidge St, Hollywood
Emergency responders were dispatched to an officer-involved shooting at 1829 Coolidge St, Hollywood, FL, early Friday morning.
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Cardiac Arrest Reported on 9400 W Commercial Blvd in Sunrise
Cardiac arrest reported at 9400 W Commercial Blvd in Sunrise on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 11:37 PM.
Tuesday, August 25, 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.
Tuesday, August 25, 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.
Tuesday, August 25, 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.
Tuesday, August 25, 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.
Tuesday, August 25, 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.
Tuesday, August 25, 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.
Tuesday, August 25, 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.
Tuesday, August 25, 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.
Tuesday, August 25, 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.
Tuesday, August 25, 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.
Tuesday, August 25, 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.
Tuesday, August 25, 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.
Tuesday, August 25, 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.
Tuesday, August 25, 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.
Tuesday, August 25, 2026