September 24, 2010

Archive

South Walton Fire District lifeguard 2010 season comes to a close Sept. 26

Beach flag warnings will continue With the South Walton Fire District (SWFD) professional beach lifeguard season ending this Sunday, September 26, 2010, Beach Safety Director Gary Wise, urges beach goers to heed the beach flag warning system and use good sense when deciding to enter the Gulf of Mexico. Lifeguards have been supervising the beaches from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily since March. “Since the Beach Safety and Education Program began 5 years ago, there has not been a...

Walton County fishing report for Sept. 22

Fish on! Bay: Some spanish mackerel in the west end of the bay along with redfish being caught with gold spoons and Mirodine lures. Lots of shrimp in the bay and the fish are eating them! You can also cast net for shrimp. Fresh: River fishing is good but your going to need a bucket of water to launch your boat! Water level very low.  Fly fishing is good catching crappie and bream with popping bugs. Folks are catching largemouth...

Hogfish caught along reef in Gulf

Local fisherman spears fish not commonly found in our area Local fisherman James Griffith speared this hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus) Sept. 5 in the Gulf of Mexico near Sandestin. Diving in about 100 ft. of water James found the hogfish along a natural reef. “I’m guessing it weighed about 6 or 7 pounds. Looking at it on the cooler lid, it measures 23.” This is the first I have landed, but I saw another one on the same reef about a week...

Head over to Seaside for the Halloweener Derby Oct. 30

Fun event includes weener dog races and a Trick N Treat Pet Parade Head over to Seaside on Oct. 30 for a day of Halloween doggie fun! This is a fundraiser event to benefit 30-A Radio and The Alaqua Animal Refuge. The day will be filled with weener dog races, pet parade, costume contest and live music. Enter your pet for prizes and awards. For more information or to enter, go to: http://www.halloweener.org...

Highway 20 closed as fire rages in Basin Bayou

Alaqua Animal Refuge may need assistance with animal evacuation UPDATE: Alaqua Animal Refuge is safe…. 3:30 from South Walton Fire District: The Florida Highway Patrol is reopening a portion of State Road 20 shut down by a large wildfire burning south of the road. The road was shut down between Basin Bayou and Portland due to heavy smoke. FHP troopers are reopening the road and traffic will move at about 15 mph. Between 200 and 250 acres of scattered areas...

Monarch arrival brings a sign of the season in Walton County

Monarchs flutter along the Choctawhatchee River Even though the temperatures have not indicated any sign of fall, Mother Nature is. This monarch was spotted on a willow tree along the Choctawhatchee River on Sept. 19. A bit of an early migrate, its appearance indicates that fall is nigh. Unlike most other insects in temperate climates, monarch butterflies cannot survive a long cold winter. Instead, they spend the winter in roosting spots. Monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains fly farther south...

Alaqua Animal Refuge ‘furever’ friend of the week

Meet Artie, he’s all ears! This is Artie.  No, he’s not really all ears, but his ears are two of his most striking features.  They are a little bit floppy and don’t quite face in the usual direction, but their haphazard appearance just adds to Artie’s considerable canine charm.  A seven month old Labrador/ shepherd mix, Artie has a fuzzy blond coat with a fashionable touch of brown directly under his chin.  Although he is being very well cared for...