August 25, 2016

Archive

Walton County BCC hosting toiletry drive for Louisiana through Sept. 9

The Walton County Board of County Commissioners, in conjunction with Walton County Administration and Walton County Emergency Management, will be hosting a toiletry drive to help those who have been affected by the flooding in Louisiana. The drive will be held from Friday, August 26th to Friday, September 9th. Walton County Emergency Management has been in contact with organizations currently on the ground in Louisiana to help assess the items that are of the most critical need. With that information...

Morrison springs health advisory lifted

Aug. 23, 2016 – Effective immediately, the Florida Department of Health in Walton County is rescinding the August 10, 2016 health advisory for the Morrison Springs bathing place. DOH Walton feels that water quality in this area has improved considerably due to the reduction in bacteria levels. The Health Department will continue to monitor the water quality in this area monthly and routinely advise the public of our results.  For more information, contact the DOH Walton at 850-892-8021....

9/11 remembrance ceremony in DeFuniak Springs Sept. 11

Time: 2 p.m. Please join the Walton County Emergency Response community in remembering those lives lost on 9/11. There will be a 45 – 60 minute ceremony featuring speakers sharing their experiences on that fateful day as well as prayer and a 21 gun salute. After the ceremony, please join for a two lap walk around Lake DeFuniak commemorating Towers 1 and 2 that collapsed. The walk will be escorted by the Blue Knights and Red Knights motorcycle clubs and...

Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge looking for volunteers

Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge (ECWR) is the facility to call if you discover injured wildlife. For more than 20 years, ECWR has cared for a variety of animals – from injured pelicans, to infant raccoons. Supported mostly through the donations of local residents and businesses, ECWR is also involved in education, conservation and rehabilitation of fauna. Currently the refuge is in dire need for volunteers to help care for the animals, educate the public, and tend to their growing needs...

International Coastal Clean Up Day Sept. 17

Find a location near you and help clean up our Northwest Florida waterways. Santa Rosa Beach Blue Mountain Beach – Surfrider Foundation’s Emerald Coast chapter invites you to participate in the world’s biggest beach cleanup – the International Coastal Cleanup. Last year, more than 800,000 volunteers around the word collected more than 18 million pounds of trash. Join us and protect what you love. Surfriders will be meeting from 9 – 11 a.m. at the Blue Mountain Beach access in...

Hunter safety courses offered in August, September

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering free hunter safety courses in six counties in August and September. (List follows). Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them. Traditional course students must complete the entire course in person. All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than...

Giant owl decoy takes up residence on Clyde B. Wells Bridge

Whooo is that owl and what is he doing on the bridge? In mid-July Freeport resident Marilue Maris noticed something horrifying while driving over the Clyde B. Wells Bridge. Dozens of dead starlings were scatted across the northern span of the bridge. Worried, Maris reached out to Florida Audubon, Walton County Public Works, and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). FDOT took action and installed an owl decoy to help mitigate the precarious situation for the starlings. Tanya Sanders Branton,...

Choctawhatchee Audubon Society activities for September 2016

Sept. 1: Monthly Meeting: CANCELLED Sept. 17: Birdwalk. Visit the holding ponds at the Okaloosa County Waste Water Treatment Facility and FWB Landfill. Meet with Lenny Fenimore, nationally recognized birder, at Pepitos 1313 Lewis Turner Blvd at 7:30 AM Saturday the 17th of September and travel a short distance to the ponds. Observe waterfowl, waders and shorebirds migrating through the Florida Panhandle. Contact Lenny at 850 863-2039 for additional information....