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Halloween safety tips from the SWFD

Don’t let your guard down when it comes to safety Halloween is an exciting and festive time for children and adults. Halloween parties, prick or treating, fall festivals and haunted houses are all enjoyable.  However, the South Walton Fire District (SWFD) wants to remind you to not let your guard down when it comes to safety. We all think about the obvious when Trick or Treating: check the candy before eating, carry a flashlight, wear reflective or bright colors, don’t accept...

Alaqua Animal Refuge ‘furever’ friend of the week

Happy little girl with looking for a new friend Bonnie.  The name means “beautiful and good,” and it fits this little lady to a T.  One of the dogs fortunate enough to be rescued from a kill shelter, Bonnie is an adorable schnauzer/terrier mix who is currently residing at Alaqua Animal Refuge.  Her personality is all about love, and she wriggles her whole body from nose to toes with joy when anyone gives her a bit of attention.  Bonnie knows...

The fine art of beekeeping alive and well in DeFuniak Springs

North Walton farmer produces wide variety of sweet honey As a beekeeper only in his fourth year of operation, Jim Dietrich sure knows his bees. Picking up from what was a once a hobby with his father years ago, the DeFuniak Springs beekeeper now operates several bee apiaries full-time in locations throughout Walton County. The majority of the apiaries are located north of DeFuniak Springs in Glendale, with a few in South Walton. Producing a variety of honey throughout most...

Alaqua Animal Refuge ‘furever’ friend of the week

Happy little guy with looking for a new friend Martin is a very happy little dog.  Scheduled for euthanasia, he was rescued at the very last minute from a nearby kill shelter and is now a resident at Alaqua Animal Refuge.  When he first arrived at the sanctuary, he was quite the sad looking guy.  Due to a severe flea infestation and an impossibly matted coat, Martin had to be completely shaved.  As you can see from the photo, today...

Banded Rufous hummingbird winters in same yard seven years in a row

Winter guest returns to delight of local bird lover Local hummingbird enthusiast and butterfly expert, Mary Ann Friedman of Niceville is excited about a winter guest she has coming to her yard year after year. A Rufous Hummingbird, nicknamed “Ruferocious” has been returning to Mary Ann’s yard each winter for seven years. “We call her Ruferocious because she is pretty possessive and usually kicks any other would be winter hummingbirds out in a very short time. Before she started “living”...

CHELCO’s new electric rate gives members choices

A new rate allows members to benefit from being energy conscious You can take control of your electric bill when you sign up for the new Time of Use rate offered by CHELCO. With the Time of Use rate, you are charged different amounts based on the time of day you use the electricity. This reflects the differing costs of power paid by CHELCO. During off-peak times, the rate will be reduced to 5.736 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). During...

Alaqua Animal Refuge ‘furever’ friend of the week

A very special blue-eyed feline looking for a new friend Ever feel self-conscious about your appearance?  Maybe you’re having a bad hair day or you missed a spot when you were shaving?  Ever wonder if animals might feel the same about the way they look?  Take one sweet feline in the far Cat Cabin at Alaqua Animal Refuge.  Lacy is her name, a two and a half year old Siamese mix.  Her coat is a flattering shade of cream with...