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Regional Utilities places booms on Choctawhatchee Bay during water line installation

New water line coming across bay Regional Utilities of Walton County is currently working on Choctawhatchee Bay installing a second sub aqueous water line. This line is being installed as redundancy, as well as a future water supply for South Walton County. Regional Utilities is using the boom as protection for the environment of the bay.  The boom has not been placed due to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Regional Utilities of Walton County apologizes for the...

Proposed oil clean-up plan in place for South Walton beaches

Coastal dune lake protection plan in effect Local agencies in Walton County continue to work together to ensure that our coastline remains oil free and open for the enjoyment of residents and visitors. The South Walton Fire District lifeguards have played a vital role on the front lines. This past weekend when a dozen quarter size clots of what appeared to be oil washed ashore, the lifeguards instructed beach goers not to touch it.  The lifeguards then notified the State...

South Walton residents gather to share thoughts, prayers for the Gulf of Mexico

Candlelight vigil offered opportunity for many to express their love for the Gulf More than 50 local South Walton residents gathered at Ed Walline beach access in Santa Rosa Beach for a candlelight vigil hosted by the Surfrider Foundation on June 8. Attendees took the opportunity to share their thoughts on the current oil spill catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico, expressing their love for the Gulf, anger at what has occurred and hopes for future change. “Our friends need...

Evening sky lights up in South Walton

The place where light dwells Local South Walton resident and photographer Brandan Babineaux captured this beautiful lightning show in Seaside June 5. Brandan describes his experience: “Summer thunderstorms can be very dramatic along the gulf coast. I’ve been wanting to try to photograph lightning but the conditions were never in my favor and being at the right place at the right time can be challenging unless you are some sort of storm chaser. On Saturday evening, a severe line of...

Several small tar balls found on South Walton beaches

Several coastal dune lakes closed off June 5 From the Walton County Sheriff’s Office: The afternoons of June 4 and 5, several quarter size clots of what appears to be oil were found along Walton County’s 26 miles of coastline. The clots were identified, picked up, and the State Coordinating Office was notified. Walton County Sheriff’s deputies along with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and State Wildlife officers (FWC) patrolled our beaches June 5 to identify and dispose of any...

Enjoying quality time along South Walton beaches

Catching some waves at Blue Mountain Beach Local surfers were out in force this weekend enjoying the waves. Pictured here is Dylan Sturdivant catching one in the Gulf of Mexico at Blue Mountain Beach access on June 5. Dylan is the son of Trish and Michael Sturdivant of Santa Rosa Beach. Many locals are out enjoying quality time along the beaches in South Walton. With the future uncertain, everyone is getting out and enjoying our beautiful beaches....

Fishing advisory issued for Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties

FWC prepared for possibility of closure The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) advises anglers and boaters in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties in Northwest Florida that oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill could soon reach coastal waters of these counties. Oil spill trajectory projections formulated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicate that these areas could experience some amount of oiling in the next 72 hours, but these projections carry a degree...