30a News

Saltwater Restaurants Inc. Partners with Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge to Release Blue Heron “Bob”

Saltwater Restaurants Inc. is proud of its ongoing partnership with the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge. In a heartfelt collaboration, the organizations celebrated the release of a rehabilitated Blue Heron named “Bob” in honor of Robert “Bob” Bonezzi, founder of Saltwater Restaurants, Inc. The release event took place on Monday, August 21st, at the scenic Al’s Beach Club and Burger Bar at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. This partnership signifies Saltwater Restaurants Inc.’s commitment to the local environment, evident through their S.E.A. Initiative (Safety, Environment, Activities). To support the commendable efforts of the refuge, Saltwater Restaurants provided $10,000. This dedicated initiative aims to protect, preserve, and enhance the pristine beaches of the Emerald Coast. “The S.E.A. Initiative is at the heart of what we believe in,” said Nick Sarra, CEO of Saltwater Restaurants Inc. “We are not just about serving great food but also about safeguarding our environment and fostering community activities that families can cherish.” Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge has been a stalwart defender of the region’s wildlife, ensuring that animals like “Bob” receive the care and rehabilitation they need. The successful release of the Blue Heron stands as a testament to the dedication of the refuge staff and the collaborative efforts of community partners like Saltwater Restaurants. “The continued support we receive from the Saltwater Restaurants S.E.A. Initiative will help fund medications, habitat maintenance and professional veterinary care needed specifically for our local shore birds and marine mammals. Bob, the blue heron released today, named in memory of Bob... Read More

Best Places To Eat In Disney World

You can’t go to Disney and not experiment with the food! Let’s break down some of the top places to get a bite to eat, and what food & drink you should be looking for on the menu during your next Florida Vacation and Disney trip. Disney Springs The place where food and drink is plentiful. First and foremost, if you’ve never had cookies at Gideon’s, get ready to have your life changed. The cookies & cream are my favorite. Here’s a tip for you, though: Order ahead. Not just a few hours in ahead, at least 24 hours in advance. If you know anything about my last name, you know it’s Irish. If you’re like me and love Irish pubs, Irish food, and history then checkout Ragland Road. Get a beer flight, sip slow on a glass of whiskey, or grab a Kopparberg Strawberry & Lime cider from Sweden. For an appetizer, get the Whiskey BBQ Lollipop Chicken. It’s covered with roasted corn and bacon crumble. Plates of fish & chips whirred past my table, and boy did they look good. But the hottest menu around our dinner table was the Worth the Wait Beef Sandwich. The beef had been braised for 12 hours and was served with sautéed mushrooms, crispy onions, garlic aioli and smoked cheddar on ciabatta. I ate the Serious Steak, but I can’t recommend that to anyone. The sirloin was average, the mashed potatoes tasted like instant potatoes, and my wife took one bite of... Read More

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FIRST EVER SALT WATER MUSIC FEST THIS OCTOBER

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) will usher in the fall 2023 cultural arts season with something new … and salty! The first-ever Salt Water Music Fest, presented by Salt Water Vacations and MKAF, brings Destin music lovers a sensational three-day music showcase celebration to raise funds and awareness for MKAF — Destin’s champion of the cultural arts for all. The two-day music festival is Thursday, Oct. 12, and Friday, Oct. 13 at MKAF’s Cultural Arts Village in Destin with a singer/songwriter brunch to follow on Sunday, Oct. 14 at Soleil in Destin. Grammy-winning pop songstress Macy Gray, best known for her international hit single I Try, headlines the inaugural Salt Water Music Festival on Thursday, Oct. 12. Joining this captivating, eclectic R&B talent on stage is her band, The California Jet Club performing hot tracks from her newest album, The Reset. The event will also feature an evening of five of Nashville’s hottest singer/songwriters including Ben Burgess, Jared Mullins, Jordan Minton, Jordan Reynolds, the Josh Mirenda Band along with headliner country music duo LOCASH. Music lovers can meet and greet many of the singer/songwriters during Brunch at Soleil on Saturday, Oct. 14. The event will include multiple food trucks, beverage bars, merchandise retail sales as well as artist meet & greets (for some ticket levels). Advance tickets are priced from $50 per person. General admission lawn seating and table seating will be available for individuals. Full tables (seating eight) are available starting from $750. VIP Tables are from $1,500 and... Read More

FIRST EVER SALT WATER MUSIC FEST THIS OCTOBER

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) will usher in the fall 2023 cultural arts season with something new … and salty! The first-ever Salt Water Music Fest, presented by Salt Water Vacations and MKAF, brings Destin music lovers a sensational three-day music showcase celebration to raise funds and awareness for MKAF — Destin’s champion of the cultural arts for all. The two-day music festival is Thursday, Oct. 12, and Friday, Oct. 13 at MKAF’s Cultural Arts Village in Destin with a singer/songwriter brunch to follow on Sunday, Oct. 14 at Soleil in Destin. Grammy-winning pop songstress Macy Gray, best known for her international hit single I Try, headlines the inaugural Salt Water Music Festival on Thursday, Oct. 12. Joining this captivating, eclectic R&B talent on stage is her band, The California Jet Club performing hot tracks from her newest album, The Reset. The event will also feature an evening of five of Nashville’s hottest singer/songwriters including Ben Burgess, Jared Mullins, Jordan Minton, Jordan Reynolds, the Josh Mirenda Band along with headliner country music duo LOCASH. Music lovers can meet and greet many of the singer/songwriters during Brunch at Soleil on Saturday, Oct. 14. The event will include multiple food trucks, beverage bars, merchandise retail sales as well as artist meet & greets (for some ticket levels). Advance tickets are priced from $50 per person. General admission lawn seating and table seating will be available for individuals. Full tables (seating eight) are available starting from $750. VIP Tables are from $1,500 and... Read More

Emerald Coast Theatre Company Presents Million Dollar Quartet

Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) presents Million Dollar Quartet September 15 – October 1, 2023. This performance explodes on stage with a monumental night of rock ‘n’ roll. Inspired by the most famous jam session in recording history, this smash-hit musical tells the story of legendary music icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins as they come together on December 4, 1956, at the famous Sun Studios. Million Dollar Quartet takes you behind the scenes and puts you in the middle of the action as these four musicians, who became legends, returned to the studio of legendary producer Sam Phillips, the man who invented Rock ’n’ Roll. It is equal parts stage drama and foot-tapping live performance featuring 21 timeless hits, including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Walk the Line,” “Fever,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “See Ya Later, Alligator,” “Fever,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” and “Hound Dog,” this thrilling musical brings you inside the recording studio to experience an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal, and celebrations. A3WKW5 ELVIS PRESLEY – Million Dollar quartet photo see description below for details Nathanael Fisher, co-founder and producing artistic director of ECTC says, “Million Dollar Quartet is the perfect show to start season 11. The music of these four legendary artists transcends generations. Whether you enjoy rock ‘n’ roll, blues, or country, this show is for you. It’s a truly timeless musical for anyone who loves music.” Director: Nathanael Fisher Assistant Director: Trenton... Read More

SUSPECT HIGH ON LSD BREAKS INTO HIS AIRBNB, THREATENS RENTERS WITH HANDGUN WHILE HOLDING CHILDREN

WALTON COUNTY, FLA—A man high on LSD is arrested in Walton County after breaking into his rented Airbnb armed with a handgun while holding two children. Walton County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call just after midnight Saturday morning regarding a disturbance on Snapper Street in Santa Rosa Beach. Deputies responded to the area encountering 41-year-old Samuel Deweese, armed with a handgun with an infant and a toddler in his arms. Deweese told deputies he had taken LSD. He was quickly detained after attempting to escape arrest. An investigation found Deweese broke into a residence he was renting out as an Airbnb while waving around the gun and making statements about shooting the renters. Deweese did so while carrying the two children. South Walton Fire District evaluated Deweese and both children on scene. The children were placed safely with family friends and the Department of Children and Family Services was notified. Deweese is charged with armed burglary, child endangerment, resisting without violence, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was booked into the Walton County Jail, issued a $15,000 bond at first appearance, and released the following day.  https://waltonso.org/news/feed/ Read More

Best Places To Eat In Disney World

You can’t go to Disney and not experiment with the food! Let’s break down some of the top places to get a bite to eat, and what food & drink you should be looking for on the menu during your next Florida Vacation and Disney trip. Disney Springs The place where food and drink is plentiful. First and foremost, if you’ve never had cookies at Gideon’s, get ready to have your life changed. The cookies & cream are my favorite. Here’s a tip for you, though: Order ahead. Not just a few hours in ahead, at least 24 hours in advance. If you know anything about my last name, you know it’s Irish. If you’re like me and love Irish pubs, Irish food, and history then checkout Ragland Road. Get a beer flight, sip slow on a glass of whiskey, or grab a Kopparberg Strawberry & Lime cider from Sweden. For an appetizer, get the Whiskey BBQ Lollipop Chicken. It’s covered with roasted corn and bacon crumble. Plates of fish & chips whirred past my table, and boy did they look good. But the hottest menu around our dinner table was the Worth the Wait Beef Sandwich. The beef had been braised for 12 hours and was served with sautéed mushrooms, crispy onions, garlic aioli and smoked cheddar on ciabatta. I ate the Serious Steak, but I can’t recommend that to anyone. The sirloin was average, the mashed potatoes tasted like instant potatoes, and my wife took one bite of... Read More

WCSO TO BEGIN OPERATION BLUE BIRD STARTING THURSDAY, AUGUST 10TH

WALTON COUNTY, Fla— The 2023-2024 school year starts tomorrow, and Walton County Sheriff’s Office is reminding motorists of increased enforcement as a part of a yearly initiative to help students head back to class safely. Operation Blue Bird will begin on August 10th addressing traffic violations in school zones and keeping buses safe along their routes. Enforcement will focus on speeding in school zones, texting and driving, passing a school bus that is stopped, seatbelt violations, and reckless driving. These focused efforts are intended for the times before school begins and when schools release students to ensure they are getting to and from class without issue. Drivers can expect to see a heavy presence of law enforcement in school zones. Unmarked vehicles will also be used to ensure motorists are complying with laws related to school bus safety. “Our children deserve to begin their school year focusing on what truly matters,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “Parents and students should not have to worry about whether they will make it to school without a crash or someone not obeying a stopped school bus. That’s where we come in.” Operation Blue Bird is scheduled to run through September 1st. Walton County Sheriff’s Office encourages drivers to be patient as we see an increase in traffic and congestion on the roadway. Let’s send students back-to-school safely.  https://waltonso.org/news/feed/ Read More

UPDATE: WOMAN IDENTIFIED FOLLOWING DEATH INVESTIGATION IN MIRAMAR BEACH

WALTON COUNTY, Fla— Walton County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the name of a woman at the focus of a death investigation in Miramar Beach. Renee Denise Eggers, 41, has been positively identified as the individual whose body was found in a wooded area near the Okaloosa and Walton County line near the entrance of Emerald Bay subdivision. Deputies were called to the scene Monday, July 31st just before noon after employees from Emerald Bay made the discovery. It is believed Eggers was homeless at the time of her death, however, her last known address is in Indiana. Her family was located, and notification was made. The autopsy report is still pending and the investigation is still ongoing at this time. More information will be released once it becomes available.  https://waltonso.org/news/feed/ Read More

FREEPORT MAN CHARGED WITH SEXUAL BATTERY ON NINE-YEAR-OLD

A 37-year-old Freeport man has been arrested for sexual battery following an investigation by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. In June, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau began an investigation into allegations against Joshua Scott Brase. During an interview, a female victim disclosed that Brase had sexually abused her when she was nine years old. The victim also said Brase told her not to tell anyone or “He would come back for her.” “Speaking out against any type of abuse can be a difficult thing to do.” says Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “Because of this young lady’s bravery, this sick individual is off the street and unable to harm any more children.” On August 4, 2023, Joshua Scott Brase was located at a home in Freeport and taken into custody by Walton County Sheriff’s Office investigators and members of the U.S. Marshals Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. He is charged with felony sexual battery on a child under the age of twelve and is currently being held in the Walton County Jail on a $500,000 bond. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public that the identities of victims are not public record, and we encourage anyone with information to call (850) 892-8111.  https://waltonso.org/news/feed/ Read More