The Song Has Become A Highlight Of Zach Top’s Shows “What do y’all think about a little Conway Twitty?” asked Zach Top at a show a few months ago in Knoxville, Tennessee. To this, the crowd went wild. However, Zach is offering more than just a cover, but rather a reimagining of a song that […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Bayou Invasion Returns to Niceville Staff Reports March 17, 2026 3:59 pm Bluewater Bay, Events, Niceville, Okaloosa County In Brief: Who: Local boaters, paddlers, and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary What: 14th Annual Invasion on the Bayou boating event When: Saturday, March 21, 2026 (photo at 10 a.m.) Where: Rocky Bayou (west side of the bridge), Niceville, Florida Why: To kick off boating season and promote safe water practices NICEVILLE, Fla. — A beloved local tradition returns this weekend as the 14th Annual Invasion on the Bayou brings boaters of all kinds together on Rocky Bayou for a celebration of community and water safety. Set for Saturday, March 21, 2026, the event invites participants from across the area to gather on the west side of the Rocky Bayou Bridge for a 10 a.m. group photo marking the unofficial start of the boating season. From powerboats to paddleboards, organizers say all watercraft are welcome, including sailboats, kayaks, canoes, jet skis, and even seaplanes. Larger vessels are encouraged to anchor in position by 9:30 a.m. to allow smaller craft to safely join the flotilla. Following the photo, participants will paddle deeper into Rocky Bayou for a relaxed group excursion. Adding to the festive atmosphere, attendees are encouraged to don pirate costumes, turning the event into a colorful spectacle on the water. While the event is meant to be fun, safety remains a central focus. Members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary will be stationed at Bluewater Bay Marina, Bluewater High... Read More

Summit on the Circle Comes to Life in DeFuniak Tricia Elliott March 17, 2026 2:43 pm Arts, DeFuniak Springs, Emerald Coast, Events, South Walton, Walton County In Brief: Who: Organizer Diane Pickett, artists, musicians, historians, and the local community What: Summit on the Circle, a cultural festival featuring music, art, and storytelling When: April 23–26, 2026 Where: DeFuniak Springs (Circle Drive and surrounding historic sites) Why: To revive the city’s Chautauqua era legacy and reconnect the community through shared cultural experiences On an April evening along DeFuniak Springs’ iconic Circle Drive, bluegrass and art will come together in a cultural story of America. Art Workshops will spill into historic homes, and an eight-foot Statue of Liberty will stand inside the historic Chautauqua Building. All under the banner of an event organizers hope will redefine DeFuniak’s identity. The Summit on the Circle event is gearing up to be a magical weekend of storytelling, music, and artwork inspired by the Nation’s artistic traditions.    “This is a huge cultural event, and DeFuniak is on the cusp of regaining its cultural prominence,” said organizer Diane Pickett, who hopes the Summit on the Circle will become “the signature cultural event” For $55, with students getting 50% off,  attendees can access multiple days of programming that range from home-based art workshops requiring advance registration to free evening concerts by acts like the Midnight Cricket Club and the Sinus Rhythm Band. DeFuniak Springs DeFuniak Springs has a unique history in the Florida Panhandle. Shaped by education, the... Read More

Country music group LANCO is thankfully unharmed after their tour bus caught fire on Sunday (March 15). The band’s members were traveling to Nashville on Sunday night after a show in Des Moines, Iowa, according to Billboard. However, their trip didn’t go as smoothly as expected when they got caught in a snowstorm. Unable to […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

Niceville Police Seek Community Support to Fund New K-9 Officer Meredith McCalmon March 17, 2026 1:19 pm Niceville The Niceville Police Department asks the community for help raising funds for a new Police K-9 as the division prepares for the retirement of Kodi, the only current Police K-9 at NPD. Kodi will retire alongside his handler this July.  “To help replace them we have an officer that is set to go to training this month to replace Kodi,” Chief of Police Mark Hayse said at the Niceville council meeting on March 10.  According to a Facebook post by NPD, the department hopes to raise $100,000 for the new K-9, as well as essential equipment and a designated vehicle for the K-9 Division. As of March 6, they’d raised $5,525. NPD said every dollar raised will go directly to this cause. With this fundraiser, NPD honors K-9 Blue, who was killed in 2022 when his handler, Sgt. Phillip Ritcheson, was involved in a crash on Highway 85. Blue had served Niceville for five years. The K-9 Division helps police with “building searches, area searches, evidence detection, narcotics detection, tracking missing persons, tracking fleeing persons, crowd control, and promoting favorable public relations,” as stated on the City of Niceville’s website.  To donate to NPD’s K-9 Division, contact NPD at 850-729-4030. Donors may also bring physical donations to the NPD Administrative Office at 212 Partin Dr N.  More Local News Niceville Niceville Police Seek Community Support to Fund New K-9 Officer Destin Explosions... Read More