WCSO OPERATION BLUE BIRD TO BEGIN WEDNESDAY; EFFORT TO FOCUS ON SCHOOL ZONE, BUS STOP VIOLATIONS Posted on August 8, 2022 August 8, 2022 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— As students head back to school in Walton County this week, Walton County Sheriff’s Office is steadying its focus on making sure kids get to the classroom safely. Operation Blue Bird is set to begin Wednesday, August 10th to address traffic violations within school zones and surrounding school buses along their route. The focus of enforcement activities is intended for the times before school begins and when schools release students. During this period, motorists can expect an increase in law enforcement presence around all Walton County schools. Please note, unmarked law enforcement vehicles will also be used as available to monitor traffic around school buses during their transit to and at bus stops.   Violations of focus are Speeding in a school zone Texting while driving Seatbelt/Child Safety Restraint Passing a Stopped School Bus Walton County Sheriff’s Office will be actively enforcing these traffic laws and promoting safety during the operation period. Walton County Emergency Management will also be installing digital signage on Highways 331, 98, and 90 for increased messaging. “Our goal is to reduce unsafe situations for students, parents, and other residents during our return to school,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “Our children are our greatest asset, and we must do everything within our power to keep them safe.”   https://waltonso.org/news/feed/ Read More

FLHSMV FLOW BUS VISITS WALTON COUNTY JAIL; MORE THAN 40 INMATES RECEIVE ID CARDS Posted on August 1, 2022 August 1, 2022 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— Inmates incarcerated at the Walton County Jail were given a special opportunity Monday. The Florida Licensing on Wheels (FLOW) bus visited the Walton County Jail, pulling into the facility to provide qualified inmates with the chance to renew their license or get an ID card. The FLOW program offers a one-stop convenience typically for members of the public. However, the Walton County Jail partners with FLHSMV to provide the service to inmates to help their re-entry once they are finished serving their sentences. On Monday, 42 inmates qualified for a Florida ID card, and three were issued their Florida Driver’s License. The cost of the IDs is funded through the inmate welfare program, which derives from money spent by inmates during incarceration. These funds can only be used for inmate welfare. “It’s an effort to reduce recidivism,” said Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “We hope this helps give inmates an opportunity to move forward quickly once they’re released from jail.” During a previous visit to the jail back in June, more than 50 inmates were issued Florida ID cards.   https://waltonso.org/news/feed/ Read More

UPDATE ON SENTENCES FOR THOSE ARRESTED DURING OPERATION MR. CLEAN Posted on August 1, 2022 August 1, 2022 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— The following list is an update of sentences from Operation Mr. Clean. The multi-agency effort came to fruition in November of 2020 resulting in the indictment of 15 people on federal drug-trafficking charges and an additional 29 people facing state drug-trafficking charges. After public inquiries, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office has compiled a list of all those charged and their sentences following the operation aimed at getting dangerous drugs off the streets of Walton County. Offenders’ sentences could vary based on additional charges, re-arrests, or other stipulations handed down by a judge. All records as it pertains to state charges can be found on the Walton County Clerk of Court website under Court Records Search.   Federal Charges Shanna Edward – (Fugitive) Donald Black – (In Custody / Atlanta) 120 Months imprisonment, five years supervised release Shelley Johnson – (In Custody) 60 months imprisonment, five years supervised release Demonte Easley – (In Custody) 360 months imprisonment, 10 years supervised release James Young – (In Custody) 120 months imprisonment, five years supervised release Alicia Rutledge – 11 months 14 days imprisonment, four years supervised release Marjorie Turner – 1 year four months and 13 days imprisonment, five years supervised release Samantha O’Banion – 15 months imprisonment, three years supervised release Joseph Jackson – Three years of felony probation Roy Hayes – Five years felony probation   State Charges   William... Read More

BRINGING HEALTHCARE BACK HOME; CHANGES ON THE HORIZON FOR 911/EMS SERVICES IN WALTON COUNTY BEGINNING AUGUST 1ST Posted on July 25, 2022 WALTON COUNTY, FLA –  There are no wailing sirens or bright lights, but when Paramedic Ashley Dumont arrives for a home visit, she brings a shining smile with her med bag and stethoscope. Walton County Fire Rescue is one of the first in the state to introduce a Community Paramedicine Program. The fire-rescue organization serves residents and visitors north of the Choctawhatchee Bay in Walton County. Community Paramedics are trained, licensed paramedics who respond to certain pre-determined EMS calls for service to visit with patients and provide care. Until this month, Dumont acted as the sole community paramedic before the program expanded adding another in Lindsey Timpano. But a prescription for additional changes has been filled as the agency looks to change the response to 911 calls for medical services. The Community Paramedicine Program provides a continuity of care for those seeking medical attention who previously relied on the emergency room for primary medical care. They would simply call 911 and get transported to a local hospital. “A lot of people believe calling 911 is their only option,” said Timpano, who’s been with Walton County Fire Rescue since September of 2020. “With the Community Paramedicine Program, we are giving them another avenue to receive care and build better relationships with those patients – it’s more one-on-one.” Between her and Dumont, the pair have more than 15 years of... Read More

July 15, 2022 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— Human remains located inside Point Washington State Forest are believed to be that of 37-year-old Tara Deaton. Dagan Blake Boring, 24, of Santa Rosa Beach has been arrested and charged with her murder. Deaton… Read More The post HUMAN REMAINS IDENTIFIED AS MISSING WOMAN; ONE ARRESTED FOR HOMICIDE first appeared on Walton County Sheriff’s Office, FL.]]> <![CDATA[ WALTON COUNTY, Fla— Human remains located inside Point Washington State Forest are believed to be that of 37-year-old Tara Deaton. Dagan Blake Boring, 24, of Santa Rosa Beach has been arrested and charged with her murder. Deaton was reported missing out of Kentucky in June just two weeks after her vehicle, a gray Lexus coupe, was involved in a hit-and-run on County Highway 30a. The following day, May 24th, the vehicle was found in a wooded area about two miles from the crash. The car was impounded and brought to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office where a search warrant revealed blood in the trunk. Investigators attempted to locate Deaton and interviewed numerous family and friends. After an exhaustive search, investigators were led to Boring, who is believed to have been in a relationship with Deaton at the time of her disappearance. Boring was located at a convenience store in Fort Walton Beach on July 14th and later led investigators to the location of Deaton’s body inside Point Washington State Forest. He was arrested for homicide and booked into the Walton County Jail where he received no bond... Read More