Link Up Performance Featured 2,000 Local Elementary School Students SINFONIA GULF COAST SWELLS TO AN ORCHESTRA OF 2,000 MEMBERS FOR SPECIAL INTERACTIVE STUDENT PERFORMANCE OF LINK UP: THE ORCHESTRA MOVES On March 8 the Emerald Coast Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. was transformed into an electrifying concert hall when Sinfonia Gulf Coast — the only fully professional non-profit orchestra on the Emerald Coast — presented its 9th live Link Up concert performance “The Orchestra Moves,” a national program presented in partnership with New York’s Carnegie Hall Weill Institute of Music. This year’s Link Up program showcased the talents of more than 2,000 local 3rd-5th grade students from Okaloosa and Walton Counties performing on recorder and singing. The concert was conducted by Sinfonia Gulf Coast Maestro Fuller. With recorders in hand, the students performed from their seats when given their cue by Maestro Fuller to join the Sinfonia Gulf Coast orchestra for a range of pieces from Danzón No. 2 by Arturo Márquez, The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss and Toreador from Georges Bizet’s Carmen and others. But these inspired kids didn’t stay in their seats, at this spirited performance they were up out of their chairs singing, dancing choreographed moves they have been practicing for months. This curriculum is geared towards 3rd-5th grade students, and in many cases locally, is the only education that they receive during the school year. The theme of this year’s Link Up program was centered around movement. Students learn how we can perceive... Read More

A stirring new portrait of Country music, Will Thompson’s parodical new single “Checklist” is truly the refreshing dose the genre needs A beloved and soulful genre, Country music has long been known for its relatable lyrics and catchy tunes. However, the Country music world has also been long criticized for being formulaic and repetitive, with ‘most songs on the radio sounding the exact same.’ However, a divergent and disruptive force in the music world aims to undo the cycle. Will Thompson, a talented songwriter, and musician has taken it upon himself to poke fun at the genre’s cliches and buzzwords with the drop of his new single, “Checklist”. Written and composed as a playful song, rife with exciting wordplay and compelling instrumentation, alongside co-writer Ashley Watson, Thompson initially penned “Checklist” as a joke. However, after performing it at the Annual Songwriters Festival in Panama City, Florida, the captivating track was met with an overwhelming audience reaction, convincing the artist that he had something special. Woven seamlessly with a catchy melody and lyrics that will make you laugh out loud, “Checklist” is an ironic, enthralling single which truly has “every word you have to say on a country radio hit.” Swiftly becoming a fan favorite at Thompson’s live shows, “Checklist” embodies Thompson’s passion for music, and displays it as a force beyond parodying the industry’s tropes. Cementing his position as a versatile songwriter who writes in every genre and wants to blur the lines between dynamic sounds, the new single is... Read More

NOTICE OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING NEGOTIATIONS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC A collective bargaining negotiation meeting is scheduled to be held Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. (CST) at the Walton County Sheriff’s Office north administration building in DeFuniak Springs. The purpose of this meeting is collective bargaining between Walton County Sheriff’s Office and the Professional Firefighters of Walton County, Local 4413, International Association of Fire Fighters. The meeting will be held in the north admin conference room at 752 Triple G Road, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433.   The Walton County Sheriff adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable modifications for access to these meetings upon request. Requests may be made to the Human Resources Manager at 850-892-8111 x.3215 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. The post NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING – MARCH 22, 2023 first appeared on Walton County Sheriff’s Office, FL.  https://waltonso.org/news/feed/ Read More

Early Tuesday morning, an armed robbery suspect out of Walton County was tracked to a location in Newton County, Mississippi and taken into custody. On February 19, 2023, Walton County Sheriff’s Office was called to the Sleep Inn in Mossy Head following the report of an armed robbery. The front desk clerk told deputies the suspect entered the hotel, brandished a firearm, and said, “give me everything you got.” The suspect then fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash. Walton County Sheriff’s Office investigators were quickly able to identify the suspect as Juwon Maurice Hughes, 36, of Jacksonville, Florida. An arrest warrant was issued for Hughes. On Tuesday, March 14, Hughes was found in Hickory, Mississippi by law enforcement. He was arrested and transported to the Newton County Jail to await extradition to Walton County where he will be charged with armed robbery. Walton County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force for their assistance in Hughes’ arrest. The post WALTON COUNTY ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT ARRESTED IN NEWTON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI first appeared on Walton County Sheriff’s Office, FL.  https://waltonso.org/news/feed/ Read More

Step One Automotive Group, in partnership with United Way, will give a family in need the gift of mobility with the 2023 Driving Opportunity program. On March 31st, 2023, Step One Automotive Group will announce the winning family on Facebook Live. Step One Automotive Group, a community-involved organization, recognizes the importance of mobility in changing lives. That’s why they created the Driving Opportunity program to provide a reliable vehicle to families in need. The program has received an overwhelming response from families over the years, prompting the organization to partner with United Way agencies and their partner organizations to create a fair selection process. “From day one we have been committed to empowering lives through smarter and easier ways of accessing mobility. Bringing Driving Opportunity to life is the essence of who we are as a company.” – Darra Flanagan, Corporate Event Manager, Step One Automotive Group This year, the Driving Opportunity program has expanded, with two additional United Way agencies added to the list of applicants. This expansion will provide more families with the opportunity to apply and potentially receive the gift of mobility. The program’s success has not only impacted the lives of the winning families but also fostered strong relationships between Step One Automotive Group and the United Way agencies. Step One Automotive Group invites the public to join them on Facebook Live on March 31st, 2023, as they draw the 2023 Driving Opportunity winning family. With the support of United Way and its partner organizations, Step... Read More

March 7, 2023 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— A DeFuniak Springs man is arrested on weapons charges after he unintentionally shot himself in the hand. Walton County Sheriff’s Office Deputies assigned to the U.S. Marshal Task Force arrested Lance Diamond Johnson, 25, Monday on active warrants for felon in possession of a firearm following an incident where it was found he was making homemade firearms. Walton County Sheriff’s Office was called to a shooting on February 13th, 2023, where Johnson had blown a finger off while trying to fire one of the weapons. While serving the warrant Monday morning, deputies located numerous items of paraphernalia, ammunition, and methamphetamine. Johnson is charged with two counts of felon in possession of a firearm or ammo, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to appear. He was transported and booked into the Walton County Jail where he was given no bond at first appearance. The post AFTER SHOOTING FINGER OFF, DEFUNIAK SPRINGS MAN ARRESTED ON WEAPONS CHARGES first appeared on Walton County Sheriff’s Office, FL.  https://waltonso.org/news/feed/ Read More

Emerald Coast Theatre Company is proud to present You and Me Under the Sea Saturday, April 1 and April 8, 2023 at 9.30 a.m. (Friday school field trip performances are sold out). This interactive live show is performed with the youngest of audience members in mind (6 months to 5 years old). Flap your flippers and swish your tail as you float along the waves and explore underwater worlds! You might meet a curious sea turtle or a mischievous dolphin as you sing and clap along to the rhythm of the clam shells keeping the beat. Let your imagination run free and your fins flap along as we take you under the sea! A new work created just for you by our Junior Company teen players. A collaboration written by Phillip Padgett and the Junior Company Players. “Our Theatre for the Very Young is very special in two ways. One way is to watch the eyes of little ones from 6 months old to five years old light up with the live action and colorful nature of the shows. It is a pretty great experience. Add to that the fact that our Jr Company High School Players wrote and collaborated with ECTC staff to create the show is pretty great too. It’s a very creative experience for both the audience and the actors,” said ECTC co-founder Nathanael Fisher. Cast List: Miss Angel – Lainey Whitten School of Fish: Kate Sprenkle Selah Metzger Caylen Curle Caleb Vantassel Alexa Whitten Lily Howland... Read More