Maestro Demetrius Fuller to conduct Sinfonia Gulf Coast orchestra Sinfonia Gulf Coast presents award-winning violinist Geneva Lewis as part of its Classical Connections program on Saturday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Destin High School. Lewis will perform Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64 with the full Sinfonia Gulf Coast orchestra conducted by Music & Artistic Director Demetrius Fuller. The orchestra will also perform Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 2, Op. 61. “We are thrilled to welcome an artist of Geneva’s caliber to Sinfonia Gulf Coast. Supporting the development of a young musician already on a trajectory of a major career is as rewarding as watching this talent blossom and flourish for years to come,” Fuller says. New Zealand-born, Lewis has forged a reputation as a musician of consummate artistry whose performances speak from and to the heart. Lauded for “remarkable mastery of her instrument” and hailed as “clearly one to watch,” Lewis is the recipient of a 2022 Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award, 2021 Avery Fisher Career Grant, and Grand Prize winner of the 2020 Concert Artists Guild Competition. Deeply passionate about collaboration, Lewis has performed with many prominent musicians such as Jonathan Biss, Glenn Dicterow, Miriam Fried, Kim Kashkashian, Gidon Kremer, Marcy Rosen, Sir András Schiff, Mitsuko Uchida among others. Born in Hamburg, Germany, Mendelssohn (1809-1847) is usually regarded as a conservative composer, who despite his allegiance to Romanticism, closely followed the classical forms and feelings of Mozart and Haydn. But Mendelssohn also was a true Romantic who... Read More

February 9, 2023 WALTON COUNTY, Fla— A Walton County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Deputy has been terminated and arrested for charges stemming from an investigation involving a 14-year-old student. On January 31st Walton County Sheriff’s Office immediately removed Artie Rodriguez, 52, from his position as a School Resource Deputy at the Walton Academy and launched an investigation after a victim came forward to file a report. It was discovered during the investigation that between December 9th, 2022, and January 26th, 2023, Rodriguez attempted to engage in a sexual relationship with the student both in person and via text, he showed this student explicit photos, touched the student in an inappropriate manner, and provided the student with a vape pen. Our agency is thoroughly investigating whether there was additional misconduct while Rodriguez was on duty, on school premises, or otherwise. “Not only was Rodriguez in a position of trust as a School Resource Deputy, but at a school where kids are truly vulnerable and already facing hardship and challenges of their own,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “It’s a violation of his oath of office and the badge.” Rodriguez started with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office in October of 2001 and went into reserves in June 2017 returning to full-time status in August 2022. “This is a long-standing member of our agency, but I won’t mince words,” continued Adkinson. “We will not, under any circumstances, tolerate this type of behavior from someone in a position of authority – particularly one who is interacting... Read More

Walton County Sheriff’s Office is ramping up for spring break; holding meetings with stakeholders after addressing some of your concerns on Sheriff LIVE. We’ve had internal operational meetings and plan to highlight some of the things we are implementing during the coming weeks to you – our constituents. We’ve put together a schedule for those who are interested. What we’ve found is that people want to be in the know. They want to prepare. So, we’ve compiled a list of college and university spring break dates for those in our community. We’re here if you need us. COLLEGE SPRING BREAKS March 4th -10th Notre Dame, Auburn University, University of Georgia, Tulane, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Florida. March 11th – 17th The University of Texas, Texas Tech University, the University of Tennessee, the University of North Carolina, Mississippi State University, the University of Kentucky, Duke University, University of Central Florida, Vanderbilt University, Ohio State, Troy State University, University of Nebraska, University of Mississippi, University of Alabama, Florida State University, LSU, Florida A&M University, University of Florida and the University of Miami. March 18th – 24th Clemson University, University of Arkansas, and Hofstra University. HIGH SCHOOL March 11th- 17th Houston Independent School District, Texas, Huntsville Alabama Public Schools, Tennessee (Bristol, Franklin, Nashville, Knoxville County, Shelby, Sevier County) Public Schools, and Bay County Public Schools. March 18th – 24th Walton County Public Schools, Okaloosa County Public Schools March 25th – April 1st Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Birmingham Public Schools,... Read More

Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center 23rd Gala in the Garden and Golf Weekend 2022 Gala – Friday – March 10 – 5:30 p.m. Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa Golf – Sunday – March 12 – Noon Kelly Plantation Golf Club The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC) is putting on their annual signature Gala in the Garden and Golf Weekend, this year presented by George and Janice Hendricks. The Gala features a cocktail hour starting at 5:30 p.m., with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 10, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. Guests will enjoy dinner and live entertainment by popular local musicians, The Will Thompson Band, live auction, as well as a featured guest speaker. The Gala is an energetic, yet important ECCAC fundraiser to benefit children by providing services at no cost to help identify, treat and support child victims in abusive situations. The Golf Tournament, also to benefit ECCAC, will take place on Sunday, March 12, at Kelly Plantation Golf Club with registration and a cookout meal from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. for a tournament shot gun start at 12 p.m. Tournament cost is $400, which includes two tickets to the Gala. Gala tickets only are $250 per couple. Please make reservations on-line at eccac.org. Sponsorships are still available. Contact Lee Curtis at at 850-684-4422, or email her at Lee@eccac.org. (10)   Read More

Enjoy a lavish gathering with fine wine, food and spirits at the 2nd Annual Soiree on the Bay, benefiting Children’s Volunteer Health Network. This weekend is presented by the Dugas Family and will take place on their stunning family estate overlooking the Choctawhatchee Bay in Santa Rosa Beach. Each night, guests will indulge in delicious cuisine by Cafe Thirty-A, wine tastings featuring Thompson 31Fifty Wines and Etude Winery, as well as an assortment of beverages provided by Mighty Swell. The evening will feature an exciting live auction where attendees can bid on incredible prize packages including wine experiences and unique travel. Saturday’s event kicks off at 1:30 p.m. with bocce ball, bubbly, wine samples and lite bites along with a high energy live music performance featuring The Tip Tops, a motown dancing show band, presented by Merrill Lynch with Brown Burns Associates. This fun and fabulous evening will be captured in a photo booth provided by Linda Miller Real Estate and each guest will go home with a special VIP bag, provided by The Jewel at Grand Boulevard. This elegant weekend is sponsored by The Dugas Family, Merrill Lynch, McNeese Title, A Boheme Design, Suskey and Associates, Dr. Bradley Harrelson, VIE Magazine, and Trustmark Bank. Special thanks to Marriott Hotels – Courtyard + Residence Inn and Silver Sands + Grand Boulevard for their support as accommodations partners. Tickets are $1,000 per person, which includes both Friday and Saturday’s festivities. Proceeds from the event will go towards CVHN mission to eliminate... Read More