Tourism Director Matt Algarin Appointed to Destinations Florida Board of Directors
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. – Oct. 19 – Walton County Tourism’s Matt Algarin has been appointed to the Board of Directors for Destinations Florida. The appointment was confirmed during the state association’s annual meeting in Jensen Beach, Oct. 14-16. Algarin’s appointment to the board underscores Walton County’s growing influence in Florida's tourism sector and ensures local businesses, residents and stakeholders have a strong voice at the statewide level. “I am deeply honored to join the Destinations
Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Tourism Support to Northwest Florida Following Hurricane Isaias
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced a $1 million investment through VISIT FLORIDA to support tourism recovery efforts in Northwest Florida following Hurricane Isaias. The funding will be awarded to the Northwest Florida Tourism Council to resume the successful Northwest Florida Beaches marketing campaign, helping drive visitation and support local businesses throughout the Panhandle. The investment comes from VISIT FLORIDA's dedicated crisis recovery budget, which is reserved to
Walton County Beach Access Update: Beaches Open, Some Amenities Remain Limited
Whether you call Walton County home or are visiting from out of state, there’s good news: Regional Beach Accesses listed below have an open route to the beach. You may notice cleanup crews, ongoing repairs and some temporary closures as work continues. Vist this link for the latest updates: https://www.waltoncountyfltourism.com/hurricane-isaias-updates/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=visitsouthwalton.com&utm_campaign= Before heading out, here’s what to expect at each location: Inlet Beach Restrooms
Report business or property damage
Greetings Partners, We hope everyone is safe and unharmed. Hurricane Isaias has moved on, but the recovery period is happening now. As per Walton County Emergency Management, first responders and emergency crews are working hard to clear downed power lines, debris and other hazards so the roadways can be safe again as well as responding to emergency calls. By staying off the roads a little longer, you’re helping them finish the job more quickly and safely — and protecting yourself and your
Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Important HVAC Safety Tips After the Storm
A Community Message from Mills Heating & Air FORT WALTON BEACH, FL — October 12, 2026 When a storm rolls through our beautiful Emerald Coast, one thing we can always count on is our community coming together. From first responders and utility crews working tirelessly to restore normalcy, to local businesses and neighbors lending a helping hand, we're reminded just how fortunate we are to call this place home. Here at Mills Heating & Air, we're your neighbors first and HVAC experts second. We live here,
Florida's #1 Charter School Names New Executive Director and Principal
Leadership appointments build on decades of academic achievement and position SEASIDE SCHOOL™ for its next chapter of growth and impact. SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. – October 8, 2026 – The SEASIDE SCHOOL™ Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Drew Ward as Executive Director of SEASIDE SCHOOL™, formally naming the longtime school leader to the organization’s top leadership position after he served as Interim Executive Director since March 2026. The school also announced Cindy Brigman as
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast encourages women to take advantage of free annual mammogram screenings during Breast Cancer Awareness Month
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Ascension Sacred Heart is reminding women of their free mammogram program to provide critical breast cancer screenings to uninsured women 40 and older. Funding for the program comes from generous Sacred Heart Foundation donors. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Florida. More than 50% of women living in Walton and Okaloosa Counties did not get an annual screening as recommended. In Walton County, nearly 40% of breast cancer cases are
Information Request: Thanksgiving Roundup
Greetings, Walton County Partners! I hope you all are doing great! If your business has a special menu, offer or event for Thanksgiving you'd like to share with visitors and locals, we’d love to include it in our holiday roundup. Click HERE to provide your information. The deadline to submit information for Thanksgiving events is by the end of the day on Wednesday, October 7. As another resource, events open to visitors can be added to our South Walton Events or Authentic Walton Events calendars
Seaside School Race Weekend
Tickets Now on Sale for Taste of the Race, Headlined by The Velcro Pygmies SEASIDE, Fla. – October 1, 2026 – One of the most anticipated culinary and entertainment events along 30A and the Emerald Coast is back. Tickets are now on sale for Taste of the Race, returning Friday, February 12, 2027, to the SEASIDE® Lyceum. The official kickoff party for the 25th Annual SEASIDE SCHOOL™ Half Marathon + 5K Race Weekend will bring together the Gulf Coast’s top chefs and restaurants, a night of live music
Postponed: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to unveil new Visitor & Nature Center with ribbon-cutting ceremony
Postponed: Due to the impacts of the hurricane, this event has been postponed. A new date will be announced soon. Thank you for your understanding. ~State-of-the-art facility will open to public following press conference and ribbon-cutting~ SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. — The Florida State Parks Foundation will join Florida State Parks, the Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the Walton County Board of County Commissioners for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the new Visitor & Nature
Taste of the Race Tickets Now on Sale Headlined by The Velcro Pygmies
SEASIDE, Fla. – October 1, 2026 – One of the most anticipated culinary and entertainment events along 30A and the Emerald Coast is back. Tickets are now on sale for Taste of the Race, returning Friday, February 12, 2027, to the SEASIDE® Lyceum. The official kickoff party for the 25th Annual SEASIDE SCHOOL™ Half Marathon + 5K Race Weekend will bring together the Gulf Coast’s top chefs and restaurants, a night of live music headlined by The Velcro Pygmies, and a community ready to celebrate in support of the
Forward DeFuniak Presents Civic Pride Night Featuring The Lake That Built a Town
Florida City Week gathering will bring residents together for a documentary screening and community conversation at DeFuniak Springs’ historic theaterDeFuniak Springs, Fla. — September 22, 2026— Forward DeFuniak will present Civic Pride Night on Tuesday, October 20, at 5:30 p.m. at the Florida Chautauqua Theater. The evening will feature a community screening of The Lake That Built a Town, followed by a conversation with several local residents and historians featured in the documentary. Held during
$827,000 Rural Health Transformation Partnership grant will bring new mental health services to Walt
DeFuniak Springs, Fla. (Sept. 22, 2026) – Lakeview Center was awarded approximately $800,000 in first-year funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program, a statewide initiative announced by Gov. Ron DeSantis that leverages nearly $188 million in federal funds to expand access to healthcare in rural communities. Lakeview Center is one of 15 partner organizations participating in a Northwest Florida collaborative that secured the third-largest Rural Health Transformation Partnership award in the
Santa Patrol Donations Needed
Shielding Main Street: A Modern Guide to Small Business Cybersecurity
Small businesses in the Walton County area are the backbone of the community — and increasingly, the prime targets for cybercrime. From ransomware to phishing to data leaks, no company is “too small” to be noticed by bad actors. The good news? You don’t need a six-figure IT budget to stay safe — just a few focused habits and smart tools. TL;DR Cybersecurity isn’t just for tech companies — it’s for every business with a Wi-Fi password. Focus on people, passwords, and policies. Start with
Business Law Basics: How to Protect Your Startup, Avoid Lawsuits, and Stay Compliant
Launching a business is thrilling — but the legal landscape beneath that excitement is complex and unforgiving. A single missed form or misunderstood regulation can stall growth or expose you to liabilities that linger long after you start operating. This guide breaks down the essential legal steps every entrepreneur must take before launch, while showing how to sidestep the most common early-stage legal traps. 1. Establishing the Legal Backbone of Your Business Before drafting your first contract
Visual Branding Strategies Every Small Business Needs for Building Trust
Establishing trust with customers goes beyond offering quality products or services. The visual representation of a business, or its branding, plays a critical role in gaining customer confidence and loyalty. It's not just about picking the right colors or designing a logo; it's about creating a lasting impression that conveys reliability, professionalism, and authenticity. Here are several key tips on how small business owners can effectively build trust through visual branding. Consistency Across All
The Right Time to Train: When Staff Development Becomes a Strategic Priority
Every business hits a crossroads: keep pace with the same talent or build up the skills within. It's not always clear when to pour resources into staff development, but the wrong call can keep a team stagnant or send a budget spiraling. Training and education for employees can be transformative—if timed right and done with purpose. Before booking that online course or offsite seminar, the real work lies in reading the room, understanding the gaps, and choosing formats that actually stick. Growth Stalls
How Business Owners Can Choose the Right Pros to Drive Sales and Marketing
Growing a business is a messy, caffeinated grind that demands decisions faster than you can second-guess them. Among the trickiest calls? Figuring out which outside professionals to trust with your sales and marketing. You can have a great product, a passionate story, a killer team—but if the people guiding your outreach strategy don't get it, you’re toast. That’s why choosing the right external help is less about price or flash and more about fit, context, and traction. Trust Chemistry Over
Crafting a Clear Path to Achieve Your Business Goals
Embarking on a business venture demands more than just enthusiasm; it requires a strategic approach to defining clear objectives. As an entrepreneur, setting precise goals is essential for steering your business toward success. This involves understanding your market, crafting a compelling brand narrative, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards. By focusing on these critical areas, you lay a strong foundation for your business, positioning it for growth and sustainability.Defining
The CTA, BOI and FinCEN: What Does this Mean for Walton County, FL Businesses?
The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes. While a Texas federal district court’s preliminary injunction puts this requirement on hold, many experts expect that to be overturned. In that event, failure to file could lead to fines of $500 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000, and possible criminal penalties. Read more for details on how this may impact your business in the future. 1. Determine if
