Lightning Sparks Brush Fire Fanned by Heat in Buck Bayou
Brush fire in Buck Bayou area burned 35 acres Tuesday but spared homes as crews from South Walton Emergency Services Freeport and Destin plus the state Division of Forestry Walton County Sheriff’s Department and Civil Defense battled the blaze about 1 p.m. A light rain aided efforts. It followed a July series of lightning ignited fires including a 200 acre blaze between Buck Bayou and Sandestin Beach Resort.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Buck Bayou
South Walton
Walton County to appeal transfer of Old U S 98
Walton County commissioners plan to appeal the state DOT decision to shift Old U S 98 maintenance to the county citing lack of funds and liability concerns. The DOT reclassified the road in June from rural arterial to rural collector. Ralph Miller will file the appeal by July 31 for Walton County.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Walton County
State Department of Transportation
DOT
Ralph Miller
Th Miller
Egos
Walton Utility Co earns passing grade on state inspection
Walton Utility Co received passing marks after a state Department of Environmental Regulations inspection of the camera water and sewage system. DETECTOR Robert Corte noted some cosmetic problems but none severe while praising SWU for progress including a system to monitor the entire network and awaiting in line chlorination in the Mack Bayou area plus minor requests.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
South
Walton Utility Co
State Department of Environmental Regulations
DEA
Robert Corte
SWU
Mack Bayou
County weighs long term financing for DeFuniak jail project
Walton County contemplates options as revenue declines threaten funding for the $3.5 million county jail under construction in DeFuniak Springs. Bond firms Southeastern Municipal Bonds and Arch W. Roberts & Co pitched 30 year bonds or a 10 year fixed rate plan. A prepayment option in three to four years was suggested, with private bank financing a possibility.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Walton
DeFuniak Springs
Southeastern Municipal
Arch W. Roberts & Co
Southeastern
Arch Roberts
State to trade for land parcels in Save Our Coasts list
Three Walton County parcels remain top picks for the Save Our Coasts priority list as state officials consider trading a Grayton Beach parcel for the land instead of cash. Topsail Hill, Grayton East, and a four acre Grayton Dunes site are among the top 20 choices, with final cabinet approval due by Sept. 4.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
South Walton
Save Our Coasts
Grayton Beach
Topsail Hill
Grayton Dunes Recreation Area
Grayton
Natural Resources
Tallahassee
Grayton East
Panhandle
Topsail
Bob Graham
Freeport Considers Expanded Zoning Ordinance Plan
Mayor Charles Helton says Freeport will likely adopt a zoning ordinance within a year. The plan, drafted with University of West Florida advisor Carol Strickland, aims to address growth around the city and may extend city limits about two miles to encompass water and fire services already provided.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Freeport
Charles Helton
Helton
Carol Strickland
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
University of West Florida
Budget Approved as Walton County Reduces Property Taxes
Walton County commissioners tentatively approved a 1986-87 nearly $12 million budget with a projected drop of about one mill in property taxes. The total awaits final tally and a public hearing Monday at 6 p.m. on jail financing, as ad valorem taxes fall despite a growing tax base from $753 million to $984 million, a 31 percent increase.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Walton County
Walton County Grand Jury Impaneled On FDLE Inquiry
A Walton County grand jury convenes at 9 a.m. August 11 to hear testimony in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement probe of county government. Assistant State Attorney Dick Schoditsch cautions on possible FDLE testimony and notes that immunity is granted to witnesses subpoenaed. The grand jury will start with sworn proceedings and keep testimony confidential, with possible indictments or a public report at its conclusion.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Walton County
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
FDLE
Dick Schoditsch
First Judicial Circuit
Schoditsch
Clyde B. Wells
Wells
Walton County Backs Rabies Outlook Despite Nearby Outbreaks
Walton County health officials report no confirmed rabies cases this year despite outbreaks in neighboring counties. Humane Society spokeswoman Patsy Register and Walton County Health Department official Peter Fadale say the county remains free of locally transmitted rabies. They urge resident caution nonetheless.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Walton County
Humane Society of
County Health Department
Patsy Register
The
Humane Society
Peter Fadale
Walton County Health Department
Also Mentioned on This Page
Gov. Graham
Robert Davis
State Department
Bill Doughty
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