Deborah Wheeler
nwfdailynews
Santa Rosa Beach, FL, United States
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Past articles by Deborah:
Local family gains spot on HGTV
SOUTH WALTON — One local family is going to be featured in an upcoming segment of HGTV's "How Close Can I Beach?" Maggie Matthews got the call from the show's producers in early October 2017 that they were interested in her family for a possible filming. "I'll never forget getting the call," she said, remembering that she was in the back of a taxi in New York City on her way to Bridal Market the… → Read More
TDC eyes properties for a new home
Walton County Tourist Development Council held a special meeting on April 13 to discuss the purchase of two properties on U.S. Highway 331S for a new TDC → Read More
AT&T cell phone towers in South Walton glitch out
AT&T cellphone users in Santa Rosa Beach might have noticed spotty-to-no service over the past three weeks.A first tower went down on March 23 and another followed shortly after, said a representative at AT&T's corporate office. One of the two faulty cell towers that is down is north of U.S. Highway 98 off Bishop Tolbert Road, and the other is located on Windancer Lane, she said. "Due to the… → Read More
Walton voters to decide on half-cent sales tax
DEFUNIAK SPRINGS — The proposed half-cent sales tax initiative will be decided by Walton County voters on Aug. 28.At Tuesday's Board of County Commissioners meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to place the sales tax initiative on the 2018 primary ballot.District 5 Commissioner Tony Anderson said the tax could generate $50-$60 million — or more — over its five-year duration. Funds would be… → Read More
Alaqua gets TV series on National Geographic
Walton County's own Alaqua Animal Refuge is again going big time with its own TV series on the National Geographic network Nat Geo Wild."We made a pilot about a year ago and put it out there, and a production company reached out to us to do a TV show," said Alaqua founder Laurie Hood. "But I didn't want it to be just a TV show. If we were to do it, I wanted to show who we are and what we do and… → Read More
Alaqua gets TV series on National Geographic
"I hope this will inspire someone else to make a difference in the lives of helpless animals ... I wanted to do this to be the voice for animals. → Read More
SWFD breaks ground on new training center
SANTA ROSA BEACH — South Walton Fire District broke ground Monday afternoon for its new 17,980-square-foot training center that will be constructed behind its Station 3 firehouse.The three-story building will have offices, storage space and a vehicle maintenance facility. A separate four-story training tower will also be built.The major development will be a phased approach that will enable… → Read More
Seaside changes begin
SEASIDE — Those who frequent the town of Seaside soon will notice some changes.Construction on a new boardwalk being built between the Coleman Obelisk and Bud & Alley’s recently started.“Where you are walking on sand now is getting a boardwalk,” said architect and urbanist Dhiru Thadani.A large new stage will be completed on the Lyceum grounds this month. The stage will face the lawn for… → Read More
Charcoal grills banned from South Walton beaches
A wave of new regulations approved by commissioners → Read More
Walton commissioner cleared of 2 ethics complaints
Two employees filed complaints in October against County Commission Chairman Cecilia Jones, claiming discrimination and harassment. → Read More
Bringing home the gold: 2 locals score gold at world championship
Jaquess and Pickos were two of the skiers on Team USA at the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation's World Water Ski Championships held just outside Paris in September. → Read More
Walton TDC: Tourism has $3.8 billion economic impact
"We couldn't be more pleased with an extremely successful season and are looking forward to carrying that success into 2018." → Read More
Walton commission chair subject of ethics complaint
A former South Walton resident has filed an ethics complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics against Board of County Commission Chair Cecilia Jones. → Read More
Two new eateries coming to South Walton
Joe Freer has owned the popular Shades Bar & Grill since the days it was located in Seaside but now he's poised to kick it up a notch with his latest dining debuts.Freer is readying to open the first of two restaurants in The Orleans building that he started developing three years ago.The first will be Southside Slice Pizza restaurant. The pizzeria will be family and kid friendly, which Freer… → Read More
Settlement reached in Sandestin dispute
After years of being at odds over various development issues, the Sandestin Owners Association's president has announced that the association has agreed → Read More
From 30A to Category 5
A former Santa Rosa Beach family survived Hurricane Irma on St. John, a U.S. Virgin Island they now call home.Stan Anderson and his wife Tracy moved to → Read More
Airboat stirs things up at Walton Commission meeting
SANTA ROSA BEACH — As most visitors to the area head to the beach on arrival, many do not know there is a venture by the name of 30A Airboat Adventures operating on Choctawhatchee Bay.However, some people who live on the bay for its quiet and serenity are upset the business operates there.Longtime resident Mark Breaux presented a petition to Walton County commissioners on Tuesday with signatures… → Read More
'Humongous' bear attacks Walton man
Forest Lakes subdivision is county's first documented bear attack → Read More
Parents of autistic child plan nonprofit farm to aid son, others
FREEPORT — Parents of children with autism not only have to care for their child today, but they also must plan for the child's future."In most circumstances, children outlive their parents and parents have to plan for that, but it is especially true in the case of parents of children with autism," said Lindy Wood.Wood and her husband are the parents of a 7-year-old autistic son.The Woods moved… → Read More
Gaetz barnstorms Walton
"I oppose offshore oil drilling," he told the crowd, and citing the need to continue the military's ability to test and conduct operations in and over the Gulf. "Testing would be impossible." → Read More