Story

How not to save a beached whale

Mona Moore, Florida Freedom Newspapers

DESTIN, FL — What would you do if you found a beached baby whale? Encouraged by a group of people on a boat ride Friday night, two men jumped off the boat and swam to the rescue. Although no laws were broken, officials say the rescue may... Full story

Billabong Grom Comp

MIRAMAR BEACH, FL - Billabong Destin and Ride On Surf School are teaming up again to host the second Billabong Grom Comp of the summer season on Saturday, Sept. 5 at the Pompano Joe’s Beach Park in Miramar Beach beginning at 9... Full story

$240,000 boardwalk nearing completion

Kimberly White, Florida Freedom Newspapers

MIRAMAR BEACH, FL — Construction of a boardwalk along a portion of Scenic Gulf Drive near Pompano Joe’s is expected to conclude in several weeks and will include handicapped access points and ramps at all crosswalks.    ... Full story

New Leave No Trace OK’d

Kimberly White, Florida Freedom Newspapers

DESTIN, FL - The Walton County Commission has approved a revised Leave No Trace ordinance that establishes a protocol for what happens to items left on the beach overnight.     Code enforcement officers will enforce the law,... Full story

Lifeguards patrol the beach trying to prevent disaster

Mona Moore, Florida Freedom Newspapers

WALTON COUNTY, FL - A weekend of clouds, rain and very little sunshine could not keep people off the beach.     "Every time the sun has come out, so have the people," Gary Wise, director of Walton County Beach Safety, said.... Full story

SUP for Life

SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL - Waterman Gulf Coast announces the SUP for Life special event on May 31 in the Choctawhatchee Bay at Senor Mojitos in Santa Rosa Beach from noon-8 p.m. The SUP for Life event is for all paddlers, stand up paddleboards,... Full story

Beach Access reopens ahead of schedule

Kimberly White, Florida Freedom Newspapers

MIRAMAR BEACH, FL - Just before the busy Memorial Day weekend, the Miramar Regional Beach Access reopened ahead of schedule.     Traffic along the section of Scenic Gulf Drive next to Pompano Joe's was disrupted during the eight-month... Full story

Gator makes for ‘perfect day at beach’

Suzanne Preston, Florida Freedom Newspapers

SEACREST BEACH - A handful of tourists got some unexpected entertainment this week when a small, injured alligator was found on the beach in South Walton County.     "I saw him at the edge of the beach," said Brooke Regnier of... Full story

Double drownings put spotlight on riptides, flags

Jennifer Rich and Wendy Victora, Florida Freedom Newspapers

DESTIN, FL - Rip currents claimed two more lives on Destin beaches over the weekend, once again drawing much needed attention to this fatal force of nature. "I've been here for five years now and we've rescued over 500 people on the beach in... Full story

Beach Wheelchairs Available on the Beaches of South Walton

SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL - The South Walton Fire District, in partnership with the Walton County Tourist Development Council, has developed a program that provides three beach wheelchairs, strategically located along the Beaches of South Walton, to... Full story

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