Laurie Hood of Alaqua Animal Refuge joins the HWY 331 Podcast for an emotional and inspiring conversation about rescue, resilience, compassion, and second chances. Laurie shares the story behind Alaqua’s beginnings, the national beagle rescue effort that captured headlines, the emotional toll of animal rescue work, and her vision for creating a sanctuary that heals both animals and people.
In a region where neighbors still greet one another and homes carry the stories of generations, Zach and Shelby Smith have quietly built a business that feels like an extension of the community itself. From DeFuniak Springs to Freeport, Niceville, and beyond, Easy Peazy Plumbing is more than a service—it’s a promise kept.
A slow brunch table. Dolphins rising through emerald water. Music drifting beneath string lights. Mother’s Day in Walton County does not need to be overplanned to be meaningful. Sometimes the best gift is simply time together.
By late afternoon on May 9, the light over Watersound Town Center Pavilion will begin its slow turn toward gold, the kind of coastal glow that softens edges and draws a crowd closer to the stage. Music will carry across the open air, equal parts celebration and quiet acknowledgment of the lives that sustain this place long after the last note fades.
Walton County is growing, and the decisions being made today will shape its future for years to come. In this episode of the Highway 331 Podcast, Kerri Parker speaks with Marina Khoury of DPZ CoDesign about Walton 2040, Walton County planning, future development, conservation, housing, and how residents can be involved in the Land Development Code rewrite process. If you care about growth, quality of life, and the future of Walton County, this episode is a must-listen.
A free weekly Sunday tradition in Freeport, Sunday Sessions at Alaqua Animal Refuge blends live music, open trails, and the peaceful presence of rescued animals. Held inside the Alaqua Arena, it is a relaxed afternoon gathering just off Highway 331 where nature, community, and music come together in a meaningful setting.
