The North Walton Effect
A closer look at how new development, expanding medical services, and local participation are reshaping what it means for businesses to succeed in North Walton.
Raising Kids in Walton County: How Arts, Nature and Community Shape Childhood
Childhood in Walton County is shaped in quiet but lasting ways through theater rehearsals, library programs, recreation fields and time spent outdoors. From the arts to nature and community involvement, local families are discovering that the experiences children grow up with today often become the foundation for confidence, connection and purpose later in life.
2026 No Ordinary JOE Scholarship Winners Announced Across Bay and Walton Counties
Fourteen students across Bay and Walton counties have been awarded 2026 “No Ordinary JOE” Scholarships from the St. Joe Community Foundation, marking another year of meaningful investment in local youth. With $379,000 awarded since the program began, the Foundation continues to back students who lead with service, resilience and community spirit.
Connect with Laurie Hood: Alaqua Animal Refuge
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.
Craftsmanship, Community, and Care
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.
7 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day in Walton County
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.
