April 30, 2010

Archive

Walton County prepares for potential impact of oil spill

County officials asking for citizen volunteers Walton County officials held an emergency public forum April 30 to inform the public of their preparation plans for potential oil spill reaching South Walton’s beaches. On April 20, 2010 an explosion occurred on the mobile oil drilling platform Deepwater Horizon approximately 50 miles southeast of Venice, La. The fire damaged rig capsized and sank after burning for hours on April 22. The pipeline continues to spill more than 210,000 gallons of crude oil...

Bluebird breeding program success at Hammock Bay

Spring brings full house to 55 bluebird boxes Spring brings a full house to all 55 bluebird boxes at Hammock Bay in Freeport. This is the fourth season Joe Wyatt, naturalist at Hammock Bay, has been running a bluebird breeding program for these beautiful indigenous birds. The success has been quite good. There were 297 fledglings in 2009 and this year Joe is hopeful to have the same success. It takes 14 days to incubate, and 17 to fledgling after...

Public forum on oil spill April 30

• Emerald Ball Room, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa, Friday, April 30 at 1 p.m. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is inviting the public and media to a public forum regarding the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Representatives from the health department, tourist industry, law enforcement, and emergency response will field questions concerning what we might be able to expect in the coming weeks.   The forum will take place Friday, April 30, 2010 at 1:00 PM...

Scenic Highway 30A closure at Big Redfish Lake

Road will be closed May 6-7 and possibly May 8 to install bridge span Walton County Public Works advises that County Road 30A at Big Redfish Lake will be closed to through traffic (bicycle and pedestrian traffic included) on May 6th, 7th and possibly the 8th. According to the project contractor, Floridian Construction, the bridge span will be delivered on Thursday May 6th.  Because of its size the span must be assembled on the site and lifted into place with...

Walton County fishing report for April 28

Fishing continues to be good everywhere! Fresh: Fishing is strong on the river! Large crappie, redbreast, bream, bass and shellcracker are being caught. A 9 lb. bass was caught last week in the river! Bay: Speckled trout and redfish are being caught every day.  They seem to like biting on shrimp. Saltwater: Pompano are still being caught along with a few cobia.  Large king mackerel are everywhere. Click here for  best times The fishing report is brought to you by...

Learn about bull sharks at Topsail May 6

Learn how to stay safe in the water at presentation hosted by Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Thurs. May 6 at 1:30 p.m. Florida leads the nation in shark bites.  Find out more about the bull sharks that feed of the Florida Panhandle and how to stay safe in the water at this slide presentation. Meet at the Day-Use parking area on Hwy 30A to take a short hike to the clubhouse.  $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park. Outside tours...

North American spring bird migration count May 8

Get out in the field or be a backyard bird feeder counter for spring migration count Okaloosa and Walton Counties NAMC is sponsored by National Audubon Society, Florida Ornithological Society, and locally supported by Choctawhatchee Audubon Society. Each spring and fall a “picture” is acquired of the migration pattern of birds.  From this “picture” they may discover the shape of migration particular to each species.  The date had been chosen to count as many migrants as possible before they reach...