July 30, 2017

Archive

Choctawhatchee Audubon Society hosting presentation Aug. 3

3 August: Monthly Meeting and Presentation:  “Two months in a Tropical Rainforest” by Ron Weiss Ed.D. Dr Weiss is a certified Master Bird Bander and for 20 years Founder and Executive Director of the Chipper Woods Bird Observatory in Indianapolis. He will report on his research involving the capture, breeding status determination, banding and release of native and migratory birds in the Costa Rica rainforest. Dr Weiss currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Microbiology at NWFS College. The meeting will...

Nick’s Kids Catfish tournament one for the record books

A record 35 entries into the Treylermade Tournaments Kids Catfish Tournament competed for some great rewards and a lot of fun July 29. Grand prize winners were Colson Rivers and Luke Henderson. The entry fee was $50 per angler with proceeds benefiting the Backpacks of Love Foundation and Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance Grasses in Classes. Anglers competed in hardhead and sailcat divisions. The top prizes were Jon boats by Tracker Marine with trolling motor, safety gear, and accessories, with 2nd –...

Bay front park on the Choctawhatchee Bay inches closer to reality

With the recent purchase of close to 6.6 acres on the northwest end of the Clyde B. Wells (Hwy. 331) bridge corridor, Walton County is getting closer to creating a new park on the Choctawhatchee Bay. Known as bayfield or “bay fill” to some locals, the first parcel purchased by the County is 2.14 acres on the water. The additional parcels are adjacent to the north and are collectively 4.436 acres. The second purchase will be announced at the Walton...

Health Advisories have been issued for Eastern Lake and Grayton Beach Access

The Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) conducts regularly scheduled saltwater beach water quality monitoring at seven sites through the Healthy Beaches Monitoring Program. Samples are collected from March through the end of October. The water samples are analyzed for enteric bacteria (enterococci) that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals, which may cause human disease, infections, or rashes. The presence of enteric bacteria is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water...

Gulf County scallop season postponed due to naturally occurring algae bloom

As a precautionary measure due to a naturally occurring algae bloom in St. Joseph Bay that affects shellfish, the bay scallop harvest originally scheduled to begin on July 25th in Gulf County waters will be temporarily postponed. This postponement includes all state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County through the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County. This does not impact other areas currently open for a recreational harvest. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation...

Time to get crackin’; spiny lobster seasons starts July 26

The 2017 spiny lobster season opens with the two-day recreational sport season July 26 and 27, followed by the regular commercial and recreational lobster season, which starts Aug. 6 and runs through March 31, 2018. Planning on catching some of these tasty crustaceans? Here is what you need to know before you go. Where to harvest Know where you can go. Lobster harvest is always prohibited in Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, Biscayne Bay-Card Sound Spiny Lobster Sanctuary,...

McQuage Bayou multiple-use trail in Point Washington State Forest undergoes restoration

The McQuage Bayou trail in south Walton’s Point Washington State Forest has undergone restoration and is now open for biking, hiking, and horse-back riding. The trail, originally established as equestrian-use only, has been closed to the public due to the deterioration of two large bridges along the path. The condition of these bridges made traveling the trail unsafe. With major improvements to the bridges, the trail itself and a refurbished trailhead, work is complete. The trail is open 7 days...

Wausau Possum Festival Aug. 5

Head over to downtown Wausau in Washington County for some possum fun! Beginning with a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. and the annual ‘Possum Trot’ 5k Run, locals and visitors alike enjoy a full day of festivities, including the annual Possum Parade, Possum Auction and culminating at 8 p.m. with an old-fashioned square dance. Other activities include parade and possum auction, arts and crafts and live bluegrass and gospel music all afternoon, Possum King and Queen contest, entertainment, arts and...