Eglin Federal Credit Union partnered with Okaloosa Saves in the Teach Children to Save campaign
Eglin Federal Credit Union partnered with Okaloosa Saves in the Teach Children to Save campaign Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (July 21, 2026) - Eglin Federal Credit Union partnered with Okaloosa Saves and six financial institutions for the annual Teach Children to Save campaign April 1 – June 30. Youth, 17 and younger, were encouraged to set a savings goal and make a deposit into their savings account. Their names were entered into a random drawing for 10 children to win a $50 deposit into their savings
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Local Leadership Coach Brings Corporate-Grade Communication Training to Panhandle Small Businesses
SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL. — Brittany Blackman, Founder and President of Discover Freedom, a leadership development consulting and coaching company based in the Florida Panhandle, will host a hands-on professional development workshop for local business owners, founders, managers, and professionals on Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 1–3 p.m. CT at 63 South Centre Trail, Santa Rosa Beach. The workshop addresses a challenge Coach B says she hears constantly in her work with service-based teams: managers who
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital welcomes latest class of graduate medical education resident
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital welcomes latest class of graduate medical education residents Fort Walton Beach, Fla. – HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is helping grow the region’s healthcare workforce as 25 new resident physicians begin the next phase of their medical training in Fort Walton Beach. “I’m so excited to be doing my residency in Internal medicine at HCA Florida Fort Walton Destin Hospital”, said Samantha Jacobsmeyer, MD, who is moving to the area from St. Louis, to
A+ Again: See What's Ahead for SEASIDE SCHOOL™
Dear School Families and Supporters, One of the things that makes SEASIDE SCHOOL™ so special is our unwavering commitment to excellence. I am incredibly proud to share that our school has once again earned an A+ School Rating from the Florida Department of Education, marking an extraordinary 25th consecutive year receiving the state's highest distinction. This remarkable achievement reflects the dedication of our students, teachers, staff, families, volunteers, donors, and community partners who continue
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital Treats First Patient with Innovative Procedure to Control Hi
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital Treats First Patient with Innovative Procedure to Control High Blood Pressure Dr. John B. Dudley is the only physician in the tri-county area offering the innovative treatment for uncontrolled hypertension FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – [Date] – On July 15, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital marked a significant milestone in cardiovascular care by performing the first renal denervation (RDN) procedure in the tri-county (Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa) area.
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Eglin Federal Credit Union recognizes Member Service Counselor Clasina Cox for 25 years of service
Eglin Federal Credit Union recognizes Member Service Counselor Clasina Cox for 25 years of service Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (July 13, 2026) - Eglin Federal Credit Union is pleased to congratulate Member Service Counselor Clasina Cox for 25 years of service. Clasina currently resides in Fort Walton Beach. On Thursday, July 9, a celebratory breakfast was held at the Eglin AFB Branch to honor Clasina’s milestone anniversary. Friends, family and coworkers gathered to recognize her dedication and
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Family Medicine Residency program reaches full enrollment; expa
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Family Medicine Residency program reaches full enrollment; expands community healthcare access400 additional patient appointments monthly will soon be available for scheduling MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla.– The Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Family Medicine Residency program has reached a major milestone. As of July 1, it is fully enrolled with 18 resident doctors, six per class across all three training years. That growth matters beyond the hospital because
30A Songwriters Festival: Early Birds Catch The Best Deals
&##127926; Early Birds Catch The Best Deals &##127926; Exciting news! Our Early Bird tickets are officially on sale. Get ready for four unforgettable days of music along Florida's Scenic Highway 30A. The 30A Songwriters Festival returns January 15–18, 2027 bringing together more than 150 acclaimed songwriters and musicians for intimate performances in over 25 unique listening venues throughout South Walton. From country, Americana, and folk to blues, rock, and soul, every performance celebrates the
Scenic Walton Celebrates Momentum on Community Initiatives Across Walton County
Scenic Walton Celebrates Momentum on Community Initiatives Across Walton County Recent milestones highlight collaborative efforts to advance resilient infrastructure, community beautification, and scenic preservation across Walton County. SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL – [JULY 10, 2026] – Meaningful change happens through collaboration, persistence, and a shared vision for the future. Scenic Walton is celebrating significant progress on several initiatives that will help shape Walton County for generations to
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital earns top award from American College of Cardiology
HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital earns top award from American College of Cardiology ~Hospital earns excellence in quality of percutaneous coronary intervention~ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FORT WALTON BEACH, FLA. – July 9, 2025 - HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital has been recognized with the American College of Cardiology's (ACC) 3-Star PCI Award, a prestigious national distinction recognizing hospitals that demonstrate excellence in the quality and safety of percutaneous coronary
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Faith Festival 2026 Comes Back to PCB This Fall
July 6, 2026 – Panama City Beach, FL – On Saturday, October 24, 2026, Faith Festival returns to Panama City Beach for its second year at Aaron Bessant Park. From morning until night, the Festival will feature Christian music, entertainment, food and activities, kicking off at 9:30 AM with the Todd Herendeen Band performing God Bless America – and concluding at 6 PM. This event is free and open to the public. Faith Festival 2026 will feature many of the same beloved vendors as were present last year,
North Walton Doctors Hospital Introduces Tyler Williams as Interim CEO
North Walton Doctors Hospital Introduces Tyler Williams as Interim CEO DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. (July 1, 2026) — North Walton Doctors Hospital (NWDH) has named Tyler Williams, MHA, as interim chief executive officer. Williams, a healthcare leader with experience specializing in rural hospital operations, strategic growth and financial performance, will lead the hospital through its next chapter of growth and long-term sustainability. Williams joins NWDH at a pivotal time, as the hospital announces
Recreate Leadership Champions a ''See the Good'' Mindset for Leaders and Teams
SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL — [June/July 2026] — As businesses across Walton County continue to invest in strong workplace cultures, Recreate Leadership, a strengths-based leadership development firm and member of the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce, is highlighting a simple practice that helps local leaders and teams build resilience and stronger relationships: "See the Good, Say the Good."Read more here: https://recreate-leadership.com/blog/see-the-good-say-the-goodFounded by Sarah Davis, one of the first
Back-To-School Splash Bash
The Walton County Sheriff's Office’s School Resource Division would like to invite the public to the 2026 Back to School Splash Bash. This community event was organized as a way for us to prepare our local kiddos with a fun day before going back to school. During Splash Bash we give away hundreds of free backpacks while providing water slides, food/drinks and more to kick off the upcoming school year. To help with this event, we ask for support from the surrounding community to join us with engaging
Tom Glavine's Field of Dreams benefiting the Seaside School Foundation
The wait is over! Registration is now officially open for the 2026 Tom Glavine's Field of Dreams Golf Outing, returning to Camp Creek Golf Course on Monday, October 12, 2026. Recognized as one of the premier charity golf events along the Emerald Coast, the tournament brings together business leaders, community partners, and golf enthusiasts for an unforgettable day on the course, all in support of the students and programs of SEASIDE SCHOOL™. Event Details Monday, October 12, 2026 Camp Creek Golf
Emerald Coast Council on Aging is launching a ''SPONSOR A DAY OF MEALS' initiative
Emerald Coast Council on Aging is calling on local businesses, organizations and community members to help ensure seniors in our community continue receiving the nutritious meals they depend on every day. The organization is launching a "SPONSOR A DAY OF MEALS' initiative to help offset the growing cost of serving seniors. It currently costs approximately $1000 per day to provide meals to the seniors that rely on this vital service each day. Community partners are invited to sponsor a full day of meals or
Shielding Main Street: A Modern Guide to Small Business Cybersecurity
Small businesses in the Walton County area are the backbone of the community — and increasingly, the prime targets for cybercrime. From ransomware to phishing to data leaks, no company is “too small” to be noticed by bad actors. The good news? You don’t need a six-figure IT budget to stay safe — just a few focused habits and smart tools. TL;DR Cybersecurity isn’t just for tech companies — it’s for every business with a Wi-Fi password. Focus on people, passwords, and policies. Start with
Thriving Through Expansion: How to Turn Rapid Growth Into Long-Term Stability
When growth hits fast, it can feel like success is pulling ahead of control. Orders multiply, staff expands, systems strain — and leaders find themselves managing momentum instead of steering it.This article outlines practical strategies, toolsets, and frameworks small business owners can use to sustain success under rapid expansion, from financial structuring to culture design and operational scaling. Recognizing the Challenge of Sudden Growth Rapid growth feels exciting — revenue is up, demand is
Business Law Basics: How to Protect Your Startup, Avoid Lawsuits, and Stay Compliant
Launching a business is thrilling — but the legal landscape beneath that excitement is complex and unforgiving. A single missed form or misunderstood regulation can stall growth or expose you to liabilities that linger long after you start operating. This guide breaks down the essential legal steps every entrepreneur must take before launch, while showing how to sidestep the most common early-stage legal traps. 1. Establishing the Legal Backbone of Your Business Before drafting your first contract
Visual Branding Strategies Every Small Business Needs for Building Trust
Establishing trust with customers goes beyond offering quality products or services. The visual representation of a business, or its branding, plays a critical role in gaining customer confidence and loyalty. It's not just about picking the right colors or designing a logo; it's about creating a lasting impression that conveys reliability, professionalism, and authenticity. Here are several key tips on how small business owners can effectively build trust through visual branding. Consistency Across All
The Right Time to Train: When Staff Development Becomes a Strategic Priority
Every business hits a crossroads: keep pace with the same talent or build up the skills within. It's not always clear when to pour resources into staff development, but the wrong call can keep a team stagnant or send a budget spiraling. Training and education for employees can be transformative—if timed right and done with purpose. Before booking that online course or offsite seminar, the real work lies in reading the room, understanding the gaps, and choosing formats that actually stick. Growth Stalls
How Business Owners Can Choose the Right Pros to Drive Sales and Marketing
Growing a business is a messy, caffeinated grind that demands decisions faster than you can second-guess them. Among the trickiest calls? Figuring out which outside professionals to trust with your sales and marketing. You can have a great product, a passionate story, a killer team—but if the people guiding your outreach strategy don't get it, you’re toast. That’s why choosing the right external help is less about price or flash and more about fit, context, and traction. Trust Chemistry Over
