Tyndall Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce Gina Perkins as the new Branch Manager
Tyndall Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce Gina Perkins as the new Branch Manager at the Panama City Beach Branch. Gina is an accomplished Branch Manager with decades of experience leading high-performing banking teams in the Cincinnati, Ohio market, specializing in leadership development, driving revenue growth, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Recognized for her ability to align financial strategies with community needs, while consistently delivering measurable results. Beyond the credit
Tyndall Federal Credit Union Welcomes Codi Shirah
Codi Shirah has eight years of experience in the banking industry, with a background in daily branch operations, team training and support, customer relationship management, and lending. Her experience has strengthened her communication and customer service skills, while also giving her a strong understanding of banking products and lending options. In Codi’s new role as a Mortgage Loan Originator with Tyndall Federal Credit Union, she will help members take meaningful steps toward homeownership. She looks
WCSO Thanksgiving Food Drive
As we prepare for the Thanksgiving season, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office is once again working to help local families who may need a little extra support putting a Thanksgiving meal on the table. This year, our goal is to provide Thanksgiving meals to 250 families throughout Walton County, and we need the help of our community partners to make that possible. We are currently collecting non-perishable Thanksgiving food items, and donations will be accepted through Wednesday, November
Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon Welcomes the Holman Law Firm
— Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon (ESC) is pleased to announce that The Holman Law Firm has joined the firm, expanding its Family Law practice while strengthening its commitment to serving Northwest Florida. The transition brings together two respected local firms with a shared dedication to providing exceptional legal services. The Holman Law Firm clients will continue working with the attorneys and staff they know and trust while gaining access to the expanded resources of Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon. "As
A Superior Mechanical to Host Second Veterans & First Responders Event in Niceville
August 28, 2026 – Panama City Beach, FL – The Walton and Okaloosa communities are coming together again to give recognition and thanks to our first responders, veterans, and active military. A Superior Mechanical will hold its inaugural Veterans and First Responders Appreciation Lunch at the Niceville Community Center, 204 Partin Drive North, Niceville, FL 32578 on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 pm. Please save the date! During the event, A Superior Mechanical will donate a
Sarah Davis Expands Leadership Impact Across the Emerald Coast Through Mentorship, Emerging Leader Development
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. — Aug. 31 — Recreate Leadership founder Sarah Davis is expanding her impact across the Emerald Coast through community mentorship and her new venture, Lead Aligned, including its Strong Ties Academy focused on preparing college students and emerging professionals for success in the workplace. Through Recreate Leadership, Davis works with business leaders, nonprofits and military communities to build more self-aware, connected and engaged teams. Her strengths-based approach, including
Florida Tourism Brand Value Reaches $162 Billion
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s tourism brand continues to grow in strength and value, reaching an all-time high of $162 billion in 2026, according to a new independent valuation by Brand Finance. The value represents a 14 percent increase from $142 billion in 2024. Like companies or other well-known products, tourism destinations have brands that carry value. Florida’s tourism brand is one of the State of Florida’s most valuable assets. The study found that $137.3 billion of Florida’s tourism brand value
Local Officials Tour New Amazon Facility; 100+ Jobs Created in Walton County
Local Officials Tour New Amazon Facility; 100+ Jobs Created in Walton CountyAug 27 Local officials and business leaders tour new Mossy Head facility; Amazon credits WWEDA for smooth project process. Local officials, community partners, and business leaders gather at the Amazon distribution facility at Northwest Florida Commerce Park in Mossy Head DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. — The Wonderful Walton Economic Development Alliance, local elected officials, community partners, and business leaders toured Amazon's
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast increases access to advanced lung cancer treatment
SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. – Christopher Ellington, MD, a thoracic surgeon board-certified in thoracic surgery and fellowship-trained in oncology, is bringing advanced lung cancer treatment to Ascension Sacred Heart Cancer Center - Mack Bayou, located at 27 Mack Bayou Loop in Santa Rosa Beach. Dr. Ellington will work closely with oncologists Dr. Thomas Johnson, Dr. Mark DeLeon and Dr. Heather Hilty. In Walton and Okaloosa Counties, over 700 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in the past three years, and
CHELCO Freeport Member Services Center moving Aug. 25
DeFuniak Springs (Aug. 24, 2026) — CHELCO’s Freeport Member Services Center, previously located at Freeport City Hall, will be moving to our new location at 359 Co. Hwy. 83A West, Freeport, FL 32439, on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. The new office will be open from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Thursday, and every other Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The CHELCO office currently located at Freeport City Hall will be closing at noon on Monday, Aug. 24. We will reopen at 7:30 AM on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the
DOH-Walton Issues Mosquito-Borne Illness Advisory
Walton, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) is informing residents of a confirmed human case of locally-acquired West Nile Virus Disease. DOH-Walton and South Walton Mosquito Control are coordinating surveillance and prevention efforts by ground treating, spraying the areas, and emptying any standing water in the area. DOH-Walton reminds the community to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes by taking these basic precautions. The Department continues to conduct statewide
Ascension Sacred Heart awarded more than $2.8 million to expand rural health care
PENSACOLA, Fla. – Ascension Sacred Heart Health System has been awarded more than $2.8 million in funding to expand access to health care in rural communities, part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ announcement of nearly $188 million through Florida’s Rural Health Transformation Program. The largest portion of the funding, $2.4 million, will support a new mobile stroke unit for Ascension Sacred Heart Health System. The unit will service rural counties on the I-10 corridor, including Oklaloosa, Walton, Holmes,
Gluten Free Cookies Now Available
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES BEACH PROPERTIES OF FLORIDA NAMES BLAINE PALMER VICE PRESIDENT OF B
New leadership addition strengthens agent coaching, business development, and strategic growth across Northwest Florida SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL (August 17th, 2026) – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Beach Properties of Florida today announced the appointment of Blaine Palmer as Vice President of Business Development & Managing Broker. This strategic addition builds on the company's existing leadership team, including President Lane McCormack, Chairman Jimmy Burgess, Broker of Record Jennifer Ledesma, and
SEASIDE SCHOOL™ Earns Florida's Highest School Grade for 25th Consecutive Year as Students Set New A
SEASIDE SCHOOL™ Earns Florida's Highest School Grade for 25th Consecutive Year as Students Set New Academic Benchmarks Key TakeawaysSEASIDE SCHOOL™ has earned Florida's highest school grade (A+) for the 25th consecutive year, continuing one of the state's longest-running traditions of academic excellence.Seaside Neighborhood School™ seventh-grade students earned the highest mean scale score in mathematics in the state of Florida, with 100% reaching proficiency and 96% achieving Level 5.The Seacoast
CHELCO Charity Golf Tournament Raises Nearly $18,000 for Local Children's Nonprofits
CHELCO Charity Golf Tournament Raises Nearly $18,000 for Local Children's NonprofitsDeFuniak Springs (Aug. 11, 2026) — Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative (CHELCO) is proud to announce that its 2026 Charity Golf Tournament raised $17,946.27 for three local nonprofit organizations serving children and families throughout the cooperative's service area, making this year's event the most successful in tournament history. The proceeds will benefit Children in Crisis, Emerald Coast Autism Center, and Emerald
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
