"Slices of 30A"

 

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) announces applications are open for the second round of grants from its Emergency Relief Fund for Artists (ERFA). The Fund was established in April to address the immediate economic needs of local, professional artists who have experienced loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications will be accepted weekly through August 28th through the CAA’s website, and grant awards will be available within one week of approval.

A fundraising campaign has also been launched to ensure that funds remain available as long as necessary. Walton County residents and CAA Members Shawn and Richard Tomasello have already pledged a matching donation of $100,000 for the fund and challenge other

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The new  Watersound Origins Crossings Apartment Community is a multi-family luxury apartment community that is nearing completion and will soon be available for long term lease.  This exciting new development is part 'of the St. Joe Company's current project expansion at Watersound Origins located immediately west of Inlet Beach.  The project consists of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments along with a larger 3-bedroom townhouse option.  Residents will have access to  a range of distinctive features and amenities including an expansive resort-style pool, state of the art fitness center,  and direct access to Lake Powell. 

These new residences will include luxury finishes, stainless-steel appliances, walk-in showers, screened in patios and an added

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Country Music Singer Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line and his wife Brittney Kelley partnered up with YOLO Co-founder Jeff Archer to donate 15 bicycles to the Walton County Sheriff's office for agency use.  The YOLO Bolt electric bicycles were outfitted for deputies by I will Design for Food, Inc. complete with stickers and branding. The bicycles will be used by the agency’s District 3 and District 4 deputies serving along the 30a corridor. Each deputy will be issued a helmet and safety equipment while they put the bikes to use on the roadway.

The bike provides a pedal-assist for deputies so they can easily travel along the 30a communities while saving some of their energy.“We’re able to get into a lot of the smaller neighborhoods and beat the

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On Tuesday, June 9, 2020, the Walton County commissioners voted unanimously to authorize payment of $1.25 million to the state of Florida for the county's share of funding for a new pedestrian underpass located in Inlet Beach Florida.  The underpass is located at the entrance to County Road 30A in Inlet Beach.   According to the FDOT (Florida Depart of Transportation.) website, the project will include an underpass across US 98 to provide a grade separated crossing that allows non-interrupted flow of pedestrian access across US 98, increasing safety and mobility of both pedestrians and vehicular traffic. 

In a related vote the commissioners voted to sign a maintenance agreement with  where the county agrees to take care of lighting, landscaping

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The Beaches of South Walton experienced high surf, rip currents and double red conditions most of last week due to effects from Tropical Storm Cristobal which made landfall further west.   South Walton Beach Lifeguards, Walton County Sheriff's department and EMS were kept busy with emergency calls and water rescues all week long in spite of double red flags flying with warnings that the water was closed to swimmers. 

According to a post on the Walton County Sheriff's Facebook page on June 9th Beach Safety Patrol,  Walton Sheriffs, South Walton Fire Department and EMS were all kept hopping last week as beach goers ignored the double red flags flying.  Double Reds are a signal to all that the beach is closed to swimming due to unsafe surf conditions

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Seaside FL - Katrina Cottages to be Repurposed as the Site is Redeveloped   The Seaside Institute™ will oversee the removal of the Academic Village cottages located in Seaside™ which have provided a place for students of all ages to learn, study, collaborate and reflect for over seven years.  

___The Seaside Institute’s Academic Village was completed in August 2013. This long-desired addition to the Lyceum area in Seaside is a concept that was discussed by Seaside’s founders, Robert and Daryl Davis, since the early 1980s. The purpose of the village was to provide much-needed affordable housing for students, faculty and professionals who travel to Seaside to study or to participate in the town’s civic and cultural events. Located right

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We’ve put together FAQ’s and guide to assist before and during your stay along 30A and the Beaches of South Walton. 

 

WHAT SHOULD WE PLAN FOR BEFORE ARRIVAL? 

Bring provisions for your visit.  With many additional visitors to the area during summer months, food & general supply inventory may not keep up with increased demand. 

Pack a supply of hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, paper towels and toilet paper.  These high demand items are hard to come by here at the beach - just like they are where you live, so it's best to come prepared. 

30A Shops, restaurants and local business may require use of face masks while in their establishments so pack one for everyone in your group. 

Go to VISIT SOUTH WALTON for the latest information and

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South Walton FL -  Local South Walton residents and summer visitors alike will once again be able to enjoy free day-use admission to Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The Walton County Tourist Development Council is paying the cost of entry for day-use visitors in order to increase available parking for beach-goers during the peak summer season, as well as raise awareness of the variety of eco-tourism activities South Walton offers. This year marks the sixth year of admission coverage for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the fourth for Grayton Beach State Park. 

“This is our fourth summer covering day-use admission to both state parks,” says Visit South Walton Director of

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On Tuesday, May 12, 2020, the Walton County Florida Board of County Commissioners issued a burn ban for all areas of Walton County including southern Walton County and the Beaches of 30A Florida. The ban went into effect immediately and will continue until lifted by Walton County BCC.

This ban includes ALL outdoor burning including beach bon fires and any other type of open fire.  Acceptable fires include cooking of food exclusively on a gas or charcoal grill  and authorized burns conducted by the Division of Florida Forestry Service

Burn bans are put into effect when weather conditions create extreme fire conditions. Because of the abnormally low level of rainfall that Walton County has experience lately, a burn ban was issued. 

For additional

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At a public press conference in  Jacksonville Florida on Friday afternoon, Governor DeSantis gave an update and  announcements on continuing Phase 1 of the of the  Safe Smart. Step by Step Recovery Plan to reopen the state.  New changes to take place include:

STATUS OF SHORT TERM VACATION RENTALS: 

Governor DeSantis addressed the  status of the short term rental ban which has been in place state-wide since his Mar 27, 2020 order.  On Friday, he called on counties to  draft a safe, smart plan for re-opening the rentals in the respective counties and submit those plans to the state for consideration.  If a county's plan is approved, rentals could feasibly allowed to resume operation again as early as May 18th. 

The beach communities along 30A and

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