Latest news with #WaltonCounty
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Construction progresses for Panama City Garden Club project
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – For decades, members of the Panama City Garden Club have worked hard to beautify the community. Recently, city officials have focused on beautifying the garden club's home. Crews are close to completing the rebuild at the garden club facility and city officials are proud of the community partners that have helped make the project a success. Walton County to break ground on Driftwood Road 'Any time that you have local businesses that are willing to give back to the community, I think the community deserves to know that,' said Parks, Culture and Recreation Director Keith Mefford. The Panama City Garden Club is a prime example of partnership turned into progress. 'This is one of my favorite projects, me, and one of the other team members of the city have kind of taken charge of. It's great that you call it my baby because I, do, have really a lot of value and buy-in in this building,' Mefford continued. Mefford said community use of the space has already been booming, with several recent additions, like a disc golf course, newly planted trees, walking paths and more. But the completion of this clubhouse will cement the revival for the Panama City Garden Club and for the public as a whole. 'A whole new energy, I think. So they're really excited. We talk weekly, but as far as this location, I think it'll be a great gathering place for receptions, birthday parties and weddings in the park. And we got our trails back in place, we have exercise equipment,' Mefford added. NWF Health Network announces first annual Fatherhood Conference The space will hold around 175 people, and renting out the space will eventually create revenue for the city. Mefford estimated the city has saved somewhere between $750,000 and $1 million on the project, thanks to businesses donating design plans, special rates or volunteering their time. Mefford said construction on the space should be wrapped up sometime in July. The garden club is looking for new members. They'll also need help moving into their completed clubhouse. To learn more about one of the oldest organizations in Panama City, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
June 7 marks one year since 3 shark attacks shook the Walton County community
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – One year ago, on June 7, 2024, the Walton County community was shaken after three tourists were injured in shark attacks in one day. The first attack happened at Watersound Beach, where 45-year-old Elizabeth Foley was bitten and lost the lower part of her left hand. Then, just four miles down the road at Seacrest Beach, two teenage girls were swimming when a shark attacked them. One of them, 15-year-old Lulu Gribbin, was air-lifted to a hospital for emergency surgery. She lost her left arm and her right leg. Multiple shark incidents reported in Walton County Luckily, all three victims survived the attacks. Since then, they have been posting updates on social media, showing their recovery and how they are adapting to the changes. The attacks marked the first violent shark attack to happen in the area in over a decade. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Overturned dump truck, possible fuel spill cause shut down on Rock Hill Road in DeFuniak Springs
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Walton County deputies are on scene at the intersection of Rock Hill Road and Hwy 331 S following an overturned dump truck and possible fuel spill. According to authorities, the fuel spill is 5-10 gallons or more. RV fire shuts down eastbound lane on I-10 in Walton County Rock Hill Road is currently shut down. Florida Highway Patrol, Walton County Fire Rescue, and Walton County Emergency Management also responded. No injuries have been reported, authorities confirmed. Please avoid the area and seek alternative routes, if possible. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Former GA deputy accused of attacking 3 women, 2 of them are police officers
A former Walton County Sheriff's Deputy is accused of attacking three women. Two of the victims are Georgia police officers. Police said Alex Ross assaulted the women at the Georgia Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST) Council Office because he was upset about information he received regarding his post certification. 'We heard someone yelling, 'Help, help, help,'' Lt. Tim Allen with Austell Police Department told Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell. Those cries came from the office, which is located in the same building as the Austell Police Department. 'When (officers) got there, the gentleman had his hand on the officer's gun, trying to get it out the holster. They were able to subdue him,' Allen said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Aside from the two victims who were police officers, the third victim is a civilian POST employee. 'He had been there at Georgia Peace Officer Standard Training Council inquiring about his post certification. (He) wasn't happy with something that (he) was told, so he punched one of the staff members, which happens to be a certified peace officer,' Allen said. According to the warrant, Ross continued his attack by striking another Georgia peace officer and punched a civilian employee in her eye, causing bruising and swelling. All three victims were hospitalized. 'One of the police officers had a fractured bone in her face from the punch,' Allen said. Ross is facing numerous felony charges, including violation of oath by a public officer. 'It was definitely that took us all by surprise, but we were very grateful for the reaction from everybody cause it definitely could have gone the wrong way,' Allen said. Ross resigned from the Walton County Sheriff's Office in 2022, rather than be fired. Newell contacted Georgia POST to learn more about this incident and is waiting to hear back. TRENDING STORIES: At least 2 people shot after gunfire breaks out at graduation in Forest Park Kid detained after sparking massive police presence over fake threat at Gwinnett hospital Gwinnett man charged with posing as mortgage broker in $152,000 scheme [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Walton County deputies arrests owner for dog left in hot car
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Walton County Sheriff's Office responded to Scenic Drive after multiple reports of a small dog left in a hot car for an hour on Saturday. According to the WCSO, the car wasn't running, and the windows were only slightly cracked. The vehicle was opened by deputies using a lockout kit, and the Yorkie was pulled out and given water. Deputies said they called the number on the dog's collar. After a short time, 26-year-old Andy Matute Villatoro of Houston, Texas, showed up. He was at the beach, deputies confirmed. Villatoro was placed under arrest for animal cruelty. Walton County Animal Services arrived and said they tested the temperature inside the vehicle, the readings came back at 120 degrees. Villatoro was given a $1,000 bond and is still incarcerated at this time. The Walton County Sheriff's Office urges you not to leave your dog inside a hot car. It only takes minutes for a parked car to become a death trap for an animal, even with the windows cracked. If it's 85 degrees outside, it can exceed 100 degrees inside a car in under 10 minutes. Dogs can suffer heatstroke, brain damage, or death during that time. Officials added it's not only dangerous and inhumane, it's illegal. If you see a dog left in a hot car: Call 911 immediately Provide location and vehicle details Wait for the cavalry Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
