Walton Sun

[DuneLaker]

I like the Walton Sun and do enjoy the local stories. I don't like it being filled with excessive Destin, Okaloosa County news. They have their own local bi-weekly paper the Destin Log or the Northwest Florida Daily News covers them pretty well. However, I do like the overview of entertainment in the Northwest Florida, Emerald Coast area from Pensacola to Apalachicola. Just as we want visitors to come experience the great things of South Walton, many here enjoy a trip from time to time.
The newbie reporters do have a rough time asking tough questions to elected officials and getting real answers. There are only a few seasoned reporters in the area that see through the answers dished out. If they had more background they could include relevant background like "this 14 million dollar property the county is contemplating buying that is really only a 4 million dollar property is represented by a lawyer related to a county commissioner." The Walton Sun editorial often has the pulse of the community on target. Many letters to the editor deserve attention and followup.

 

[rdelong43065]

So where did Joyce and Rich move on to anyway? They will be missed by many. Some of the new reporters can't even get your name or title correct. Even when you spell it out for them 3 times.

 

[Teresa]

I do love the walton sun. its the only paper I read on a regular basis. in my opinion, the sun does a good job with local coverage which is the only reason I read it.

 

[sunspotbaby]

Another big change at the Sun was the circulation department. In order to cut costs, circulation was turned over to the Daily News, which is a paid paper. It used to be handled by a local person diligent about getting it to people who wanted it. Personally, I feel that the paid paper should not be delivering the free paper. They sell subscriptions, so if you aren't getting the Sun, and never call anyone about it, then circulation of the Sun will be reduced. Less circulation means less advertisers. If you don't have the ads, you don't have a paper. Although SoWal is a tremendous source of information, we need this publication here as well.

In essence:
If you don't get it anymore and haven't called, please let them know at the Daily 863-1111 Ext. 2.
I loved the Sun when I first moved here, and although they are undergoing some changes, I still love it today and will call and raise cane if I don't have one in my driveway on Saturday morning. :angry:

 

[scooterbug44]

I stopped reading the Sun because the stories were either of no interest or so incorrect it was ridonkulous.

They stopped delivering to me a year or so ago, and I figured it was a sign that God wanted me to stop killing so many trees and read online for a while - then realized Sowal was a much better and faster source of info.

 

[Teresa]

Another big change at the Sun was the circulation department. In order to cut costs, circulation was turned over to the Daily News, which is a paid paper. It used to be handled by a local person diligent about getting it to people who wanted it. Personally, I feel that the paid paper should not be delivering the free paper. They sell subscriptions, so if you aren't getting the Sun, and never call anyone about it, then circulation of the Sun will be reduced. Less circulation means less advertisers. If you don't have the ads, you don't have a paper. Although SoWal is a tremendous source of information, we need this publication here as well.

In essence:
If you don't get it anymore and haven't called, please let them know at the Daily 863-1111 Ext. 2.
I loved the Sun when I first moved here, and although they are undergoing some changes, I still love it today and will call and raise cane if I don't have one in my driveway on Saturday morning. :angry:

thanks for all the info and positive posts, SSB. we've read the sun since its very first print, and we always will. I learn a lot about new businesses, happenings, organizations, benefits, etc. I love to see the ads on all the businesses around here we know and frequent. its all good to me. just last week, I enjoyed several articles such as:

• junior lifeguard program - awesome stuff for our older kids!
• Inspired - a new art gallery in seaside some friends have opened. can't wait to check it out. all the women owners bring much vision and talent.
• Locals getting creative with ways to save gas - several friends interviewed and pictured on bikes and scooters, etc.
• seaside jazz festival - viewpoint from center state - a wonderful positive article about the festival by billy mcconnell
• oh, and did you know Mike Huckabee will be speaking at Destiny Worship Center on July 6th? the ad said so.
• our very own supermom has her american idol article and this week a pic of jason castro - at the red bar! I have no idea who he is but he's cute in that picture!
• don't miss the west indies market this weekend!

but jessica is right - the paper is thinner. which means I can actually read it all in one sitting with coffee.

 

[sunspotbaby]

thanks for all the info and positive posts, SSB. we've read the sun since its very first print, and we always will. I learn a lot about new businesses, happenings, organizations, benefits, etc. I love to see the ads on all the businesses around here we know and frequent. its all good to me. just last week, I enjoyed several articles such as:

• junior lifeguard program - awesome stuff for our older kids!
• Inspired - a new art gallery in seaside some friends have opened. can't wait to check it out. all the women owners bring much vision and talent.
• Locals getting creative with ways to save gas - several friends interviewed and pictured on bikes and scooters, etc.
• seaside jazz festival - viewpoint from center state - a wonderful positive article about the festival by billy mcconnell
• oh, and did you know Mike Huckabee will be speaking at Destiny Worship Center on July 6th? the ad said so.
• our very own supermom has her american idol article and this week a pic of jason castro - at the red bar! I have no idea who he is but he's cute in that picture!
• don't miss the west indies market this weekend!

but jessica is right - the paper is thinner. which means I can actually read it all in one sitting with coffee.

Thank you for your positive post Tootsie. Even though I don't work there anymore, it's a place close to my heart. I Miss my customers and my co-workers a lot!

 

[doGooD]

I miss it, as it has not been delivered to our neighborhood since Joyce left. Weird how that coincided- I will call.

 

[Jdarg]

I miss it, as it has not been delivered to our neighborhood since Joyce left. Weird how that coincided- I will call.

We had dependable delivery from the time we moved (Fall 2006) until about 2 months ago, when the paper stopped showing up on Saturday. Two weeks ago, regular delivery resumed!

 

[MattChrist Live]

I may be biased, but it will be a sad day for this community when we lose the Walton Sun. That paper was the paper I learned to read on, (excuse the poor grammar) it's the paper which has chronicled our town's last few years, not just the random thoughts or musings of anonymous people (however amusing).
Local, small town newspapers are a rare but unique breed. Whenever I travel, I always make a point to pick up a copy of the local newspaper. The paper could be written in a foreign, exotic language, or could be filled with the latest results of the Boothbay Harbor, Maine sailing race, but will invariably offer a glimpse into the local pulse.

And plus, the local columnists are awesome.

P.S. Personally, if the SUN could somehow turn the paper into a "paid" paper, then perhaps more reporters could be hired, more stories could be printed, and the paper could expand (in thickness). I'm pretty sure that the community could financially support such a paper. Then again, I'm sure Freedom Communications/The Walton Sun have already examined the feasibility of that option.

I'm pretty sure a weekly paper is always going to fight an uphill battle in this age of instant everything, but quite frankly, South Walton doesn't have much news to report...maybe that's why it's been so nice to grow up here.