Hammock Bay News Today

It was nearly two years ago that we first ventured off island (just barely) for a new dining experience, at least for us.

Did you know every 45 visitors to the island support one full-time hospitality job?

A home on Mango Lane in Freeport became filled with smoke Sunday after a lightning strike reportedly ignited a fire in the attic.

The Walton County School Districts facilities planner is asking residential developers to be mindful of the impact they can have on the school system

CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT April 17 10th annual Music in Pictures The 10th Annual Music in Pictures student art exhibition is on display through April at Amavida Coffee and Tea, Rosemary Beach; Coastal Branch Library, Santa Rosa Beach; Freeport Public Library, Freeport; and Ascension/Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, Miramar Beach. ECTC’s Mary Poppins Jr. “Disney’s Mary Poppins Jr.” will be staged, April 17 at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and April 18 at 2 and 4:30...

State Rep. Brad Drake amends bill that would have impacted Freeport city alcohol ordinance Tom McLaughlin, Northwest Florida Daily News © FILE PHOTO/DAILY NEWS Jay Odom poses in his office in 2019. Odom is seeking state legislation to allow alcohol sales in his Hammock Bay development in Freeport. Replay Video Skip Ad FREEPORT — State Rep. Brad Drake has introduced an amendment to a local bill that removes the prospect of wiping out a city ordinance pertaining to the dist...

Drake, R-Eucheeanna, introduced the amendment Thursday, the day the bill was scheduled to have been considered before the entire state House. It is now slated to be heard Tuesday. State Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City, said he suggested changing the bill language after speaking to Drake and Freeport Mayor Russ Barley. In a Friday email, Barley said he had spoken to Gainer but did not indicate that he taken a firm stance either for or against making changes to the existing city ordinance, wh...

Developer Jay Odom seeks legislatures help to change Freeport alcohol sales ordinance © FILE PHOTO/DAILY NEWS Hammock Bay FREEPORT — Developer Jay Odom wants to bring a little taste of The Villages to Walton County, but to do so hes going to have to find a way around a city ordinance that restricts the sale of alcoholic beverages within 1,000 feet of a school. He has suggested changing two state laws to accomplish his goal, and enlisted the assistance of Walton County State Rep. Brad Dra...

OKALOOSA ISLAND — A local developer and a Niceville physician are teaming up to sponsor a free holiday dinner on Christmas Day for local active-duty military personnel who wont be able to go home for the holidays. Operation Holiday Cheer is sponsored by developer Jay Odom, whose projects include Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach, and the mixed-use residential Hammock Bay community in Freeport. Serving as a sponsor along with Odom is Dr. Garry Banks, a family medicine specialist practicing...