Walton Sun

Anyone else notice the Walton Sun is shrinking?

Is it more than just the lack of advertising by the real estate persons? I thought it was getting a little lite last time I picked one up.

Yes, they expanded when numerous Realtors began advertising, which led to filler articles from the AP, which I don't care to read about. When the Realtor ads decreased, they cut out the third section, but still have AP stories. I liked it much better when it was local stories only. Maybe one day they will return to that format.

Over worked reporters and less advertisement.

Anyone else notice the Walton Sun is shrinking?

Lack of parade pics
Lack of locals' misbehavior.

If we could get candidates from all parties, Libertarian, Democrat, Republican, Green, etc. to file for all races, the newspapers and other media would benefit from an extended political season. Help the local economy and file before June 20. Otherwise, many elections will be over and you'll be stuck for four more years with whoever. The local media will thank you and their staff will be grateful. With contested races, candidates will have to advertise until November. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the newspapers, radio and television stations sign up some of their staff just to keep the races going. 😀

Yes, they expanded when numerous Realtors began advertising, which led to filler articles from the AP, which I don't care to read about. When the Realtor ads decreased, they cut out the third section, but still have AP stories. I liked it much better when it was local stories only. Maybe one day they will return to that format.

If it was just legit AP stories, it wouldn't be so bad, and it was aactually kind of amusing to read about exciting new HUD programs for Native American homebuyers in South Dakota and such. But they spent many a year publishing building industry press releases off as news articles, and it annoys quite a bit.

I worked for the Sun from 2004 until this year. In the past year, several changes were made on the corporate level. :bang:
All accounts were merged so that one sales rep would handle multiple papers: Florida Freedom has 10? properties now in the Panhandle. So reps were not only selling the Walton Sun advertising, but the Destin Log, Daily News, News Herald, and several others to the East and North, plus all of those papers' specialty publications.

The ad director, Lisa Comeau left last year. She was the backbone of the Sun since day one. Several sales people have left due to commission restructuring and work overload from having to sell other papers. The staff at the Sun is very small, other papers have sales assistants, we did not. We were also responsible for collections
and some new policies regarding credit and payment made it more difficult for old and new customers to continue advertising.
The editorial staff lost Joyce and Rich this year (reporter & the photog) and it's no secret that a weekly paper is a "training job" for new reporters so turnover is high. They get their feet wet and then move on to a Daily paper.

The Real Estate advertising got very slim and when Realtors don't spend money it hurts every business in the community. They may still advertise but where once they spent $1200.00 a week on their color ad, they may be spending considerably less now on a small black & white.

The Walton Sun needs the community's support. If you like it, please let them know. It is a very different paper in that it really is "our" paper so if you have a knack for writing or can submit photos, I'm sure they would be very welcome as short staffed as they are.

SJ, the AP filler stuff is so much better than the "news" a typical Daily paper prints don't you think?

I love the Walton Sun!


Just some thoughts from a former employee.

Who cares about the Walton Sun?

If you want info about the area that is correct and readable come here!

sunspot, thanks for posting all of that inside scoop, which we never think about. I like being able to pick up the Walton Sun, taking it to the beach or into a restaurant to read it. I do the same with the Defuniak Herald. Back in the old days (3-4 years ago), I spent my Saturday mornings reading the Walton Sun, word for word, every page. All the stories were local. I learned much about the community. When I began to be tricked by the AP stories, I stopped reading the paper. I'd get half way through the article which had a title making me believe the issue was local, then I would realize the article was referring to a totally different place, not even in the same state. I stopped reading the paper, and now just scan it for articles which strike my interest. I enjoy reading Chick's column, and I typically read the editorial and occasional letters to the editor, but these days it takes me only eight minutes to "read" the Walton Sun. If I want AP news, I'll go to the internet. By the way, to answer your question, I don't read the daily rags, for the same reason. Papers like the Washington Times and the Wall Street Journal are exceptions because they actual have interesting breaking stories. I long for the days to open up the Walton Sun and see nothing but local stories (notice that I didn't say "local news.") and ads. I think it is wonderful that Kurt shares his beautiful photos with us on SoWal.com, but I just want to plug Richard Owen's skills, as I always enjoyed seeing the paper filled with his refreshing pics. I'd read an inexperienced writer's work in the paper, if it was locally related. I think it is great to have fresh articles, and newbie's certainly bring that touch. I do think it is difficult for the newbies to keep up with the who's who in the local political scene, and I would like to see someone with a bit of historical reference writing about some of those topics. I hope I don't sound like I am dissin' the Walton Sun, because on the whole, I like it.

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.

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.

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. :wave:

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:

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. :wave:

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.:wave:

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.:wave:

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!

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

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!:clap:

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. 😀