Community Archive

There are 13,600 children who face food insecurity in the county, according to Santa Rosa County District Schools. That doesn’t include those whose families struggle to afford necessities like clothing.

Rather than sitting by and saying too bad, school board member Linda Sanborn has started a new program to address the needs of those students who may not have what they need to be successful in the classroom and in life.

Jacqueline Williams was on her way home from work April 12 when she received the call.

“It’s Kaliyah! Mama, she’s hanging herself in her closet!” Williams’ 13-year-old daughter, Nevaeh, cried hysterically into the phone.

If you’re a fan of the galaxy far, far away, it’s one of the days you look forward to the most each year. If you’re not a Star Wars fan, it’s just May 4.
“May the Fourth be with you,” a pun on the famous Star Wars line “May the Force be with you,” has led to May 4 being known as Star Wars Day, an unofficial holiday to celebrate all things Star Wars. Although its popularity has certainly grown in the past decade, the earliest celebrations of the commemorative day are almost as old as the franchise itself.

Santa Rosa County is no stranger to the military.

It is home to NAS Whiting Field and part of Eglin Air Force Base, with Hurlburt Field and NAS Pensacola in adjacent counties. With many bases in the area, there are many families in Santa Rosa County with ties to the military.

This spring enjoy National Garden Month with homegrown herbs.

Each April, this monthlong observance brings together gardeners, gardening groups and those new to gardening to share tips and offer support for a bountiful season.

Braxton Parker always knew he wanted to be a chef; he just didn’t know he would be recognized for it at such an early age.

Parker, a third-grade student at Rhodes Elementary School, won Santa Rosa County District Schools’ 2023 Sodexo Future Chefs Challenge. His official title after winning the competition is Santa Rosa County Future Chef Grand Champion.

Anyone who hasn’t tried a grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich should.

The toasty sweet treat was the main attraction on Peanutty Way, a display set up Thursday in the Santa Rosa County Administration Building to celebrate National Peanut Month in March.

IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area recently announced its 2023 membership drive has successfully concluded with a total of 1,192 members.

Twenty-six years ago, Tiphanie Sapp never would have thought she’d be in the position she is today.

She started out as a brand new teacher at East Milton Elementary School and has gradually worked her way up to the position of principal.

The newest member of the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit is named in honor of a longtime member of the agency.

Chief Deputy Joe McCurdy is retiring this summer after 33 years of service to the citizens of Santa Rosa County. In gratitude and recognition of McCurdy’s service, Sheriff Bob Johnson has named the new bloodhound Chief.