Community Archive

Santa Rosa County District Schools food service provider, Chartwells K12, won second place at the Santa Rosa Kids’ House Chili Cook-Off Feb. 22.

The ninth annual Chili, Cars, & Kids chili cook-off at the Douglas A. Dillon Administrative Complex in Milton. Contestants competed in the community chili cook-off while classic cars were on display. Proceeds from the event benefit the Santa Rosa Kids’ House, which works to protect and advocate for abused and neglected children.

At the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Feb. 27, two local groups and neighbors were recognized for cleaning up 25,000 dead mullet after Winter Storm Enzo.

The record-breaking snowfall in Santa Rosa County starting Jan. 21, 2025, brought prolonged cold temperatures to shallow waters of the Wright basin and Blackwater River, resulting in a massive mullet kill off.

Santa Rosa Animal Services is launching its third annual kennel sponsorship. The sponsorships raise funds for outsourced medical care.

The funds will also go toward foster support, microchip and rabies clinics, spay/neuter programs, and community outreach. All of it is incorporated into their Partners for Pets program that they utilize for medical cases.

The Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program announced they anticipate awarding $250,000 to help restore and protect local waterways. They also announced some changes to the PPBEP Community Grant Program.

Jay High School celebrates Future Farmers of America (FFA) Week with agriculture fun.

Night to Shine is a remarkable global celebration, centered on God’s love, with the mission to honor and value people with special needs. Local churches from all around the world host a prom on the same night for anyone living with disabilities, ages 14 and older. Started by the Tim Tebow Foundation, Night to Shine is free for all attendees, thanks to the generous donations of the community.

The overcast weather did not stop the rain of colorful beads, sweet treats, and toys for every boy and girl thrown at this year’s Mardi Gras Parade.

The 2025 Milton Mardi Gras Parade hosted by the Krewe of Airship Pirates brought smiles to adults and children alike on Feb. 15.

The Florida Department of Health and Students Working Against Tobacco, support the banning of not just cigarettes at public parks, but all tobacco use. At the county commission meeting Feb. 10, they shared why.

Santa Rosa County ordinances state park visitors must comply with no smoking at parks where signage is posted. But those signs may need to be changed to no tobacco, as local groups are advocating to have ordinance language expanded to include e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.

IMPACT 100 is an international women-based organization founded in 2003 that serves Escambia and Santa Rosa County and is the largest chapter in the world. Their goal is to recruit at least 100 members to donate $1,000 each to give large grants to qualifying nonprofits. The organization has donated over $17 million in 165 grants […]

The Friends of Santa Rosa Veterans Treatment Court received a $9,000 check from Pirates on the Panhandle, a social club based in Navarre. The money was raised at the Pirate Plunge, held Jan. 1, 2025. The photo was taken by Santa Rosa Press Gazette Reporter Hansen Hasenberg.