Milton Archive

“The first thing I noticed were his eyes, he had steel, clear blue eyes.” Norm Chapman, a former Pensacola Police chief and detective, is probably best known for interrogating one of America’s most famous serial killers, Theodore Robert Bundy. Better known as Ted.

The sight of smoke along U.S. Highway 90 on Friday, June 9, wasn’t cause for alarm, according to a news release from the City of Milton; local firefighters were using the soon-to-be-demolished Shrimp Basket building for a commercial fire attack drill.

At the District One Medical Examiner Services (DOMES) board’s meeting in December, legislative funding for a new facility was a big topic of concern. Dan Schebler, director of operations for DOMES, proposed taking the interlocal agreement the counties had put to the wayside and bringing it forward to Northwest Florida’s legislators with a $3 million buy-in from each county as had been discussed in July 2022. Over the past couple of months since that meeting, the DOMES board has met monthly to try and hammer out a plan for the upcoming legislative session, which is set to begin March 7. The legislative session is important as DOMES is looking for matching state funding for a proposed facility in Santa Rosa County.

On Sept. 18, at approximately 6:50 p.m., Milton Police Department officers responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 5500 block of Dogwood Drive in Milton.

Police found a man lying on the ground who was shot by a homeowner after allegedly charging the man. The man who was shot is in critical condition at an area hospital.

Milton residents will soon have more restaurant options.

Branch Properties, an Atlanta based real estate investment and development firm, announced two restaurants have joined Merganser Commons at Dogwood Estates, a Publix Super Markets-anchored development in Milton.

Alonzo Samuel has coached hundreds of young Milton athletes over the past 36 years, starting with his own children in 1985. Most folks just call him “Coach Sam.”

The City of Milton will show its appreciation Saturday by naming its youth football field in his honor. The day will start at 10 a.m. at the Clyde L. Gracey Community Center, 5629 Byrom Street, with a ceremony honoring the long-time volunteer, aircraft mechanic and pastor.

Should Milton spend $100,000 from reserve funds to find alternatives to widening Caroline Street through the city’s historic district?

The city council expected to debate that question at its July 12 regular meeting, too late for the Press Gazette’s deadline.

At its executive committee meeting July 5, the council voted 4-2 to approve a plan to convince the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization to change its project priorities. Councilmembers Robert Leek and Shannon Rice voted against Councilman Vernon Compton’s motion. Councilmen Matt Jarrett and Casey Powell were absent.

Following several days of investigation, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office gave an update on the case of the body found floating in Jake’s Bayou in Milton on June 14.

In a June 17 press conference held by the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Bob Johnson identified the body of a man found in Jake’s Bayou as that of Joshua James. He was identified through fingerprint analysis.

Santa Rosa County Animal Services (SRCAS) announced that they are hosting a special adoption event – “Cheaper Than Gas” – starting Friday, June 10 through Saturday, June 18.

All adoptions are only $4 and include spay or neuter, flea prevention, age appropriate vaccinations, initial dewormer, microchip, an adoption starter kit, coupons and more. For those interested in visiting the shelter for the adoption event, appointments are required.

A 29 year old Milton man was booked into jail on June 3 after investigators with the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office began looking into him following a traffic stop.

The man, Mark Anthony Frate, was stopped on June 3 after a sergeant with Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office noticed that Frate was driving down the road at four in the morning with a two year old in his lap. The two year old was unrestrained in the car.