Jan 16, 2026
City of Milton Issues Utility Billing Notice for January
Due to network repairs, January utility bills for the City of Milton have not yet been issued. Additionally, some customers did not receive a mailed December utility bill; those charges are available in the billing system
Jan 15, 2026
Chumuckla Hwy study nearing completion, roadway improvements still need funding
In 2026, Santa Rosa County plans to continue pursuing the expansion of Chumuckla Highway (County Road 197), a major infrastructure project the county hopes can become reality in the next few years.
Jan 15, 2026
FWC: Man dies after falling from tree stand near Jay
A man has died in Jay following a hunting accident.
Jan 14, 2026
Milton City Council accepts $300K grant to study roadway safety improvements
There were 1,229 crashes in Milton from 2018 to 2022. Five percent of the wrecks were fatal or led to serious injury. Twelve percent of the wrecks involved injury.
Those were some of the figures the Milton City Council heard ahead of a vote on whether to accept a $300,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The council ultimately approved the resolution to accept the funding at their Jan. 13 meeting.
Jan 12, 2026
Santa Rosa sheriff pushes back, calls accuser a “liar”
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson delivered a forceful rebuttal Thursday after county commissioners invited him to address allegations raised at their Dec. 11 meeting.
“After hearing Rickie Cotton come up here and spew lies, it really got to me,” Johnson said from the podium. “Rickie Cotton is a liar.”
Jan 12, 2026
Milton man arrested after alleged shooting on Galahad Trail
A Milton man is behind bars after allegedly shooting and killing another man.
Cameron Rayshaun Keys, 22, is charged with manslaughter for the killing of Tyler James Caraway-Appleby, 21.
Jan 9, 2026
NAS Whiting Field named Best Small Base in the Navy, nominated for other award
Commander, Navy Installations Command, Vice Adm. Scott Gray, announced in a message Jan.1 that Naval Air Station Whiting Field was the Navy’s top pick in the small installation category for the CNIC 2026 Installation Excellence Award program.
Jan 9, 2026
Cold weather shelter to open Jan. 11 and 12
The cold weather shelter for the homeless and/or heatless will be open on the night of Sunday, Jan. 11, and Monday, Jan. 12 at Ferris Hill Baptist Church, 6848 Chaffin St. in Milton.
Jan 7, 2026
Military, social media issues key for Patronis in 2026
As the U.S. House of Representatives and the rest of the nation wrapped up 2025, Santa Rosa Press Gazette spoke with Jimmy Patronis, the Republican representative of Florida’s 1st Congressional District, about his expectations and legislative priorities for 2026.
Jan 6, 2026
FWC: 52 bears killed during 2025 bear hunt
The 2025 bear hunt, approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission after months of meetings and a comment period, has concluded. In total, 52 black bears were harvested.



