News Archive

June 23, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier joined the U.S. Marshal for the Central District of Florida William Berger to announce the rescue of 60 children as part of Operation Dragon Eye in the Tampa Bay Area. As a result of the multiagency operation, eight defendants were arrested, including one on charges of human trafficking.

Three generations of the Wendt family work at Wendt Farm and Nursery, which has been operating in Santa Rosa County for over 35 years.

Pace library held one of their summer reading program events on June 17, welcoming local meteorologist Spinks Megginson from RedZone Weather.

The Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners will be meeting Monday, June 23 at 8:30 a.m. Their agenda includes three new MSBUs, a proclamation for amateur radio week and budget adjustments, among other things. Here’s what you should know about the meeting.

The Santa Rosa County Republican Club’s awarded their annual Constitution Essay Contest winners: Lucas Cannon 9th grade – $1,000 (not present), Sydney F. Maygarden 8th grade – $500, Lauren Kalb 8th grade – $350 and Olivia Kaiser 8th grade – $200.

A couple has submitted plans to turn three parcels in an East Milton neighborhood into a recreational campground site. The conditional use permit request was submitted to Santa Rosa County May 27.

Milton Chief of Police Jennifer Frank announced at the June 10 city council meeting that she had secured a grant of $18,800. The grant will be used for four MPD officers to attend a four-day, 27-hour course in New Mexico dedicated to train officers to respond to bombing incidents. The grant includes direct delivery of goods with no match required, meaning MPD will not have to pay out of pocket for the training.

Two of the three public hearing votes for additional taxing units failed by a 2-3 vote, with Commissioners Ray Eddington, Rhett Rowell and Bobby Burkett casting ‘no’ votes.

First on the hearing agenda was the Public Safety Municipal Services Taxing Unit, followed by Roads and Transportation MSTU, which is an additional millage on a homeowner’s property tax bill.

The saga around Pace Pharmacy continues. Levin Papantonio law firm has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the pharmacy and individuals, Stephen Allen Burklow, Monique Burklow and David Barron Winkles, all of whom stand accused of trafficking prescription drugs. They were all arrested last month by Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office following a multiyear investigation.  Filed in a state court Friday, June 13, the case is being brought on behalf of Andrew Strickland, a 47-year-old Escambia County man who died from a fatal combination of controlled substances just days after filling prescriptions from Dr. Elaine Sharp at Pace Pharmacy.

Max Williams worked with the Santa Rosa County school district for 45 years.

For many, 1980 may not feel that long ago. Blondie’s “Call Me” was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and “Star Wars: Episode V-The Empire Strikes Back” was the top grossing movie of the year. Shoulder pads, big hair, and acid wash jeans were trendy, and department stores like Macy’s and JC Penney still held shoppers in their grasp.