May 17, 2023
Meeting Needs: Linda Sanborn wants to help students with new program
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.
May 16, 2023
Farrow asks residents for input in city manager search
What are the three most important characteristics of a city manager?
Marilyn Farrow, a first-term member of Milton’s City Council, asked that question of her Facebook followers. The top three responses: Honesty, integrity, and a spotless employment record.
May 16, 2023
School district responds to discussion around library book access
For nearly an hour of the more than three and half-hour school board meeting earlier this month, concerned citizens, most of which were with Moms For Liberty members, spoke on the appropriateness of certain books in Santa Rosa District Schools and questioned the process by which parents can make decisions about the reading material available to their children.
Moms for Liberty claims that there at least 28 books found on the Santa Rosa District Schools website that had sexually explicit or culturally indoctrinating language in them. The group provided three examples including “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas and “Triangles” by Ellen Hopkins, both of which have been targeted by other Moms for Liberty chapters.
May 15, 2023
City invites public to U.S. Highway 90 design workshops
The City of Milton is inviting interested residents to attend one of two one-hour public meetings Thursday, May 25, to review the U.S. Highway 90 design priorities.
“We’re going to display and share with the public what came out of the charette process that occurred at the community center, and we’ll talk to anyone who has questions as it relates to those specifics,” City Manager Randy Jorgenson said at the city council’s regular meeting May 9.
May 12, 2023
Garcon Point Bridge shift approved
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed a bill that would clear the way for moving Northwest Florida’s Garcon Point Bridge into the state turnpike system.
May 12, 2023
Investor outbids city, spoils Lighthouse’s plans for old hospital
Dr. Joanna Johannes, president of Lighthouse Christian College, said that “God must have another plan.”
Windermere LLC, a private investment company based in Milton, bid $660,000 to buy the former state hospital at 5500 Stewart Street opposite Milton High School. The City of Milton bid $600,000 for the property, with the college pledging to pay $100,000 of the city’s bid in exchange for use of the facilities as its headquarters.
May 12, 2023
Whittled away
Demolition of the Whittle Building at 6828 Caroline Street in Milton began May 8.
May 12, 2023
‘Complete and total failure’: Opposition expert pans Milton wastewater treatment plans
A geologist hired by opponents of Milton’s plan for a $70-million wastewater treatment facility concluded that the project “will be a complete and total failure if constructed on the proposed site.”
May 11, 2023
Let them post: Residents defend councilmembers’ social media rights
An attempt to encourage Milton’s elected officials to behave on social media turned into a First Amendment rally at the city council’s May 9 regular meeting.
May 10, 2023
City bid falls short of state hospital purchase price
A private investment company outbid the City of Milton to buy the vacant state hospital across Stewart Street from Milton High School.