News Archive

Every day, Donald Leavins goes to work at Santa Rosa Correctional Institute, a level six prison facility. Leavins has been warden of the prison since May 2021.

With around 2460 incarcerated men, Santa Rosa Correctional Institute has a lot of needs and responsibilities. Something Leavins does not take lightly.

Following a reported positive test result for rabies in a kitten, the Florida Department of Health has issued an alert for the East Milton area. The alert was issued on Aug. 10 and will be in effect for 60 days.

The Department of Health wants all residents and visitors in Santa Rosa County to be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if they are not vaccinated. An animal with rabies could infect other wild or domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against rabies.

Despite assurances from developers that community development districts are the “best possible way to develop” a community, some neighbors of the massive Jubilee project northeast of Pace still are skeptical.

Ron Reeser, managing partner of The Eagle Group, which owns the roughly 2,700 -acre Jubilee property, hosted a town hall meeting Monday at Gather at Alyssa’s in Pace to explain what a community development district (CDD) is, how it works and why he believes it will be an asset to the county.

Jubilee developer The Eagle Group has scheduled two “town hall” meetings this week to explain how creating a community development district to finance the massive project will help “growth pay for growth.”

The meetings are from 5-7 p.m. Monday and 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, both at Gather at Alyssa’s, a recently opened event center at 4580 Chumuckla Highway in Pace.

Santa Rosa County Commissioner Colten Wright said last week that it’s not fair to levy a toll on motorists to help pay for the $2.7-billion Interstate 10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project.

“I personally take great issue with putting a toll on … Interstate 10 coming into Escambia County and Santa Rosa County,” Wright told the commission at its regular meeting July 28 in Milton.

The Santa Rosa County School District announced in June that students could have to walk farther to catch the bus beginning this fall.

Last week, it mailed almost 18,000 postcards telling parents the district’s transportation plans for their children.

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.