News Archive

James Calkins plans to present his proposed “All Lives Matter” anti-abortion ordinance when the Santa Rosa County Commission meets at 9 a.m. Thursday in Milton.

“All I can do is the best I can do,” Calkins, who represents District 3 on the commission, said Monday. “The purpose of (the proposed ordinance) is to ban abortion in Santa Rosa County.”

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.

Growth is coming to rural northern Santa Rosa County and coming quickly.

The Town of Jay wants to make sure those new families have a place to play.

West Spencer Field Road between Fowler Drive and White Road will be closed beginning Mon., July 11 as part of the last remaining work to be done for the Tiburon drainage improvement project. This closure is anticipated to last for one month, pending any weather delays. Detours will be in place.

The temporary closure of West Spencer Field Road is necessary to install a large storm pipe and to relocate an existing water main. The installation will require an open cut to the southbound lane.

The City of Milton’s Office of Economic Development hasn’t left the business improvement grant cupboard bare in 2022 – not quite.

If the city council approves the final round of grants for the year, the program will have $5.61 left.

Site plans have been submitted to Santa Rosa County for an Amazon distribution center at the Santa Rosa County Industrial Park in East Milton off US 90. According to District 4 County Commissioner Dave Piech, the center will be just under 81,000 square feet and will be taking over a former call center.

“I think it’s awesome. It’s going to bring in some higher paying jobs from a higher paying company,” Piech said. “It doesn’t surprise me. We have a very talented work pool.”

Santa Rosa County is in the early stages of setting its Fiscal Year 2023 budget, but three things are clear: Commissioners plan significant investment in infrastructure projects and support improving workforce retention.

And they will not cut the millage rate.

Opponents of widening U.S. Highway 90 through downtown Milton are running out of time.

The Florida Department of Transportation will begin designing the project in the coming fiscal year. On Tuesday, a resident questioned Mayor Heather Lindsay’s commitment to finding a better solution.