News Archive

The proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget for Santa Rosa County includes a record investment in capital projects, thanks partly to federal stimulus spending and higher property values.

“This is new for our county to have this much money set aside for infrastructure in the budget process, so it’s a big deal,” Sabrina White, the county’s assistant budget director, said. “It’s exciting times in Santa Rosa County.”

The state has awarded Milton more than $9.7 million to help pay for its new wastewater treatment plant.

On Aug. 24, the Florida Division of Emergency Management notified the City of Milton it has been awarded a $9.74 million Hazard Mitigation Grant to help fund Phase Five of its wastewater treatment plant project.

Milton leaders could build a riverfront RV park on Quinn’s Bayou.

“It’s beautiful down there,” said City Councilwoman Shannon Rice of the Milton Marina and adjoining property at the end of Quinn Street, where the bayou meets the Blackwater River. “I think something could be done and we could see a good return on investment.”

Students and faculty at Thomas L. Sims Middle School in Pace came together to help the citizens of Jackson, Mississippi this past week.

Jackson, Mississippi has been without reliable drinking water for several weeks after pumps at the city’s main water treatment plant failed. This has led to a substantial need for bottled water for Jackson’s more than 150,000 residents. In response to the crisis, Sims Middle School’s Anchored4Life program decided to be part of the solution.

Santa Rosa County Animal Services (SRCAS) and Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization working to save the lives of cats and dogs in America’s shelters by 2025, are teaming up for another adoption campaign to encourage people to choose to adopt, not buy, their next pet.

“We’ve seen an influx in our homeless animal population over the last year or so, right in line with nationwide trends, we’re hoping these reduced adoption fees will encourage more adoptions and find homes for some of our long-time residents,” Dr. Megan Arevalo, SRCAS Veterinarian, said.

The students and faculty of Thomas L. Sims Middle School in Pace are looking to help those effected by the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi. They will be holding a water drive to collect donations on Tues., Sept. 6 and Wed., Sept. 7 at the school.

Jackson, Mississippi is without reliable drinking water indefinitely after pumps at the city’s main water treatment plant failed. This has led to a substantial need for bottled water for Jackson’s more than 150,000 residents. Sims hopes to fill this need and do some good along the way.

Milton plans to raise utility rates 9.1 percent in October to help offset inflation, but one councilor wants the city to soften the blow.

Councilman Robert Leek said last week the council should cut spending to offset the reduction in revenue that would come from a smaller increase in utilities charges.

Beginning in 2018, the DEA and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office partnered in an investigation into a Drug Trafficking Organization responsible for distributing kilogram amounts of heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl within Okaloosa County.

Named Operation Songbird, the years long investigation utilized numerous investigative techniques to identify members of the Drug Trafficking Organization and locations utilized by the Drug Trafficking Organization.

White-tailed deer fawning is in full swing in the Florida Panhandle and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wants people to keep a few things in mind.

Sometimes people assume a fawn found by itself has been abandoned, and they try to “rescue” it. But instead of trying to rescue it, FWC advises that you leave it alone.