Distinguished University of West Florida biology professor Dr. Wade Jeffrey has earned global recognition with a ranking by ScholarGPS. The academic ranking platform named Jeffrey a “Highly Ranked Scholar,” placing him in the top .05% worldwide in the field of life sciences. Scholars are recognized for their significant contributions to research, as measured by publication count, citations and h-index.
Milton City Council called a special meeting for Saturday, July 19 to review next year’s budget and set millage rates for the city. The council, in a supermajority vote, ultimately decided to raise millage rates by 1.128 mill and opt out of Santa Rosa County’s Law Enforcement Municipal Services Taxing Unit. The decision will result in net savings for homeowners in fiscal year 2026, while also allowing Milton to offset Community Redevelopment Area losses.
STOA Architects, Inc. shared updates on the Navarre Beach Boardwalk Project and new Navarre Beach welcome center with the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners during their biweekly commission committee meeting July 21. The project and plans presented to the board feature an elevated beach walkway, a main boardwalk complex with spaces for around eight vendors or local artisans, a food truck plaza and an open pavilion.
The University of West Florida College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities announces “After Hours with the Artist: Sunken Series,” a compelling cross-disciplinary collaboration between the Florida Public Archaeology Network and The Art Gallery at UWF that blends art, archaeology and public engagement in a novel way. This after-hours event highlights the work of artist Jenna Zydlo, whose Sunken Series exhibit reimagines maritime archaeology through intricately crafted ceramics inspired by a fictional 17th – 18th century Spanish shipwreck.
Santa Rosa County’s July 24 special rezoning meeting agenda prompted emotional responses from both attendees and commissioners, with contention surrounding case 2025-23-RSS. This case concerned a seven-acre piece of property in the 3200 block of Country Lane in Milton, located between the Moors and Avalon Beach properties.
Grover’s 2.0, the second location of popular local restaurant Grover’s Fingers and Wings on Davis Highway in Pensacola, held its grand opening on July 24 after breaking ground over a year ago. The ’50s-themed diner had a soft opening on July 23, inviting members of law enforcement and first responders to get the first taste of the new Grover’s.
In a day and age where the internet is rife with misinformation and spam calls keep our phones buzzing, is it any wonder elder fraud is a growing concern for law enforcement?
The start of the new school year is just around the corner. Students in Santa Rosa County will return to class on August 11, leaving less than a month before the semester begins.
