David Farrow challenges Linda Sanborn in District 1 race
David Farrow spent his life helping when he could. From being an Army veteran to helping teachers in need when running an appliance store in Georgia, to sitting on school advisory committees while his son moved through the grades. Now he is eyeing a seat on the Santa Rosa County School Board.
Navarre man arrested after taking down neighbor’s faulty motion light
A Navarre man was arrested on May 14 after a warrant was executed because he allegedly trespassed on a neighbor’s property nude and removed a security camera mounted outside her home.
Erin Nisewonger makes her case for District 2 seat
When Erin Nisewonger came back to Santa Rosa County after spending four years in Hawaii, she expected more green space and improved infrastructure. What she got was storage units and car washes
Santa Rosa County Commission to tackle speed cameras in school zones
Next week, the Santa Rosa County Commission will begin to deliberate whether or not to approve a contract that will bring speed enforcement programs to twelve school zones in the north end of the county.
Bagdad Methodist Church carries nearly 200 years of history and faith
For nearly 200 years, Bagdad Methodist Church has been a fixture of Santa Rosa County. The sanctuary has been standing since 1885. The congregation can trace its roots back to 1821, when carpenters and settlers gathered along the Blackwater River for Sunday service.
Judge denies travel request for deputy charged in Fortson shooting
An Okaloosa County judge on May 11 denied a request from a former Okaloosa County sheriff’s deputy charged in the 2024 shooting death of Senior Airman Roger Fortson to travel outside the bounds of his pretrial release, after Fortson’s mother delivered an emotional plea asking the court to keep him in the area.
Jeff Ates IV running on infrastructure, connections to problem solvers
Four years after narrowly losing to Kerry Smith for the District 2 Santa Rosa County Commission seat, Jeff Ates IV is back. This go round, he is facing seven other candidates, including Smith.
Ates is a lifelong East Milton resident and ran a dirt pit in the area for around 25 years. The pit has supplied dirt and other earthworks for projects across Santa Rosa County. He also managed hunting land in the 1980s and 1990s and currently consults for North American IPS, LLC.
Two injured in I-10 crash in Santa Rosa County
Three people were injured on May 8 in a rear-end crash on Interstate 10 near mile marker 29, according to a news release from the Florida Highway Patrol.
Partial closures to effect Pea Ridge Connector
Drivers who use the Pea Ridge Connector should be mindful of some partial lane closures that may impact your commute.
Rain doesn’t damper Milton’s National Day of Prayer event
Pastors, public servants and community members gathered May 7 at Jernigan’s Landing in Milton to mark the National Day of Prayer, lifting up prayers for government, military families, schools, businesses and the media under the 2026 national theme “Glorify God Among the Nations.”
















