Jul 8, 2025
Santa Rosa County schools see across-board student performance improvements
Santa Rosa County District Schools recently received student performance metrics from the 2024-25 state assessments. According to the district, there were notable increases in student performance in English Language Arts, Geometry, Biology, Civis and U.S. History.
Jul 8, 2025
NAS Whiting Field names new executive officer
Navy Commander Stephanie Biehle knew from a young age that she wanted to fly.
At five years old, she told her father this, and he directed her to the Naval Academy. Today, Biehle is the new Executive Officer of Naval Air Station Whiting Field, responsible for overseeing the command’s daily operations and performance after graduating from the Naval Academy in 2006 and holding crucial positions during her nearly 20 years with the Navy.
Jul 7, 2025
Precautionary boil water notice for customers of Bagdad – Garcon Point Water System
A main break has occurred and/or a loss of pressure has been experienced.
Jul 7, 2025
New K-8 cell phone policy coming to Santa Rosa County District Schools
The 2025-2026 school year will be a year of change for school cell phone policies, namely for schools with students kindergarten through 8th grade. This includes primary, intermediate, elementary, middle and K-8 schools.
Jul 7, 2025
Military traditions at Beardless Brewhaus
When you walk into the Beardless Brewhaus on Elmira Street, there are plenty of things to look at: the menu, the games, the sports on the tv, the mugs behind the bar, or anything in between. If you’re stuck on these features, however, you’ll miss an interesting story hanging right above your head.
Jul 3, 2025
Avalon Beach developers heavily fined by DEP
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection handed out hefty fines July 2 to Avalon Beach developers Kip Walker (Damon Drive) and Thomas Cornelison (Furlong Drive) of $197,250 and $67,500, respectively, for their role in allowing red clay sediment into Mulat Bayou over the past year or more.
Jul 3, 2025
State funding for county project vetoed by governor
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 June 30 after vetoing line items totaling $567 million, including several proposed Santa Rosa County projects. The final 2025-2026 budget added up to $117.9 billion, less than the previous year’s and marking the second consecutive year of reduced state spending.
Jul 3, 2025
County holds East Milton Master Plan meeting
On June 30 Santa Rosa County held the East Milton Master Plan Meeting, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at the Santa Rosa Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall. During the meeting residents expressed concerns and shared feedback for consideration in planning for land spanning Blackwater River east to the county line and south to the Yellow River.
Jul 3, 2025
Flashback: B-52 Stratofortress – first operational delivery
June 29, 2025, marks the 70th anniversary of the first operational Strategic Air Command (SAC) B-52 Stratofortress delivery to the 93rd Bombardment Wing (Heavy) at Castle Air Force Base, Calif. The aircraft, RB-52B (52-8711), departed the Boeing Moses Lake testing facility at Larson AFB, Wash., and performed a seven-hour training mission prior to the delivery to Castle AFB.
Jul 2, 2025
Pace High School NJROTC named Most Outstanding Unit in the Nation
On Monday, June 30, Pace High School’s NJROTC was named the Most Outstanding Unit in the Nation. This is the highest honor awarded by the Naval Service Training Command, and consideration included over 600 NJROTC programs nationwide.