News Archive

Six years after being sentenced to life for second-degree murder, a Milton woman is now seeking to overturn the life sentence.

Melissa Blair Pocopanni was convicted of second-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder, and principal armed robbery in November 2018 and sentenced in January 2019.

Pace Pharmacy pharmacists Stephen Allen Burklow and David Barron Winkles, and the pharmacy office manager Monique Burklow, were arrested on May 14. The three were charged with conspiring to traffic prescription drugs.

Dressed in the bright whites, deep blues and dense blacks of their service uniforms, Airmen, Marines, Sailors and Soldiers returned this year to honor and remember their fallen explosive ordnance disposal brethren May 3.

The Board of County Commissioners proclaimed May as Building Safety Awareness Month and honored the county’s building officials and the work they do.

Commissioner Bobby Burkett read the proclamation and said he had been part of the Development Services team for several years. He said he will always feel like part of the team and knows what they are up against.

Leadership Santa Rosa Class 38 had the unique opportunity to experience Naval Air Station Whiting Field (NASWF) firsthand during their Military Day on April 17, 2025.

The day-long tour offered an in-depth look at the operations and training that take place at one of the Navy’s premier aviation training installations. The visit began with a tribute to the base’s namesake, Kenneth Whiting, followed by the ceremonial raising of the American flag as the National Anthem played across the installation.

Santa Rosa County Animal Shelter gets five new benches thanks to a Milton High School student, Brent Leaver and his Eagle Scout project.

An Eagle Scout project fulfills the Scout Oath “to help other people at all times”. Every year, Eagle Scout projects provide millions of hours of community service making significant impacts in local communities. For Leaver’s project, he built five benches and donated them to the Santa Rosa County Animal Shelter.

On Monday, May 5, Central High School social science teacher Ken Maxwell was honored by the Board of County Commissioners.

Maxwell brought some of his students from Central High School, who stayed throughout the meeting for a firsthand look at how local government operates. Commissioner Rhett Rowell, who is also a history teacher at Jay High School, read a proclamation to honor Maxwell.

The Board of County Commissioners extended the Rural Protection Zone (RPZ) with no objections on May 8.

Edited Facebook videos involving Land Development Code Taskforce (LDC) members were discussed at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on May 8.

The Board of County Commissioners passed the extension of the Rural Protection Zone without objection. A workshop to discuss how to strengthen the boundary is expected to follow.
Edited Facebook videos cause an online uproar with Land Development Code Task Force members Dara Hartigan and Kelvin Enfinger in the midst.
More details to follow soon.