News Archive

Facing a decade in prison, Milton father Sean Hollonbeck went to trial Tuesday, Aug. 25, in Santa Rosa County. Hollonbeck was ultimately acquitted on charges of false imprisonment and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The charges were related to a 2024 incident in which Hollonbeck held an Uber driver at gun-point. Throughout his time facing the charges, Hollonbeck maintained he acted as any parent would under the circumstances.

Celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month this September with the Santa Rosa County Library System. There’s more than meets the eye at your library. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills, find valuable information, or connect with fellow avid readers, a library card unlocks a world of possibilities.

Alligator hunting season in Florida began Aug. 15 at midnight. Within just a few hours, what will likely be one of the biggest gators of the season was caught on the Yellow River in Santa Rosa County.

The University of West Florida held their annual move-in day Aug.  21, helping fresh faces and returning students to their residence halls and dorm rooms in efficient, welcoming fashion.

If you walk into your child’s school, there is a chance you might hear they belong to a “house” or have received a “feather.” Don’t be alarmed. They are partaking in their school’s PBIS program.

This July, Stuff the Bus, the annual donations drive organized by United Way of West Florida, brought together Escambia and Santa Rosa County residents to support local schools and students for the 2025-26 school year.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection awarded $150 million worth of grants to communities across the state on Thursday, Aug. 14. Nearly $17 million was donated to the City of Milton for the city to build its new wastewater treatment plant.

On July 25, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) responded to a report of a deceased bear found on Lovewood Drive in Navarre in Santa Rosa County. The bear had been killed by a gunshot wound to its side.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is taking the fight to the New World Screwworm, a pest known for its devastating effect on livestock. 

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins’ announcement builds upon the five-pronged plan laid out by the department in June. According to the USDA, the plan’s implementation will require the coordinated efforts of federal, state, local and private partners.

A 20-acre borrow pit is planned for a 165-acre lot just off of Rainbow Lane in Milton. While a development order hasn’t been issued, the owner of the land and engineers for the project have submitted a number of plans for the proposed site. With the influx of development in the county, it’s possible that the borrow pit will be used to provide materials to small subdivisions or building projects in the area. Materials from borrow pits can be used in large-scale infrastructure projects as well.