Jul 17, 2025
Homeowners and city meet again: Locklin Lake dredging raises concern
In May, the Milton City Council approved phase one of the Locklin Lake restoration project focused on dredging the lake. Residents made rampant vegetative growth concerns with the project clear at a July 16 homeowner’s association meeting, held in conjunction with the City of Milton.
Jul 17, 2025
Wolfe Creek Forest Project receives Sabal Innovative Partnership Award for Cross-Sector Collaboration
The Wolfe Creek Forest Project has earned the Sabal Innovative Partnership Award from the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, recognizing the collaboration among The Longleaf Alliance, Trust for Public Land, Florida Forest Service, Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Forever program, Naval Air Station Whiting Field and Santa Rosa County.
Jul 17, 2025
A look at leash laws in Santa Rosa County
With the growth of Santa Rosa County’s human population comes an influx of pets, such as cats and dogs.
To keep pets, and their owners, in check, the county has leash laws enforced by Santa Rosa County Animal Services. The leash laws pertain to various areas of the county, namely in population centers such as Navarre, Midway, Gulf Breeze, Milton, Pace and Jay.
Jul 16, 2025
Weather Update: (Wednesday 11 a.m.)
The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor an area of low pressure moving through the Florida Panhandle from Tallahassee to Panama City.
Jul 16, 2025
What the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ changes
On July 4, President Donald Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, an 870-page piece of legislation designed to make the tax provisions Trump enacted in 2017 with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent.
Jul 16, 2025
County Commissioners approve Soundside conservation project funding
The Soundside Conservation Project, a movement for Santa Rosa County to purchase a 27-acre plot of land in Gulf Breeze off Soundside Drive and designate it for conservation, has been approved by a unanimous vote of Santa Rosa County Commissioners July 10. The land encompasses 4 acres of uplands and 23 acres of “high quality wetlands” according to an appraisal of the property. The wetlands feed into a creek that empties into the Santa Rosa Sound.
Jul 15, 2025
Sand available at four locations in county ahead of rainfall
Santa Rosa County may experience heavy rainfall resulting in flooding from Invest 93L. According to the U.S. National Weather Service Mobile Office, local impacts will be dependent on whether this system stays near the coastline or stays out over the Gulf and may include:
Jul 15, 2025
Cleaner river ahead: City buys land for sprayfield
The Milton City Council voted to move forward with the purchase of almost 260 acres of land in East Milton for city use during their July 8 meeting. The meeting also saw several special proclamations and recognitions from the council.
Jul 15, 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 15, 2025
Fix you right up: remembering Dr. Rufus Thames
“That oughta fix you right up!”
These were the words of long-time Milton resident Dr. Rufus Thames at the conclusion of every appointment or house call he had. According to his wife, Gale, these words were his favorite expression. Thames, who sadly passed away in 1990, was a well-loved doctor in the community for several decades. His work spanned generations of residents in Milton with impacts still felt by people today.