News Archive

At the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Feb. 27, two local groups and neighbors were recognized for cleaning up 25,000 dead mullet after Winter Storm Enzo.

The record-breaking snowfall in Santa Rosa County starting Jan. 21, 2025, brought prolonged cold temperatures to shallow waters of the Wright basin and Blackwater River, resulting in a massive mullet kill off.

Santa Rosa Animal Services is launching its third annual kennel sponsorship. The sponsorships raise funds for outsourced medical care.

The funds will also go toward foster support, microchip and rabies clinics, spay/neuter programs, and community outreach. All of it is incorporated into their Partners for Pets program that they utilize for medical cases.

A Navarre woman’s 2022 death has reentered the spotlight as her ex-boyfriend and the father of her child was set to go on trial April 28 for allegedly kidnapping her, which resulted in her death. The federal trial of Marcus Spanevelo, who is alleged to have transported Navarre resident Cassie Carli’s body to Alabama and buried it in a shallow grave in Springville, a 40-minute drive from Birmingham, is being examined by a capital review committee to see if he could possibly face the death penalty.

The Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program announced they anticipate awarding $250,000 to help restore and protect local waterways. They also announced some changes to the PPBEP Community Grant Program.

Airmen and families gathered for a memorial run to honor the crew members of Ratchet 33 at Hurlburt Field, Feb. 13, 2025.

According to Santa Rosa County Economic Development, Santa Rosa County is the eighth fastest growing population in Florida with 203,752 current residents.

Of current residents, approximately 23.6% are between the ages of zero and 19. With rapid growth occurring in Santa Rosa the school district is forced to contend with ever evolving facility needs. To meet those needs, Santa Rosa County District Schools has invested in the K-8 school model, which combines elementary level students (K-5) with middle school students (6-8th grade) into one school environment.

Tuesday morning, Feb. 25, the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office executed a court order at Gulf Coast Guns in Milton to seize assets or “collateral” due on a “defaulted” loan. Photos and video were shown of deputies emptying the store of inventory. But throughout the day, supporters voiced their support for the store on social media. The Sheriff’s Office said they were following the orders of the court and had no other involvement in the civil case.

In an effort to address public concerns about the Citizen’s Land Development Code Task Force, Santa Rosa County commissioner Kerry Smith led the way for the rest of the commissioners to chart a new course for the task force.

Just before noon Tuesday, Feb. 25, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office executed a court order at Gulf Coast Guns in Milton. The order, which was issued by a Judge in Santa Rosa County, dealt with the seizing of items from the gun store.

The Milton City Council called for a special meeting on Feb. 20 to discuss attorney-client relationships regarding litigation and representation. Before they could begin their discussion a litany of legal questions arose.