Fifteen nonprofit organizations from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were named finalists for the 2025 IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area’s grants. Over the years, IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, a women’s philanthropic organization, has awarded 165 grants worth $17,492,000 to local nonprofits.

Twenty-four years ago, Sept. 11 became an infamous date in the annals of American history. Four planes were hijacked, with three crashing into major American buildings, such as the Pentagon and Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Nearly 3,000 people died, including hundreds of first responders.

Keith Elliott, the suspended I.T. professional for Santa Rosa County District Schools, has not been terminated. At least, not yet. At their Sept. 9 meeting, the Sant Rosa County School Board voted to uphold the decision to suspend Elliott without pay but didn’t decide on termination of his employment, as Elliott had invoked his right to a hearing.

Since the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the safety of schools has been a top priority for school districts, parents and the State Leg-islature. The recent school shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has renewed calls for more to be done to keep children safe from gun violence at their schools. While a variety of laws are al-ready in the books in Florida, some districts across the state are looking for new ways to thwart potential tragedies.

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.

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.

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.

In late May, Members of St. Sylvester Catholic Church traveled to Italy and the Vatican on an eight-day trip of faith and fellowship. Close to 50 people went on the trip.

In a day and age where the internet is rife with misinformation and spam calls keep our phones buzzing, is it any wonder elder fraud is a growing concern for law enforcement?

A couple of weeks ago, Gov. Ron DeSantis approved the state budget of $117.4 billion for the fiscal year 2025-2026.

Despite the hefty dollar amount, more than $2 million in allocations meant for Northwest Florida projects and programs was slashed by governor veto. One such program was the Santa Rosa County Veterans Treatment Court, which lost a $150,000 appropriation due to DeSantis’ veto pen.