Stories by Madison DeVito
Stories by Madison DeVito
Annual Fenner Bike Ride to take place October 25
October 21, 2025
Every year, the Fenner Bike Ride comes to Milton. Bikers line up at their starting lines, helmets on, focused on the trail that lies ahead, whether it’s the 18-, 44-, 64- or 100-mile trail. This year, on Oct. 25, the event is coming around again.
Avalon Middle School presents FPL grant results
October 20, 2025
Twenty schools won Florida Power and Light’s $50,000 STEM Classroom Makeover Grant for the 2024-2025 school year, and Avalon Middle School was one of them. As a result, Theresa Yankovoy, who teaches STEM and sixth-grade social studies at Avalon, got a classroom makeover and new gadgets.
Milton teacher, alumna honored with ‘Teacher of the Year’ nomination
October 20, 2025
Dayna Hood says she gets the question, “Why teaching?” a lot.
Munson Heritage Festival delivers history, community, family fun
October 20, 2025
The Munson Heritage Festival followed through on everything it promised: food, history, family fun, live music and everything in between. The event took place Oct. 11-12 at the Krul Lake Recreation Area in Blackwater River State Forest and drew a crowd likely into the thousands.
Discrimination lawsuit trudges on amidst ongoing school board controversy
October 17, 2025
A lawsuit filed against the Santa Rosa County School Board continues to move forward during a time when citizens have expressed discontent over arrests of several school district teachers and other employees.
UF/IFAS holds 44th-annual Homemakers’ Fair in Milton
October 13, 2025
The 44th-annual Homemakers’ Holiday Fair, hosted by the UF/IFAS Extension, brought the din of conversation and sales to the Santa Rosa County Auditorium. At the fair, vendors spoke about prices, displayed handmade crafts or home goods on carefully arranged tables and demonstrated why patrons should buy them, with their business cards stacked where everyone could see.
Santa Rosa County resident holds vigil for Charlie Kirk
October 3, 2025
On Sept. 10, the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk shocked the nation. Outpourings of concern spread across social media, met equally with vitriol and celebration from other users. In the wake of the tragedy, Santa Rosa County resident Heather McIsaac hosted a vigil for Charlie Kirk on Sept. 13, honoring his memory and actions.
Leonardo opens first-ever Florida support center facility in Milton
October 3, 2025
Leonardo Helicopters US opened its first Florida facility, the Leonardo Florida Support Center, on Sept. 18, located just off NAS Whiting Field.
Fee increases coming to Santa Rosa County
October 3, 2025
At the Sept. 8 Board of County Commissioners meeting, commissioners discussed raising fees across Santa Rosa County—including on boats, parks and facility rental fees. Consensus across these discussions made it clear, such fee costs in the county would be going up. During the Sept. 11 commissioner meeting, the new fees were approved.
Opinions vs. lives: argument continues to take deadly turns
October 3, 2025
On Sept. 10, at 12:23 MT, right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck and killed in front of roughly 3,000 people on the Utah Valley University campus. The assassination has raised concern about political violence and prompted action across the country, including public forum statements made to Santa Rosa County Commissioners and statements from the commissioners themselves.





