Stories by Madison DeVito
Stories by Madison DeVito
Dr. Karen Barber honored with North Star Award
November 6, 2025
Santa Rosa County District Schools Superintendent Dr. Karen Barber was honored with the prestigious North Star Award at the Scouting America Gulf Coast Outstanding Citizens Luncheon Nov. 5.
Locklin Lake dredging, restoration complete as project moves to phase three
November 4, 2025
Milton City Manager Ed Spears announced Oct. 29 that Locklin Lake’s dredging and shoreline restoration was complete, as he and residents stood on fresh sod as the sun set on the horizon, casting a glow over the lake.
Sims Middle School SRO starts ‘Lunch with a Deputy’ program
November 4, 2025
Deputy Tony Jordan has 31 years of service under his belt, and he’s using his experience to better connect with the children he works with at Thomas L. Sims Middle School as a school resource officer. Jordan recently began his “Lunch with a Deputy” program, where a student is selected to sit, talk and eat lunch with the SRO.
Kukuk wrongful death suit claims bars had responsibility to stop drunk driver
November 4, 2025
Rita and Robert Kukuk, on behalf of their deceased son Luca Kukuk, filed a wrongful death suit in September against restaurants and bars Calverts in the Heights, Mugs ‘N Jugs, and Cosse’s Place, along with drunk driver Leslie Highstreet. In the lawsuit, they claim the restaurants had a responsibility to prevent Highstreet from driving while intoxicated and illegally supplied alcohol to Highstreet, who the complaint classified as “habitually addicted to alcohol.”
Field of hope
November 4, 2025
October was the month of pink. With Breast Cancer Awareness month in full effect, Milton city staff and community members gathered to spray paint the endzone of the Clyde L. Gracey Community Center’s rec football field in honor of breast cancer warriors.
St. Rose men’s and women’s groups host special needs Halloween dance
November 4, 2025
For over six years, the Knights of Columbus 7027 and the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church Ladies Auxiliary have been hosting dances and fellowship events for special needs residents and their families every fourth Thursday in the month. They held their annual Halloween dance Oct. 23.
Milton man executed decades after sentencing
October 28, 2025
Norman Mearle Grim Jr., 65, was executed Tuesday, October 28, via lethal injection. This comes over two decades after he was sentenced to death for the murder of an East Milton woman.
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.




