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.

Beginning October 1, 2025, the City of Milton will step up enforcement of “derelict, abandoned, and inoperable vehicles within city limits,” according to a press release from the city.

Leadership Santa Rosa and the Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce have decided to mutually part ways after 41 years of working together to put on the county-wide leadership development program.

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.

Normally, when you see several police cars with their red and blues on, excitement isn’t the first word that comes to mind. On August 5, the Milton Police Department and Santa Rosa County first responders aimed to change that.

The City of Milton has released its Bands on the Blackwater schedule. Bands on the Blackwater will present free, live music along Blackwater River every Friday night from August 29 to October 24, 7-9 p.m.

Distinguished University of West Florida biology professor Dr. Wade Jeffrey has earned global recognition with a ranking by ScholarGPS. The academic ranking platform named Jeffrey a “Highly Ranked Scholar,” placing him in the top .05% worldwide in the field of life sciences. Scholars are recognized for their significant contributions to research, as measured by publication count, citations and h-index.

The start of the new school year is just around the corner. Students in Santa Rosa County will return to class on August 11, leaving less than a month before the semester begins.