City of Milton welcomes three new firefighters, back to full staff says Chief
January 20, 2026
The Milton Fire Department entered Tuesday night, Jan. 13, without full staffing but began Jan. 14 with three new firefighters and fully staffed A and C shifts.
During the City Council’s work session, Fire Chief John Reble said the department had vacant positions during the latter half of 2025. He told council members the department was able to hire new firefighters who recently completed training at Northwest Florida State College’s fire academy, as well as one firefighter from George Stone Technical College.
African-American faith leaders say Martin Luther King Jr’s work continues
January 19, 2026
Monday marked the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January each year.
King, a civil rights leader and pastor from Atlanta, spent much of his adult life campaigning for an end to Jim Crow laws in the American South and advocating for fair and equal treatment of minorities, particularly African Americans, in the United States.
Bagdad Elementary celebrates 100 years
January 19, 2026
Bagdad Elementary School, one of the oldest schools in Santa Rosa County, recently celebrated its 100th anniversary at its current location on Forsyth Street.
The milestone was celebrated by staff and students Jan. 6.
Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast brings community together
January 19, 2026
On Saturday, Jan. 17, people from across Santa Rosa County gathered at Santa Rosa Auditorium in Milton to share a breakfast meal in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Otter spotting in Annie’s Basin highlights furry apex predator
January 15, 2026
Late last month, a Milton resident posted a picture of a river otter swimming through Annie’s Basin near the Blackwater River. The woman was on her dock when a little furry head stuck out of the water.
While not an uncommon sight, river otters are not exactly the poster child for Florida animals. Despite not being as famed as alligators, manatees and Florida panthers, river otters play an important ecological role.
Cold weather shelter to open Jan. 11 and 12
January 9, 2026
The cold weather shelter for the homeless and/or heatless will be open on the night of Sunday, Jan. 11, and Monday, Jan. 12 at Ferris Hill Baptist Church, 6848 Chaffin St. in Milton.
JHS prepares to put on production of Anastasia
December 16, 2025
In theater, people see the culmination of a cast’s hard work — the dance they practiced for hours, the notes they sang until they could hold them for as many counts as possible, the expressions and lines painstakingly practiced. Audience members see the culmination of the hard work, but not the hard work itself.
Veterans’ Alliance donates $51,000 in grants
December 15, 2025
The Emerald Coast Veterans Alliance donated $51,000 in grants this December.
Cold weather shelter to open Sunday and Monday at Ferris Hill Baptist
December 12, 2025
The cold weather shelter for the homeless and/or heatless will be open on the nights of Sunday, Dec. 14, and Monday, Dec. 15 at Ferris Hill Baptist Church, 6848 Chaffin St. in Milton.
Milton holds Christmas tree lighting ceremony at City Hall
December 9, 2025
The City of Milton hosted their first-ever Christmas tree lighting ceremony on December 2 at City Hall, officially kicking off the holiday season with the Milton community.

















