A look at Florida’s state holidays, observances
February 3, 2025
November through January is generally known as the holiday season in the United States, as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day are celebrated and observed as days employees have off. Other holidays are also celebrated during that time of year, including Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
While the holiday season may be a short period of the year, there are many other holidays observed throughout the calendar year. In Florida, there are state-specific holidays, which are observed in state offices.
The President from Plains
January 14, 2025
Our own Hansen Hasenberg visited Plains, Georgia, last summer and brought back a story for our readers on the childhood farm and other historic sites associated with Jimmy Carter, whose funeral was held at Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 9.
Property tax exemptions filing window opens with new year
December 27, 2024
Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser Greg Brown II wants residents to mark their calendars. From Jan. 1, 2025, to March 1, 2025, residents can file for a homestead exemption. Two other exemptions, one for persons 65 and over and the other for deployed servicemembers, has a five-month filing window from Jan. 1, 2025, to June 1, 2025.
Santa Rosa District Schools accepting guardian program applicants again
January 10, 2024
Santa Rosa County District Schools is again recruiting and accepting applications for School Guardian.
The Chris Hixon, Coach Aaron Feis, and Coach Scott Beigel Guardian Program was established in 2018 through the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. In its initial report, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission found that having guardians in schools is the best way to ensure highly trained personnel are in place to respond immediately in the event of a school shooting.
Citizen’s Moving Forward celebrates improvements with open house, ribbon-cutting
October 9, 2023
Citizens Moving Forward Inc., a nonprofit corporation the mission of which is “to develop and support the development of programs, curriculums, and activities that enhance the socialization of seniors and the educational development of youth,” held an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, Sept. 28, to celebrate the updating of its kitchen and renovation of the interior of its building at 6151 Dogwood Drive in Milton.
Florida Artist Blacksmithing Association announces its schedule
February 15, 2022
The first meeting with FABA is always on the organization, after that we encourage you to join this fine organization. Membership is by family and for a family to join go to https://blacksmithing.org (click on the membership tab), the cost is only $30 per year.
Sims principal named Innovative Principal of the Year
January 30, 2022
Emily Donalson, the principal of Sims Middle School, has been named Florida Innovative Principal of the Year. Donalson, exemplifies outstanding, visionary leadership, according to the press release announcing the award. She has served as an educator for over 20 years, always fostering the use technology as a tool for learning. Entering her sixth year as […]
Local historian and professor pens new book
January 24, 2022
In between teaching college classes at two schools, Dr. Brian Rucker, a longtime resident of north Santa Rosa County, writes books. His latest is on Disneyworld resorts.
Blackwater Literary Journal launches new edition
January 20, 2022
This issue is a literary collection of prose and poetry that explores values and sentiments unique to Santa Rosa County. Milton’s Poet Laureate Marc Livanos’s belief is that you have the right to feel what you feel.
Spots filling up for Milton blacksmithing class
January 14, 2022
What do you do when you need a metal part for antique, car, boat or any other thing and can’t buy one?
If you’re David Sandlin, you make it.