Since the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the safety of schools has been a top priority for school districts, parents and the State Leg-islature. The recent school shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has renewed calls for more to be done to keep children safe from gun violence at their schools. While a variety of laws are al-ready in the books in Florida, some districts across the state are looking for new ways to thwart potential tragedies.

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.

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.

Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office joined forces with Florida Highway Patrol and other law enforcement partners throughout the region in Panama City to officially kick off Operation Southern Slow Down Monday, July 14.

The Milton City Council voted to move forward with the purchase of almost 260 acres of land in East Milton for city use during their July 8 meeting. The meeting also saw several special proclamations and recognitions from the council.

A couple has submitted plans to turn three parcels in an East Milton neighborhood into a recreational campground site. The conditional use permit request was submitted to Santa Rosa County May 27.

As smoke engulfed a home’s garage on Holley Court in Navarre May 28, firefighters pulled a rottweiler out from the haze.

Thanks to a specialized mask on board Holley Navarre Fire District Engine 41, the animal was given oxygen, hauled off in an ambulance and able to be given treatment. The dog, named “Sydney,” has reportedly left St. Francis Animal Hospital after a multi-day stay.

Hurricane season officially kicks off on Sunday, June 1, and runs through November 30. Emergency management officials are urging everyone to be One Week Ready.

One Week Ready means having enough supplies on hand to sustain your entire household, including pets, for at least seven days without outside assistance.

A Training Air Wing FIVE helicopter incurred a hard landing at around 2 p.m. Monday, June 2 at Naval Air Station Whiting Field’s Navy Outlying Landing Field Santa Rosa near Milton.

The Milton Police Department has arrested 22-year-old Mohamed Bakayoko in connection with a large-scale fraud investigation that resulted in the theft of $852,983.06 from the Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court & Comptroller. Bakayoko has been charged with grand theft, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in state prison.