Avalon Beach developers heavily fined by DEP
July 3, 2025
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection handed out hefty fines July 2 to Avalon Beach developers Kip Walker (Damon Drive) and Thomas Cornelison (Furlong Drive) of $197,250 and $67,500, respectively, for their role in allowing red clay sediment into Mulat Bayou over the past year or more.
Pace High School NJROTC named Most Outstanding Unit in the Nation
July 2, 2025
On Monday, June 30, Pace High School’s NJROTC was named the Most Outstanding Unit in the Nation. This is the highest honor awarded by the Naval Service Training Command, and consideration included over 600 NJROTC programs nationwide.
Developers want to bring ‘Hipcamp’ site to American Farms
June 20, 2025
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.
Dog saved from fire spotlight EMS animal care capabilities
June 11, 2025
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.
The 2025 hurricane season begins
June 3, 2025
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.
Helicopter mishap occurs at NOLF Santa Rosa
June 2, 2025
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.
Arrest made in $850,000 grand theft case following business email compromise scheme
May 29, 2025
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.
Local student builds benches for local animal shelter
May 13, 2025
Santa Rosa County Animal Shelter gets five new benches thanks to a Milton High School student, Brent Leaver and his Eagle Scout project.
An Eagle Scout project fulfills the Scout Oath “to help other people at all times”. Every year, Eagle Scout projects provide millions of hours of community service making significant impacts in local communities. For Leaver’s project, he built five benches and donated them to the Santa Rosa County Animal Shelter.
Local Boy Scouts learn about first responders
May 7, 2025
Boy Scout Pack 400 hosted a first responder den meeting at Woodbine Church on April 29. The scouts were given a firsthand look inside the careers and lives of first responders.
Farmers fight for their way of life
April 14, 2025
At the special zoning meeting on March 27, commissioners rejected District 3 Commissioner Rhett Rowell’s proposal to extend the Rural Protection Zone. At the following regular meeting on April 7, Rowell said he was taken aback by the 180 the board had done.