A Santa Rosa County jury convicted a Jay man on June 19 of aggravated animal cruelty following a case involving the torture and death of a kitten and the suspected killing of two other cats, according to a news release from the office of State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden.

Robert Eugene McCurdy, 38, of Milton, was arrested June 19 on a sex offender registration violation after allegedly attending a school field day event months earlier, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Most naval bases take their names from their location, or the towns nearby. Naval Air Station Whiting Field is different. The Navy’s busiest training base, tucked into northern Santa Rosa County, carries the name of a man, one who never set foot on it.

Santa Rosa County announced the completion of a $1 million living shoreline project at Floridatown Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 16, completing a project that officials say will protect nearly 1,000 feet of bayfront from coastal erosion that has steadily damaged it since hurricanes Ivan and Sally.

R.C. Pittman described his decision to run for Santa Rosa County Commission as less of a political move and more of a divine directive, and is one of six qualified candidates on the District 2 ballot.

 A TORNADO WATCH is in effect for our area until 5 p.m. today as post-tropical cyclone Arthur is now a trough across SE Texas extending into SW Louisiana, according to the National Hurricane Center.

With a flash flood watch in effect until late Friday, Santa Rosa County’s public works department is making sand available at four locations on a first-come, first-served basis as the effects of Tropical Storm Arthur head our way.

Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins launched what he called his “Come and Take It” tour on June 16 during a campaign stop at Gray Man Armory in Milton, saying that he will push to repeal Florida’s red flag laws, lift a bump stock ban lower the age for firearm purchases to 18-to-20-year-olds.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is investigating three people for their alleged roles in the death of an alligator in Milton.

The three people allegedly trapped, transported and killed an 8.5-foot alligator.

A proposed constitutional amendment expanding Florida’s homestead property tax exemption could leave nearly all of the homesteaded property owners in Milton exempt from city property taxes within two years.