This July, Stuff the Bus, the annual donations drive organized by United Way of West Florida, brought together Escambia and Santa Rosa County residents to support local schools and students for the 2025-26 school year.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection awarded $150 million worth of grants to communities across the state on Thursday, Aug. 14. Nearly $17 million was donated to the City of Milton for the city to build its new wastewater treatment plant.

On July 25, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) responded to a report of a deceased bear found on Lovewood Drive in Navarre in Santa Rosa County. The bear had been killed by a gunshot wound to its side.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is taking the fight to the New World Screwworm, a pest known for its devastating effect on livestock. 

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins’ announcement builds upon the five-pronged plan laid out by the department in June. According to the USDA, the plan’s implementation will require the coordinated efforts of federal, state, local and private partners.

A 20-acre borrow pit is planned for a 165-acre lot just off of Rainbow Lane in Milton. While a development order hasn’t been issued, the owner of the land and engineers for the project have submitted a number of plans for the proposed site. With the influx of development in the county, it’s possible that the borrow pit will be used to provide materials to small subdivisions or building projects in the area. Materials from borrow pits can be used in large-scale infrastructure projects as well.

When clicking some items on the Santa Rosa County website, you’ll find that instead of just taking you to your requested page, a pop-up appears. It looks inconspicuous—a simple white box with black text, two options pictured at the bottom: DO NOT SHOW AGAIN or CLOSE.

What begins as curiosity in the classroom can become innovation in a lab – specifically when guided by the right mentors.

Eglin interns shared the results of their six-week Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics journey July 31 during a project showcase for 96th Test Wing senior leadership and community partners.

The 2025 recreational bay scallop season for the Gulf County Zone (including all of St. Joseph Bay) opens Aug. 16 and will remain open through Sept. 24. This region includes all state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County to the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County.

At the Aug. 12 Milton City Council meeting, the council officially voted to approve an agreement between the city and Milton Professional Firefighters (I.A.F.F. Local 2994) to give the firefighters an 8.25% pay raise starting Oct. 2025.

Santa Rosa County is undergoing a PD&E Study in an effort to create a Navarre Community Access Road. A virtual project update is currently available online at www.santarosa.fl.gov/1033/Navarre-Community-Access-Road.