Sometimes, progress isn’t pretty. The Pensacola Perdido Bays Estuary Program installed “litter booms” across Pond Creek in October 2021 to stop debris from flowing into the Blackwater River and, eventually, Blackwater and East bays and the Gulf of Mexico. Volunteers collect and catalog the debris each month, but the volume of litter and natural debris that builds up at the booms creates an unsightly mess.

Hannah Schopmeyer – and her seven kids – are pumped about pump tracks and hope Santa Rosa County has one soon.

James Calkins on Monday refused to apologize for remarks he made last month calling the Democratic Party “evil” and said he stands by his statements, despite residents calling for him to resign from the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners.

A car crash involving a gray Infinity SUV caused the blocking of the westbound lane of I-10 near the Blackwater River bridge Friday, June 2. According to Florida Highway Patrol, the SUV, which had six people in it, was traveling in the westbound lane of traffic along I-10 when they were approaching the I-10 bridge (near mile marker 27) over the Blackwater River. At the time, the vehicle was pulling a U-Haul trailer.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has announced the launch of the 2023 Lionfish Challenge, sponsored by Zookeeper. As a Florida-based lionfish hunting gear and apparel outfitter, the Zookeeper team is aware of the negative impacts lionfish have caused and want to support the organizations and divers working to fight the lionfish invasion.

U.S. Navy Capt. Paul Flores, commanding officer at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, was the keynote speaker at Monday’s Memorial Day service at Veterans Memorial Plaza in Milton. He said there are two ways to best honor the men and women of our military services who died in the service of our freedom: Teach others about their sacrifices, and ensure their legacy endures.

Across northwest Florida, Circle K locations will offer 40 cents off per gallon as part of “Fuel Day.” The savings event will run between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, May 25. Fuel Day is also taking place at Circle K locations across the United States. According to Circle K, customers can receive the deal directly at the pump. Here are a list of participating locations in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties:

A rainy day gave way to clear skies in time for 435 Milton High School seniors to walk across the stage and accept a diploma Tuesday at Haywood Hanna Panther Stadium.

Northwest Florida is home to quite a few veterans. In many places, veterans can enjoy designated parking spots but at Santa Rosa County-owned facilities, the only veterans parking spots were for Purple Heart recipients. Other veterans did not have designated parking. At least not until now.