In January 2017, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office received an over $12,000 donation to purchase a new K-9. The unit’s police dog, Ziggy, worked with the county until 2022, when he retired with his handler. Now, after three years of retirement, Ziggy has been diagnosed with two different types of cancer: carcinoma in his front nasal cavity, and a transitional-cell carcinoma on his bladder.

The City of Milton announced its intention to begin construction on Magnolia Avenue starting this week, August 4-8, before continuing moving on to their construction on Lakeshore Drive.

Tourism is an important part of Santa Rosa County’s economy, as members of Leadership Santa Rosa Class 38 found out in July.

Leadership Santa Rosa Class 38 visited various locations across the Navarre area July 17 for “Tourism Day: A Wild Ride Through Santa Rosa County,” which offered a firsthand look at hospitality and attractions in the tourism industry.

The new animal clinic, Snip Happens, held their ribbon cutting July 31 to commemorate a momentous occasion eight years in the making.

Jimmy Forrest Robinson III was indicted July 29 for First Degree Murder by Illegal Distribution of Controlled Substances by State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden’s Office.

Gulf Breeze High School teacher Molly Mersereau was arrested July 29 following the Gulf Breeze Police Department’s investigation of a Crime Stoppers tip.

Distinguished University of West Florida biology professor Dr. Wade Jeffrey has earned global recognition with a ranking by ScholarGPS. The academic ranking platform named Jeffrey a “Highly Ranked Scholar,” placing him in the top .05% worldwide in the field of life sciences. Scholars are recognized for their significant contributions to research, as measured by publication count, citations and h-index.

Milton City Council called a special meeting for Saturday, July 19 to review next year’s budget and set millage rates for the city. The council, in a supermajority vote, ultimately decided to raise millage rates by 1.128 mill and opt out of Santa Rosa County’s Law Enforcement Municipal Services Taxing Unit. The decision will result in net savings for homeowners in fiscal year 2026, while also allowing Milton to offset Community Redevelopment Area losses.

Longtime Milton resident Myrtle Wolfe will celebrate her 100th  birthday on Aug. 3, a centennial occasion that not many have the honor of reaching.

STOA Architects, Inc. shared updates on the Navarre Beach Boardwalk Project and new Navarre Beach welcome center with the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners during their biweekly commission committee meeting July 21. The project and plans presented to the board feature an elevated beach walkway, a main boardwalk complex with spaces for around eight vendors or local artisans, a food truck plaza and an open pavilion.