Officers from the Milton Police Department arrested 18-year-old Francois Sims Jr. in connection with a shooting within Milton city limits. 

This week’s lineup features just one Board of County Commissioners meeting instead of two, with a Regular Meeting on October 9, 2025. Residents have several things to be interested in for this meeting, which includes a Medal of Honor Proclamation, the hiring of an Assistant County Attorney, the approval to move forward with the replacement of the old playground equipment at Benny Russell Park and the Navarre Beach Toll Rate Study Results from Jacobs Engineering.

The parents of Luca Kukuk, the 22-year-old Pace resident killed in a collision with a drunk driver on March 6, have filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

Jay High School groundskeeper Kevin Dunning, 52, was arrested Monday, Sept. 22, by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office after an investigation revealed he sent inappropriate Facebook messages to a student. An administrator at Sims Middle is under investigation.

The University of West Florida earned its highest position to date the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best College rankings. It placed No. 6 among other Top Public Schools in the Regional South. With this, UWF spends a fourth consecutive year among the top 10 public institutions in the region.

Walmart has found a new home on Berryhill Road in Pace. Last Wednesday, Sept. 17, hundreds of area residents enjoyed taking part in the Pace Walmart Neighborhood Market’s grand opening festivities. The store is an addition to a rapidly growing community, with convenience being a major factor welcomed by residents.

Another week, another couple of Board of County Commissioners meetings! The next meeting, On September 22, has a few notable highlights, including the board addressing next year’s capital improvement projects, a changed plan for the Navarre Beach Boardwalk, and the public hearing for the amendment of boat fees in the county.

The Emerald Coast will have to wait an extra week for the Blue Angels’ return this November.

The Santa Rosa Beekeepers’ Association has been in operation for over 10 years. According to association president Melissa Kalis, who took over the position a little over eight months ago, the organization was born out of the need for less travel to access beekeeping clubs. Several families, she said, were traveling 40-mile roundtrips to attend the meetings of other bee clubs in different counties in Florida. And thus, the Santa Rosa County Beekeeper’s Association was born.

The Precautionary Boil Water Notice is hereby rescinded following replacement of valves in the distribution system and the satisfactory completion of the bacteriological survey showing that the water is safe to drink.