As the U.S. House of Representatives and the rest of the nation wrapped up 2025, Santa Rosa Press Gazette spoke with Jimmy Patronis, the Republican representative of Florida’s 1st Congressional District, about his expectations and legislative priorities for 2026.
The 2025 bear hunt, approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission after months of meetings and a comment period, has concluded. In total, 52 black bears were harvested.
2026 will serve as an opportunity for many Floridians to elect new leaders or reaffirm their satisfaction with those already representing them in local, state and federal offices.
In Santa Rosa County, primary elections are set for Aug. 18, with early voting from Aug. 3 to Aug. 15. The general election will be held Nov. 3, with early voting from Oct. 19 to Oct. 31.
A man connected with the Danika Troy crime scene has pleaded not guilty to charges he stole from the scene and failed to report her death. Troy, 14, was murdered last month and her body was found in the woods off Kimberly Road in Floridatown.
The intersection of West Spencer Field Road, South Spencer Field Road, and Giddens Lane will be closed beginning Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, for the construction of a roundabout. Weather permitting, work is expected to be completed by early August 2026.
16-year-old Gabriel Williams’ and 14-year-old Kimahri Blevins’ court files regarding the Danika Troy murder case have been made available to the public. This suggests the minors will be tried as adults.
