Newly-installed drag reduction devices called Finlets are currently undergoing flight testing on MC-130Js. Finlets are passive, fin-like devices attached to the rear of the aircraft which smooth airflow and reduce drag, enhancing fuel efficiency and improving operational capabilities.

Between June and July, Holley-Navarre Fire Department responded to 11 separate gas leaks – each caused by fiber optic boring activity. The fiber lines, owned by Live Oak Fiber, inadvertently struck underground gas lines maintained by Okaloosa Gas District, prompting repeated shelter-in-place orders for local residents.

A 47-year-old Milton man was arrested for the shooting death of a 41 year old woman at a residence in the Milton area Friday evening, Aug. 1. Curtis Marvin Johnson, 47, is charged with homicide. In his arrest report, the charge is de-scribed as “murder dangerous depraved without premeditation.”

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.