The house where the double murder took place in 2020.
On December 5, 2023, Santa Rosa Circuit Court Judge Clifton Drake sentenced Courtney William Howell to two consecutive life sentences in prison in Florida’s Department of Corrections for two counts of Second Degree Murder. Courtney Howell had previously entered a guilty plea to the charges on September 8, 2023.
More Coverage
A miraculous recovery: Airman defies the odds
Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. – A year after a terrible car accident impacting four Airmen from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Airman 1st Class Matthew Sharp’s journey of recovery is a story of hope and determination.
Hurlburt engineers hold bivouac on Tyndall
Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. – The 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron embarked on a mission to enhance its operational readiness through a 96-hour bivouac field training exercise at the Tyndall Air Force Base Silver Flag training site, starting Nov. 6, 2023.
Costa Enterprises McDonald’s transfers Bluewater Bay, Niceville locations to new owners
The Costa Family of Costa Enterprises McDonald’s has announced their Bluewater Bay and Niceville restaurants will be transferring to new owners, Tim and Stacey Hughes, beginning December 15, 2023.
Cold weather shelter open Wednesday, Dec. 6
The cold weather shelter for the homeless and/or heatless will open on the night of Wednesday, Dec. 6 at Ferris Hill Baptist Church, 6848 Chaffin St. in Milton. Those who would like to stay at the shelter must arrive between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Only service animals (with verification of rabies vaccination) are permitted to stay with guests. No one will be admitted after 8:30 p.m. unless brought in by law enforcement. The shelter closes at 7 a.m. each morning.
Contractor arrested for taking $15K payment without doing work

A Pensacola contractor has been arrested for larceny of over $15,000 after not performing work on a Gulf Breeze woman’s home.
Jesse Wayne LaCoste, 30, owner of LaCoste Construction Group, was arrested on Nov. 30 after Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies investigated him for two years for not completing work he was contracted to do in 2020 and 2021.
Florida Now
Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center to hold annual Sea Turtle Soiree Dec. 9
On Saturday, Dec. 9, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center (NBSTCC) will hold its 2023 Sea Turtle Soiree. Proceeds from the event go toward NBSTCC programs and operations, which include educating visitors about marine ecosystems and helping injured or distressed sea turtles in Santa Rosa County.
Gulf Breeze church hopes to unite local churches behind Israel with event
The world was in shock after the attack on Israel that took place in October. Now, uniting to demonstrate their support for the nation of Israel and its peoples, local faith leaders are joining together to present “A Night to Honor Israel” that will provide the community with a unique opportunity to stand together against antisemitism.
Santa Rosa County Animal Services hosts ‘Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope’ pet adoption event
Santa Rosa County Animal Services (SRCAS) is joining the BISSELL Pet Foundation, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness, in bringing hope to shelter pets this holiday season with the “Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope” adoption event. SRCAS, 4451 Pine Forest Road in Milton, is participating Dec. 1 to 17 with reduced adoption fees of just $5 per cat or dog at SRCAS. View available animals online at www.santarosa.fl.gov/Animals.
Gulf Breeze church hopes to unite local churches behind Israel with event
The world was in shock after the attack on Israel that took place in October. Now, uniting to demonstrate their support for the nation of Israel and its peoples, local faith leaders are joining together to present “A Night to Honor Israel” that will provide the community with a unique opportunity to stand together against antisemitism.
Santa Rosa County Animal Services hosts ‘Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope’ pet adoption event
Santa Rosa County Animal Services (SRCAS) is joining the BISSELL Pet Foundation, a national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending pet homelessness, in bringing hope to shelter pets this holiday season with the “Empty the Shelters – Holiday Hope” adoption event. SRCAS, 4451 Pine Forest Road in Milton, is participating Dec. 1 to 17 with reduced adoption fees of just $5 per cat or dog at SRCAS. View available animals online at www.santarosa.fl.gov/Animals.
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