Beach Archive

While it wasn’t on the agenda for the Tuesday, Aug. 25, Santa Rosa County Commission meeting in Tiger Point, the Navarre Beach Event Hall and Boardwalk project was front and center.

Over 25 people signed up to speak at the meeting, with most wanting to speak out in opposition to the project, which is currently out for bid until Sept. 3. Assistant County Administrator Jared Lowe gave a recap of the project’s timeline before any residents spoke.

Navarre Beach wastewater treatment plant filters, sifts, dilutes and cleans around 250,000 gallons of wastewater per day.

After leaving a house, condominium or business on Navarre Beach, wastewater travels to 1411 Utility Drive, where it is treated until finally being pumped into Santa Rosa Sound. The county-owned facility is permitted to dispense up to 700,000 gallons per day into the waterway.

The 1st Annual FWC Pensacola Lionfish Invitational Tournament and Festival is coming to Plaza de Luna, Palafox Pier in Pensacola, Florida, Sept. 24 to 27.

Whether you’re competing in the tournament or just joining the festival fun, FWC encourages people bring the family to learn about lionfish, taste this invasive species, enjoy activities and raffles and experience a weekend of conservation and community.

Navarre Beach Fire Rescue requested $300,000 from the Santa Rosa County Commission to offset operational and personnel costs.

Earlier this summer, the district’s fire commission board approved pursuing the funding as a way of handling its present financial crisis.

A research team with the University of Florida and the University of Maryland is looking to create a predictive model for flesh-eating bacteria in the Gulf of America, potentially giving scientists and health officials new insights into how and when the bacteria appear in waterways.

Flesh-eating bacteria, also known as Vibrio vulnificus, are typically found in warm coastal waters and can be exacerbated by flooding and agricultural and stormwater runoff.

Several county projects could bring changes to Navarre Beach in the coming years.

Multiple plans are in the works to add a parking lot and restrooms to the south side of Gulf Boulevard, a boardwalk and visitors center with retail and event space just north of the dune line and bathroom upgrades for the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier.

Navarre Beach lifeguards is sending nine of their members to a national competition after recently competing at a regional lifesaving event in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The 2026 USLA James Mac McCarthy Memorial Surf Lifesaving Championships featured lifeguards from across the Southeast.

The Santa Rosa County Commission voted not to allow a coffee shop to conduct business at the entrance of Bahia Drive on Navarre Beach.

Espresso Lane owner Susan Bradshaw went before the board Thursday, July 23, to request that a vacant commercial property be rezoned to remove a single-use restriction on the property. Thomas Greene owns the parcel, which is listed as vacant commercial property.

In a message to leaseholders from Navarre Beach Fire Rescue District Chief Jonathan Kanzigg, the newly confirmed permanent chief, outlined the financial crisis the department is in.

“Unfortunately, I must share difficult news,” Kanzigg said in the message. He said the former chief, Danny Fureigh, was not forthcoming about the department’s financial condition. Kanzigg told leaseholders the reserve funds were moved to cover recurring expenses. The board learned of the emergency last week.

Navarre Beach isn’t the normal stomping grounds of Pine Terrace Baptist Church, but it was the site of the church’s recent student beach worship night.

The Milton church brought more than 30 youth members to the beach Wednesday, July 15, for an event filled with fellowship and summer fun.