Beach Archive

Following the Oct. 9 landfall of Hurricane Isaias, SpringHill Suites on Navarre Beach closed for renovations, mostly to repair damage to part of the hotel’s roof and Beach House Social, the restaurant attached to the hotel.

On Tuesday, Oct. 13, the hotel announced it was back open for business.

Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, which sticks out a mile into the Gulf of America, was the first thing in Santa Rosa County to feel the effects of Hurricane Isaias.

Due to the storm’s winds of more than 100 mph and storm surge, the pier was damaged.

Residents and visitors on Navarre Beach have been ordered to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Isaias’ landfall, which is expected to take place sometime Friday night, Oct. 9.

Santa Rosa County Commission Chairman Colten Wright said Oct. 6 that the county will not rush a decision on the proposed Navarre Beach Boardwalk.

Andy D’s Beachside Restaurant and Dock Bar on Navarre Beach was the site of a burglary just after midnight Tuesday, Sept. 22.

Ahoy! There is a new treasure to be found along the shores of Santa Rosa Sound.

Families may be familiar with the mermaid mailbox, which can be found on the far east side of Navarre Beach’s Sound side. Now, thanks to Navarre resident Gerald Goebel, there is a pirate mailbox.

Long seen as a blight on the west end of Navarre Beach, the Turner house is now county-owned.

Following a series of judgments in circuit and appeals courts, the lease for 7315 Gulf Blvd. was terminated. It had been held by Gary Turner of Colorado for more than 20 years.

Navarre Beach lifeguards saved the day for a feathered friend.

Two lifeguards were patrolling the beach when someone reported an injured pelican. The pelican had become entangled in fishing line and had a hook lodged in its wing.

Throughout this summer, the website has been undergoing updates as the district is looking to be more efficient and transparent. In late April, the district discovered it was in a financial crisis.

According to NBFRD Chief Jonathan Kanzigg, the district had been experiencing a negative trend in its finances for several years and currently, it meets the criteria for a financial emergency. Kanzigg became chief earlier this summer.

The district has since secured a $300,000 line of credit from a bank to cover expenses through the end of the fiscal year, increased fire assessment rates for the upcoming fiscal year and explored cost-saving measures such as limiting official travel and cutting service contracts.

SpringHill Suites Navarre Oceanfront/Peregrine Hospitality was recognized for its front of the house hospitality work at an awards banquet Sept. 16.