Officials at Gulf Islands National Seashore have announced the discovery of the first sea turtle nest of the season. The nest was laid by a loggerhead turtle on Pensacola Beach; however, staff and volunteers have relocated it to Gulf Islands National Seashore because of the scheduled beach renourishment work on Pensacola Beach.
Keeping a protective watch for nesting sea turtles and birds, Weeks Marine Inc. is replenishing Navarre Beach with more than one million cubic yards of dredged sand in hopes of finishing by the holiday weekend of July Fourth.
Jenna Phillips saw her interest in science fueled to another level while in high school. It was during a field trip with Charlene Mauro’s science class.
Visitors and residents of Pensacola Beach will be able to use SunPass, the Florida Turnpike Enterprises’ prepaid electronic tolling system on the Bob Sikes Bridge beginning May 26.
Under perfect weather conditions, 125 runners made their way to the start line of the first Cobia Run 5K/10K on Navarre Beach Saturday morning. Proceeds from the run benefited Bright Skies Foundation, a non-profit organized to help patients and families who are struggling with depression, dementia, and Parkinson’s. The foundation pays for prescriptions, provides counselors, family counseling, travel expenses, home health care and meals.
Although at least three Santa Rosa commissioners support exempting beach leaseholders from paying an extra share of the planned $17 million sand replenishment project, the board’s eventual vote will likely hinge on the county’s overall budget needs.
A deceased loggerhead sea turtle weighing more than 150 pounds was found floating in the Gulf east of the pier on Saturday afternoon. Cinnamon Holderman with the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Patrol was called out to assess the turtle. The turtle had very pronounced propeller cuts into the shell. Cathy Holmes, also with the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Patrol, explained to Navarre Press how a propeller can kill or hurt a turtle. “A sea turtle’s spine and ribs are fused to the shell and is a living part of their body that grows, sheds and bleeds. A propeller can quite easily cut through the shell, often severing or damaging the spine, causing death or paralysis.”
Completion of the $30 million SpringHill Suites on Navarre Beach has been delayed until sometime in the first quarter, perhaps as late as March, because of occasional rain and high winds that have slowed construction.
More than 300 Navarre Beach leaseholders are at least 120 days behind on paying their lease fees in amounts totaling $348,145, according to Santa Rosa County finance records.
Everyone is anxiously awaiting the arrival of a resident sea turtle or two at the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center, but that doesn’t stop volunteers from teaching without a turtle in the pool. The center has been providing educational classes called “Turtle Trek’s” during the month of March for a $5 donation. The last scheduled class is either 9:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. this Saturday, March 26. A maximum of 20 will be allowed to sign up in each class.
