Two juvenile sea turtles were successfully returned to the Gulf of Mexico May 16 in the Fort Pickens Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore after having spent months in rehabilitation at Gulfarium’s Sea Turtle C.A.R.E. Program.
Navarre Beach lifeguards visited Bagdad Elementary School April 29 for the third consecutive year to talk to students about water safety. This year, the guards had a hard act to follow. Just a few days before their appearance, Bubba Watson, fresh from his second win at the Masters, visited the school.
Members of Navarre Beach Leaseholder and Residents Association (NBLRA) met May 17 for their regular monthly meeting and took time to discuss the recent news that Santa Rosa County’s beach renourishment grant application not being funded.
Navarre Beach Firefighters May 8 responded to a report of a capsized boat in the Santa Rosa Sound behind Sun Harbor condominiums. According to a report from the fire department, the crew was able to locate the boat about half-a-mile offshore. They launched a waverunner and made contact with the 19-foot sailboat.
Members of the Navarre Beach Fire Department gathered Saturday around a new flag pole with Lujuana Pickett, the mother of firefighter Allen Acree, who died in a motorcycle wreck in May 2013. The firefighters had not told Pickett the details about the dedication ceremony for the new flag pole.
Contractors May 7 finished work at the intersection of Navarre Beach Causeway and Highway 98 that is expected to help alleviate long lines of traffic that often develop as residents and visitors try to department Navarre Beach for the mainland.
The Navarre Fun Fest 5k transitioned from a timed, competitive race to a fun run in 2011, so now serious runners are joined by families, strollers and even pets.
May marks the start of sea turtle nesting season along Florida’s Gulf Coast and local sea turtle enthusiasts are working to remind residents and visitors how they can help the process along.
Excitement is heating up for the Second Annual Navarre Beach Fishing Rodeo set for June 14-15. The Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Council made an April 16 recommendation for the event to receive $10,000 from bed taxes for marketing aimed to lure participants from outside the area.
The Navarre Beach Marine Science Station hosted the Gulf Coast Marine Specimen Lab April 12. Hundreds of kids and adults delighted in touching starfish, sea urchins and other sea life on display in the traveling exhibit, which aims to teach families about marine animals.
