Community Archive

A new alert system implemented July 1 promises to help Florida law enforcement agencies locate missing children with special needs more quickly.

The Spectrum Alert notifies the public of a missing child younger than 18 with autism spectrum disorder whom law enforcement believes is in danger of death or serious bodily harm. Both standard and enhanced versions of the alert can be issued.

Inside a packed conference room on the third floor of the Ascension Sacred Heart Cancer Center in Pensacola, staff members and community members welcomed a new member of the team.
He doesn’t talk, he doesn’t complain, and he is paid in hugs and treats.

The Navarre Park Splash Pad, 8513 Navarre Parkway in Navarre, is temporarily closed after Santa Rosa County was notified by the Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County of a person with a confirmed exposure to Cryptosporidium (commonly called “Crypto”), a parasite that can cause gastrointestinal illness, who had visited the splash pad during their exposure period. Additionally, the Navarre Park playground is now also closed to be disinfected The playground area is expected to reopen tomorrow, Saturday, July 11.

Two recent close calls for pediatric drowning and a fire alarm incident have called into question safety at short-term rentals in Navarre.

On June 16 and 21, Holley-Navarre Fire District responded to two calls for service related to drowning.

This summer, Navarre Library and other libraries across Santa Rosa County are “unearthing” literacy through the Summer Reading Program. The annual program features events designed to promote reading among children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

During its “Unearthing History” program, the library invited NAS Whiting Field Public Affairs Director Jamie Coffey to read a book and share the history and mission of the naval air station.

From Saturday, June 27, to Sunday, June 28, a group of amateur radio enthusiasts gathered at a house off Blue Jay Drive in Navarre to participate in an annual tradition.

The Emerald Coast Amateur Radio Association, which consists of around a dozen members, participated in the ARRL Field Day.

More than two years ago, Navarre Press reported on a story about a little boy with a big problem. Conrad Williams-Evans, was living with renal failure. At the time, in 2023 and early 2024, Conrad had been on dialysis for the entirety of his 2 1/2 years of life.

On March 15, 2024, Conrad went into surgery. As did his dad, Branden Williams.

Saturday, July 4, 2026, marked the 250th anniversary of the United States of America’s founding. In celebration, Navarre Beach held its annual fireworks show. People came from across Northwest Florida and other parts of the country to witness the display of patriotism.

With the nation’s 250th anniversary this July, much of the focus has been on grand displays of patriotism such as fireworks, concerts and parades. While the July 4 holiday is a celebration of freedom, it’s important to remember who has made the freedoms Americans enjoy possible: veterans.

One organization that has not forgotten the sacrifices of America’s veterans is the American Legion. With more than 1.6 million members, it is the nation’s largest veterans service organization and regularly supports veterans through advocacy, programs and events.

Several bears have reportedly been frequenting the Deer Trail Estates RV/Mobile Home Park neighborhood in Navarre.

Robert Carl, who lives in and manages the mobile home park, said the bears have been getting into the neighborhood’s trash and going through people’s yards.