Research shows that Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties have more smokers per-capita than other Panhandle counties. But those wishing reduce those numbers by kicking the habit fortunately have plenty of options to which to turn for help.
Formerly known to locals as “the Rec,” the old Gulf Breeze Recreation Center is now a thing of the past after an extensive expansion and remodeling of the building. The newly named Gulf Breeze Community Center was unveiled at a ribbon-cutting Tuesday evening after years of construction.
“We lost everything in Hurricane Ivan,” said Santa Rosa County Judge Robert Hilliard, whose family suffered the total loss of their home during the catastrophe. Hilliard was serving as a Santa Rosa County Commissioner in 2004 when the devastating storm surge flooded ashore, knocking down utility poles, leaving citizens in the dark and without the ability to send or receive emergency communication.
The Navarre Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Amateur Radio Club could be seen making waves out on Navarre Beach last weekend. However, it wasn’t the gentle waves of the Gulf of Mexico rolling ashore that drew them to the Black Skimmer Pavilion. These radio gurus were making waves of a different kind — radio waves.
Local author Michael Byars Lewis has been recognized at the Next Generation Indie Book Awards for his first novel, “Surly Bonds.” Lewis, who is also a professional pilot, traveled to New York City May 29 to accept his award as a finalist in the first novel category.
