Community Archive

Santa Rosa Clean Community has picked a new director to lead the organization following the unexpected Feb. 24, 2014, passing of beloved director John Tonkin, who had served in the role since he was hired in 1988. Kevin Smith will take over as director June 19.

Students exited Navarre area schools for the summer May 30 and many of them found their way to the Navarre Library to register for the annual summer reading program.

Several Navarre residents went to New Orleans last weekend to audition for the popular talent show The Voice. Maddy Rose Turcotte and Cody Stone made the three hour trek. Stone has auditioned for similar shows, including American Idol.

The Citizens to Incorporate Navarre has hired BJM Consulting to complete a feasibility study regarding the incorporation of the community, and according to the firm’s president, incorporation supporters aren’t going to get a sugar-coated report.

Some call it fishing, but the Emerald Coast Heroes on the Water (HOW) call it healing. A group of 25 volunteers met early Saturday morning to take nearly 25 veterans on the healing waters of the Intracoastal Waterway adjacent to Navarre Park. One of the veteran anglers was Chuck Tingle who joined the group fishing for the first time in May 2013 in Navarre Park and completed what he believed to be his sixth fishing trip with HOW Saturday. “It takes you out of the daily grind and I enjoy the camaraderie,” said Tingle. He spent 24 years in the Air Force in command and control and was stationed in the area from 1987-89, and he knew he wanted to retire to the area.

So far Jayer Williamson is the only candidate who has pre-filed in the special election to fill the seat vacated by his late father. Williamson filed April 10 and in less than one month collected $9,100 in monetary contributions – all but two of which came from supporters in Santa Rosa County. More than 100 people attended a campaign fundraiser Williamson held May 20 at Nichol’s Seafood in Milton. Florida House District 1 Rep. Clay Ingram, a close friend of Williamson, introduced the Santa Rosa County Commission District 1 candidate.

A sign recently installed at the Visitor Information Center at Navarre Park is going to be repainted at a cost of roughly $1,200 after complaints of clashing colors and flaking paint. The matter was discussed and the proposed design for a new sign at nearby Navarre Beach Marine Park was presented at the May 21 Tourist Development Council meeting.

The long-awaited debut of a new Navarre Beach pier restaurant began at 530 p.m. Friday, May 23. The restaurant, dubbed Benaq Shaq Cafe, received a turnout higher than expected.

Volunteer Florida and the Florida Department of Emergency Management annually sponsor workshops that are designed to help residents better understand what they can do to make their homes a tougher target for wind damage. The workshop, held May 1, seemed timely with the Atlantic hurricane season only a month away.

The first Thursdays in the Park free summer concert was held May 22 in Navarre Park and featured Freeway 98 Band.