Community Archive

Col. Mark Hamilton, who is the commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, stopped by Santa Rosa County school board Dec. 11 to celebrate the district’s purple star designation.

The community came together earlier this month to help the Navarre Beach Fire Rescue District replace its Christmas tree.
The 22-foot Christmas tree light display, which normally tops Station 49, was accidentally discarded from the roof by a contractor who assumed it was scrap.

With the help of a $5,089 grant, two Gulf Breeze area residents are helping curb the local stray cat population by spaying and neuter strays in the 32561 and 32563 zip codes.
Sarah Kawell, one of the residents who received the grant, said cat overpopulation has become an issue in those area codes.

The cold weather shelter for the homeless and/or heatless will be open on the nights of Sunday, Dec. 14, and Monday, Dec. 15 at Ferris Hill Baptist Church, 6848 Chaffin St. in Milton.

Santa Rosa County District Schools is in the process of zoning which students in Navarre and Midway area will attend Soundside High School, which is set to open in the fall of 2026.

Hurlburt Field will be conducting explosive demolition operations between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Dec. 10 – 12.

Santa Rosa County Animal Services (SRCAS) invites the community to attend a holiday adoption event at the Santa Rosa County Animal Shelter, 4451 Pine Forest Rd. in Milton, on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Holley Navarre Water System is holding an election in January to decide who will join the board of directors in 2026. There are four candidates vying for three seats.
Navarre Press recently held a forum for candidates to share their thoughts on the water system and to answer members’ questions. The forum was held Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the HNWS-owned The Club at Hidden Creek.

“O’ Christmas tree! O’ Christmas tree! How lovely are thy branches!”
While Christmas is still a few weeks away, Coastline Calvary Chapel in Oriole Beach decided to get into the spirit of the season a little bit early.

It was during an AP Psychology class at Navarre High School, Dr. Drew Swem learned what he wanted to do with the rest of his life.