Milton | Navarre Press

Men arrested for killing alligator in March sign pre-trial diversion contract

Written by Hansen Hasenberg on October 31, 2026. Posted in Community, Crime, Milton, News.

The men at the center of the controversial killing of a Milton-area alligator in March have entered into a pretrial diversion (PTD) contract. If the men complete the court-ordered tasks, their charges could be dismissed. Kevin Lacz, Richard Reder and Jason Griffin are accused of illegally removing an 8.5-foot alligator from a retention pond in Milton and bringing the live alligator to a residence, where it was killed with a power drill. Lacz had previously been a SNAP trapper.

Local officials say cleanup costs estimated to reach $51.5 million

Written by Collin Bestor on October 31, 2026. Posted in Community, Milton, News.

As Santa Rosa County is past the two-week mark of Hurricane Isaias’ landfall, the county is now working on the months-long chore of cleanup, a task that local officials say could cost them at least $50 million combined. That task involves clearing roads, both public and private, along with clearing debris from the Town of Jay, which was approved by the Board of County Commissioners Oct. 20.

Hurricane Isaias exposed flaws in Santa Rosa’s 911 infrastructure

Written by Collin Bestor on October 30, 2026. Posted in Milton, News.

Hurricane Isaias knocked out both generators at Santa Rosa County’s Emergency Operations Center as it made landfall Oct. 9, forcing the county to relocate 911 dispatchers mid-storm, said County Administrator Brad Baker at a Board of County Commissioners meeting on Oct. 20.

Florida SBDC deploying Mobile Assistance Centers in Santa Rosa County

Written by Staff Reporters on October 28, 2026. Posted in Business, Community, Milton, News.

As a principal responder in Florida’s Emergency Support Function for Business & Industry, the Florida SBDC Network deploys Mobile Access Centers (MACs) directly into impacted communities.

Inmate gets 15 years for choking cellmate to death in Santa Rosa prison

Written by Staff Reporters on September 10, 2026. Posted in Crime, Milton, News.

A Santa Rosa County jury found a state prison inmate guilty of manslaughter in connection of a 2022 incident where he strangled his cellmate to death, according to a news release from the State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden’s office. Jurors found Tavis Williams guilty on Sept. 1 and was sentenced by Circuity Judge Clifton Drake.

Man who found Danika Troy’s body, took scooter sentenced to prison

Written by Hansen Hasenberg on September 7, 2026. Posted in Crime, Milton, News.

The man who first found Danika Troy’s body in the woods off Kimberly Road in Floridatown has been sentenced to prison. Mitchell Eddins, 46, was sentenced to four years in state prison and 364 days in county jail after pleading guilty to felony petit theft and failing to report a death to the Medical Examiner’s Office or law enforcement.

Sheriff: Man yelled at voters, recorded them at Santa Rosa Auditorium

Written by Staff Reporters on August 24, 2026. Posted in Crime, Milton, News.

A man was arrested after allegedly yelling, cussing and recording voters at Santa Rosa County Auditorium in Milton Tuesday, Aug. 18. Marc Jon Manchon, 40, is charged with felony battery, resisting an officer, disturbing the peace and violating election law, which is a felony.

Community cat days set for July

Written by Staff Reporters on June 30, 2026. Posted in Community, Milton, News.

Santa Rosa County Animal Services will host a series of Community Cat Days throughout July, offering free spay and neuter services for eligible outdoor cats owned by no one and living in Santa Rosa County.

Milton man arrested on sex-offender violation after school field day attendance

Written by Staff Reporters on June 24, 2026. Posted in Crime, Milton, News.

A Milton man was arrested June 19 for a sex offender violation after he attended a field day event at East Milton Elementary months before. Robert Eugene McCurdy, 38, of Milton, was arrested June 19 on a sex offender registration violation after allegedly attending a school field day event months earlier, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office. Robert Eugene McCurdy, 38, is charged with a sex offender violation.

FWC: Three people being investigated for Milton alligator death

Written by Staff Reporters on June 16, 2026. Posted in Community, Milton, News.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is investigating three people for their alleged roles in the death of an alligator in Milton. The three people allegedly trapped, transported and killed an 8.5-foot alligator.