News Archive

The Florida Department of Health is reporting a “probable” case of monkeypox in Santa Rosa County. The department is waiting on confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control. Overall, as of Saturday, the department reported 180 confirmed and probable cases in Florida. According to the department, Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by a virus […]

The county is getting a deal on property in Holley by the Sea, according to Santa Rosa County Commission Chairman Bob Cole.

Homelessness is a pervading issue in the United States, particularly in American cities, but one group that suffers from homelessness often gets overlooked.

Most people think of those with substance abuse issues or other problems as comprising a large portion of the homeless population, but senior citizens comprise half of the homeless population across the United States, according to one report published in The Gerontologist in 2016.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) agents and officers from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI arrested Gary David Goeke, 68, of Gulf Breeze on July 12. He was arrested for 30 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and one count of promotion of the sexual performance of a child.

Heavy rainfall and localized flash flooding, particularly of low lying and urban areas, is possible beginning late today, Tues., July 12, with the threat increasing through Sunday morning, according to the US National Weather Service in Mobile.

Two to four inches of rainfall are possible north of I-10 with those closer to the coast receiving four to six inches of rainfall. Storms could train over the area increasing the threat of flash flooding.

In the classic baseball movie “Field of Dreams,” a voice in the corn famously told Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella “If you build it, he will come.”

Joey Harrell, the Santa Rosa County School District’s assistant superintendent of administrative services, said at a workshop last month that Florida schools are guided by the opposite edict when planning any expansion: “When they come, we can build it.”

BISSELL Pet Foundation is looking to help Santa Rosa County Animal Services empty out its shelter this July.

From July 11 to July 31, BISSELL Pet Foundation will be sponsoring reduced adoption fees in an effort to take homeless pets from kennels to couches. The longest-ever Summer National “Empty the Shelters” event will be hosted in more than 250 shelters in 42 states, which includes SRC Animal Services.

SRC Animal Services, located at 4451 Pine Forest Road in Milton, will offer $5 adoption fees for cats, kittens, dogs and puppies. All interested adopters can find more details online at www.santarosa.fl.gov/animals.

A Navarre Woman was arrested July 6 following an investigation that revealed she defrauded a woman in her 90s out of more than half a million dollars over the course of 18 months. The investigation was done by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheena Russell, 45, is charged with larceny of over $100,000, fraudulently obtaining property over $50,000, and exploitation of an elderly person of $50,000 or more. All of charges are first degree offences.

Santa Rosa County Public Works has some new tools that they hope will improve efficiency in dealing with stormwater pipes and drainage systems throughout the county.

Stormwater issues have become one of the most prominent issues on the minds of Santa Rosa County citizens and leaders.

Eric Straight, who in August of 2020 was arrested on the felony charge of aggravated stalking of a child under the age of 12, is set to be released from jail on July 11. The news comes following a court hearing.

Straight had a restraining order to keep him away from the home of a child in his neighborhood but during the court hearing, the judge denied the order. The order was meant to keep him away from the house for one year.