News Archive

Holley-Navarre Fire District will conduct a hearing on Aug. 22 at its station on Esplanade Street to receive public comment on proposed assessments for the district’s upcoming fiscal year.

A public notice was sent out to citizens via mail and according to that notice, the total annual fire services revenue to be collected within the district is estimated to be $3 million for the fiscal year Oct. 1, 2022, to Sept. 30, 2023.

Eglin Federal Credit Union recently announced it will start developing a property located on the corner of Tiger Lake Drive and Highway 98 in Gulf Breeze. The short term plan is to install two drive-thru ATM/Video Tellers in 2023.

According to a press release from Eglin Federal Credit Union, this will look similar to the drive-thrus currently being constructed near Niceville High School as well as the site at Jonquil Avenue NW and Mary Esther Cutoff NW in Fort Walton Beach, and the recently announced location in DeFuniak Springs. Construction of a full-service branch in Gulf Breeze is expected to begin in 2024.

Navarre residents and visitors are being advised to stay out of the water near Navarre Park West.

The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County (DOH-Santa Rosa) has issued a water quality advisory for the Navarre Park West area. The health department advises against any water-related activities at this location due to the potential for high bacteria levels.

The transition to the MHS Genesis Electronic Health Record System will begin on 24 Sep 22. As healthcare teams adapt their clinic practices to new, standardized workflows, patients can expect to see an increase in wait times and a reduction in available appointments.

Recycling services in Santa Rosa County continue to be temporarily suspended. The Emerald Coast Utility Authority (ECUA) Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) has temporarily closed due to equipment malfunctions and supply chain issues related to repair parts. As a result, the MRF will not be able to receive recycling materials until further notice. Due to the temporary closure of the MRF, Waste Pro (franchised waste hauler for the county) recycling services will continue to be suspended until the facility reopens.

On Aug. 1, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced that more than $26 million in unclaimed property was returned to Floridians during the month of July.

According to a press release from Patronis’ Office, more than $1.7 billion in unclaimed property has been returned to Florida citizens since Patronis became CFO in 2017.

Santa Rosa County Animal Services (SRCAS) invites the community to attend an Adoption Luau event at the Santa Rosa County Animal Shelter, 4451 Pine Forest Rd. in Milton. The event is 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sat., Aug. 13. The Luau will include fun-loving dogs, $5 adoptions, Mister Softee ice cream, children’s activities and more. Volunteers with Upper Room Church will also be helping with the event.

Rapid growth – and how to manage it – has become a key issue in this year’s Santa Rosa County elections. County commission candidates are debating issues like infrastructure impact fees, traffic concurrency, and amending the Land Development Code.

But none of the candidates doubt that growth will continue, and that our county will be forever changed.

Despite assurances from developers that community development districts are the “best possible way to develop” a community, some neighbors of the massive Jubilee project northeast of Pace still are skeptical.

Brooks East developers still can build 85 homes on a 23-acre parcel between U.S. Highway 98 and Santa Rosa Sound in Navarre, but the Santa Rosa County Commission squashed plans for commercial development in a 2-acre strip along the highway.