News Archive

The numbers are staggering. The number of overdoses in northwest Florida, the number of calls to first responders for overdoses, the number of pills laced with fentanyl continues to grow.

Attorney General Ashley Moody is taking legal action against a Gulf Coast pool company and its owner for taking large upfront payments from consumers and leaving jobs incomplete. According to an investigation by the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, Cox Pools of the Gulf Coast, LLC, and its owner, Hillary Bello, accepted payments from at least 27 consumers in exchange for pool construction services, then failed to perform the services as promised—leaving consumers with unfi nished pools and holes in backyards.

“A visionary.”

That’s how Navarre businessman and developer Robert “Bob” Benaquis describes himself. And what’s his vision? A place in Navarre for residents to shop, dine and play all within a walkable space. Benaquis hopes the creation of a town center can keep locals from going to places like Pensacola or Destin, where there are more amenities.

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz was joined by his father, Former State Sen. Don Gaetz, at a rally at Navarre Park Monday, Oct. 30.

The cold weather shelter for the homeless and heatless will open on the nights of Tuesday, Oct. 31, and Wednesday., Nov. 1, at Ferris Hill Baptist Church, 6848 Chaffin St. in Milton. Those who want to stay at the shelter must arrive between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Only service animals (with verification of rabies vaccination) are permitted to stay with guests. 

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is holding a campaign rally in Navarre Oct. 30. According to Gaetz’s Office, the rally will be held at Navarre Park by the Santa Rosa County Visitor Center.

A University of West Florida graduate team placed first and undergraduate team placed second at the HR Florida Conference Student Case Competition held during the annual HR Florida Leadership Conference in Orlando on Oct. 13 and 14.

Last week, Florida Sen. Doug Broxson, Gulf Breeze-R, told Santa Rosa County residents that he will sponsor a bill creating an authority to oversee water-related utilities north of the Yellow River and bills to reform how county fire districts are funded.

Late into the special zoning board meeting Thursday night, Santa Rosa County Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve an amendment to Santa Rosa Development’s lease to allow an RV Park on the beach. Commissioner Sam Parker, Colten Wright and James Calkins voted in favor of the amendment, and Commissioners Kerry Smith and Ray Eddington opposed.

Air Force Special Operations Command welcomed Air Attachés from 12 various allied and partner nations to Hurlburt Field, Florida, October 23, 2023. 

Attaché tours are a key function of the Department of the Air Force Foreign Liaison Office, which organizes the engagements to enhance partners’ understanding of American history and culture and enable firsthand experience with U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force operations and structure.