News Archive

Three local veterans groups were given generous donations on Dec.4.

At the Stonebrook Golf Club in Pace the Emerald Coast Veterans Alliance, Inc. made a combined donation of $36,000 to three local veterans groups. The Emerald Coast Veterans Alliance was formed in 2019 as an all-volunteer 501©(3) charitable organization to support veterans in need throughout Northwest Florida. One of the ways they raise funds is through an annual benefit golf tournament.

With the resignation of Matt Gaetz, there is a special election on the horizon to decide who will represent northwest Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives. As of Dec. 5, there are 13 candidates vying for the seat, including State Rep. Dr. Joel Rudman, Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis, and 2024 Democratic candidate for U.S. House district 1, Jennifer Gay Valimont.  On Monday, Dec. 9, citizens within the first Congressional district will get the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates at a campaign forum hosted by Republican Executive Committees of Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties. The event will be held at Emerald Waterfront (formerly known as The Grillehouse) on Highway 98 in Navarre (8491 Navarre Parkway) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Santa Rosa County Public Safety urges residents to be prepared for the cold weather that will settle in late Thursday (Dec. 5) night through Friday (Dec. 6) morning by remembering the 5 P’s of cold weather safety.

Everyday firefighters are expected to be ready at a moment’s notice to respond to house fires, car crashes, medical calls, and a litany of other incidents. To take these calls on, these first responders must be prepared. That’s where training comes in.

On Dec. 1, at 4:36 p.m., the Midway Fire District responded to a residential structure fire on the 2700 block of Villa Woods Circle.

Approximately 160 mission support group Airmen completed a field training exercise practicing rapid deployment capabilities at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Nov. 3-7, 2024.

People often think about what they would do if given the chance to help save a life. For five people at the Elevate Navarre apartment complex on Nov. 3., they didn’t have time to think. They sprung into action.

In addition to Tuesday, Dec. 3, the cold weather shelter for the homeless and/or heatless will also be open nights Thursday, Dec. 5, and Friday, Dec. 6 at Ferris Hill Baptist Church, 6848 Chaffin St. in Milton. Those who would like 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. No one will be admitted after 8:30 p.m. unless brought in by law enforcement. The shelter closes at 7 a.m. each morning.

As part of the Navarre Beach Restoration Project, heavy equipment will begin staging on Thursday, Dec. 5 at Navarre Beach Access 37A. This access will be closed to the public until further notice beginning Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Navarre resident Jeff Waldorff has been photographing the natural beauty of the Gulf Coast nearly all his life. He turned it into a business about 17 years ago and has done it full time for the better part of the last two decades.