News Archive

Drive along Navarre Beach Causeway and you’ll notice dozens of new visitors along the side of the road.

Black skimmers, distinctive for their bright orange beaks, are courting and nesting on the sand right next to the busy road.

The first fledgling tropical system has formed in the Atlantic, 12 days ahead of the official onset of hurricane season. The storm is not forecast to pose a threat to Florida. At this point, it’s a non-tropical Bermuda low, which may briefly acquire some tropical characteristics this weekend before moving north, according to local officials.

Right now, it’s a 23-acre expanse of white sand on the north side of Gulf Boulevard on Navarre Beach.

The parcel, across from SpringHill Suites Navarre, still has a “For Sale” sign on it.

On Tuesday, May 18, 2021, two Okaloosa County EMS team members were presented with the Okaloosa County H.E.R.O. Award (Humanitarian Efforts Recognized by Okaloosa County) for their heroic actions earlier this year. Paramedic, George Lee and EMT, Devon Hare had begun stabilizing a patient suffering from a medical emergency when the ambulance doors flung open, following a commotion outside.

Santa Rosa County officials and company leadership broke ground today on a new facility that will be built on eight acres in the Santa Rosa Industrial Park. This facility will serve as home to Gulf Cable/WTEC, a cable manufacturer that will bring more than 20 new jobs to the area.

After a citizen called out a Santa Rosa County staff member for looking down at an electronic device during a heated May 11 Board of County Commission meeting, District 5 Commissioner Colten Wright decided it was time to suggest a change.

Wright has placed an item on the May 20 work session agenda suggesting commissioners restrict or limit use of personal electronic devices while in board meetings.

Santa Rosa County Zoning Board member Sam Mullins was asked to disqualify himself from voting on a particular agenda item by an audience member at a meeting May 13. Tony Hughes, the audience member who requested Mullins’ disqualification, says this is the result of an incident that occurred at a February Board of County Commissioners meeting.

Beasley Allen lawyer Mike Crow reached a settlement for the family of Almus Taylor in a lawsuit against the Covington County, Alabama, Jail and three of the jail’s guards over claims that the guards left Taylor to die in his jail cell after refusing to address his life-threatening medical needs.

A proposed driving range in Gulf Breeze was approved at a Zoning Board meeting May 13.

A large sign detailing what behavior is unlawful at government meetings greeted those attending the May 13 Santa Rosa County School District Board meeting.
There were also at least nine Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office deputies, some in full K9 tactical gear, ready to deal with noncompliance.