News Archive

Shorebirds are back on the beach and Gulf Islands National Seashore is making an effort to keep the migratory birds safe during their nesting season.

Don’t let anyone tell you nothing can be done for the migraines, brain fog, depression, vertigo, fatigue, insomnia and other symptoms after a TBI injury.  Armed with facts, you or a loved one who has been injured can bust through the naysayers and obstructive agencies who tell you just to live with it or not to waste your time.

New Orleans — A federal judge in New Orleans granted final approval Monday to an estimated $20 billion settlement regarding the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, resolving years of litigation over the worst offshore spill in the nation’s history.

For the first time in 20 years, Santa Rosa County’s Central Landfill is raising rates beginning April 1.  The rate for household waste will increase from $32 per ton, set in 1995 to $36 per ton.  Rates for Class III waste which includes construction and demolition debris, carpet, furniture other than appliances, will increase to $32 per ton.

At its March 28 board meeting, the Holley-Navarre Water System board of directors voted to raise water rates to customers by 17.5 percent.  The vote came at a rescheduled meeting of the board with only one member of the public in attendance.

The State Attorney’s Office of William Eddins for the First Judicial Court announced that Christopher Lee Cox was sentenced to 25 years in state prison with a 15-year minimum mandatory sentence and fined $250,000.  Cox was convicted by a Santa Rosa County jury on March 9 for trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Three of the five properties located where the City of Milton hopes the proposed new Santa Rosa County Courthouse will be built downtown are garnering far more than their appraised value.

Neighbors called the police on a man who was seen out in front of his residence on Bay Club Drive wearing a woman’s bra, panties and pink bathrobe.  On  March 15, two neighbors both reported Mark Baringer for exposing himself while standing on his lawn.  Baringer asked one of the neighbors if he was calling the police and then retreated into his house. 

Effective May 1, 2016, new changes to Social Security could affect 21.3 million Americans who will no longer be eligible to collect an estimated $11.4 billion in crucial benefits.   If you are currently enrolled in Social Security, or are about to become eligible, this may affect you.  Appointments at Social Security offices will need to be made no later than April 29, 2016, if you are implementing any of the two below programs which will end May 1.

The Western Gate Chapter of the Florida Trail Association has several events planned for the month of April.  All activities are free, except as noted, but donations from non-members are welcome and will be solicited. More information on the events can be found at www.westerngate-fta.org.