News Archive

Fentanyl usage has reached a crisis point in the United States. The potent and dangerous synthetic opioid, which is oftentimes mixed with other drugs like heroin and methamphetamine, is the leading cause of death in adults aged 18-45, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

The Santa Rosa County Commission last week picked Pensacola-based Baskerville-Donovan, Inc., to study the feasibility of building an aquatic center – or centers.

“This is all part of a process, and we’re on our way” then-Commission Chairman Colten Wright said after commissioners directed staff to begin contract negotiations with BDI.

Hurlburt Field – As an Air Force Comptroller, our ability to adapt to the ebbs and flows of the budget environment and our customer needs is what makes our career field essential to the success of our great nation and the Department of Defense. It is exactly the mind set we need as the Air Force shifts into the Joint All Domain environment. In the conflict against a peer competitor, it will be key to provide flexible and resilient formations to meet commanders’ intent–within the Air Force, we call it Agile Combat Employment.

Gulf Islands National Seashore has closed the Fort Pickens area to all visitors effective as of 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 14, in preparation for incoming weather.

Early morning, Tuesday, Oct. 31, smoke and fire engulfed a Navarre home on Fort Worth St. Firefighters with Holley Navarre Fire District (HNFD) and other responding units were able to put down the fire but the damage was done. As it stands now, the house is a shell of its former self.

A school board candidate in Santa Rosa County has been caught up in controversy following a visit to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 25. Jennifer Tapley, a candidate for Santa Rosa school board district 2, along with Tom Gurski, went to the Sheriff’s Office with a complaint about Jay High school’s librarian after a student checked out a book Tapley considered to be “pornographic.”

In 2020, an F-22 Raptor crashed deep within the Eglin range.  In the barren location with nothing but trees, snakes, fires, and jet plane wreckage, emergency responders endured sweltering 100-degree May heat for hours without access to restrooms or just a cool place to sit down and recharge.

Santa Rosa County Animal Services maintained no-kill status in 2022, according to Best Friends Animal Society’s annual data report. This means the shelter saved more than 90% of the dogs and cats that entered the shelter last year.

West Des Moines, IA – Nov. 10, Mediacom Communications is offering $60,000 in scholarship support for high school seniors who plan to obtain further education. The scholarship program is in its 23rd consecutive year and Mediacom’s investment will award $1,000 World Class Scholarships to 60 high school seniors. 

The Santa Rosa County Commission unanimously approved the appointment of Sam Parker and James Calkins as chairman and vice chairman at its meeting Monday, Nov. 6.

Commissioner Colten Wright, the outgoing chairman, resumed the tradition of passing the gavel to the vice chairman; a year ago, Parker prevented Calkins – then the vice chairman – from his turn as chairman by nominating Wright for the job.