May 23, 2019
Businesses cracking down on minors smoking
For years, youth smoking had been in decline. Then e-cigarette devices hit the market, resulting in a spike in youth tobacco use.
May 23, 2019
Navarre Beach Fire set for special election
Navarre Beach Fire Rescue will be on the special election ballot in August seeking to become a special fire district. The issue was brought before the Board of County Commissioners Monday.
May 23, 2019
Ambulance involved in fatal crash
A 74-year-old Navarre woman was killed May 15 after her car collided with an ambulance along East Bay Boulevard.
May 16, 2019
Thompson fraud fallout spreads
Concerns about former Milton Mayor Guy Thompson’s guilty plea on charges of looting the United Way of Santa Rosa County may prompt an in-depth audit aimed at uncovering whether financial fraud occurred within the city government he ran for 20 years.
May 16, 2019
New texting while driving law begins July 1
Texting while driving will become a primary traffic offense July 1 after Governor Ron DeSantis signed CS/HB 107: Wireless Communications While Driving. Additionally, the bill says that a person may not use a handheld wireless communications device while driving in a designated sensitive area such as a school crossing, school zone or work area while workers are present or operating equipment.
May 16, 2019
Legislative session a mixed bag for school district
The deadline for Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign or veto bills in 2019 has passed, and the results have left the Santa Rosa County School District with more freedom than they previously had.
May 16, 2019
Navarre Beach rescuers to get lifesaving CPR device
Navarre Beach Fire Rescue announced Friday it will be able to purchase a new piece of lifesaving equipment thanks to a grant from the Florida Department of Health.
May 16, 2019
Funding cut for BearWise program
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is looking in a different direction after funding for the BearWise program was cut out of the new state budget for the fiscal year that begins in July.
May 16, 2019
Ferry service now up and running
The Pensacola Bay Cruises ferry service is set to sail into the peak season and Joe Asebedo, the general manager of Hornblower Maritime Services, which runs the ferries for Gulf Islands National Seashore, is hopeful to see the bulk of its business between May 17 and Aug. 15.
May 16, 2019
Fired United Way chief admits fraud
Guy Thompson’s long career of leadership in community sharing turned to shame when he pleaded guilty to 23 counts of embezzling money from Santa Rosa’s now-defunct United Way chapter and evading taxes on his illegal income.