News Archive

It’s no secret that 2023 was a tough year for military recruiting, but that situation is looking up, said Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder during a news conference yesterday.

The Eagles have landed.

The Air Force’s two newest fighters, F-15EX Eagle IIs, known as EX3 and EX4, touched down at Eglin Dec. 20, 2023, just minutes from each other.

The Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners is giving two businessmen time to revise their applications before the board votes on their rezoning requests.

Tallahassee, Fla. — [Provided by Florida Department of Health] On December 6, 2023, State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo sent a letter to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Robert M. Califf and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Mandy Cohen regarding questions pertaining to the safety assessments and the discovery of billions of DNA fragments per dose of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.

Holley Navarre Water System’s board approved a 4.5% rate increase on water and sewer base rates and tiered rates.  They also approved a 2% cost of living increase for staff.

The start of the new year will coincide with the start of a new Legislative Session.

On Jan. 9, state lawmakers, from both the State House of Representatives and State Senate, will reconvene for the 2024 Legislative Session. With supermajority control over both chambers, something the GOP accomplished following the 2022 elections, Republicans once again can pass legislation without having to get Democratic votes.

Fire closes Rio Bravo

A Mexican restaurant in Tiger Point remains closed following a fire early morning, Wednesday, Nov. 27. The blaze began sometime before 12:35 a.m., Nov. 27, at Rio Bravo Mexican Grill, located at 3755 Gulf Breeze Parkway.

Commissioners approve lease amendment for beach RV Park

Late into the special zoning board meeting Thursday night, Santa Rosa County Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve an amendment to Santa Rosa Development’s lease to allow an RV Park on the beach. Commissioner Sam Parker, Colten Wright and James Calkins voted in favor of the amendment, and Commissioners Kerry Smith and Ray Eddington opposed.

Starting Monday, Jan. 1, consumers can purchase qualifying back to school supplies exempt from tax during the 2023-2024 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. Passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the sales tax holiday has two exemption periods, with the first occurring in July and August and the second occurring in January.

It’s a boy!

The Gulf Breeze Zoo announced the birth of a baby reticulated giraffe. Staff were on hand monitoring as Kenya, a 14-year-old giraffe, gave birth to the 6’3” 160 lb. male on July 13 shortly before midnight. The baby giraffe has not been officially named yet. Both mother and baby are healthy and thriving.