News Archive

In a strong Republican area like Northwest Florida, it is rare for a Democratic primary to make headlines, but on Aug. 5, there was an exception.

Rebekah Jones, who has been running for the Democratic ticket against Matt Gaetz, may not get a chance to go to the general election, much less the primary, thanks to a judgement handed down by a Leon Circuit Court Judge John Cooper.

Holley-Navarre Fire District will conduct a hearing on Aug. 22 at its station on Esplanade Street to receive public comment on proposed assessments for the district’s upcoming fiscal year.

A public notice was sent out to citizens via mail and according to that notice, the total annual fire services revenue to be collected within the district is estimated to be $3 million for the fiscal year Oct. 1, 2022, to Sept. 30, 2023.

Eglin Federal Credit Union recently announced it will start developing a property located on the corner of Tiger Lake Drive and Highway 98 in Gulf Breeze. The short term plan is to install two drive-thru ATM/Video Tellers in 2023.

According to a press release from Eglin Federal Credit Union, this will look similar to the drive-thrus currently being constructed near Niceville High School as well as the site at Jonquil Avenue NW and Mary Esther Cutoff NW in Fort Walton Beach, and the recently announced location in DeFuniak Springs. Construction of a full-service branch in Gulf Breeze is expected to begin in 2024.

Navarre residents and visitors are being advised to stay out of the water near Navarre Park West.

The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County (DOH-Santa Rosa) has issued a water quality advisory for the Navarre Park West area. The health department advises against any water-related activities at this location due to the potential for high bacteria levels.

Despite assurances from developers that community development districts are the “best possible way to develop” a community, some neighbors of the massive Jubilee project northeast of Pace still are skeptical.

Brooks East developers still can build 85 homes on a 23-acre parcel between U.S. Highway 98 and Santa Rosa Sound in Navarre, but the Santa Rosa County Commission squashed plans for commercial development in a 2-acre strip along the highway.

Dallas Peavey, Jr., head of Holley Navarre Water System, has been terminated by the board following a closed executive session meeting held last night by board members.

The meeting came after accusations about Peavey’s past resurfaced more than a week ago. It was the second such meeting held to discuss the accusations and potential action of the board.

“By the time we caught on, he had defrauded the company out of something like $25,000,” Wilkinson said. “He was terminated immediately, and we filed suit.”

On Mar. 4, 2009, a warrant was issued for the arrest of Peavey, and he was remanded in custody that day at 2:20 p.m. He was charged with three counts of felony theft. On Mar. 20, 2009, Peavey was released on a $20,000 personal bond.

Don’t expect the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to approve bear hunts in the Western Panhandle anytime soon.

David Telesco, FWC Bear Management Program coordinator, said the commission’s 2019 Bear Management Plan did conclude that hunting is “an important tool that can be used to manage the bear population.”

The Santa Rosa County School District announced in June that students could have to walk farther to catch the bus beginning this fall.

Last week, it mailed almost 18,000 postcards telling parents the district’s transportation plans for their children.