News Archive

At about 12:30 a.m. on March 7, 2013, Santa Rosa County deputies received a call about suspicious activities on Larker Woods Road in east Navarre. What they found when they arrived was 31-year old shooting victim Philip Davenport in the front yard of his home.  He was pronounced dead on the scene, according to Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer, Rich Aloy.

According to a press release from the Santa Rosa County Sherriff’s office, a two-month investigation stemming from narcotics intelligence received from multiple sources resulted in a search warrant being served at 6 a.m. on Oct. 8.

Stephen Troy Webb, 30, of Pace, was found guilty Oct. 8 of sexual battery upon a child less than 12 years of age and lewd or lascivious molestation.

The House Natural Resources Committee has moved forward legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla. to allow Santa Rosa Island leaseholders to attain fee simple title to their property.  H.R. 1452 would authorize Escambia County to convey certain property on Santa Rosa Island.  It would also streamline the management of the island by conveying land that currently lies in the jurisdictional boundaries of Santa Rosa County, but is owned by Escambia County, to Santa Rosa County. 

Santa Rosa County Commissioner Robert A. “Bob” Cole has been ordered to pay a $500 fine after he entered a plea of no contest to one count of a noncriminal violation of the Florida Sunshine Law. According to a release issued by the State Attorney’s office, Walton County Judge David Green imposed the maximum fine allowed under Florida law.  Green heard the case because all Santa Rosa County judges recused themselves.

A new work-release center approved by the Santa Rosa County Commission could open within a few weeks to house inmates who are already in the jail for minor offenses, Sheriff Wendell Hall said.

Two employees of Tom Thumb Stores were arrested Thursday afternoon Oct. 8 as suspects in an employee-related theft over the last several weeks while employees at the store.

Up to 120 people convicted of minor crimes in Santa Rosa County would be housed in a new work release center to be located in a former juvenile detention center in Milton, Sheriff Wendell Hall proposed Monday.

In a statement released Oct. 1, Jayer Williamson announced that he will not seek re-election for his county commission seat, but instead will seek the District 3 State Representative seat in 2018.

Additional taxes for Santa Rosa County residents are almost certain, but when is isn’t.