News Archive

A Navarre woman’s 2022 death has reentered the spotlight as her ex-boyfriend and the father of her child was set to go on trial April 28 for allegedly kidnapping her, which resulted in her death. The federal trial of Marcus Spanevelo, who is alleged to have transported Navarre resident Cassie Carli’s body to Alabama and buried it in a shallow grave in Springville, a 40-minute drive from Birmingham, is being examined by a capital review committee to see if he could possibly face the death penalty.

Navarre’s growth is no secret. With more people comes more development, particularly for businesses and housing. Here are some of the developments currently underway you might have seen around Navarre.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet recently met in Okaloosa County to discuss issues surrounding immigration enforcement and how best to coordinate state efforts with those of the federal government. DeSantis and the state Legislature held a special session this past month which saw the arrival of new laws focused on giving localities more authority to go after illegal immigrants, toughened penalties for those illegal immigrants found guilty of crimes such as child rape and murder, and created boards to help streamline the process.

Curious Apples, a day care and voluntary prekindergarten in Navarre, is used to providing care for children and their families, but this time that care is extending far beyond the walls of the business.

Recently, one of Curious Apples’ students was diagnosed with leukemia. Jackson Durward, 4, has been at Curious Apples for over a year and has ingratiated himself with the staff. When the staff at the day care/VPK found out about Jackson’s condition, they knew they had to help.

In an effort to address public concerns about the Citizen’s Land Development Code Task Force, Santa Rosa County commissioner Kerry Smith led the way for the rest of the commissioners to chart a new course for the task force.

Just before noon Tuesday, Feb. 25, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office executed a court order at Gulf Coast Guns in Milton. The order, which was issued by a Judge in Santa Rosa County, dealt with the seizing of items from the gun store.

The waters around Eglin’s main base and range area are now considered RESTRICTED. The restricted area includes six specific waterways open for ID Card holders and guests with a visitor’s pass only. The posture change comes due to identified emerging air and waterborne threats against defense installations.

With tax season in full swing, local churches are facing financial hardship they have never faced before. One local church was charged $16,000 for their non-ad valorem assessment that funds fire districts.

According to Santa Rosa County Economic Development, Santa Rosa County is the eighth fastest growing population in Florida with 203,752 current residents.

Of current residents, approximately 23.6% are between the ages of zero and 19. With rapid growth occurring in Santa Rosa the school district is forced to contend with ever evolving facility needs.

Pensacola International Airport (PNS) has announced three new nonstop flights starting later this year. Travelers from Northwest Florida will now have access to destinations like Muscle Shoals, Alabama and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.