2026 will serve as an opportunity for many Floridians to elect new leaders or reaffirm their satisfaction with those already representing them in local, state and federal offices.
In Santa Rosa County, primary elections are set for Aug. 18, with early voting from Aug. 3 to Aug. 15. The general election will be held Nov. 3, with early voting from Oct. 19 to Oct. 31.
The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) has intensified its illegal gambling enforcement efforts, seizing $14,474,336 and 6,725 illegal slot machines from illegal casinos in 2025.
Gabriel Williams, 16, who is charged with first degree premeditated or felony murder with a weapon, has plead not guilty.
Williams, along with a 14-year-old named Kimahri Blevins, are alleged to have killed Danika Troy, 14, in December, luring her into the woods off Kimberly Road in Floridatown.
While the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners has expressed interest in building a new Navarre Beach Bridge, the county must still maintain the existing bridge, which, according to a Florida Department of Transportation study, needs repairs.
During a press conference earlier this month, Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson said it felt as though there had been more homicides than usual in 2025. His comments came on the heels of the discovery of Danika Troy, a 14-year-old girl who was found murdered in Pace.
Motorists would no longer have to peel and place yellow vehicle registration stickers on their license plates, under a measure filed Friday for the 2026 regular session that begins Jan. 13.
Drivers in Santa Rosa County will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
