News Archive

(By Gray Rohrer) Amid a growing backlash to license plate reader (LPR) cameras and citing concerns over privacy, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration on Monday moved to shut down the newly ubiquitous technology on state roads.

The cameras, made by Flock Safety and other companies, use artificial intelligence to track suspects and flag speeders. But reports of abuse by police in Florida and around the country have sparked a bipartisan push to rethink their use.

A promising sea turtle nesting season on Navarre Beach suffered significant losses after Tropical Storm Bertha.

According to Cinnamon Tyler, Navarre Beach had 17 loggerhead nests this season. That was until Tropical Storm Bertha came along.

This Sept. 11 marks 25 years since the world stood still.

The terrorist attacks, which took place in New York City, Arlington, Virginia, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, led to the deaths of around 3,000 people, including hundreds of first responders. The heroic response of many first responders inspired Americans to answer the call and sign up for military service.

With the primary election now in the rearview, Jon Fay is looking forward to the general election in November and the possibility of becoming state representative for Florida District 2.

The Navy veteran and former Blue Angel executive officer, who resides in Gulf Breeze, defeated Army veteran Trei McMullen for the Republican nomination for the district. The district covers parts of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and has been represented by a now-term-limited Alex Andrade since 2018. In Santa Rosa, that includes Gulf Breeze, Midway and Navarre Beach.

The precautionary boil water notice handed down earlier this week for parts of Navarre has been rescinded.

The next tropical storm that develops in the Atlantic this hurricane season will be named Dolly, but it’s not connected to Dolly Parton’s death. Storm systems are named by procedures set by the World Meteorological Organization, and names are reused every six years. This season has had three tropical storms, and the next name on […]

While it wasn’t on the agenda for the Tuesday, Aug. 25, Santa Rosa County Commission meeting in Tiger Point, the Navarre Beach Event Hall and Boardwalk project was front and center.

Over 25 people signed up to speak at the meeting, with most wanting to speak out in opposition to the project, which is currently out for bid until Sept. 3. Assistant County Administrator Jared Lowe gave a recap of the project’s timeline before any residents spoke.

Florida Animal Friend, a nonprofit that supports free and low-cost spay and neuter services, recently awarded a combined $95,000 to four Northwest Florida organizations. Throughout the state, Florida Animal Friend handed out $798,053 to 38 organizations.

The organizations in Northwest Florida are A Hope, Crestview Animal Services, Santa Rosa County Animal Services and Save Our Cats and Kittens Inc. (SOCKS). A Hope, SRCAS and SOCKS all received $25,000. Crestview Animal Services received $20,000.

A U.S. Air Force Security Forces vehicle was seriously damaged at one of Eglin Air Force Base’s gates Tuesday, Aug. 25.

The Santa Rosa County Commission is set to meet this week, with the agenda workshop being held in Tiger Point.

The first of two meetings will be held Aug. 25 at the Tiger Point Community Center at 8:30 a.m., with final approval being held at the Santa Rosa County Administrative Building at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 27.