Nov 20, 2014
County allocated $2.1 million for April flooding disaster
A special meeting of the Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) committee took place Nov. 13 to recommend approval of projects slated for more than $2 million in federal funding resulting from April’s flooding event, which was declared a disaster.
Nov 20, 2014
Furman tapped for Public Works director position
Santa Rosa County Commissioners have approved an $111,400 employment contract naming Assistant Public Works Director Stephen Furman as incoming Public Works director, effective July 1, 2015. Furman, a professionally licensed engineer, has worked for the county for more than two decades.
Nov 20, 2014
Residents argue against ‘horrendous’ taxation
Santa Rosa County Commissioners voted Nov. 13 to delay the deadline for residential beach lease fee payments until March 31. The board is awaiting federal legislation which could effectively end leases by providing fee simple ownership.
Nov 20, 2014
19 fatalities prompt south Santa Rosa bicycle-pedestrian plan
The statistics are shocking. Since 2006 there have been 110 accidents involving bicycles or pedestrians along the congested U.S. 98 corridor between Navarre and Gulf Breeze. Nineteen were fatal.
Nov 20, 2014
Melvin praised for raising county’s level of accountability
Outgoing Santa Rosa County Commission Chairman Jim Melvin not only left a mark for himself as a member of the board, but also he carried on a family legacy of public service. Upon leaving office, Melvin received appreciation from the board and praise from a local government watchdog.
Nov 20, 2014
Day care owner facing first-degree murder
Thelma Denise Lowery, the Milton day care owner accused in the death of 16-month-old Brodie Michael Kent, was indicted on a first-degree murder charge on Nov. 4.
Nov 20, 2014
$1.5 million headed to Escribano Point
Florida Gov. Rick Scott Nov. 17 announced $34.3 million in funding for nine Florida conservation projects related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, including one award specific to Santa Rosa County.
Nov 20, 2014
New board members installed
Three Santa Rosa County commissioners were sworn in for four-year terms Tuesday morning. Incumbent Robert “Bob” Cole is beginning his fourth term, and two commissioners with the same last name, Williamson, are now serving on the board.
Nov 13, 2014
Lost Weimaraner finds new family in Navarre
At least six years ago a local Weimaraner owner went through the effort of having his puppy micro chipped at the Wynn Haven Animal Hospital in Mary Esther. Unfortunately, that owner failed to register the information with the Bayer Health Services database, the company that manufactured the chip.
Nov 13, 2014
Local volleyball players take lessons from a pro
If you build it, they will come. That’s not exactly what Judd Smith had in mind when he put up volleyball nets at Lagerheads four months ago. But since then, local interest in beach volleyball has continued to grow.