Some unique geological and historical features in Walton County lie roughly 50 miles north of the Gulf beaches, which attract exponentially more visitors each year. Off the beaten path, just a short drive north of DeFuniak Springs, is the highest point in Florida and a natural limestone bridge.
Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field – NAS Whiting Field is participating in Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield ’14, an anti-terrorism/force protection exercise that will be conducted on all continental United States Naval installations through Feb. 28. The exercise began Feb. 18.
Recently Santa Rosa County was awarded two defense-related state grants. A $200,000 infrastructure grant will be used to continue property acquisitions to buffer NAS Whiting Field operations, and an $80,000 grant will be used to fund military support services, including a study of local military retirees.
Hurlburt Field – The 1st Special Operations Support Squadron base weather station provides and arranges all weather services in support of the mission at the 1st Special Operations Wing.
Eglin Air Force Base – Eglin Eagles of the Civil Air Patrol had the opportunity recently to tour the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, near Biloxi, Miss. Squadron members were also treated to a tour of the 403rd Maintenance Group Propulsion Flight and shown the operations in maintaining the WC-130s for their weather missions.
Lisa Santos wants participants and attendees at the “Raise Your Voice 5k” on Navarre Beach March 1 to celebrate local residents who are currently battling colon cancer. Her son, Josh Lee Santos, died from colon cancer related complications in November 2012 at the age of 24.
Florida Senator President Don Gaetz announced last week he would support legislation introduced in the senate to decriminalize the use of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-euphoric ingredient found in some marijuana plants, for the purpose of helping children with medical conditions that cause seizures. A group of republican senators introduced the bill Feb. 12 as companion legislation to the house bill previously introduced by Senator Gaetz’s son, Representative Matt Gaetz. “I am proud of my son for his political courage in fighting for these families as they fight for their children’s’ lives.”
Recently Escambia County Interim Administrator Larry Newsom sought on behalf of county staff to amend criteria proposed to rank certain Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) projects funded by the federal gas tax. Instead of adopting or amending the proposed ranking, the TPO voted instead to refer the matter to committee for further review.
