News Archive

Florida Power and Light has been working throughout Santa Rosa County to harden the power grid ahead of hurricane season.

“We are planning for storm season year-round,” vice president and general manager of FPL’s Northwest Florida region, JT Young, told the Gazette. “Year-round, we’re in the process of either preparing for the storm by strengthening our grid…or we’re responding to storms, which can occur outside storm season as well.”

June 23, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier joined the U.S. Marshal for the Central District of Florida William Berger to announce the rescue of 60 children as part of Operation Dragon Eye in the Tampa Bay Area. As a result of the multiagency operation, eight defendants were arrested, including one on charges of human trafficking.

Navarre Beach Fire Rescue District quickly acted June 21 to save a male kayaker during a near drowning off Navarre Beach.

“That pipe is corroded and obviously in danger of failing.”

Those were the words Holley-Navarre Water System CEO Jeff Crigler used when describing the condition of the primary influent force main at the system’s wastewater treatment plant, located on Pepper Drive in the Holley by the Sea neighborhood.

The Santa Rosa County Republican Club’s awarded their annual Constitution Essay Contest winners: Lucas Cannon 9th grade – $1,000 (not present), Sydney F. Maygarden 8th grade – $500, Lauren Kalb 8th grade – $350 and Olivia Kaiser 8th grade – $200.

Over 500 people were on hand to witness the return of eight sea turtles to the Gulf of America.

Earlier this month, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill (HB) 929 at the 81st annual Convention of the Florida Professional Firefighters, held in Palm Beach Gardens.

The bill, which becomes law July 1, updates the Florida Firefighters Occupational Safety and Health Act to include occupational diseases and suicide prevention. The new law will also direct the State Fire Marshal to adopt clear rules to mitigate health risks, including mental health impacts and toxic substance exposure.

Churches and churchgoers often support international missions work but rarely get to see what life is like for those they help. Coastline Calvary Chapel of Gulf Breeze has a plan to showcase the lives of people living in poverty.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) wants to find the next Florida Future Chef. Could that be your child?

Students ages 7 to 13 are eligible to sign up for and compete in the statewide cooking competition which spotlights Florida agriculture, the culinary arts in the Sunshine State and the next generation of Floridians.

The Michaels Companies, Inc. recently announced it has completed the acquisition of the intellectual property and private label brands of JOANN, including the development of JO-ANN brands, such as Big Twist, as part of the Michaels portfolio. In addition, Michaels is expanding its fabric, sewing, and yarn assortment, adding over 600 products across new and existing brands, including sewing and quilting supplies, fabric, yarn, specialty threads, sewing machines and more.