Aug 21, 2014
Dual enrollment up, costs to districts down
More area students are participating in dual enrollment classes, but the Santa Rosa and Escambia County School Districts are getting a break on the cost, thanks to an agreement with Pensacola State College (PSC).
Aug 21, 2014
Cyclist airlifted after non-vehicular collision
A cyclist was transported Aug. 15 by Lifeguard helicopter 1 after hitting an object while traveling south on Highway 87 on the East River Bridge.
Aug 21, 2014
Santa Rosa County teen killed in car crash
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is investigating a two-car crash from Sunday night that claimed the life of a Baker teenager. According to the FHP, 13-year-old Shawn McLaughlin was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash that happened on Highway 4 east of Jay.
Aug 21, 2014
Stormwater fee increasing in Gulf Breeze
During the city’s budget review process, Public Services Director Vernon Prather noted that the city’s stormwater utility’s projected budget would be about $30,000 in the red. To wipe out the deficit, the City Council voted Aug. 17 to increase the city’s stormwater management utility fee from $4.50 to $5.07.
Aug 21, 2014
New Deputy City Manager brings experience to Gulf Breeze
Curt Carver spent nearly three decades working in city government in Illinois, and now he is bringing his experience to the City of Gulf Breeze. Carver was selected to be Deputy City Manager from a pool of nearly 100 applicants.
Aug 21, 2014
Airport traffic highest in more than 3 years
Pensacola International Airport reported that passenger traffic through the airport in July was the highest monthly total since May 2011. According to the report released Aug. 18, 153,476 passengers used the airport, which was about a 6.5 percent increase over July 2013 results.
Aug 21, 2014
First turtles hatch on Navarre Beach
Ninety-five loggerhead sea turtles hatched from a nest Aug. 17 on Navarre Beach. It was the first hatching of the season.
Aug 21, 2014
Elected officials hail RESTORE rule announcement
The U.S. Treasury Department announced Aug. 13 a new rule that outlines grant programs established by the RESTORE Act as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Aug 21, 2014
County proposes 5-year sales tax increase for courthouse
Santa Rosa County Commissioners have added some wiggle room for funding a new courthouse. The board voted Aug. 14 to propose a one-cent sales tax for five years instead of four. That decision came after cost projections rose to $50 million.
Aug 21, 2014
Commissioners give final nod for straw poll
Results of the Navarre incorporation feasibility study are in, showing a city can be formed without increasing taxes. Now residents in six precincts can express support for or opposition to the matter. Santa Rosa commissioners last Thursday gave final approval for a non-binding straw poll on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.