News Archive

Santa Rosa County’s property tax base has grown 5.1 percent, boosting the fiscal year 2015 budget to $104 million. That’s more than a $2 million increase over the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. Some of the additional funds will be used to increase pay for deputies by $1,000 each and provide merit raises for county employees who pass their annual evaluations.

Thousands of visitors packed Navarre Beach this summer, booking up area hotels and condos. Coupled with a one-cent bed tax increase effective June 1, resulting revenues were the highest ever recorded during the month of July. More than $427,000 was collected.

Commissioners are at odds over whether or not to rehire a state lobbyist.  At Monday’s committee meeting the board was divided on the issue until Commissioner Bob Cole leaned in favor of the hire. The board will vote on the matter today.

A former caregiver herself, Joanne Koenig Coste has heard the word “I’m fine” so often from Alzheimer’s caregivers, she made it the title of her developing book and created an acronym: FINE.

Decatur, Ill. (AP) — Approaching tournament time, Russell “Rusty” Heitz’s Cardinals slow-pitch softball team was winless. Heitz, the manager, wasn’t fretting.

All pets bring us closer to the natural world, but specialty pets, such as fish, small pets and reptiles, provide a unique way to inspire kids to learn about the world around them. As teachers and families gear up for the start of a new school year, pets can help teach kids responsibility and how to keep a routine. They can sharpen kids’ math and science skills through activities such as measuring food and water, keeping track of days of the week on a calendar and studying information about their care needs.

Milton, FL – On Friday, September 26, the Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County and Santa Rosa Animal Control will host the third drive through rabies vaccination clinic for dogs and cats in observance of World Rabies Day.  The event will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Santa Rosa Animal Control, 4451 Pine Forest Road, in Milton. 

“4H has expanded so much, but of course it still includes poultry and cattle,” said Dawn Keeton, whose sons Lance and Landyn are members of the Homegrown Ocean Investigators 4H Club.

“This is a job where, if you rely on the work you’ve done in a hospital strictly to get by, you will fail 9 times out of 10,” said Capt. George Salloum, flight surgeon with the 1 SOSS on Hurlburt Field.

Washington (AFNS) — Implementation of a series of changes to the enlisted evaluation and promotion systems announced in July by Air Force senior leaders continues with new promotion eligibility cutoff dates for Airmen competing for promotion to technical and master sergeant.