News Archive

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is actively seeking volunteers in Santa Rosa County to drive local cancer patients to and from lifesaving treatments. ACS volunteers provided more than 3,100 cancer patients in Florida with rides in 2013.

Hot weather can be deadly — especially inside a vehicle. Because of this week’s high temperatures, Santa Rosa County’s Ambulance Service Provider, Lifeguard Ambulance, is reminding residents of the dangers of leaving family members or pets in hot vehicles.

If excess pounds are putting you at risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, painful joints or other conditions, your employer may be able to help you achieve a healthier weight.

Every day is an omnivore’s dilemma as we’re forced to consult encyclopedias, ask doctors and experts and guess what will keep us healthy in the coming years. One thing is certain: supplements aren’t going to cut it. Registered dietitian Susan Levin, director of nutrition education for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Washington D.C., says it’s always a good idea to speak to your doctor before you switch to a supplement, no matter how harmless it may seem.

Seeking to improve care and lower costs, Florida this month became the first state to offer a Medicaid health plan designed exclusively for people with serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, major depression or bipolar conditions.

Include fish as part of a healthy diet

Baptist Medical Group expanded their primary care services in Navarre last week by adding traditional primary care at their urgent care center, located at Baptist Medical Park Navarre. The office July 1 transitioned to a family medicine and walk-in care center. The expansion was made possible by the hiring of two additional board-certified providers Mark Benton, D.O., and Charles Windfelder, Jr., PA-C.

Statistics show that more dogs run away and are lost on July 4 than any other day of the year. In many cases, the loud noise that accompanies fireworks is too much for pets that suffer from noise phobia. They get frantic, run and get separated from their owners.

Two popular seasons for northwest Florida anglers and sportsmen started this past week. Gag grouper opened for recreational harvest in most Gulf of Mexico state waters and all federal waters July 1. The Bay scallop season opened June 28 in a limited area stretching from the Pasco-Hernando county line to the west bank of the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County.

Boaters will be taking to the waters around Florida for the busy July 4 holiday weekend, and a conservation group is urging boat operators to be on the lookout for manatees and other wildlife. A Save the Manatee Club spokeswoman said slowing down in wildlife habitat areas and observing all posted boat speed regulations can make a huge difference.