News Archive

Santa Rosa County Commissioner Sam Parker is suing Chris Smith and his business, Gulf Coast Gun & Outdoor LLC, for using and profiting from Parker’s name and likeness without authorization.

Surprise retirement hike ‘squashes’ sheriff’s budget plans

An unexpected hike in the amount agencies pay into the Florida Retirement System wiped out plans to raise Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office salaries, Chief Deputy Randy Tifft said last month.

Navarre’s Blue Angel

While the Blue Angels were flying over northwest Florida for their annual July show, not all Blue Angel pilots were in the skies. Bill Wheat, a Navarre resident, was watching from the comfort of a chair. At 91, Wheat is one of the oldest living Blue Angels. Wheat was the leader of the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron from 1967 to 1969 and has plenty of stories from his time with the Blue Angels and as a Vietnam veteran.

The cold weather shelter for the homeless and/or heatless will be open Thur., Dec. 28, Fri., Dec. 29 and Sat., Dec. 30 at Ferris Hill Baptist Church, 6848 Chaffin St. in Milton. Those who would like to stay at the shelter must arrive between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Only service animals (with verification of rabies vaccination) are permitted to stay with guests. No one will be admitted after 8:30 p.m. unless brought in by law enforcement. The shelter closes at 7 a.m. each morning.

1. Navarre’s growth brings new developments

From the arrival of Wynnehaven Plaza in east Navarre to the opening of several new businesses at Elevate Navarre, developers made their mark on Navarre and south Santa Rosa County in 2023.

New beach bridge

County Commissioner Ray Eddington told Navarre Press that he hopes replacing the aging Navarre Beach Bridge will improve traffic flow. He said in discussions with staff he’s suggested having at least five lanes across the new bridge when it’s built: two north and two south with an emergency vehicle lane between them.

Veterans parking spaces added to county facilities

District 4 Commissioner Ray Eddington helped lead the effort to provide veterans parking spaces as county facilities. Put into motion by a couple of Santa Rosa County residents, Eddington contacted Assistant County Administrator Brad Baker to see what they could do to add the parking spaces. Baker and the Public Works staff helped Eddington order the parking signs and they installed the signs.

Turtle power

The Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center officially broke ground on an expansion to the facility.

Rudman files custody exchange bill inspired by Cassie Carli

Friends, family and supporters of Cassie Carli gathered at Windjammers on the Pier on Navarre Beach for the announcement of House Bill 1031, which seeks to address custody exchanges in Florida. State Rep. Dr. Joel Rudman is the sponsor of the bill in the House, state Sen. Lauren Book, a Democrat, is the co-sponsor in the Senate.

Navarre rings in new year with Penguin Plunge

The tradition continued for the 14th year at Juana’s for the Penguin Plunge ‘n Paddle on Navarre Beach. The event benefited Healing Paws for Warriors for the fourth consecutive year. The plunge drew 500 registrants and 18 people participating in the paddleboard event.