I went to the post office last week and they were telling people to buy Forever Stamps because the price was going up in a few days. The price actually went up Monday to 78 cents for an up to 1 oz. letter. I went to the counter with “Priority Mail” and they told me it was expected to be delivered three days later. I asked why it wouldn’t be there in two days, hence, “Priority Mail?” The response was, “Priority Mail isn’t what it used to be, but at least it comes with tracking.”
The following was originally published July 12, 2025, at editorandpublisher.com and is a transcript of a vodcast series hosted by Mike Blinder. This perfectly encompasses how our newspapers and reporters feel about the role of newspapers.
It seems to be a tradition now for me to write about the comments made from people about a newspaper pay wall.
I get the frustration. People love free. And there seems to be this mindset that you shouldn’t have to pay for the news.
I have found that few people object to hearing me say, “I will pray for you.” Most thank me, even those I know who do not believe in God. They understand from my words that I care about them.
We love watching the “kids” of Navarre grow up, graduate, go to college – and decide to come back home to establish themselves. In this case, I’m talking about Grady and Eliana Kelly. Grady played for the Navarre Raiders and is a superstar football player in his last year at Michigan State – he may even have a shot at the NFL. He and his wife (also an alum of Navarre High School) are expecting a baby in October and have come home to open a business. Brian Lester reached out to them to do a story (page 1B). They talk about their faith being a driving force and wanting to pour back into a community that means so much to them. We are glad to have them home and wish them great success!
The governor’s veto pen hit Santa Rosa County hard this year, striking down more than $2 million in requested funding for local projects. Among the casualties were the wetlands conservation of a 27.57-acre parcel, the expansion of the Whiting Field taxiway, and continued support for our Veterans Treatment Court. These aren’t frivolous expenses; they’re strategic investments in environmental protection, infrastructure, and justice for those who’ve served our country. The impact of these cuts is not just fiscal — it’s deeply personal for the communities depending on them.
We have officially reached the point of the year where we are stuck between the continuation of summer and the start of high school sports season.
But it’s not as if the local sports world has completely hit a wall.
My wife and I just spent a week in Canada visiting my family. Gasoline in Canada is sold by the litre (that is how Canadians spell it), and it is expensive – north of $1.30 per litre, over $5 per gallon. The gas prices turned out not to be an issue for us because, following my sister’s advice, we did not drive our vehicle while in Canada. With the increased tariffs and our president’s talk of annexing Canada, there has been a surge in national pride and an increased dislike of the United States expressed in the vandalizing of cars bearing American license plates.
Don’t miss the story on 2B about one of our few remaining independent veterinarians in Navarre, Natalie Dyson of St. Francis Veterinary Center. Dr. Dyson was given a plaque from the Navarre Beach Fire Department and the Lifeguard Ambulance Service for her life saving efforts after opening up her office after hours to help save Sydney, the rottweiler. We featured Sydney’s ordeal on the cover of the July 12 issue of Navarre Press.
It was a glorious morning. The sun was shining and the wind was from the Southeast. Up especially early, a tall bony, redheaded young Virginian found time to buy a new thermometer, for which he paid three pounds, fifteen shillings. He also bought gloves for Martha, his wife, who was ill at home.
