Mar 14, 2024
Making a splash: RaceTrac decision prompts wellfield discussion
In February, Santa Rosa County commissioners approved letting RaceTrac install underground fuel storage tanks in a wellfield zone that supplies clean drinking water to about 100,000 residents. On Monday, Commissioner Colten Wright, who voted to approve the variance allowing the tanks, proposed updating the wellfield protection ordinance to address issues raised during the RaceTrac debate – including what to do about existing underground tanks in the area.
Mar 12, 2024
Learn the Facts
As interim State Commissioner, Pam Stewart keeps reiterating, there’s a difference between curriculum and standards. The author of an article written on Thursday, August 8th, wrote as if they are one in the same. Supplementing lessons plans with standards isn’t accurate. You would instead supplement the curriculum with Common Core aligned curriculum. Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are nationalized standards that every student will have to master while curriculum is the material being taught.
Mar 11, 2024
Brian Out Loud
It’s been nothing short of an honor being a sportswriter for the Navarre Press and Press Gazette. But now I have bigger dreams to fulfill.
Last Tuesday morning, in my potential spam direct message folder on social media, I received an invitation to participate in the 2024 National Combine Series, opening the door for the possibility to play in the US Army Bowl at a later date.
Last Tuesday morning, in my potential spam direct message folder on social media, I received an invitation to participate in the 2024 National Combine Series, opening the door for the possibility to play in the US Army Bowl at a later date.
Mar 7, 2024
For God’s Sake: Grow
It is Wednesday evening and I realize that I have not written a column for the coming week. It seems I have a poor memory. Admittedly, I am getting older, and some forgetfulness is to be expected, but the forgetfulness that is troublesome to me has less to do with my age and more to do with my faith. I forget what God has done in the past, what he assures for the future, and his faithfulness in the present, and so I worry.
Mar 7, 2024
Out and About
Navarre High School students built an electric car funded by Florida Power and Light. After two months of work, they were able to take it to Five Flags Speedway and test it. What a great project for our students.
Mar 7, 2024
Water under the bridge? RaceTrac decision raises questions about county’s process
Did Santa Rosa County compromise the integrity of its water protection zone by approving a variance to allow RaceTrac to install underground storage tanks at a station on State Road 87? We don’t think so, but the unpopular decision raises some questions about how the county manages its various overlay districts.
Mar 4, 2024
Brian Out Loud
This just in. We are past the point of ‘that would never happen in sports.’ Way past it.
In fact, I can’t even tell you the date of when it officially happened. But we are there, and no way does it ever trend in the other direction again. It would take a miracle for it to happen.
In fact, I can’t even tell you the date of when it officially happened. But we are there, and no way does it ever trend in the other direction again. It would take a miracle for it to happen.
Feb 29, 2024
For God’s Sake: Church is not a business
“What you win them with,” a seasoned pastor once advised, “is what you win them to. If it is hotdogs, clowns and balloons, you will have to keep the grill going and the clowns on retainer, because the moment you stop, people will leave.” By God’s grace, the church I was serving at the time was growing rapidly, and we who were on the pastoral staff had a healthy sense of inadequacy, so we sought the counsel of pastors of larger churches. That seasoned pastor was not at all suggesting that we hire clowns and start grilling hotdogs, his was a word of caution. Years later, I learned that his advice was not original, but a piece of wisdom shared by discerning pastors.
Feb 29, 2024
Out and About
We had a great white shark wash ashore Friday morning which was very well fed, not pregnant. An autopsy later confirmed that she was probably 30 years old. Females are considered mature and have the potential to be pregnant around 33 years of age. Kudos to the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center (NBSTCC); Alex Fox, a Marine Biologist from the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center; Paige Douglas from Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI); Volunteers Bob and Tony from NBSTCC; and Navarre Beach Fire Department and Sheriff’s Officers who secured the area because there were plenty there who just wanted to use the situation for their five minutes of fame.
Feb 29, 2024
Lower millage rates could hinder first responders
“In Santa Rosa County, our sense of safety is a testament to the dedication and hard work of my men and women in uniform and the other First Responders, whose partnerships we greatly appreciate and depend on. Yet, this safety net faces a critical threat—one that originates from unsurmountable growth within our county.