News Archive

This past Memorial Day, those at Navarre Park’s celebration were introduced to Ryan Blackwell, a Navy veteran and survivor of the 2019 NAS Pensacola terrorist attack, which took the lives of three Navy servicemembers. During the attack, Blackwell was shot six times. He managed to help others escape before finding his way to the hospital, something he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for. He also received a Purple Heart.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing listing the rare, swamp-dwelling ghost orchid as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. Only found in Florida and western Cuba, the ghost orchid is at risk of extinction due to multiple threats, including poaching, habitat loss, and habitat degradation. The Service is not proposing critical habitat given it would increase the threat of poaching on this species. 

Branch Properties, the owner and developer of Elevate Navarre, a 332-unit apartment complex with amenities, has obtained a $47 million loan to refinance its holding.

Over Memorial Day weekend, Navarre High School NJROTC held a 5K race to raise funds for the program. It was the unit’s first 5K event and was called ‘Race the Rabbit.’

According to cadet Delynn Williams, the 5K generated $1,160, most of which will go toward the unit’s annual staff trip this summer. Staff trips consist of college and museum tours and are meant to help build comradery amongst the unit’s leadership for the upcoming year.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking Florida residents and visitors to report all sightings of wild turkeys between now and Aug. 31. This includes hens, poults (newly hatched wild turkeys) and gobblers.

Hurlburt Field’s 1st Special Operations Wing commander, Col. Patrick Dierig, spoke to key members of Congress, other senior military leaders and community partners at the 2025 Military Base Update forum hosted by the Santa Rosa County Economic Development Office.

Due to delays, Parkridge Drive at Pepper Drive in Navarre will now be closed on Tuesday, June 3, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for crews to finish work on the reclaimed water main. Parkridge Drive will be closed to through traffic but temporary access will be maintained by Woodmont Road and Treasure Street.

A Training Air Wing FIVE helicopter incurred a hard landing at around 2 p.m. Monday, June 2 at Naval Air Station Whiting Field’s Navy Outlying Landing Field Santa Rosa near Milton.

Donning a button up shirt with a boutonnière, Patrick Moore stood by the podium at his retirement ceremony listening to stories about his years in the fire service. He even got behind the microphone and shared some of his own. Moore, who recently retired as a captain from Holley Navarre Fire District, spent 18 years with the district. His journey to becoming a firefighter was a unique one.

Holley Navarre Fire District was dispatched to the intersection of Tavira Street and Salamanca Street today at approximately 10:13 a.m. in relation to a natural gas leak.