News Archive

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 June 30 after vetoing line items totaling $567 million, including several proposed Santa Rosa County projects. The final 2025-2026 budget added up to $117.9 billion, less than the previous year’s and marking the second consecutive year of reduced state spending.

Navarre local David Biggar has always been fascinated by weather. Since he was a young boy, you could say his head was “in the clouds” – in a good way, daydreaming about studying weather for the rest of his life. And that’s exactly what he did, retiring this year after working 40 years as a meteorologist.

The Santa Rosa County Board of Commissioners reviewed the county’s current funds and revenue at their draft budget meeting on June 23. The board weighed opportunities to limit current construction projects taking place within the county and pull funding to supplement other parts of the budget. The balanced budget must be delivered by July 15, with the final budget hearing in September.

The Holley-Navarre Fire District has seen an uptick in calls related to gas main leaks in the past couple of months, outside of the typical calls for medical emergencies or structure fires.

According to HNFD Fire Chief Kevin Lewis, within the last six months there have been six calls for gas leaks. Lewis says he knows the reason why.

The Gulf Breeze Zoo has announced the birth of Kahlani, a female reticulated giraffe calf.

Born May 9, Kahlani stands six feet tall and weighs 151 pounds. She is the daughter of two other Gulf Breeze Zoo giraffes, Kenya and Gideon. The zoo’s animal care team closely monitored the birth to ensure a smooth delivery and continued health for both mother and calf.

“It was time,” University of West Florida President Dr. Martha Saunders said when asked about her decision to resign from her role.

Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd is calling on the public to help preserve history.

Byrd recently announced the State Archives of Florida is seeking photographs for its newest photographic collection, “Weather, Disaster and Recovery.” Photos associated with this collection will include hurricane damage, historic floods and recovery and cleanup efforts.

A bill recently signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis will require teenagers earning their learner’s permit to complete a six-hour driver’s safety course, in addition to a driving rules knowledge test.

The current safety course, known as Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education, is four hours in length.

Santa Rosa County Animal Services (SRCAS) is joining forces with Petco Love, a national nonprofit organization working to lead and inspire change for pets – and animal welfare organizations across the country, on a shared mission to help reunite lost pets with their families should they ever go missing, through Petco Love Lost. Sadly, according to industry statistics, one in every three pets will go missing in their lifetime.

St. Paul United Methodist Church has entered its golden years.

In July, the church will celebrate the 70th anniversary of its founding. The church began in 1955 with a single building as its sanctuary. That building still stands but now serves as the church’s fellowship hall.