Jan 29, 2026
Microplastic researchers test new water cleaning process in Santa Rosa County
A group of people from Maryland say they may’ve found a way to remove microplastics from waterways.
The group, spearheaded by Doug Hood, recently visited Santa Rosa County to conduct experiments with their microplastic removal process, known as PEARL.
Jan 29, 2026
Holley Navarre Water board argues political disclosures, names leaders
The Holley Navarre Water System board of directors reorganization meeting is usually a time to determine what committees directors will serve on. This year, the mood was a bit more contentious.
Director Pamela Hardy made a proposal to address ethical issues and potential conflicts arising from political affiliations.
Jan 27, 2026
NAS Whiting Field hosts Junior Leadership program event
The Junior Leadership Santa Rosa program visited Naval Air Station Whiting Field earlier this month to learn about military aviation and other elements of the station’s operations.
Junior Leadership Santa Rosa, a program for high school juniors, is designed to help students gain insights into their communities’ industries and government. The goal is to forge leaders who are knowledgeable and invested in their communities.
Jan 27, 2026
Taken in minutes: A local case spotlighting Florida’s child welfare system
It was March 6, 2024, when Joy Zuraff returned home from the park with her 5-year-old daughter, Kenlee. The afternoon had been ordinary — swings, sunshine, a brief escape from the medical stress that had shadowed their lives. Then Zuraff’s phone rang. A friend told her the Department of Children and Families planned to stop by, take a quick look at Kenlee and close the case.
What happened next would upend her family’s life.
Jan 26, 2026
County in talks with Navy to acquire Santa Rosa Outlying Field in East Milton
Santa Rosa County is in preliminary talks with the U.S. Navy to acquire a 694-acre airfield adjacent to the Northwest Florida Industrial Park at I-10.
The airfield, known as Santa Rosa Outlying Field, is still in use by the Navy. If you’ve driven on Highway 87 South near Interstate 10 exit 31, then you’ve likely seen orange and white helicopters flying.
Jan 26, 2026
County cold weather shelter open for two more nights
In addition to Monday, Jan. 26, and Tuesday, Jan. 27, the cold weather shelter for the homeless and/or heatless will be open on the nights of Wednesday, Jan. 28, Thursday, Jan. 29, and Friday, Jan. 30 at Ferris Hill Baptist Church, 6848 Chaffin St. in Milton.
Jan 23, 2026
Holley Navarre Water urges preparation ahead of hard freeze
Temperatures may be sitting in the upper 60s along the Florida Panhandle today (Jan. 23, 2026), but the National Weather Service in Mobile has issued an Extreme Cold Watch for Alabama, Mississippi and Northwest Florida.
Jan 22, 2026
County officials, community celebrates opening of Buffalo Rock facility in East Milton
Close to a hundred people gathered in East Milton’s I-10 industrial park Wednesday, Jan. 21, to celebrate the recent opening of Buffalo Rock’s 352,800 square-foot Santa Rosa campus.
The facility, which includes 312,800 square feet of distribution space and 40,000 square feet of office space, is designed to handle logistics and product shipping along the Gulf Coast region, including much of the Panhandle. Construction on the facility began in September 2023. It has been open for about a month.
Jan 21, 2026
Holley Navarre Water System elects three to board, approves rate increase
Three new directors took their seats on the Holley Navarre Water System board of directors Tuesday night, Jan. 20. The new board members are Ken Ingram, Stephanie Lindsay and Don Linnell.
Jan 21, 2026
Regional lifeguard development course being offered on Navarre Beach
The Emerald Coast Lifesaving Association will host the second edition of its Lifeguard Development Course on Navarre Beach on Feb. 16. The course will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is designed for second- and third-year lifeguards, with an emphasis on advanced skills, teamwork and leadership preparation. The program is not intended for current supervisors.















