Stories by Ben Johnson

Adams Sanitation asks for records, Waste Pro provides lawsuit

January 25, 2022

The trash wars have moved to north Okaloosa County, where Waste Pro of Florida and Adams Sanitation are again in legal conflict.

Waste Pro of Florida filed a lawsuit against Adams Sanitation Dec. 16 2021, after Adams requested records from Waste Pro Dec. 7, 2021.

Zoning board recommends denial for another Santa Rosa RV Park

January 23, 2022

Gary Bishop and Robert Preston requested a conditional use on behalf of Sany Creek RVP, LLC to allow an RV Park on a 20-acre Milton parcel during the Jan. 13 zoning board meeting.

Commissioners relinquish wastewater capacity, investigate Milton package plant

January 20, 2022

With more projects and people coming to the City of Milton, the commissioners approved without objection Thursday to reallocate Santa Rosa’s reserved water capacity for other uses.

Commissioner’s wife runs for state representative: ‘I know firsthand how freedoms can be taken away’

January 7, 2022

Mariya Calkins, the wife of sitting Santa Rosa Commissioner James Calkins, is officially running for the District 3 seat in the Florida House of Representatives after Rep. Jayer Williamson announced he will not seek reelection after 2022.

Florida representative submits bill to add another step to incorporation

January 6, 2022

Rep. Jayer Williamson filed a bill to the Florida House of Representatives Dec. 27 that would require a referendum for any prospective municipality incorporation, making Williamson’s “personal requirement” a Florida law.

HB 1035 would include a paragraph in F.S. 165.041 requiring the “passage of a nonbinding referendum … supporting the incorporation of a new municipality approved by 60% or more of the qualified electors within the area of the proposed municipality.”

Close commissioner vote allows residential rezoning

December 17, 2021

On Dec. 9, the commissioners narrowly approved a rezoning of a parcel of land that the zoning board previously recommended be denied without objection.

Cutting down heritage tree has new price tag: $10,000

December 16, 2021

After some confusion, the BOCC voted to maintain the current fees for all development services except for the cost to remove heritage trees.

Interim administrators take step toward permanent position

December 12, 2021

Since the resignation of former Santa Rosa County Administrator Dan Schebler and Assistant Administrator Mark Murray, the commissioners knew it would be a long process to find their replacements.

Potential apartment development worries residents

December 8, 2021

Santa Rosa County is steadily growing, and with more people moving to the area, developers are looking for new places to add housing.

Navarre is a particular hot spot, growing by 30% to just over 40,000 people since 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Commissioners update future meeting times, dates for 2022 calendar

November 27, 2021

The Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to change the meeting schedule and times for the 2022 meeting calendar with little discussion.