Soundside High School opened its doors to students Aug. 10. This first day marked the first time classes were taught at the new three-story high school.

A discussion of two roadway projects in Northwest Florida touched off a heated exchange between multiple county commissioners during the Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization’s (TPO) Aug. 12 board meeting.

The discussion started with Steve Stroberger, a member of the Escambia County Commission, asking the board if it could move Sorrento Road improvements in Escambia to the No. 4 spot on the previously approved non-Strategic Intermodal System (non-SIS) priority list. The fourth spot is currently held by a U.S. 90 expansion project in Milton. Sorrento Road, which is part of Gulf Beach Highway in Perdido, is the fifth-place priority.

The Library of Congress’ 2026 National Book Festival will feature a familiar face to many in Northwest Florida.

UWF President Emerita and Professor Emerita of anthropology and archaeology Judith Bense’s new book, “Early Spanish Florida: Unearthing the History of America’s Oldest Colony,” has been selected for the festival’s “Great Reads from Great Places” list.

Last week, nearly 35 children gathered at Navarre United Methodist Church for an introduction to musical instruments, church production capabilities and worship ministry.

The church hosted its second annual Echo Worship Camp. The camp began as an idea to get youth more involved in the church and spark a passion for worship. Children’s Ministry Director Christine Gersic and Worship Director Jamel Boast organized both the 2025 and 2026 editions of Echo Worship Camp.

With early voting underway and the primary less than a week away, Carol Boston is making a final pitch for why voters should reelect her to the Santa Rosa County School Board.

A board member for 12 years, Boston currently serves as its chairperson. She said the same things that inspired her initial campaign still ring true.

The multiyear, multimillion-dollar Santa Rosa Regional Reuse Project is nearing completion in its first phase.

The project, also referred to as the Eglin RIBs Project or simply Eglin Project, involves the county, Holley-Navarre Water System, Northwest Florida Water Management District and the city of Gulf Breeze.

A research team with the University of Florida and the University of Maryland is looking to create a predictive model for flesh-eating bacteria in the Gulf of America, potentially giving scientists and health officials new insights into how and when the bacteria appear in waterways.

Flesh-eating bacteria, also known as Vibrio vulnificus, are typically found in warm coastal waters and can be exacerbated by flooding and agricultural and stormwater runoff.

Santa Rosa County District Schools is awaiting a judge’s order to see if it can fire a suspended employee accused of inappropriate communication with Central School students in 2024 and 2025.

The Florida Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) is hearing a case between the school district and Keith Elliott, an IT professional who was suspended by the district last September.

Several county projects could bring changes to Navarre Beach in the coming years.

Multiple plans are in the works to add a parking lot and restrooms to the south side of Gulf Boulevard, a boardwalk and visitors center with retail and event space just north of the dune line and bathroom upgrades for the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier.

First Baptist Church of Navarre Pastor Greg Love recently spent two weeks in Kenya, a country in East Africa.

He was there to teach pastors about theology and take part in a safari. The first leg of the trip, the class, was paid for by the church. The safari was paid for by Love.