2026 will serve as an opportunity for many Floridians to elect new leaders or reaffirm their satisfaction with those already representing them in local, state and federal offices. In Santa Rosa County, primary elections are set for Aug. 18, with early voting from Aug. 3 to Aug. 15. The general election will be held Nov. 3, with early voting from Oct. 19 to Oct. 31.

The former Jarazic Park location in Navarre may be getting a facelift.

The new year came in with a bang at Navarre Beach as fireworks illuminated the sky just after midnight.

With 2026 still in its infancy, Navarre Press reached out to pastors from across Navarre to see what their churches plan to do this year, from missions work and ministries to renovations and furthering relationships with God.

The 17th annual Juana’s Pagodas Penguin Plunge and Paddle brought out more than a hundred participants from across Navarre Jan. 1.

A 25-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Brian Paradise has always had his head in the clouds. This time, he is soaring after being named Woodlawn Beach Middle School’s teacher of the year.

Gabriel Williams, 16, who is charged with first degree premeditated or felony murder with a weapon, has plead not guilty. Williams, along with a 14-year-old named Kimahri Blevins, are alleged to have killed Danika Troy, 14, in December, luring her into the woods off Kimberly Road in Floridatown.

First Baptist Church of Navarre is preparing to replace the church’s steeple. Building preparations began Tuesday, Dec. 9.

While the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners has expressed interest in building a new Navarre Beach Bridge, the county must still maintain the existing bridge, which, according to a Florida Department of Transportation study, needs repairs.

During a press conference earlier this month, Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson said it felt as though there had been more homicides than usual in 2025. His comments came on the heels of the discovery of Danika Troy, a 14-year-old girl who was found murdered in Pace.