The votes were counted and winners announced at the Holley Navarre Water System annual meeting and election. Carmen Reynolds finished first in the vote tally with 240 votes, while Pame-la Hardy finished second with 217 votes and incumbent Daryl Lynchard claimed the last board spot with 214 votes. Directors Joe Campbell and Don Linnell were replaced. There were 181 absentee ballots cast, 32 proxies and 10 corporate ballots for businesses who have a representative voting on their behalf. That was the simple part of the night.

On Sunset Drive in Navarre, there is a small church with a big impact.

Living Word Evangelistic Association, an independent Christian fundamentalist church, has been in Navarre since 1986 and is currently led by pastor Stan Price, an East Milton resident.

For the second year in a row, Holley Navarre Middle School is sending over a dozen students to the state science fair in Lakeland. The students will travel south March 25 through 28.

Jodi Russell, the school’s science fair adviser, said they are currently looking for donations to help pay for the trip. According to Russell, the cost is approximately $5,826.

A year after developer Bob Benaquis’ Town Center Project hit a roadblock at a zoning board meeting, forcing the project to go in a different direction and withdraw its rezoning application, his project has a new look.

Opened in 1960, Navarre Beach Bridge is one of Navarre’s most iconic landmarks. While the bridge’s age has made it a staple of life on Navarre Beach, the years have brought on issues of wear and tear. At a Santa Rosa County Commission meeting Thursday, Feb. 13, District 4 Commissioner Ray Eddington, who represents Navarre, informed the board he was interested in finding ways to pay for a new bridge, which is estimated to cost between $150 million and $300 million.

The Santa Rosa County School Board met Tuesday, Feb. 4 in Milton to inform the public about key developments and projects currently underway. As February progresses, the school district will turn its attention to school improvement projects and recognizing the hard work of the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers.

Holley Navarre Fire District is expanding into Holley. A new fire station, which will be known as ‘Station 44,’ is currently under construction across from Holley Assembly of God.

Even with delays due to recent snowfall, the station’s construction is expected to be complete this April. According to HNFD Fire Chief Kevin Lewis, the station will feature an engine and equipment bay, storage, sleeping quarters, office space and a fire pole.

Around 30 students huddle into Mr. Lance Baker’s classroom as the fourth period bell rings at Navarre High School.

Upon first entering the room, you might assume it’s a basic computer lab, but here, students aren’t just working on assignments for class, they are helping shape the collective memory of their classmates’ high school experiences.

The question of which proxy votes will count in the Holley Navarre Water System annual meeting election was at the center of a special meeting held Monday, Feb. 10. The controversy began with reports that proxy forms not issued by the system were being handed out at places around Navarre. A proxy is a form which authorizes another member to vote on your behalf. Through HNWS, proxy forms are given out after membership in the system is verified. With a different proxy form, some members argued, there might be an opening for fraud or unethical practices related to obtaining votes on behalf of candidates.

Navarre Beach Leaseholders and Residents Association (NBLRA) are looking for a new lease on life for their neighbors and themselves. Although, lease might not be the most operative word.

The association met Jan. 18 to hear updates on various things affecting the beach community. One update is a plan to pursue residential ownership of beach properties through fee simple title, a long-held desire both on the beach and in Santa Rosa County government.