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Author: Hansen Hasenberg

Navarre Beach lifeguards prepare for 2023 season

Coming off a great 2022, which saw zero drownings and 44 rescues, beach safety division chief Austin Turnbull and the Navarre Beach Lifeguards are looking to follow up one winning season with another in 2023. Before they can do that, the Navarre Beach Lifeguards prepare by honing their skills and knowledge through training. This goes for rookies and returning guards. With the season just over a week and half away, the lifeguards were out on the beach Feb. 18 and 19 to get ready.

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Navarre pastor visits Israel, Jordan

For those who believe in the God of Abraham (Christians, Jews and Muslims), the eastern Mediterranean has some of the holiest and most revered sites. This area is generally known as the Levant and is roughly comprised of Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Getting to visit places within the Levant, notably Jerusalem, is a dream for many believers. For Jon Becker, pastor at Concord Presbyterian Church of Gulf Breeze, it was a dream fulfilled in 2023.

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Despite substitute shortage, ESS confident in first year in Santa Rosa county

Across the United States, there have been multiple school districts struggling to fill in the gap when teachers take leave or are absent. Substitutes have been in high demand since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In some states, such as New Mexico, they have had to call on volunteers from the National Guard to help cover classrooms.

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New crab trap regulation goes into effect in March

The more than 25,000 Floridians with recreational crab traps will soon have to make some changes. A new Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission regulation, which went into effect March 1, requires crab traps to have a rigid opening no larger than six-by-two inches. The purpose of this change is to help reduce the bycatch of diamondback terrapins in crab traps.

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Rudman files custody exchange bill inspired by Cassie Carli

Friends, family and supporters of Cassie Carli gathered at Windjammers on the Pier on Navarre Beach Thursday, Feb. 23, for the announcement of House Bill 1031, which seeks to address custody exchanges in Florida. State Rep. Dr. Joel Rudman is the sponsor of the bill in the House, state Sen. Lauren Book, a Democrat, is the co-sponsor in the Senate. In March 2022, Carli, a Navarre mother, went to do a custody exchange with her ex-boyfriend in a dimly lit parking lot near Juana’s boat ramp and disappeared. After a week of searching and investigating, law enforcement found her body in a barn in Springville, Alabama.

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New HNFD firetruck provides wider fire response capabilities

Holley Navarre Fire District is home to a new 70,000-pound ladder truck. The new vehicle arrived in late January. With the new 60-foot-long truck, HNFD hopes to be able to respond to a wider range of emergencies with all the necessary tools. According to Fire Chief Kevin Lewis, the truck carries 425 gallons of water and will carry roughly 1,400 feet of fire hose.

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FCA hopes to encourage students through faith

Student athletes can lead busy lives. From keeping up with homework to attending practice to their home life, the responsibilities they have can be quite demanding. For some athletes at local high schools, they have found an outlet through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).

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Jeremiah’s Italian Ice prepares to open location in Navarre

Tom Kennedy first became aware of Jeremiah’s Italian Ice in the early 2000s, when he would take his wife and two young daughters there, especially during University of Central Florida’s football season. Over 20 years later, he is opening his first franchise with the company here in Navarre. Jeremiah’s Italian Ice was first founded in 1996 with a location in Winter Park, Florida.

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