FWC holds meeting as bear depredations on rise in Northwest Florida
Recently, a string of bear depredations has raised concerns among some Navarre residents.
A depredation is the act of attacking or plundering in a destructive assault. The term is used when bears attack livestock, crops, beehives or other property.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there were 63 depredations in the agency’s West Panhandle Bear Management Unit in 2025, an increase from 29 reported in 2024 and 21 reported in 2023. Other statistics for the region indicate an increase in bear-human interactions, which could signal a growing bear population.
Holley Navarre Water board strategic planning strategy leads to debate
Holley Navarre Water System board of directors met Feb. 17 to discuss, among other things, strategic planning options.
Earlier this year, the board told HNWS staff of its desire to create a five-year strategic plan. The plan would lay out a series of goals for the system and how the board could reach them with respect to budget constraints.
