Out and About
We are working on other stories of graduates of Navarre High for future issues of Navarre Press. If you know of a notable Navarre High School graduate or attendee, please send us your story idea to news@navarrepress.com. We were recently contacted by someone who knows of a graduate of the Class of 2000 of Navarre High that is about to pin on “Full Bird” Colonel. And, I can’t resist…one of my sons, who delivered papers for Navarre Press and was in Navarre High School’s JROTC program, will be pinning on Lt. Colonel in October. I’ll make sure and take a picture of the ceremony – when I’m not busy stabbing him with the pin.
Gov. Desantis signed the sales tax exemption package for hurricane supplies and back to school items. The bigger story here is some of these are permanent sales tax exemptions, like hurricane supplies and outdoor activity supplies. The back-to-school tax exemption will last through August. You can see more information in the article on 4A.
The Blue Angels will be flying this weekend, and we have a double page spread (4C and 5C) with the schedule. You can also learn more about the pilots. Did you know the pilot of the #2 plane, Cdr. Jack Keilty, was at Naval Air Station Pensacola after he graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 2010? He joined the Blues in September 2023.
Hansen Hasenberg has a sea turtle story on the Beach page (1D) about nesting. We are celebrating 10 confirmed nests as of July 2. I was shocked when I read they have had tourists disturbing a few sea turtles that come onshore to nest. In fact, three nests were affected by this awful behavior. One of the sea turtle patrollers told Hansen that a few of the turtles were being harassed while laying their nests. Tourists – you are here in our paradise to enjoy our beaches. Along the way you may encounter sea life – please be respectful, watch from a distance and learn from the experience. If you ever have the chance to experience something as rare as a sea turtle laying eggs, be thankful for the experience and show respect for our wildlife. Do not disturb! They don’t need your assistance, or the distraction.
We are gearing up for the Navarre Fishing Rodeo and we believe it will be the best one ever. This is our lucky 13 year. We have lots of returning sponsors and new sponsors that are eager to help and participate in all the marketing that goes on around the event.
I made a point to take video of all the traffic during our July 4 weekend at Navarre Beach. We had several people tell us that it took them two hours to get off the beach Saturday afternoon – the day after July 4. There has to be a solution – especially with the traffic issues on Hwy. 98 and cars pulled over to the side because the turn lane is very short in both directions. Two hours is a drop in the bucket compared to what is going to happen at the end of this week with the Blue Angels flying Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons. On Saturday – it can take up to five hours to get off the beach. I have to say, the show is well worth the wait, but the better option is to stay on Pensacola Beach until 8 p.m. and then it might only take you two hours.
Quote of the Week: “Remember that everything that is happening around you, good or bad, is in some way conspiring to help you.” — Debasish Mridha, MD American physician, philosopher, peace activist, poet-seer, and author.