Opinion, Out and About

Out and About

August 27, 2025 | Sandi Kemp

We had the opportunity to participate again in the Santa Rosa County Leadership program’s media day. There were lots of faces we knew, and we were happy to meet new friends. Our newest team member and reporter, Madison DeVito, went and was a panel member with our publisher Gail Acosta and the owner/publisher of Gulf Breeze News, Lisa Newell. The questions from the group were so good – but one stood out: “How do we use AI in the newsroom?” The simple answer is – we don’t. We think there is no substitute for human reporters using their intuition, curiosity and talent to conduct interviews with other real people, to tell a story that can become part of the history of the community. And quite frankly, no one does better than our team.

I also read in Editor and Publisher magazine that now more than ever journalism students are concerned deeply about the truth, what it is and how to share it. When the class asked Madison what motivated her to get into journalism she brilliantly said, “I had so many questions and not enough answers.” And that sums up why we do what we do.

We have crime statistics in our issue this week. I had not heard about someone’s car window being broken in a long time, but I recently saw a social media post with a picture warning others that there are people out there that will break your car window to get to valuables in your car. In the case I saw, it was in the Holley by the Sea Recreational Facility parking lot, which seemed very daring because it was inside a semi-private entrance and, I would think, would have security cameras. Also, it was during the middle of the day. Walmart parking lots have security cameras. We had a vehicle back up into our delivery van in a Walmart parking lot, and they were able to retrieve it months later. However, police officers need to retrieve the data. Santa Rosa County has also had three homicides so far this year, all of them were in the north end of the county. However, Opioid-related deaths are down by 66%.

There are many people in Navarre and all over the country who have been praying for our Kaitie Kiger and her husband, Jaron, and son, Jonah. During what should be an incredibly exciting time in the life of new parents, the days are spent by his bassinet in the hospital NICU. We continue our prayers for them, which are worth more than gold – but if you want to contribute to their family in a tangible way, please go to First Baptist Church of Navarre’s Facebook page for updates and ways to help. There is a GoFundMe but I’m personally wary of the fees they charge. Also, GoFundMe sends the family a 1099 at the end of the year and it counts as income. If it is donated through the church, it could possibly be a tax deduction. However, I’m not a tax accountant so please consult your tax professional. All I know is that First Baptist Navarre knows their needs and will take care of them. In the meantime, please continue to pray.

Quote of the Week: “The more I study the universe and the principles of its origins, the more I am filled with a sense of awe and wonder at the mystery of it all. This feeling leads me to a deeper faith in the order of the universe and its Creator.” Albert Einstein (1879-1955). A German-born theoretical physicist who is best known for developing the theory of relativity. This quote is also often quoted as, “The more I learn about science, the more I believe in God.”

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