Navarre Press | Your Source for News in Santa Rosa

Meet Akok Chan, the 6’7″ Sudanese basketball player who has made Navarre First Assembly of God and the wider community a second home.

News

Sudanese basketball player finds second home in Navarre community

Standing at 6’7”, it’s hard to miss Akok Chan (pronounced shawn) when you see him on or off the basketball court. Originally from Sudan, he first arrived in the U.S. in 2020 on a student visa and became a scholar-ship athlete at Lighthouse Private Christian Academy, a school in Midway. He was 16 at the time.

Septic to Sewer

Ahead of the county adopting an ordinance to reflect the state statute requiring sewer connection, county commissioners assuage concerns.

Construction on Leisure Street as part of the Eglin Regional Reuse Project Phase I

Leisure Street at Pepper Drive will be closed on Tuesday, May 6, for installation of the reclaimed water main. The roadway is expected to be closed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents in the area can utilize Moray Drive as a detour. This is part of phase one of the Eglin Regional Reuse Project. Santa Rosa County and the Holley Navarre Water System (HNWS) are partners on the Eglin Regional Reuse Project, which will ultimately allow Santa Rosa County to remove treated wastewater effluent from Santa Rosa Sound and allow HNWS to send reclaimed water to rapid infiltration basins located on Eglin AFB.

FWC and partners reintroduce frosted elfin caterpillars in north Florida

Caterpillars of the rare frosted elfin butterfly were released earlier this month as part of an experimental program to reintroduce the species across north Florida. The reintroduction of this small butterfly within Ichetucknee Springs State Park comes after three years of organization and preparation by staff from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Tall Timbers, the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Florida Park Service.

Florida bill could eliminate tourism development councils, change tourism tax rules

UPDATE: The bill discussed in this article has been postponed indefinitely and will not be signed into law this session. As Florida’s Legislative Session winds down, a bill focused on reforming Florida laws around tourism taxes and how they are used is raising eyebrows and some alarm amongst Florida’s counties and tourism industry.

More News Coverage

Sports

Navarre Raiders have a new boys basketball coach

Beach

Record 126-day Gulf red snapper recreational season announced for Florida

Advertorial

Spring into style at Southern Specialty

Shoutout to Autism Pensacola 2025 Connecting The Pieces Gala

Autism Pensacola’s 19th Annual Connecting the Pieces Gala is Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Sanders Beach-Corrine Jones Community Center. The event features a silent auction, music by the Dharma Beats, a walkabout menu-tasting provided by local chefs and restaurants, signature cocktails and a brief program. All proceeds of the Connecting the Pieces Gala support Autism Pensacola’s outreach efforts to serve children and families affected by autism in the local community.

Shoutout to Deb’s Coffee

Big shoutout to Deb’s Coffee, a fantastic small business with delicious coffee and passionate staff. My husband and I appreciate y’all so much, and the community wouldn’t be the same without you!

Shoutout to Momentum Church Pastor Steven Mendez

Momentum church. Pastor Steven mendez. Our barbershop was blessed by him this past summer! He actually blessed just about every place here in navarre, We love Steven at the Navarre beach barbershop, were blessed to have him as one of our supporters.

Shoutout to Lisa

Lisa helped numerous families in the Navarre area with Christmas, including my own children. I’m a single mom working 2 jobs and doing my best. She helped me put on a decent Christmas. Thankful for her.

Shoutout to Volunteers

Jovana C. wants to express their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated individual ( man ) who volunteers to cleans the roadsides along 399. Although I don’t know your name, I notice you every morning after my shift, diligently collecting litter with a trash bag. Your efforts truly make a positive impact on our community. Thank you!

Shoutout to Espresso Lane and kind-hearted folks

Espresso Lane, our beloved local coffee spot, goes above and beyond to make Navarre a brighter, friendlier place. For those enjoying the walking and running paths, Espresso Lane provides free, refreshing filtered ice water to keep everyone hydrated, and they even have a water station for our furry friends!

They have also set up a Free Little Library for anyone wanting to grab a book on their stroll.

It’s these small, thoughtful acts that make Navarre such a special community.

A huge thank you to Espresso Lane and the kind-hearted folks who make our town feel like home!

Shoutout to Juana’s Management

Shout out to the management of Juana’s for having a Bands for Bands concert that will help out musicians affected by the recent hurricanes.

Shoutout to the Navarre Community!

Give a shoutout to someone who went above and beyond for you or our community!

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News

Legislature extends session until June 6 to finish budget, tentative agreement on $2.8 billion tax relief package reached

(Article by Florida TaxWatch) Friday was supposed to be the final day of the 2025 legislative session but because they did not finish the only thing they are required to do—pass a budget—the Legislature is going to have to come back. The Legislature was still debating bills until after 10 p.m. Friday night. They then passed a resolution to extend the session until June 6. Legislators will take next week off and return the week of May 12 to take up the budget, the implementing and conforming bills, and the tax package. One other bill is included – Senate President Albritton’s priority “Rural Renaissance” bill (SB 110).