Jayer Williamson, the youngest son of late Santa Rosa County Commissioner Jim Williamson, was sworn in Monday to the District 1 seat from which his dad retired on the eve of his April 2 death. Governor Rick Scott made the appointment June 18, making Jayer, 35, the third generation of his family to represent the Pace area. His maternal grandfather, W.L. Butler, also served in that office in the 1970s.

The Navarre Library is making it easy for residents to participate this month in Santa Rosa County’s Partners for Pets program. A crate turned on its side near the checkout desk offers a convenient place for members to donate supplies that will benefit Santa Rosa County’s animal services shelter in Milton.

Each morning at about 5:30, volunteers head out on Navarre Beach to search for sea turtle nests, but so far this year, no action. The turtle patrol started their early morning trips May 1.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is urging boaters, especially in northwest Florida, to go slow and keep their eyes open for leaping Gulf sturgeon. According to FWC, the fish’s population is growing, and they can be found in numerous rivers between Pensacola and Tallahassee.

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office reports a Milton area man died June 13 after being struck by lightning while picking blueberries. The incident report said 71-year-old James Donald McDaniel was picking blueberries at 8655 Highway 89 north of Milton when he was struck by lightning between 9:20 and 9:40 a.m.