Florida’s black bear population is ballooning back from a population estimated at just 300 in the 1970s.  The thriving population has since exploded tenfold to roughly 3,000- prompting removal from state’s list of threatened species in August of 2012.  As a result, the number of incidents involving bears throughout the state is escalating and spreading into populated areas. 

Longtime Navarre residents and business owners Betty and Greg Fountain are realizing a five-years-in-the-making dream come true. Their land off of Highway 98, west of Joybrook Road is being cleared for a 250 unit “Class A” luxury apartment complex on 16 acres that they have owned for eight years.

The Lady Raiders earned another home win last Monday with an 81-53 rout of Jay High School.

Santa Rosa County Commissioners plan to narrow the list of proposed sites for the courthouse today.  Six sites were submitting during the proposal process, and commissioners plan to move three properties forward for further consideration at today’s meeting.