Boaters will be taking to the waters around Florida for the busy July 4 holiday weekend, and a conservation group is urging boat operators to be on the lookout for manatees and other wildlife. A Save the Manatee Club spokeswoman said slowing down in wildlife habitat areas and observing all posted boat speed regulations can make a huge difference.
“You will touch the soil of many lands” is a fortune 2nd Lt. Eric Fiel opened 33 years ago from a Chinese fortune cookie. Today, Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel still keeps that fortune in his wallet as he reflects back on his career as an Air Commando and his ultimate job as the head of Air Force Special Operations Command.
Does anyone care in Santa Rosa County? Why isn’t there anyone swimming or fishing in the sound around Navarre? Why are there more frequently than not – posted signs behind our Chamber of Commerce in Navarre stating, “swim at your own risk” because detected high levels of fecal counts in the water. The water is consistently not safe, so why don’t we do something about it? Why can’t the county officials see that the only answer is to re-open the Navarre Pass! All we want is our water to be cleaner, so we can enjoy our area like others enjoy theirs. The beautiful artificial reefs that have been installed in the sound are hardly visible underwater because of the water clarity. Not to mention the ones installed in the Gulf are very hard to get to unless you take a chance on swimming or kayaking to them. What about the treatment facility on the beach dumping partially treated sewage in the sound because they don’t have anywhere else to put it? Maybe that is the reason why there are no fish other than mullet, red fish and trout. Where have the clams, the oysters, the shrimp and the crabs gone? Are we being held hostage by the county because we are just a zip code and not an incorporated area? Does not being incorporated and having money for stormwater projects hurt our area compared to other areas such as Escambia, Okaloosa and Walton counties? Why is Navarre left out when it comes to funding needed projects? (Senator Gaetz just announced a $10 million grant from the BP oil spill for coastal counties of which $5 million will be designated for seven projects in Santa Rosa, Bay and Okaloosa counties.) Gulf Breeze was the first project mentioned to start.
When most people think about economic development, they think of companies choosing to locate and create jobs in a new community. But according to Bentina Terry from Gulf Power, recruiting new companies is only one part of economic development.
Juana’s Pagodas has been a fixture on Navarre Beach for more than 25 years now. The business commemorated its 25th anniversary July 1 with a special celebration that included live music, contests and specials.
Nearly four months after the release of the final environmental impact document relating to F-35 activities in northwest Florida, the Air Force announced June 27 it had chosen an alternative, which continues to limit F-35 operations in the Valparaiso area. However, an Eglin spokesman said he doesn’t believe the decision will have a significant impact on F-35 operations at Choctaw Field north of Navarre.
A Navarre man remains in the Santa Rosa County Jail on charges stemming from an alleged June 16 incident altercation in which he had to be forcibly detained by a Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s deputy. According to court records, 47-year-old Jerry Leion Barber faces felony charges of battery and obstructing justice and two misdemeanor charges of resisting an officer and probation violation.
Florida Department of Transportation officials (FDOT) briefed the Santa Rosa County Board of Commissioners June 26 about a study of a six-mile corridor on U.S. 90 along which two proposed future courthouse sites are located. Commissioners also took action on several other matters, including approving a recycling services contract.
