Some inaccurate figures on Santa Rosa County tourist bed tax collections were corrected on the county’s website last week soon after the Navarre Press questioned them.

Finally, what we’ve all been anxiously awaiting. The Santa Rosa County Board of Commissioners Sept. 24 approved a draft multiyear implementation plan submitted by RESTORE council members at its county commission meeting.  The 15 projects submitted total $3.7 million.

At about 12:30 a.m. on March 7, 2013, Santa Rosa County deputies received a call about suspicious activities on Larker Woods Road in east Navarre. What they found when they arrived was 31-year old shooting victim Philip Davenport in the front yard of his home.  He was pronounced dead on the scene, according to Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer, Rich Aloy.

The House Natural Resources Committee has moved forward legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla. to allow Santa Rosa Island leaseholders to attain fee simple title to their property.  H.R. 1452 would authorize Escambia County to convey certain property on Santa Rosa Island.  It would also streamline the management of the island by conveying land that currently lies in the jurisdictional boundaries of Santa Rosa County, but is owned by Escambia County, to Santa Rosa County. 

Santa Rosa County Commissioner Robert A. “Bob” Cole has been ordered to pay a $500 fine after he entered a plea of no contest to one count of a noncriminal violation of the Florida Sunshine Law. According to a release issued by the State Attorney’s office, Walton County Judge David Green imposed the maximum fine allowed under Florida law.  Green heard the case because all Santa Rosa County judges recused themselves.

A new work-release center approved by the Santa Rosa County Commission could open within a few weeks to house inmates who are already in the jail for minor offenses, Sheriff Wendell Hall said.