Celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month this September with the Santa Rosa County Library System. There’s more than meets the eye at your library. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills, find valuable information, or connect with fellow avid readers, a library card unlocks a world of possibilities.
Most of my friends are considerably younger than me, as in, “I am old enough to be their father” younger than me. Our age difference is not an issue. It is not apparent in our conversations, at least from my perspective. My friends, of course, see what I do not: a white-haired man talking. But it doesn’t seem to matter. Occasionally, however, like a poker player’s tell, I will say something that instantly marks me as from a different generation. Usually, it is me quoting some iconic, funny line from a television show I grew up watching. Not only are my friends unfamiliar with the iconic line, but they usually have never even heard of the television show.
We had the opportunity to participate again in the Santa Rosa County Leadership program’s media day. There were lots of faces we knew, and we were happy to meet new friends. Our newest team member and reporter, Madison DeVito, went and was a panel member with our publisher Gail Acosta and the owner/publisher of Gulf Breeze News, Lisa Newell. The questions from the group were so good – but one stood out: “How do we use AI in the newsroom?” The simple answer is – we don’t. We think there is no substitute for human reporters using their intuition, curiosity and talent to conduct interviews with other real people, to tell a story that can become part of the history of the community. And quite frankly, no one does better than our team.
In communities across Florida, from Milton to Navarre, the quiet lines on zoning maps are being redrawn with alarming frequency. What was once a tool for thoughtful planning has become a revolving door for developers seeking exceptions. But zoning isn’t meant to be flexible on demand—it’s a promise to residents, a blueprint for sustainable growth, and a safeguard for the character of our towns.
H.E. Roberts Roofing is a company that cares. Their hometown values, commitment to their community and top-quality service and product make them a business you can trust.
Just a few years ago, Northwest Florida was ground zero for Florida’s opioid crisis. Now, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, drug overdoses and deaths have seen a sharp decrease.