Don’t miss the story on 2B about one of our few remaining independent veterinarians in Navarre, Natalie Dyson of St. Francis Veterinary Center. Dr. Dyson was given a plaque from the Navarre Beach Fire Department and the Lifeguard Ambulance Service for her life saving efforts after opening up her office after hours to help save Sydney, the rottweiler. We featured Sydney’s ordeal on the cover of the July 12 issue of Navarre Press.
We were privileged to contribute to the Navarre Centennial celebration Saturday night. Our very own Jonathan Crider, Ph.D., served as guest speaker and offered a wonderful perspective on the past century of the place we proudly call home. Jon knows this history better than anyone on our team, having researched and written the historical stories for Navarre Press years ago, back when he was part of our staff. We used to tease him that writing for the paper was his first glimpse into life as Sandi Kemp’s future son-in-law. He passed every test with flying colors and was warmly welcomed into both our family and the Kemp family.
Every day, week and month is busy in the news business because news never sleeps. However, this month has been especially busy, and we are only halfway through. We have high school graduations to cover and a Visitor Guide to design, get to press and then distribute before Memorial Day Weekend. On top of that, we have staff taking vacations and going to graduations for their family members. And it is Navarre Press’s 25th Anniversary in a week and a half. We have known this milestone anniversary was coming for the last – 25 years, actually. However, we haven’t slowed down enough to even think about it. Maybe we will have something ready by the end of the year. Navarre Press began with the first graduating class of Navarre High School – so this is Navarre High School’s 25th graduating class which is set to graduate on Friday, May 30.
For Christians around the world, Easter represents a time of renewal, and a time of remembrance of the death of Jesus and his resurrection. However you choose to celebrate Easter, whether it is in Church or in your backyard hunting for Easter eggs or both, we at Navarre Press wish you a day of renewal. Consider it perhaps a transfiguration of sorts; a shedding of whatever is old and stale and an embrace of new things, habits and ideas. We can all use that in our life, no matter your belief.
Happy Birthday, Navarre! Last week was Navarre’s 100-year birthday according to county records and plat maps. The Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce held a birthday party last week complete with birthday cake and blowing out the candles. Thankfully there were only three candles, a 1, and two zeroes. I felt privileged to be able to blow out one of the zeroes. Cindy Davidson with Centennial Bank blew out the number 1 – which is very appropriate since the bank is Centennial, and we are celebrating 100 years. Her company also is a sponsor – also very appropriate. Frankie Gibbs, who has been working on the centennial for more than two years also blew out a zero. We have some exciting plans for the paper in the coming months leading up to the Gala on June 21. Can’t wait to hear when the tickets are going to be on sale. You will definitely see an announcement in Navarre Press.
On April 1, Northwest Floridians will head to the polls to elect their new U.S. Representative.
As it stands now, the top two running are Republican Jimmy Patronis and Democrat Gay Valimont. Navarre Press spoke to Patronis about his campaign, his time in Tallahassee and how he would address affordability issues facing Floridians.
Navarre is 100 years old this year, 2025, and Navarre Press turns 25 years old in May of this year. We wish we had been here to record the entire 100 years or more of history. However, we have the next best thing. When we purchased the Santa Rosa Press Gazette, we also acquired the archives of the Milton Gazette which has been around since 1910. That is a lot of history. A huge part of our job is to preserve local history. Each issue is a snapshot into the life of our community. Today’s news is tomorrow’s history. We record celebrations, challenges, and the everyday events that shape our collective identity.
This story has been updated 2/14/25: Just days ahead of the Holley Navarre Water System annual meeting and election of directors, slated for Feb. 18, two directors have filed a complaint with the board stemming from a special-called meeting held Feb. 10. Daryl Lynchard and David Crumbley have confirmed to Navarre Press they filed complaints. Lynchard filed against the directors who ‘voted for violating the bylaws and Florida law.” Crumbley filed against Lynchard for the same reason.
With a new year comes a renewed focus on what is important in person’s life. The same goes for churches. Navarre Press asked faith leaders from churches across the Navarre area to share their messages for the community coming into 2025.
An employee of Santa Rosa County District Schools has resigned from their position after an investigation found that the employee had engaged in “financial improprieties.”
In a statement to Navarre Press, the school district said the resignation came after the employee, later identified as Kelly Short (Allen), was informed of action that would be taken against her employment both immediately and through recommendation of the school board at their next regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 19, 2024.
