In 1908, the Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler first used the word “Autism,” employing it to describe a set of unusual symptoms in his patients. Thirty-five years later in a 1943 medical paper, Leo Kanner, M.D., described and recorded 11 cases of highly intelligent, socially withdrawn children. In the course of Kanner’s work, Donald Triplett, a brilliant 10-year-old boy from Forest, Miss., was recorded as “Case 1”- the first-ever diagnosis of autism. While these moments in history mark an early stage in knowledge about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), our understanding of the disorder has grown tremendously over the years. More so than ever before, there are numerous groups, organizations and programs to aid families and help those with ASD. Even with many resources available however, there are still too many who suffer silently. To bring awareness to this social issue, April has been designated as Autism Awareness Month.  

The cities of Gulf Breeze and Milton are in discussions to mirror Santa Rosa County’s proposed agreement to send residents’ recyclables to the new Emerald Coast Utilities Authority facility in Escambia County when it opens this summer.

For a building in which evidence is supposed to carry the day, the proposed new Santa Rosa County courthouse in Milton appears in need of a strong closing argument.

The clock is ticking on Santa Rosa County commissioners to make their case to voters for a 1-cent local option sales tax that would help pay for a new courthouse in Milton.

Residents in the Holley-Navarre area have received a letter that appears to be from the water company, but a closer look at the fine print says otherwise.  The letter tells residents that the water line buried underground on their property is the homeowner’s responsibility and the cost of repairs falls on their shoulders.  The company sending the letter, HomeServe USA Corp., is selling a service plan or insurance to cover the cost of any future repairs. 

Camille Abbamonte is a self-professed animal lover and advocate.  A couple of weeks ago she accidently stumbled across a beach dog park in Pensacola, so she stopped to take a look.  “I was in awe of how well it went, there must have been 40-50 dogs there.  Everyone was acting responsibly, the dogs were socializing, it was great.”  She liked it so much that she returned with her three rescues.  “Within 10 minutes, all three dogs were engaged and I made a new friend.  I met some wonderful people and my dogs were having a great time,” Abbamonte said.

The illnesses of six bald eagles found at the Central Landfill in Milton in 2014, including two that died, are still under investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.