58 votes and .2 percent of the vote.

That is all that separates Kerry Smith from Jeff Ates in the Santa Rosa County Commission District 2 seat.

That .2 per cent of the vote is significant as an automatic recount is triggered when vote-getters are not separated by more than .5 percent of the vote.

The Florida Department of Health is reporting a “probable” case of monkeypox in Santa Rosa County. The department is waiting on confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control. Overall, as of Saturday, the department reported 180 confirmed and probable cases in Florida. According to the department, Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by a virus […]

BISSELL Pet Foundation is looking to help Santa Rosa County Animal Services empty out its shelter this July.

From July 11 to July 31, BISSELL Pet Foundation will be sponsoring reduced adoption fees in an effort to take homeless pets from kennels to couches. The longest-ever Summer National “Empty the Shelters” event will be hosted in more than 250 shelters in 42 states, which includes SRC Animal Services.

SRC Animal Services, located at 4451 Pine Forest Road in Milton, will offer $5 adoption fees for cats, kittens, dogs and puppies. All interested adopters can find more details online at www.santarosa.fl.gov/animals.

With ‘kitten season’ in full swing, the Santa Rosa County Animal Shelter is looking for “medical fosters” who can help care for sick kittens that are not old enough to adopt. SRCAS says these kittens need a safe place to rest and recover until they are well and/or at least eight weeks old.

Medical fosters will be responsible for administering treatment, bringing fosters to shelter appointments, and providing a loving environment for recovery. Medical treatment and supplies are provided by the shelter, at no cost to the foster parent. For more information on fostering or to sign up to be a kitten foster, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/727/Foster-Program.

Santa Rosa County Animal Services (SRCAS) announced that they are hosting a special adoption event – “Cheaper Than Gas” – starting Friday, June 10 through Saturday, June 18.

All adoptions are only $4 and include spay or neuter, flea prevention, age appropriate vaccinations, initial dewormer, microchip, an adoption starter kit, coupons and more. For those interested in visiting the shelter for the adoption event, appointments are required.

James Calkins wants Santa Rosa County ready to act if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its 1973 Roe versus Wade decision, which has protected women’s right to seek an abortion for almost five decades.