By Staff Reporters on August 28, 2019
Amber Morin, Brayton Cale Secondine, Florida Highway Patrol, hit and run, Jeanette Martinez, Midway Fire Department, Milton, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach bridge, Pedro Martinez Jr, Santa Rosa County jail, Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office
Crime, Headlines
A year after a vehicle fatally struck a woman on the Navarre Beach bridge, a Midway firefighter turned himself in to Santa Rosa County sheriff’s deputies Aug. 22 after being charged with hit and run. Brayton Cale Secondine, 26, of Milton was identified as the driver of a red Chevrolet Camaro that left the scene […]
By Jamie Gentry on July 25, 2019
Commission Chairman Sam Parker, Commissioner Bob Cole, Commissioner Dave Piech, Commissioner Don Salter, Commissioner Lane Lynchard, Dan Schebler, Drainage projects, half-cent local option sales tax, Holley by the Sea, infrastructure, Milton, Navarre, Navarre Beach bridge, Quintette Bridge, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioners, Santa Rosa County voters, Transportation, U.S.Highway 98, Woodbine Road
Headlines, Santa Rosa County
Santa Rosa County has proposed replacing the current half-cent local sales tax, set to expire in 2021, with a one-cent sales tax for 10 years. Voters will have a chance to approve or deny the tax on a special ballot Oct. 8. Read the full article in the July 25 issue of Navarre Press. […]
By Jamie Gentry on May 3, 2019
Audubon Florida, black skimmers, Caroline Stahala, gulf of mexico, Least Terns, Navarre, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach bridge, Navarre Beach Causeway, Santa Rosa Sound, shorebirds
Beach, Local, Science/Environment
Glove-clad volunteers lined up along the Navarre Beach bridge April 24 intent on protecting the beach’s feathered residents. The nesting birds are back, and local expert Caroline Stahala of Audubon Florida said threatened least terns and black skimmers will be settling into their nesting colonies soon. Read the full article in the May 2 […]
By Jamie Gentry on March 15, 2019
Audubon Florida, black skimmers, Caroline Stahala, Commissioner Dave Piech, Gulf Boulevard, Hurricane Ivan, Julie Wite, Kyle Holley, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach Beautification committee, Navarre Beach bridge, Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, Navarre Beach Leaseholders and Residents Association, shorebirds, Tourist Development Council
Local
Some of the planned improvements for Gulf Boulevard along Navarre Beach have been put “on the back burner” according to county Tourist Development Director Julie White. White said plans to replace benches and garbage cans while adding shade sails along the high-traffic portion of Gulf Boulevard are not moving forward amid complaints from beach residents. […]
By Jamie Gentry on February 21, 2019
Beach Community Bancshares, Beach Community Bank, Helen Back Again, Hovde Group, James T. Sartain, JTS Capital Group, JTS Capital Realty BB LLC, Navarre, Navarre Beach bridge, Navarre Parkway, Rob Ketron, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa Sound, U.S.Highway 98
Business
While work crews have appeared outside the closed Helen Back Again restaurant along U.S. Highway 98, Navarre residents are not likely to see a new business opening there anytime soon. Recent sale of the property has only landed it back on the market for a tenant or buyer, but the property’s story paints a much […]
By Editorial on February 7, 2019
98 flyover, Bob Benaquis, Dewey Destin's, East River Smokehouse, editorial, florida department of transportation, guest opinion, Heart of Navarre, Navarre, Navarre Beach bridge, Publix, TC's Front Porch, U.S.Highway 98, Winn-Dixie
Navarre Press Editorial
Navarre has always been a destination for its inhabitants. From its first homestead to today’s families and visitors, people have come to Navarre to put their feet up and settle down. But a destination means more than a journey home or a visit to the beach. It means a sense of place, a place where […]
By Jamie Gentry on January 2, 2019
Commissioner Dave Piech, Florida, florida department of transportation, Flyover, Highway 87, Highway 98, Ian Satter, Navarre, Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Navarre Beach bridge, Navarre Chamber, Navarre Conference Center, Project Devlopment and Environmental Study, Roundabouts, Sherry Alaghemand, Tamara Fountain
Local
The recommendations for U.S. Highway 98 are in, and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has found that a flyover through the center of Navarre’s business district is the best solution to the roadway’s traffic woes. The search for the best alternative began with the launch of a PD&E (Project Development and Environment) study in […]
By Jamie Gentry on October 24, 2018
dave piech, District 4 Master Plan, florida department of transportation, Gulf Coast Discovery Center, Heart of Navarre, Holley, Matrix Design Group, Navarre, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Navarre Beach bridge, Patrick Small, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners, Santa Rosa county Zoning Board
Headlines
Residents of Navarre will get their first chance Thursday evening to see the fruits of a year’s effort of planning and public comment to shape Navarre’s future through the District 4 Master Plan. Last September, the Santa Rosa Board of County Commissioners approved roughly $150,000 to pay consulting firm Matrix Design Group to create a District 4 […]
By Jamie Gentry on August 4, 2018
Commissioner Rob Williamson, Florida's Best Kept Secret, Florida's Most Relaxing Place, Juana's Pagodas, Kevin Rudzki, Larry Sims, Navarer Beach sign, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach Beautification committee, Navarre Beach bridge, Navarre Park, Sailors Grill, Santa Rosa County
Local
One of the iconic Navarre Beach “Florida’s Best Kept Secret” signs has re-emerged at local hot spot Juana’s Pagodas and Sailors’ Grill on the beach. The signs, which have garnered much love from locals, were removed from the foot of the Navarre Beach bridge entrance last year. Juana’s owner Kevin Rudzki said he is not […]
By Jamie Gentry on March 14, 2018
Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program, Florida, Florida Department of Education, Florida Department of Law, Florida Gov. Rick Scott, Gun control, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, marjory stoneman douglas high school public safety act, Mass shooting, National Rifle Association, Navarre Beach bridge, Navarre residents, Parkland, Rep. Jayer Williamson, School Safety, Second Amendment, Sen. Doug Broxson, Sheriff Bob Johnson, Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick
Headlines
On Valentine’s Day, 17 lives were lost in a horrific act of violence. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, became the center of national attention as the story of yet another mass shooting played out. Read the full article in the Mar. 15 issue of Navarre Press. Visit www.navarrepress.com/subscribe to view subscription options. […]
By Jamie Gentry on January 17, 2018
8600 Nav Parkway LLC, Bill Seelman, Greg Britton, Helen Back Again, hotel, Jeremy Reeder, Jim Waite, Narendra Patel, Navarre, Navarre Beach bridge, Navarre Family Water Sports, Navarre hotel, Patrick Jehle, Robin Edwards, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa county Zoning Board, Scott Kemp, Shawn Ward, Tommy Snoballs, U.S.Highway 98
Headlines
Shortly after signals that the project was moving forward, a proposed new hotel for Navarre has been put back on hold indefinitely. Temporarily dubbed Navarre Hotel, the planned business on Highway 98 just east of the Navarre Beach Bridge has been in the works for years and has hit multiple holdups. The now-defunct plans filed […]
By Jamie Gentry on November 1, 2017
florida department of transportation, Gail Swanson, Gulf Breeze, Heart of Navarre, Jennifer Doubleday, Larry Swanson, Mark Broome, Martin Riley, Mary Esther, Melanie Broome, Navarre, Navarre Beach bridge, Navarre Beach Causeway, Navarre residents, overpass, Pamela Prestidge, Paula Rever, Phil Babiak, Public hearings, Rose Mitchell, Sherry Alaghemand, State Road 87, Traffic, U.S.Highway 98, Waffle House
Headlines
Maps of miles of U.S. Highway 98 stretched across tables last week at the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) public hearings outlining the impacts that widening the road could have on hundreds of property owners and hundreds of thousands more who drive the corridor each day. Among the changes were proposals that would put a […]
By Jamie Gentry on October 5, 2017
Broussard’s Bayou Grill and Cajun Specialty Meats, Cajun food, carl broussard, Gulf Boulevard, Navarre, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach bridge, Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, restaurant, Santa Rosa County, Sylvia Martin
Local
The wait is nearly over for a new restaurant at Navarre Beach’s long-vacant property. Broussard’s Bayou Grill and Cajun Specialty Meats will likely open its doors in mid-October, said owner Carl Broussard. He and his brother signed a lease for the spot in July. They currently operate a restaurant of the same name in downtown […]
By Rob Johnson on September 6, 2017
Adventures Unlimited, Bagdad Mills Site Park, Benny Russell Park, Commissioner Rob Williamson, Commissioner Sam Parker, Genesis Engineering LLC, Jack Sanborn, Navarre, Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Navarre Beach bridge, Navarre Chamber, Navarre Park, Navarre Park visitor center, Panhandle Butterfly House, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners, Santa Rosa Sound, South Santa Rosa, Tamara Fountain, tourism bed taxes, Tourist Development Council
Headlines
Lee Majors, television’s “Six Million Dollar Man,” now has something of a financial kinship with Rob Williamson, the Santa Rosa County commissioner with a $6 million plan. Williamson intends to unveil the seven-figure fiscal details about the proposed overhaul of Navarre Park to his commission colleagues in their Sept. 14 meeting. The District 4 commissioner […]
By Jamie Gentry on August 24, 2017
Audubon Florida Panhandle Shorebird Program, Audubon Society, black skimmers, Caroline Stahala, Dorothy Kaufmann, Least Terns, Navarre, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach bridge, Navarre Beach Causeway, Navarre Beach Marine Park, Navarre bridge, shorebirds, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Tropical Storm Cindy, Tropical Storm Colin, Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida
Beach, Local
For the second year in a row, shorebird nesting season has produced fewer chicks than initially anticipated, impacting at-risk species such as least terns and black skimmers. This season started with a positive outlook, but weather conditions wreaked havoc on the nests, said Audubon Florida Panhandle Shorebird Program Manager Caroline Stahala. Along Navarre Beach there […]
By Staff Reporters on July 13, 2017
Beach Monkey Bar, Bob Benaquis, Cocodrie's, Commission Chairman Rob Williamson, Erskine Funderburg, Liollo's Management Corporation, Navarre, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach bridge, Navarre Beach Causeway, Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, Palms of Navarre LLC, Rocco's Italian Bistro, Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners, Sylvia Martin, T.C.'s Front Porch
Beach, Local
Tentative plans for local restauranteur Bob Benaquis to sublease the vacant restaurant site on Navarre Beach may have fallen through, but that hasn’t stopped property leaseholder Sylvia Martin from closing in on her goal to find a tenant. Located at the front of the parking area for the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier at the foot […]
By Jamie Gentry on July 6, 2017
Audubon Florida, black skimmers, Caroline Stahala, florida panhandle, Least Terns, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach bridge, shorebirds, Tropical Storm Cindy, Tropical Storm Colin, wildlife conservation
Beach, Local
After Tropical Storm Cindy battered the Panhandle, Audubon researchers found that the storm wiped out many of the shorebird chicks and eggs along northwest Florida’s coastline, including Navarre Beach. Roughly 230 eggs and chicks were lost to torrential rain and rising seas when the storm lashed the Gulf Coast last month, said Caroline Stahala, shorebird […]
By Jamie Gentry on July 6, 2017
Attorney Roy Andrews, Beach restaurant, Bob Benaquis, Commission Chairman Rob Williamson, Commissioner Sam Parker, Erskine Funderburg, Handshake deal, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach bridge, Navarre Beach Causeway, Palms of Navarre LLC, Rocco's Italian Bistro, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners, Sylvia Martin, T.C.'s Front Porch
Beach, Local
Coming over the bridge onto Navarre Beach, visitors are greeted by nesting shore birds and rolling sand dunes. They are also greeted by a vacant building in need of repair. Once a bustling Italian restaurant, the building has sat empty collecting sand for a year and a half. The vacancy has cost the county an […]
By Jamie Gentry on April 12, 2017
Commission Chairman Rob Williamson, Commissioner Bob Cole, East Bay Boat Ramp, Edgewood Drive, florida department of transportation, Gulf Boulevard, Heart of Navarre, Navarre, Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Navarre Beach bridge, Navarre Beach Marine Park, Navarre Chamber, Navarre Community Access Road, Panhandle Butterfly House, Paradise Advertising, Pensacola Sign & Graphics, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners, South Santa Rosa, State Road 87, U.S.Highway 98, Whispering Pines Boulevard
Headlines
Congestion from U.S. Highway 98 through Navarre might have an alternative route in the future as the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) discussed Monday the approval of a feasibility study for creating an alternative. Read the full article in the April 13 issue of Navarre Press. Subscribe online at navarrepress.com for as little as $38 […]
By Jamie Gentry on August 25, 2016
ballot, capital improvements, Ed Carson, Fire Departments, Gulf Breeze, half-cent local option sales tax, Holley Navarre Fire District, Holley-Navarre Fire Chief Ron Norton, infrastructure, Jay, LOST, Milton, Moving Santa Rosa Forward, Navarre, Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development and Government Affairs Committee, Navarre Beach bridge, Navarre Chamber, Quintette Road, Ralph Agnew, Robert Collins, Santa Rosa Board of County Commissioners, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County voters, South Santa Rosa, Transportation Planning Organization Citizen Advancement Committee
Local
Voters might have been left with more questions than answers after a presentation by Moving Santa Rosa Forward’s Ed Carson on the half cent local option sales tax (LOST) for capital improvements to the Economic Development and Government Affairs Committee (EDC) Friday, Aug. 19. Though the majority of attendees generally spoke positively about the Aug. […]
By Sandi Kemp on April 7, 2016
Air Force Veteran Robert Reyes, donations, East River Smokehouse, Eglin Air Force Base, Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, good cause, Juana's Pagodas, Lagerheads, Mia Hughes, military, Military families, Navarre, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach bridge, Navarre Beach Pier, Navarre Beach Pub Crawlers, Navarre Pub Crawl, northwest florida, O'Connor's Pub and Grill, Santa Rosa County, South Santa Rosa
Business, Events & Festivals, Local
Air Force veteran Robert Reyes had the idea to have a Pub Crawl in Navarre to support local businesses and to raise money for the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast. Little did he know then – that six years later, he would be the owner of a local business, O’Connor’s Pub and Grill. Can’t […]
By Editorial on March 31, 2016
Board of County Commissioners, BOCC, County Commissioner Rob Williamson, courthouse, drainage, Facebook, HBTS, Holley by the Sea, Jay, Judicial center, lack of parking, Milton, Navarre, Navarre Beach Bride, Navarre Beach bridge, Navarre Press Editorial, Okaloosa County, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County citizens, Santa Rosa County School District, Shalimar, South Santa Rosa, SRC, SRC Courthouse Task Force, taxes, taxpayer dollars, voters, Votes
Navarre Press Editorial
Let me start by saying I am in favor of building a new courthouse. The current courthouse is obsolete and must be replaced. But that doesn’t mean I support the plan to build a $47 million courthouse in Downtown Milton. And no matter how many times Mr. Rob Williamson calls me a knucklehead on his […]
By Romi White on April 23, 2015
gang-related, graffiti, Navarre, Navarre Beach bridge, Santa Rosa County, santa rosa county tourism development council, Sheriff Wendell Hall, TDC, tourism, vandalism
Headlines
Graffiti has been popping up at various locations in Navarre, and it has Santa Rosa County tourism officials concerned. Sheriff Wendell Hall was asked to attend the April 15 Santa Rosa County Tourism Development Council (TDC) meeting to discuss the matter. “The graffiti is certainly an issue,” Hall said, but he assured TDC members it […]
