TOP NEWS
HUMAN TRAFFICKING CONSPIRACY SPANNING FLORIDA PANHANDLE AND SOUTHERN ALABAMA DISMANTLED
Kimberly Robinson Gandy, 47, of Gulfport, Mississippi, was found guilty on Wednesday afternoon, June 18, 2025, by a federal jury, of: Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion; Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion; and Money Laundering. Her codefendant, Chad Cornelius Seymore, 49, of Dothan, Alabama, pled as charged, on Monday, … read more
Three deported illegals indicted for illegal re-entry after being located in Santa Rosa County
United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced today that 16 previously deported aliens have been indicted separately by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States. Jose Victor Aguilar-Zelaya, 40, of Honduras, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Fort Walton Beach in March 2025, after previously being deported … read more
Trio of Commissioners Shut Down Effort to Increase Property Tax Bills
A trio of Santa Rosa County Commissioners this morning shot down two motions by Chairman Kerry Smith to move forward two Municipal Service Taxing Units (MSTUs), which could have appeared on the August ad valorem bills of property owners. Commissioners Bobby Burkett, Ray Eddington and Rhett Rowell stood up against pressure from Smith and … read more
Santa Rosa County Proposes New Property Taxes
Santa Rosa County property owners in mid-August could see multiple new taxes on their annual property tax bills if county commissioners move forward with two Municipal Service Taxing Units (MSTUs). The board is also considering a Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU), which would be levied on property owners in 27 neighborhoods. The effort to implement … read more
Commissioners Fight Over Kerry Smith’s Effort to Remove Another County Appointee
Commissioner Kerry Smith is once again trying to remove a volunteer appointee from a county advisory board. However, Smith so far has failed to pursuade another commissioner to second to his motion. But he voiced intent to try again Thursday. In 2023 Smith attracted much criticism over his removal of Pasco Gibson, who was serving … read more
In Loving Memoriam – Becky Sharon
Beatrice “Becky” Sharon, 81, of Holley, died Saturday, May 31st at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Florida with her family and loved ones by her side. Becky was born July 16, 1943 in Tallahassee, Florida to Joe and Buelah Bryant. She grew up with two brothers and three sisters that she loved dearly. She was known … read more
Local Couple Hired to Manage Celebrity Wedding
Country Singer-Songwriter Jamey Johnson and his fiancee Brittany Eakins hired Milton couple Nan Foster & Steve House-Gregory of Milton to manage their May 20 wedding, which took place in Franklin, Tennessee. Nan & Steve are well known in the area, owning and operating The Cutting Board restaurant, which recently relocated from Pea Ridge to Hwy. … read more
