TOP NEWS
Okaloosa VIPs Turn Out for Patronis
The Venue in downtown Fort Walton Beach was filled up Friday morning with a veritable Who’s Who list from across Okaloosa County, supporting Jimmy Patronis, who is running for Florida’s 1st Congressional District seat. Retired Commissioner and former Undersheriff Graham Fountain welcomed the crowd and introduced former House District 4 Representative Mel Ponder, who … read more
ACLU Demands DeSantis Schedule Special Elections for Vacant State Legislature Seats
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has not yet scheduled special elections for two vacant state legislature seats, including House District 3, which covers most of Santa Rosa County and parts of North Okaloosa County. Subsequently, the American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit, asserting his inaction has left citizens within those districts with a lack … read more
Gaetz: State Faces $6.7B Deficit within Two Years
Florida House District 2 Representative Alex Andrade led last night’s Northwest Florida Legislative Delegation hearing in Santa Rosa County. District 1 State Senator Don Gaetz, during last night’s Northwest Florida Legislative Delegation hearing in Santa Rosa County, lowered expectations for financial appropriations during the upcoming legislative session, sharing news of challenges in the state’s financial … read more
Sen. Rick Scott Leads Bipartisan Bill to “Lock The Clock” and Maintain Daylight Savings Time Perpetually
Senator Rick Scott yesterday introduced the bipartisan Sunshine Protection Act, to officially “lock the clock” and end the twice-yearly time change and make Daylight Saving Time the national year-round standard. In 2018, as Governor of Florida, Senator Scott signed legislation which, pending federal approval, would exempt Florida from the time change practice and allow the … read more
Santa Rosa’s 90.9% Graduation Rate Exceeds Record-Breaking State Average
Governor Ron DeSantis yesterday announced Florida’s high school graduation rate rose to 89.7 percent during the 2023-2024 school year, representing the highest rate in Florida history with the exception of pandemic school years. Santa Rosa County District Schools topped the state average, earning a 90.9% graduation rate in 2023-2024. According to DeSantis, the graduation rate … read more
Former NJROTC Instructor Sentenced to Prison for Fondling, Sexting Underage Female Student
First Judicial Circuit Judge Clifton A. Drake yesterday sentenced former Navarre High substitute teacher and NJROTC instructor John Kapolczynski to three years in state prison followed by four years of sex offender probation for charges related to obscene and sexual messages with an underage female student, whom he fondled in a school closet. The relationship … read more
Trailer Park Owner Jailed for Concealing Suspect from Police
Wendy Greene, 55, was booked Dec. 29 into Santa Rosa County Jail after cops discovered a man they were pursuing had been concealed inside a mobile home in Rebecca’s Hollow Trailer Park in Holley. The arrest happened after a Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted a traffic stop near the trailer park, pulling over … read more
