Santa Rosa Market Tightens as Inventory Drops and a $6.7M Record Sale Makes Headlines
Santa Rosa Market Tightens as Inventory Drops and a $6.7M Record Sale Makes Headlines
Homes are selling faster and for more money — and a $6.7M Gulf-front sale just set a new benchmark for the region. The Santa Rosa County housing market entered spring 2026 firmly in seller’s market territory, with the latest data from Realtors Property Resource painting a picture of tightening supply and renewed buyer urgency. Months … read more
New Tropical Smoothie Now Open in Pace, Future Cafe Planned for Milton
New Tropical Smoothie Now Open in Pace, Future Cafe Planned for Milton
On any given day in Pace, you might walk into Tropical Smoothie Cafe and think you are just grabbing a smoothie. But for Amanda and Jarrett Melvin, this café is something much deeper. It is personal. It is purposeful. And at the center of it all is their daughter, Aeris. Aeris is not just part … read more
Donalds Earns Another Key Endorsement in Florida Governor’s Race
Donalds Earns Another Key Endorsement in Florida Governor’s Race
The Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida (ABC) have endorsed Byron Donalds for Florida Governor, citing his strong commitment to supporting Florida’s construction industry, cutting red tape, and creating an environment where businesses can grow and workers can thrive. ABC is the largest commercial construction association in Florida, representing thousands of contractors and suppliers across … read more
Judge Removes Siblings from Foster Caregivers Over Concerns, Including Return of Kids’ Bibles
Judge Removes Siblings from Foster Caregivers Over Concerns, Including Return of Kids’ Bibles
First Judicial Circuit Judge Steven Warrick today ordered a change of placement for three Gulf Breeze siblings who had been placed in foster care in Crestview after concerns arose over the caregivers, who were accused of not allowing the children to keep Bibles and other religious items. Other issues included alleged contentiousness with the kids’ … read more
POSH Color Bar Celebrates Beloved Longtime Stylist
POSH Color Bar Celebrates Beloved Longtime Stylist
POSH Color Bar Owner Gigi Lund, Ms. Margaret Phillips and District 3 Commissioner Rhett Rowell. Photo by Allison Clark Photography. Margaret Reaves Phillips of Jay was honored for her 35 years of excellent service to the community during the April 9 launch of POSH Color Bar’s product line, POSH Color Care. POSH Owner Gigi Lund, … read more
OPINION: Buzzards Circle for District 2 Seat as Traffic Congestion Clogs Incumbent’s Chances
OPINION: Buzzards Circle for District 2 Seat as Traffic Congestion Clogs Incumbent’s Chances
District 2 Commissioner Kerry Smith has badly mistreated a multitude of citizens, some of whom say he’s failed keep his 2022 “Roads Before Development” campaign promise and that Hwy. 90 traffic woes have worsened. Now Smith finds himself facing those same constituents, asking them to rehire him to the $94,046 job of representing them four … read more
Candidate Ordered to Leave After Verbally Accosting Others Outside County Building
Candidate Ordered to Leave After Verbally Accosting Others Outside County Building
R.C. Pittman, a candidate for the Santa Rosa County Commission District 2 seat, this morning was ordered by law enforcement to leave the area outside the administrative building after he verbally accosted others, following today’s commission meeting. Pittman during the meeting had expressed frustration that his name had been brought up during Tuesday’s board meeting. … read more
Turtle Conservation Center President Admits to Fatal Shooting of Neighbor’s Pet Duck
Turtle Conservation Center President Admits to Fatal Shooting of Neighbor’s Pet Duck
Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center President Becky Harger, pictured, admitted to shooting her neighbor’s pet duck. Smugglers Cove subdivision resident Carla Encarnacion says she is devastated after a neighbor fatally shot her 10-month-old pet duck, Maverick. Becky Harger, president of the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center, has admitted to intentionally shooting the duck, … read more
County Commissioners Unanimously Approve Controversial Camera Enforcement System
County Commissioners Unanimously Approve Controversial Camera Enforcement System
Santa Rosa County Commissioners this morning unanimously approved moving forward with amending ordinances to allow automated law enforcement of speeding in school zones, using cameras and citations issued by an automated process. Navarre resident Larry Seal was one of several citizens who spoke in opposition, telling the board that he had been wrongfully ticketed by … read more
OPINION: Could a Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge More Quickly Resolve Milton’s Hwy. 90 Congestion?
OPINION: Could a Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge More Quickly Resolve Milton’s Hwy. 90 Congestion?
The Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) last evening hosted a public workshop, which was focused on 2026 transportation priorities, including discussions on historic downtown Milton highway improvements. Citizens who missed the workshop can still submit comments on those priorities online (see below). During the 90-minute workshop, I didn’t notice any Santa Rosa County Commissioners in … read more
