Gone But Never Forgotten
Gone But Never Forgotten
Each year the End of Watch Memorial Ruck honors the memory of law enforcement officers from across the nation who made the ultimate sacrifice, dying in the line of duty. This year 247 lives were remembered during the Santa Rosa County event, which took place last weekend at the Santa Rosa County Fairgrounds. Each and … read more
Wine Pull Planned During Saturday’s Wing Cook-off
Wine Pull Planned During Saturday’s Wing Cook-off
100 bottles of wine, ranging in value from $10-100, will be prizes in a wine pull planned during The Starfish Project of Northwest Florida’s 5th Annual Wing Cook-off, taking place this Saturday at Navarre Park. Luann Causey, who is coordinating the pull, says only 100 $10 chances will be sold and that there are two … read more
Small town coaches win big bringing youth football to Florida’s panhandle community
Small town coaches win big bringing youth football to Florida’s panhandle community
On a makeshift football field in north Santa Rosa County, cut-off foam swimming noodles serve as yard markers. Here, Haynes Gandy and Scott Hoodless prepare to lead a team of nearly 50 football players through practice. For many of the players, it’s their first time on a football team. Gandy and Hoodless, both Florida Power … read more
OPINION: Pitchfork Posse Bears Responsibility for Estuary Grant Rejection
OPINION: Pitchfork Posse Bears Responsibility for Estuary Grant Rejection
Reynolds pictured during Monday’s county commission committee meeting. Carmen Reynolds is an environmental activist who works in lock step with local Democrats, Preserve Navarre (pro-incorporation) and others, triggering them to pick up pitchforks and protest. The problem is that sometimes her assertions are untrue or inaccurate. Reynolds is known for spreading false information via social … read more
Serial Thief Jailed Again for Trespassing and Drugs
Serial Thief Jailed Again for Trespassing and Drugs
Getting shot in the arm last November while trespassing at 2 a.m. wasn’t enough to deter serial thief Myrick “Brock” Hamilton from trespassing again. He was recently booked into Santa Rosa County Jail on multiple charges after being caught prowling last month at a family’s home on Hwy. 87 S. Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office reports … read more
Wing Cook-off More than Just a Tasty Good Time
Wing Cook-off More than Just a Tasty Good Time
Kingsley, a non-speaking client of The Starfish Project, has learned to communicate using a device the nonprofit provided. His mom says one of his favorite things to say using the device is “I love you.” This weekend a crowd-pleasing fundraiser will take place in Navarre Park. Although the one-day event will feature tasty treats, kids … read more
Santa Rosa Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Repeatedly Raping Young Girl
Santa Rosa Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Repeatedly Raping Young Girl
Ginger Bowden Madden, State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida, announces that a Santa Rosa County jury found Thomas Lawlis guilty as charged on two counts Sexual Battery Victim Less than 12 Defendant over 18. The guilty verdict was rendered on October 5, 2023. Throughout the late 90’s and early 2000’s, Lawlis would … read more
Parks Improvements Underway
Parks Improvements Underway
Holley Ball Park on Bob Tolbert Road is named after the late Lenny James Tolbert. Recently Holley-Navarre Fire District signed a Quit Claim Deed, reverting a portion of the park land containing a cinder-block storage building, back over the county. ADA bathrooms are planned for the park, which currently utilizes one portable toilet. Photo by … read more
Commissioner Aims to Rename Tiger Point Community Center to Honor Gaetz Family
Commissioner Aims to Rename Tiger Point Community Center to Honor Gaetz Family
Santa Rosa County District 3 Commissioner James Calkins has added an item to Monday’s commission committee meeting, seeking to rename the Tiger Point Community Center in honor of the Gaetz Family. “I will be making a motion to rename the facility the Gaetz Family Community Center,” Calkins told South Santa Rosa News on Thursday. “When … read more
Incarcerated Serial Killer Charged in Okaloosa County Cold Case after Medical Examiner’s Office use of New Technology
Incarcerated Serial Killer Charged in Okaloosa County Cold Case after Medical Examiner’s Office use of New Technology
In February 1996, Keith Jesperson, the serial killer known nationally as the Happy Face killer, admitted to an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office investigator he was responsible for killing a “Jane Doe” in August 1994, and dumping her body near the Holt exit on Interstate 10. Jesperson told OCSO Investigator Glen Barbaree that he believed the … read more
