State reduces daily cobia limit
State reduces daily cobia limit
Several changes to the management of cobia in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico will go into effect Feb. 1. These changes were approved at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) meeting in December. These changes will further promote sustainable management of this fishery and were developed in coordination with anglers who … read more
RESTORE Fund spending plan open for public review and input
RESTORE Fund spending plan open for public review and input
The public comment period for the RESTORE Spill Impact Component “Pot 3” Draft State Expenditure Plan (SEP) is open now through March 2. The public is invited to review the draft SEP, register for webinars on February 1 or February 15, or provide feedback online. Florida’s 23 gulf coast counties formed the consortium to meet … read more
Gulf Breeze High teacher named Teacher of the Year
Gulf Breeze High teacher named Teacher of the Year
This morning a caravan of school district officials and media representatives along with representatives from the Santa Rosa Education Foundation surprised Gulf Breeze High School Teacher Erin Cosky, who have been named Santa Rosa County District School’s Teacher of the Year. All Teacher of the Year nominees will be recognized at Santa Rosa’s Golden Apple … read more
Raiders dominate military academy nods
Raiders dominate military academy nods
U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz today surprised five Navarre High School students, announcing their nominations to U.S. military academies. Pictured left to right are: Xavier Allen (West Point), Amanda Teichner (U.S. Naval Academy), Shaun Parcher (U.S. Naval Academy) Seth Ivanoff (U.S. Air Force Academy) and Taro Yamaguachi (U.S. Air Force Academy) Congratulations to Navarre High School … read more
Firefighters battled 11 wildfires over weekend
Firefighters battled 11 wildfires over weekend
A wildfire in East Milton destroyed two unoccupied mobile homes Florida Forest Service firefighters have responded to 11 wildfires since January 19 throughout the three-county area, including one in Navarre. “The scattered rain received throughout the area will do little to alleviate the dry conditions and recent cold snaps have killed off vegetation that doesn’t … read more
Jury finds Gulf Breeze man guilty of child sex crimes
Jury finds Gulf Breeze man guilty of child sex crimes
South Santa Rosa News file photo State Attorney Bill Eddins announced today that a Santa Rosa County jury found 41-year-old Christopher Jason Traffanstead of Gulf Breeze guilty of two counts of engaging in an act which constitutes sexual battery upon or with a child between 12-18 years of age by a person in familial or … read more
Death sentence upheld for man who killed, raped UWF student
Death sentence upheld for man who killed, raped UWF student
The Florida Supreme Court has denied an appeal of the death sentence of Eric Scott Branch, who was convicted in the 1993 rape and murder of University of West Florida student Susan Morris. According to First Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Eddins, Branch had asked for post-conviction relief in his 1997 death sentence, citing a … read more
Firefighters responding to wildfires
Firefighters responding to wildfires
Firefighters from Florida Forest Service’s Blackwater Forestry Center are responding to a pair of fires, including one in Navarre. The fire in Navarre is located off of East Bay Boulevard and Lovewood Drive. According to FFS Spokesman Joe Zwierzchowski, local fire departments have that blaze contained but Forest Service crews will assess and possibly put … read more
Commissioners to get update on U.S. 98 traffic signal timing
Commissioners to get update on U.S. 98 traffic signal timing
Representatives from DRMP, Inc. on Monday will provide Santa Rosa County Commissioners an update on their ongoing effort to retime and coordinate traffic signals on U.S. 98. “I requested they come to the commission in response to complaints I was receiving from the Navarre community,” said Santa Rosa County District 4 Commissioner Rob Williamson. Williamson … read more
County moves to stop discharging treated wastewater into Santa Rosa Sound
County moves to stop discharging treated wastewater into Santa Rosa Sound
Santa Rosa County Commissioners this week will discuss approving $12,600 to appraise a proposed 200-acre site on Eglin Air Force Base property which would be used as a future effluent disposal area. The proposed rapid infiltration basin system (RIBS) site is located northwest of the Holley community on undeveloped property lying south of Choctaw Field … read more