New development underway in west Navarre
New development underway in west Navarre
Submitted rendition of Navarre Gardens’ 17,500-square-foot facility Last year South Santa Rosa News broke the news that a Walmart Neighborhood Market was coming to West Navarre, and that facility’s site is now under construction on north side of U.S. 98 across from Joybrook Road. Additionally, just west of the new store and also on the … read more
East Bay Boulevard roadwork to resume Monday
East Bay Boulevard roadwork to resume Monday
It’s been over a month since resurfacing work began on a 4.5-mile stretch of East Bay Boulevard in Navarre, which is a popular cut through for motorists who want to avoid traffic on U.S. Highway 98. Road crews with Panhandle Paving and Grading, Inc. milled off a single layer of pavement on East Bay Boulevard … read more
WoodStoke Festival draws big crowd
WoodStoke Festival draws big crowd
Jason Stokes unloading the unique, wood-fired pottery during the festival The “WoodStoke Pottery and Kiln Festival” took place last Saturday, attracting a huge crowd to Holley Hill Pottery. The annual event, hosted by the Gulf Coast Kiln Walk Society, was free and open to the public. Founders Marty and Brenda Stokes and their son, Jason, were … read more
Deadline looms for retro pay hike for teachers
Deadline looms for retro pay hike for teachers
Last week Santa Rosa County Schools Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick declared an “impasse” in contract negotiations with the district’s teachers’ union. Now the two sides are not in agreement with how to move forward with arbitration. At stake is retroactive salary increases for the district’s teachers — at a time when both sides agree there is … read more
County commissioners discuss how to spend new tax monies
County commissioners discuss how to spend new tax monies
Santa Rosa County Commissioners at a special workshop on Tuesday discussed how to spend new tax revenues, including $35-39 million from the local option sales tax approved by voters last November. Voters supported the half penny LOST increase for a five-year period to fund capital expenditures for police and fire and infrastructure improvements for flooding, … read more
Off-season tourism increases
Off-season tourism increases
Santa Rosa County’s tourism revenues have progressively increased since Santa Rosa County Tourist Director Julie Morgan came aboard in the fall of 2014. “I made a lot of changes when I got here,” said Morgan, noting she used her 20 years’ worth of previous experience marketing the Great Smokey Mountains area to help take Santa … read more
Gulf Breeze eyeing drone ordinance
Gulf Breeze eyeing drone ordinance
You see them everywhere. Buzzing around above your head at football games, in parks, and even over the beach. But those pesky plastic birds could be hit with a dose of reality within the coming weeks. The Gulf Breeze City Council discussed considering a drone ordinance at last Wednesday’s Executive Committee meeting, which could help … read more
City’s Stormwater, Traffic Calming Task Force disband
City’s Stormwater, Traffic Calming Task Force disband
The City of Gulf Breeze and board members representing the city’s Stormwater Task Force and Traffic Calming Task Force have decided that they’ve done all they can do to address problems in the city in relation to their respected duties. At last Wednesday’s Executive Committee meeting at Gulf Breeze City Hall, City Manager Edwin “Buz” … read more
Benefit run to feature a splash of color
Benefit run to feature a splash of color
This year, the Quentin Cooper Liver Life 5K will feature a splash of color thanks to an idea from the Gulf Breeze High School Student Government Association. Madison Owens spoke to Gulf Breeze City Council last Wednesday at their Executive Committee meeting about utilizing colored chalk during the race, which is in it’s 5th year. … read more
Love gone bad
Love gone bad
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson at this morning’s Greater Navarre Area Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast provided an update and behind-the-scenes details about the Boyette/Rice murder spree, which attracted national media attention to our area. According to Johnson, Boyette’s first attack, which took place at 2:20 a.m., Jan. 31 Emerald Sands Inn in Milton … read more
