Commissioners to spend around $200K on special election aimed to increase local option sales tax
Commissioners to spend around $200K on special election aimed to increase local option sales tax
Santa Rosa County Commissioners this morning decided to move forward with public hearings required ahead of an August 27 special election seeking voter support to increase the local option sales tax from a half-penny to a full penny. The special election during a non-election year will cost taxpayers around $200,000. Voters in 2016 approved the … read more
Cops will soon enforce no parking zones near Navarre High School
Cops will soon enforce no parking zones near Navarre High School
This county graphic depicts one of two “no parking” areas commissioners approved today near Navarre High School. This area is located across from the football field, and a second area, depicted below, is in Diane’s Landing subdivision, which requested a no parking during school events designation. It won’t be long before Navarre High School students … read more
County re-prioritizes RESTORE projects to focus on water quality improvement
County re-prioritizes RESTORE projects to focus on water quality improvement
Charlene Mauro, founder of the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station, left, at the April 9 opening of improvements on the Sound side of Navarre Beach Marine Park. Mauro wrote the initial Deepwater Horizon early restoration federal grant application for the improvements, which include ADA-accessible boardwalks and a pier with a kayak launch. She’s pictured with … read more
Inaugural NWF Construction Career Days for high school students to take place April 16-17
Inaugural NWF Construction Career Days for high school students to take place April 16-17
Nearly 1,000 high school students will be treated to an interactive glimpse into the transportation construction industry April 16-17 during the inaugural Northwest Florida Construction Career Days. The event will provide students with the opportunity to operate heavy machinery and learn about bridge construction, paving, concrete, traffic control, engineering and more. Students will be introduced … read more
Hepatitis A outbreak prompts state to recommend vaccine for those at high-risk
Hepatitis A outbreak prompts state to recommend vaccine for those at high-risk
In response to the Hepatitis A outbreak being experienced across the state, the Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County (DOH-Santa Rosa) is recommending that individuals at high-risk for contracting the disease receive the Hepatitis A vaccine. According to DOH-Santa Rosa epidemiologist Erika Cathey, since January 1, 2019, Santa Rosa County has reported 6 … read more
East Milton woman’s attack on roommate with can of corn featured on Cops TV show
East Milton woman’s attack on roommate with can of corn featured on Cops TV show
Cops, a nationally aired reality crime show, was filming in Santa Rosa County last summer, and this week aired an episode featuring an altercation in which Patricia Marion Ricker, 53, of East Milton, was charged with aggravated battery after using a can of corn as a weapon against her roommate. Ricker was charged with a … read more
FWC app helps track Gopher Tortoise
FWC app helps track Gopher Tortoise
These gentle, slow-moving reptiles become more active in spring. You’re more likely to spot them this time of year as they leave their deep burrows to search for spring greenery and, often, for a mate. Look for tortoises and their half-moon shaped burrow entrances in yards, neighborhoods, along roadways and on many of the state’s … read more
Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office K-9 Orkon injured during burglary arrest
Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office K-9 Orkon injured during burglary arrest
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office dispatch around 12:50 p.m. today received a call in reference to a burglary in progress. The address was on S. Airport Road in Milton. Sheriff Bob Johnson was first to arrive on scene. Upon locating a broken window covered with blood, Sheriff Johnson called for another unit. Shortly after, K-9 Deputy … read more
Man arrested for rape after filing harassment complaint with cops
Man arrested for rape after filing harassment complaint with cops
Dean Allen Matthews, 36, was booked April 8 into Santa Rosa County Jail on a felony sexual assault charge after contacting Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office to file a harassment complaint against a woman posting about him on social media. However, Matthews had an active warrant for his arrest, and an investigator booked him into … read more
Banded bird survived Hurricane Michael
Banded bird survived Hurricane Michael
The tale of a “snowbird” that survived 140+ mph winds Piping plover A97 hatched along the Missouri River near Lexington, Nebraska in 2015. He has a metal USGS band on the upper left leg and his upper right leg has a dark blue flag with A97 inscribed on it. Since hatching, he has arrived every year in late … read more
