New chamber schedules first meeting
New chamber schedules first meeting
The newly formed Greater Navarre Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its first meeting as a public forum which will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13. at the Navarre Area Board of Realtors office, located at 1917 Navarre School Road. CEO Tony Alexander said the meeting will provide an overview of the organization, and membership applications … read more
County recycling to resume next month
County recycling to resume next month
After nearly nine months of throwing out recyclables along with trash, recycling service will resume in Santa Rosa County around the end of September. The service was on hold while awaiting construction of a $10.6 million Emerald Coast Utilities Authority recycling facility in Escambia County adjacent to the Perdido Landfill. A grand opening for that … read more
Burglary suspect arrested after foot chase
Burglary suspect arrested after foot chase
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies have captured a burglary suspect. The suspect was apprehended near Hampton Inn in Navarre following a foot pursuit. It has not been confirmed that this arrest is connected to a “soft” lock down which took place at nearby schools, including Holley-Navarre Primary, Intermediate and Middle Schools. However, Holley-Navarre Intermediate School confirms … read more
Beach leaseholders oppose renourishment assessment
Beach leaseholders oppose renourishment assessment
Dozens of Navarre Beach leaseholders have contacted Santa Rosa County Commissioners to oppose a potential $3.2 million special assessment for the recently completed beach renourishment project. According to Santa Rosa County Public Information Officer Brandi Whitehurst, the State of Florida reduced its allocation toward the project after it was completed under budget. So commissioners are … read more
Deadline possible for retroactive $250 beach lease fee cap
Deadline possible for retroactive $250 beach lease fee cap
Next week Santa Rosa County Commissioners could set a November 1 deadline for 400 beach leaseholders who have yet to amend their leases to take advantage of a retroactive $250 lease fee cap. Commissioners made the $250 cap retroactive to November 1, 2014, but so far only 1,000 of the 1,400 beach leases have been amended. County Attorney Roy Andrews … read more
Rep. Mike Hill under investigation for homestead exemption fraud
Rep. Mike Hill under investigation for homestead exemption fraud
Florida House District 2 Representative Mike Hill is under investigation for homestead exemption fraud. The Escambia County Property Apppraiser Chris Jones’ Office this morning confirmed an “active” investigation is underway following a complaint filed last week. “We have not finished that investigation,” said Jones, who was unable to immediately release his office’s correspondence with Hill … read more
Gulf Power pursues rate increase
Gulf Power pursues rate increase
Gulf Power is taking required steps toward increasing customer prices. In an August 16 press release the utility announced it notified the Florida Public Service Commission that it may seek a hike approval to raise the base rates for electricity. ““As we continue to secure future energy needs for our customers, we have to make … read more
Broxson dominates Senate race fundraising
Broxson dominates Senate race fundraising
Leading into the final stretch toward the August 30 Republican primary, the latest financial reports show Florida Senate District 1 candidate Doug Broxson’s campaign has raised more than double that of fellow Republican, Mike Hill. Broxson holds a commanding lead with $368,677.53 compared to Hill’s $182,142.81. The candidates’ July 30 – August 5 reports to the … read more
Farewell to local Pearl Harbor survivor
Farewell to local Pearl Harbor survivor
Our area lost a beloved WWII hero last week. Former Navy Signalman striker Myron Jay Carraway, 94, passed away August 11. Carraway, who had been a member of St. Sylvester Church in Navarre in recent years during his residency at The Beacon, survived the infamous Pearl Harbor attack in 1941 while serving aboard the U.S.S. Hulbert. He … read more
EDITORIAL: Why are Escambia developers funding push for Santa Rosa tax?
EDITORIAL: Why are Escambia developers funding push for Santa Rosa tax?
As planned, Santa Rosa County Commissioners are making a third attempt to get voters to support a local option sales tax (LOST) to fund a new courthouse they’ve proposed for downtown Milton. Additionally, on this year’s ballot, the board added a second referendum for a one-half cent LOST to fund unspecified “infrastructure” improvements. And it’s … read more
