Cops search for Gulf Breeze suspect in child sodomy case
Cops search for Gulf Breeze suspect in child sodomy case
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a Gulf Breeze resident who has serious child abuse charges pending against him after a male juvenile told police the man repeatedly sexually abused him at the suspect’s home. Suspect Christopher Jason Traffanstead, 39, with a last known address in the 2500 block of Abbie Elizabeth Court, … read more
Vandals strike Senior Center
Vandals strike Senior Center
The Holley-Navarre Senior Center was struck by vandals who busted up picnic tables and damaged a shuffleboard court area. “It is too bad that people in our community would do damage to the Senior’s property,” said Margaret Russell, who handles publicity for the nonprofit organization. According to Russell, the center does not receive any operating … read more
Gulf Islands National Seashore wins “Best Beach” award
Gulf Islands National Seashore wins “Best Beach” award
Pensacola Bay Area beaches earned double accolades in the latest USA TODAY and 10Best reader polls. The Gulf Islands National Seashore was voted the “No. 1 Best East Coast Beach”, beating out a diverse list of shorelines in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. A panel of experts picked the initial nominees, then online votes … read more
Impact of state’s $5.7 million not yet known
Impact of state’s $5.7 million not yet known
There’s no word yet on how money included in the new state budget for the Navarre Beach renourishment project might impact assessments expected to be paid by beach residents. The budget signed last week by Gov. Rick Scott included $5.7 million for the project, which is estimated to cost a total of $17.4 million. About … read more
Gaetz joins race to replace Miller – all eyes on Evers now
Gaetz joins race to replace Miller – all eyes on Evers now
When U.S. Congressman Jeff Miller made the surprise announcement that he would not seek re-election after completing his current eighth term, it started a snowball of growing speculation about which local elected officials might seek his seat — and who might in turn try to fill any resulting vacancies. Political powerhouse and Florida State Senator … read more
Navarre Chamber, Santa Rosa County to adopt lease for Visitor Center space
Navarre Chamber, Santa Rosa County to adopt lease for Visitor Center space
The Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Santa Rosa County are poised to ink a deal that will keep the chamber in the Visitor Information Center on U.S. 98. The chamber will pay $7,470 annually for the space, or $622.50 per month , according to a proposed lease. Santa Rosa County Commissioners will discuss … read more
Gov. approves record budget with $5.7 m for Navarre Beach renourishment
Gov. approves record budget with $5.7 m for Navarre Beach renourishment
Last night Florida Governor Rick Scott approved Florida’s record-breaking $82 billion budget, which included $7.4 million for projects in Santa Rosa County. “We received funding for projects to help improve our I-10 Industrial Park, restore our beach, improve infrastructure in Holley By The Sea, support our agriculture community and improve our water quality,” Santa Rosa … read more
17-story hotel in works for Navarre Beach
17-story hotel in works for Navarre Beach
Santa Rosa County officials have confirmed that planning and zoning staff held a pre-application meeting this week to discuss a planned 17-story Gulf-front hotel on Navarre Beach. The 1.06-acre parcel eyed for development is located at 8459 Gulf Boulevard, just west of Carribbean Resort and near the construction site of a 7-story Springhill Suites by … read more
Two candidates quit Sheriff’s race
Two candidates quit Sheriff’s race
The race to win the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s seat may have become a bit easier for the agency’s Chief Deputy Bob Johnson. Former longtime Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Hank Shirah, presently the Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police for Pensacola State College, told South Santa Rosa News yesterday that he is … read more
Destin dentist driving wrong way on Hwy. 98 gets DUI
Destin dentist driving wrong way on Hwy. 98 gets DUI
A Destin dentist who was reportedly so intoxicated she was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of U.S. Highway 98 last Saturday night was slapped with DUI charges after a Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s deputy caught up with the woman near Lighthouse Pointe in Navarre. The driver, Elena Kopko, 42, of Turkey Oak Drive in … read more
