January beautification efforts will pay off in the future. Members of Driftwood Garden Club and the City of Gulf Breeze couldn’t have asked for more Friday when the duo met at Sunset Kids Park on Shoreline Drive for a triple celebration. The Arbor Day event featured a ground breaking for the long-anticipated Sunset Kids Park Splash Pad and a tree […]
Nat’l security at risk, local expert warns
When one hears of American high-tech vulnerability in our operating systems, databases and even our utilities, due to hacking and the production of microchip, microprocessor and semi-conducters abroad – by countries that are not our allies – it’s easy to think, “Oh, I hope that doesn’t make my computer, phone or entertainment systems vulnerable.” But the situation is much, much […]
‘Hero’ Hammond to receive medal
Congressman Matt Gaetz will present the Carnegie Medal to David Hammond of Gulf Breeze on Thursday, Jan. 25 for saving a woman from her burning home last year. David Hammond, who is 64, saved 47-year-old Stephanie Wright from her house after it caught fire July 28, 2016. She dialed 911 and, using another phone, called Hammond, who was her landlord. […]
Basketball coaches find love on and off the court
A new dynamic has been thrown into the mix at Gulf Breeze High School – a newly-wedded basketball-coaching duo currently in the homestretch of their reconstructive seasons. Married April 22, 2017, Gulf Breeze natives Ryan and Christy (Gray) Ottensmeyer are living their dream. Graduating from GBHS in 2000 and 2004, the pair originally met during a summer camp program at […]
GB man convicted of sexual battery on teen
On Monday, Jan. 22, a Santa Rosa County jury found Christopher Jason Traffanstead, 41, of Gulf Breeze, guilty of two counts of engaging in an act which constitutes sexual battery upon or with a child 12 years of age or older, but younger than 18 years of age, by a person in familial or custodial authority and one count of […]
Schools will keep 6-period day
Board members ‘extremely disappointed’ district can’t afford to return to 7 periodsThere will be no seven-period class days in Santa Rosa County Schools during the next school year. A task force studying the issue for the past 18 weeks came back with its report for last week’s school board meeting. “Bottom line, to be blunt, you cannot afford it right now,” Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick told school board members. Wyrosdick told the […]
Calendar of Meetings
Thursday, Jan. 25 Santa Rosa County Commission Regular 9 a.m., 6495 Caroline Street, Milton Santa Rosa County Local Mitigation Strategy Task Force 1:30 p.m., 6051 Old Bagdad Highway, Milton Santa Rosa County Commission Special — Rezoning 6 p.m., 6495 Caroline Street, Milton Friday, Jan. 26 Gulf Breeze Optimist Club 7 a.m., 1110 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze Monday, Jan. 29 […]
FLASHBACKS
January 251 Year ago this week – 2017 Christy Gray, a graduate of Oriole Beach Elementary School, was named the school’s Teacher-of-the-Year for the school. 5 Years ago this week – 2013 The Gulf Breeze City Council voted to move forward with drafting an ordinance to regulate the storage of boats, RVs and trailers in city limits. The proposed ordinance drew […]
Icy conditions paralyze area
During the week of Jan. 14- 20, an arctic cold front hit the South and affected the Florida Panhandle. Due to the frigid conditions, workers were told to stay home, schools’ classes were canceled and drivers were warned roads and bridges were dangerously icy. Some snow was reported in the area. Bridges were closed the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 17, […]
Cadet wins scholarship
Senior Cadet Major Alec Stonebraker won a $20,000 scholarship to the brand new Air ForceJROTC Flight Academy. The selection rate was 19% nationwide. This summer Alec will attend one of six universities that have partnered with the Air Force to train students to earn their private pilot’s license. The Flight Academy Scholarship program is a new headquarters Air Force program […]