2020-09-24 E-Edition

Sally Barges In

Loose barges strike new bridge during Hurricane Sally, creating two large breaches



It wasn’t supposed to strike Northwest Florida. Sally was first forecast to come ashore near New Orleans but kept marching eastward, finally coming ashore Sept. 16 at 4:45 a.m. at Gulf Shores, Ala. Northwest Florida residents who weren’t paying close attention woke up to the new news that Hurricane Sally, a strong Category 2 hurricane, was bearing down with the […]

Firefighters can’t reach burning home




Gulf Breeze Volunteer Fire Department ran about 20 calls for “sparking and arcing” in the wake of Hurricane Sally. At one point, local firefighters had seven calls at the same time as Gulf Power began bringing the local system back online. None of those calls resulted in any kind of damage and the department was able to handle them all. […]

Garcon Point Bridge tolls waived, but for how long?




Sen. Doug Broxson said on Monday, Sept. 21, that the meter continues to run when it comes to traffic on Garcon Point Bridge, but there is no charge for motorists to use it. That comes as good news to hundreds of local travelers who have lost access — thanks to Hurricane Sally —to the new and toll-free Three-Mile Bridge connecting […]

Stormwater efforts appear to pay off in City




For months, Gulf Breeze resident Randy Hebert, whose home is in the Plantation Hills area on the city’s north side, showed up at every meeting of Gulf Breeze City Council as a reminder to former Mayor Matt Dannheisser and Council members that he and his neighbors needed help with stormwater issues. Council paid attention. In November 2018, Hebert was elected […]

Use caution when boating — hazards lurk




Robert Turpin, Escambia County’s marine resources manager and a resident of Gulf Breeze, has concerns about the safety of the boating public in the aftermath of this area’s recent storm. Since Hurricane Sally hit last week, Turpin has been out on local waterways like the Santa Rosa Sound, Pensacola Bay and the eastern-most section of Big Lagoon as part of […]

What would you do differently the next time a tropical storm threatens?

Facebook followers weigh in

Gulf Breeze News asked its Facebook followers, “What would you do differently the next time a tropical storm threatens?” and got 23,000-plus views and over 6,000 reactions. Many people responded that they would have a generator and extra food on hand. Others said they would evacuate, if they got the chance. Lynn Jones offered some great advice: “Same thing we […]

SOS wants to end clear cutting in county




The Land Development Code Workshop held by Santa Rosa County two weeks ago brought several community residents and leaders to the microphone to give suggestions to the final codes. Two speakers who took a bulk of time were from Gulf Breeze with Dara Lynn Hartigan from Save Our Soundside and Jack Bonney, both speaking about issues they wanted strengthened and […]

Calendar of Meetings

Thursday, September 24 Capital Trust Agency Board of Directors Meeting 8:00 a.m., via Zoom Santa Rosa County Commission Committee Regular Meeting 9:00 a.m., 6495 Caroline St., Milton Santa Rosa County Commission Committee Local Mitigation Strategy Task Force Special 1:30 p.m., 6051 Old Bagdad Hwy. Milton Santa Rosa County Commission Special – Rezoning Meeting 6:00 p.m., 6495 Caroline St., Milton Santa […]

FLASHBACKS

September 24

1 Year ago this week – 2019 A week after a story broke about Gulf Breeze News being prohibited from ­broadcasting home sporting events, a source told GBN about a grade changing scandal at GBHS. Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick ­recommended a five-day suspension without pay for Principal Danny Brothers and termination for ­Assistant Principal Tori Baker. 5 Years ago this week […]