2020-10-29 E-Edition

The Black Pearl?

Villa Venyce resident constructs pirate ship from hurricane debris



John Rebolledo’s model of Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” ship, built by him over a seven-day period from Hurricane Sally scraps, is already attracting lots of drive-by attention on Venetian Court in Villa Venyce. He and his wife, Kyle, and their children, Rowan, 7; Leighton, 5; and Christian, 2, show off the replica that he says may be transformed to […]

Hurricane Zeta takes aim at Gulf Coast




Gulf Breeze is still dealing with the effects of Hurricane Sally, which struck on Sept. 16. The Gen. Chappie James Bridge remains closed due to Skanska barges breaking free and striking the bridge in multiple locations. Some homeowners are still making repairs, and debris lines many roads in the county, awaiting pickup. FEMA is still meeting with those who suffered […]

Quarantines will continue for exposed students




Assistant Superintendent Mike Thorpe reported to the Santa Rosa County School board last week that the district has a plan to allow remote access to the classroom for students who are quarantined for COVID-19 exposure and it could be started right away. School board member Linda Sanborn responded that it was a well thought out plan, but she was not […]

SSRUS moving forward with facility expansion




Gulf Breeze Director of Public Services Jason Randell told South Santa Rosa Utility System board members at the Oct. 26 meeting that the addition to the Tiger Point Wastewater Treatment plant is in the final stages of design. He said adequate funding has prevented the project from moving forward on the original schedule, but a grant has become available and […]

Ring doorbell app leads to arrests

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is utilizing new technology to combat an old problem. Vehicle burglaries, Santa Rosa’s highest enumerated crime, have been an issue across the nation,. Recently, the SRSO collaborated with Neighbors, a web based application, which allows neighborhoods to come together and share videos voluntarily with each other and local law enforcement. This community law enforcement […]

Ashley Turner is GBHS Teacher of the Year


“Teacher of the Year” is a title that every teacher, staff member and administrator hopes eventually to receive. For the 2020- 21 school year, the prestigious title for Gulf Breeze High School went to guidance counselor Ashley Turner. Mrs. Turner has been employed at GBHS since 2006, making this school year her 14th year at GBHS. In total, Mrs. Turner […]

UWF introduces Peace Corps Prep program

WASHINGTON — The Peace Corps and University of West Florida announced a new partnership centered on an undergraduate certificate program called Peace Corps Prep. Scheduled to launch in January 2021, the Peace Corps Prep program will combine targeted coursework with hands-on experience, building the competencies needed for students to be strong Peace Corps Volunteers or other intercultural fieldworkers. University of […]

Sarkari enrolls at U. of Kentucky

LEXINGTON, KY — The University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences welcomes its new class for the fall 2020 semester. Natalya Sarkari of Gulf Breeze is one of 1,593 incoming freshmen in UK’s College of Arts and Sciences. Natalya’s academic major is Environmental and Sustainability Studies.

Compton named to Dean’s List at The Citadel

CHARLESTON, SC — Trevor Compton of Gulf Breeze is among the nearly 1,000 cadets and students recognized for their academic achievements during the spring 2020 semester. Recognizing the academic successes of Citadel cadets and students is a special tradition each semester, even one as atypical as this. But these cadets and students earned their grades in unique circumstances and were […]