Gulf Breeze News

01/09/2024

Navarre Beach Pier closed until further notice

Navarre Beach Pier is closed until further notice due to extensive storm damage.

Residents and visitors are asked to avoid the pier until further notice.

01/09/2024

Escambia Bay Bridge is reopen to all traffic.

01/09/2024

A new severe thunderstorm warning has been issued until 6:30 a.m. for all of Santa Rosa County.

Treat this like a tornado warning and get in your safe place until this line passes as a tornado is possible! One could spin up very quickly within this line.

Other threats:
Wind gusts up to 60 mph
Pea sized hail possible.

01/09/2024

01/09/2024

Mesoscale Update: As of midnight, a surface warm front extends from southeast Mississippi between Laurel and Meridian, southeastward across Choctaw, Clarke, and Escambia counties, Alabama into the western Florida Panhandle between Pensacola and Navarre. A surface confluence band with intensifying supercells embedded within a northeast to southwest line extending from far southeast Mississippi into interior southwest Alabama will become the immediate focus for a severe thunderstorm threat with damaging winds between 70 and 80 mph possible along with possible tornadoes. A second area of focus is now offshore roughly 40-60 miles south of the Alabama coast where more discrete supercells appear to be intensifying. These will likely be a threat within the next 1 to 2 hours approaching the coastlines of Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle. These storms are developing within a moderately unstable and highly sheared environment well within the warm sector. As these storms move on shore they will pose the greater risk for tornadoes, a few that may be strong, and damaging winds between 70-80 mph. Strong wind gusts outside of thunderstorms will also continue to gust between 50 and 70 mph and may result in several downed trees and power outages. Finally, coastal flooding continues along vulnerable low lying areas near the coast with portions of northern Mobile Bay approaching moderate coastal flood levels. Please be prepared to take cover if a warning is issued for your location and take these warnings seriously.

01/09/2024

Update 9 p.m.: Tornado watch issued; Escambia Bay Bridge closed to commercial vehicles such as semis and box trucks which are prone to tipping over in high winds.

01/09/2024

Parents: there is a day camp tomorrow since school is canceled.

☔🌧️ Rain, rain, go away! School's canceled for Tuesday, but the fun won't stop! Join us for a spontaneous ONE DAY CAMP to turn this gloomy day into a blast! 🎉🌈

📅 Date: Tuesday, January 9, 2023
🕒 Time: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
📍 Location: Gulf Breeze Community Center, 800 Shoreline Drive

🍜 Food: Prepare a lunch for your little one before drop off
🍪 Snacks: A snack or two is highly recommended.

🚨🚨 Parents will need to complete the Formstack before dropping their kiddos off, and must come inside to sign them in and out for the day. https://cityofgulfbreeze-ktmle.formstack.com/forms/1_9_2024_day_camp

☔️ We are only accepting elementary and middle school aged students. They must either attend GBES/GBMS or be residents of Gulf Breeze (32561).

01/09/2024

This graphic explains the difference between a Tornado WATCH and WARNING. In a WATCH, all the ingredients exist to create a tornado. In a WARNING, the tornado is formed.
Now go eat a taco!

01/08/2024

Be prepared for tonight's storm. Here is an update from the National Weather Service:

Have multiple ways to receive weather warnings Severe weather update #1 Mon., Jan. 8, 3 p.m. - Updates are highlighted Weather update from National Weather Service in Mobile: Severe weather conditions

01/08/2024

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=857552369713893&set=a.466925558776578

☔🌧️ Rain, rain, go away! Gulf Breeze Schools Families and Parents - IMPORTANT - Due to the announcement of school closures, the REC will offer a special Camp from 7:30 am - 5:30 pm. This program will be for Elementary and Middle School Students. For those of you who love our Summer Camp and After School Program, Staff has quickly put together a fun day for kids! Please bring a lunch for your child. No Charge for this service. PLEASE SHARE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

📅 Date: Tuesday, January 9, 2023
🕒 Time: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
📍 Location: Gulf Breeze Community Center, 800 Shoreline Drive

🍜 Food: Prepare a lunch for your little one before drop off
🍪 Snacks: A snack or two is highly recommended.

🚨🚨 Parents will need to complete the registration form before or when dropping their kiddos off, and must come inside to sign them in and out for the day. https://cityofgulfbreeze-ktmle.formstack.com/forms/1_9_2024_day_camp

01/08/2024

The Gulf Breeze Senior Center will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 9, due to the weather forecast.

01/08/2024

BREAKING:
Santa Rosa and Escambia County schools will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 9, due to the forecasted severe storm.

01/08/2024

The cold weather shelter for the homeless and/or heatless will be open the night of Tue., Jan. 9 at Ferris Hill Baptist Church, 6848 Chaffin St. in Milton. Those who would like to stay at the shelter must arrive between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Only service animals (with verification of rabies vaccination) are permitted to stay with guests. No one will be admitted after 8:30 p.m. unless brought in by law enforcement. The shelter closes at 7 a.m. each morning.

Santa Rosa County's cold weather shelter is operated by Ferris Hill Baptist Church, utilizing volunteer resources and donations. It opens each night weather is forecasted to drop below 40 degrees, typically November through March. The shelter is for people who are homeless or cannot maintain heat in their homes, can care for themselves, and are not at risk to themselves or others. No one will be admitted to the shelter who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, unable to walk unaided or disoriented.

01/08/2024

The Gulf Breeze Dolphin wrestling team finished fourth out of 27 teams at the Gulf Shores Scuffle last weekend. Click to see the GBHS results:

The Gulf Breeze Dolphin wrestling team finished fourth out of 27 teams at the Gulf Shores Scuffle last weekend. GBHS results: 106 Garrett Ferguson (16-2) placed 1st and scored 26.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Garrett Ferguson (GBHS) received a bye Quarterfinal - Garrett Ferguson (GBHS) won by fall...

01/07/2024

Residents urged to prepare for severe weather

The National Weather Service in Mobile is predicting severe weather conditions in the overnight hours of Monday night, Jan. 8, into Tuesday morning (Jan. 9) for our area. Santa Rosa County has been placed under an enhanced risk for severe weather.

Potential threats:
Damaging wind gusts 70+ mph
Tornadoes - a couple of tornadoes could be strong (EF2+)
Areas of flash flooding are possible

Marine hazards:
Gale warning in effect from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday. Out to 20 NM, southeast winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 35 kt and seas 7 to 10 ft expected. Waters from 20 to 60 NM, southeast winds 25 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and seas 7 to 12 ft expected.
Storm warning in effect from 4 p.m. Monday to 9 a.m. Tuesday. Out to 20 NM, south winds 30 to 40 kt with gusts up to 50 kt and seas 11 to 16 ft expected. Waters from 20 to 60 NM, south winds 30 to 40 kt with gusts up to 55 kt and seas 12 to 17 ft expected.
Very strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.

According to the National Weather Service in Mobile, the most likely timing of severe weather in our area will be from 12 - 9 a.m. with the greatest risk for tornadoes being between 3 - 9 a.m. Tuesday morning.

The majority of Santa Rosa County will also be under a wind advisory from 4 p.m. Monday to 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected out of the south with gusts up to 50 mph. Areas closer to the coast in the south end of the county will be under a high wind warning from 4 p.m. Monday to 9 a.m. Tuesday. South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are expected.

Prepare now for severe weather. Make sure all family members know the plan.
Have multiple ways of receiving alerts.
Clean up any items in your yard that may become projectiles due to high winds. This includes patio furniture, decorations and plants.
Every home should have a NOAA weather radio, the first line of defense before relying on alerts through a smartphone.
Smartphone weather apps are also an excellent delivery source of severe weather information and other disaster updates - especially in the overnight hours. Santa Rosa County's alert app - AlertSantaRosa.com - provides updates on emergency incidents (hazardous materials as well as severe weather) in the county at addresses of your choice (work, school, home, etc).
Be sure that you have not disabled your alerts on your phone and that it is fully charged and within reach. If you use the "Do Not Disturb" feature on your phone at night, turn it off so that any emergency calls may come through.
Have a kit with supplies ready to go when a tornado warning is issued. Suggested items to include are:
A bike helmet or some form of head protection for each family member.
A flashlight or electric lantern.
Charged cell phone power bank.
A whistle or air horn in the event you are trapped under debris.
First aid kit.
Know where you will go (interior rooms, basement - never a car or mobile home) if a tornado warning is issued and don't forget your pets!

For current weather events, visit www.weather.gov/mob. For information on preparing for disasters, visit www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency. Follow Santa Rosa County Emergency Management on Facebook for weather updates.

Best places to shelter from tornadoes - away from windows in an interior room away from windows on the lowest floor.

01/07/2024

The Gulf Breeze Lady Dolphin basketball won its first ever game at the Innisfree Hotels Christmas Tournament, beating Gordonsville, Tenn. 50- 32 on Day 1 of the three-day tournament on Dec. 27.

Both the GBHS boys and girls went 1-2 in the tournament, with the boys beating Bradley Central, Tenn. on Day 2 Thursday.

https://news.gulfbreezenews.com/articles/lady-dolphins-win-first-innisfree-game/

01/06/2024

Update. Now reopen.

17th Ave. closed due to flooding.

01/05/2024

Relaxed alcohol rules may encourage more entertainment establishments

What would you like to see along Highway 98? A bowling alley? Brewpup? Wine bar? Or something else?

As of Jan. 1, there is no 2,500- foot buffer between schools or churches and establishments that serve alcohol on premises along Highway 98 in Santa Rosa County. That means there could be a lot of new investments in entertainment venues such as bowling alleys, brew pubs and wine bars but there will....

01/05/2024

Pensacola Mardi Gras Kickoff Celebration Downtown Road Closures

Road closures will be in effect in Downtown Pensacola, beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6 for the 2024 Pensacola Mardi Gras Kickoff Celebration.
-Street parking will be blocked off at 3 p.m.
-Parade route and float staging area closures will begin at 4 p.m.
-Parade begins at 5:30 p.m.

Drivers and pedestrians are reminded to use caution in the area. Heavy parade and float traffic is expected on Palafox, Jefferson and Government Street, with Romana and Zaragoza Street remaining open to traffic.

Please see the map below for details. To learn more, visit pensacolamardigras.com.

01/05/2024

As of Jan. 1, there is no 2,500- foot buffer between schools or churches and establishments that serve alcohol on premises along Highway 98 in Santa Rosa County. That means there could be a lot of new investments in entertainment venues such as bowling alleys, brew pubs and wine bars but there will not be any adult entertainment such as strip clubs, which are outlawed in Santa Rosa County.

As of Jan. 1, there is no 2,500- foot buffer between schools or churches and establishments that serve alcohol on premises along Highway 98 in Santa Rosa County. That means there could be a lot of new investments in entertainment venues such as bowling alleys, brew pubs and wine bars but there will....

01/04/2024

Welcome new advertiser, Gulf Coast Elite Gymnastics!
They are inside the FunPlex on the second floor.

01/04/2024

Wade into Gulf Breeze High School's new sealife mural

Gulf Breeze High School (GBHS) has its share of homegrown talent, and 2004 graduate Amanda Burkett, whose maiden name is Luecht, is sharing her talent with the students and faculty of her alma mater to enjoy for generations to come. Burkett is covering the entrance hallway of GBHS with a 10-foot by 41-foot mural that captures the essence of Gulf Breeze and offers a calming aesthetic to a somewhat hectic location.

https://news.gulfbreezenews.com/articles/high-school-wall-gets-a-cool-refresh/

01/04/2024

Happy New Year!
Pick up a fresh copy of Gulf Breeze News to be informed about your community.
Splash! Magazine is inside!
Place your ad by Friday in the next issue. Call (850) 932-8986 or email [email protected]

01/04/2024

The GBHS wrestling team, minus five starters (concussions, skin rash or illness) repeated as District 1 Duals champions tonight in Gulf Breeze.
Gavin Samons (holding trophy) won by pinfall in the final match to give the Dolphins a 37-34 win over Fort Walton.
GBHS will host the Regional Duals January 11 - look for a district recap in the January 11 edition

01/03/2024

If you own a business, you should know your audience.

2021 Demographics
32561 Population: 9,610
32561 Ave. HH Inc.: $108,205
32561 Median Age: 50.4
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32563 Population: 28,186
32563 Ave HH Inc.: $87,054
32563 Median Age: 43.5
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32566 Population: 42,753
32566 Ave HH Inc.: $90,381
32566 Median Age: 37.5

Gulf Breeze News is the community newspaper that reaches your target audience! Call (850) 932-8986 or email [email protected] for ad rates and learn how you can get a feature article for your business.

01/02/2024

Have the best year ever!
Advertise your business in Gulf Breeze News and Splash! Magazine.
Reach the area's highest-income households most effectively and affordably.
Call for rate information and learn how to get a free feature article.
(850) 932-8986 or email Lisa at [email protected]

01/02/2024

In addition to Mon., Jan. 1, the cold weather shelter for the homeless and/or heatless will be open Tue., Jan. 2, Wed., Jan. 3, and Thur., Jan. 4 at Ferris Hill Baptist Church, 6848 Chaffin St. in Milton. Those who would like to stay at the shelter must arrive between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Only service animals (with verification of rabies vaccination) are permitted to stay with guests. No one will be admitted after 8:30 p.m. unless brought in by law enforcement. The shelter closes at 7 a.m. each morning.

Santa Rosa County's cold weather shelter is operated by Ferris Hill Baptist Church, utilizing volunteer resources and donations. It opens each night weather is forecasted to drop below 40 degrees, typically November through March. The shelter is for people who are homeless or cannot maintain heat in their homes, can care for themselves, and are not at risk to themselves or others. No one will be admitted to the shelter who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, unable to walk unaided or disoriented.