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Hey Navarre, hope your week’s off to a good start! Police chief surprise, a $189 million Bay Center overhaul with an ice rink, KOW Mardi Gras parade, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Inside the selection process: Nearby Pensacola Mayor D C Reeves named Michigan police chief Eric Winstrom as PPD chief, an unexpected pick over union backed Deputy Chief Erik Goss after meetings with city leaders — learn how the chief was chosen.
Big changes on the table: Escambia County commissioners discussed a $189 million proposal to renovate Pensacola’s 40-year-old Bay Center, adding an ice rink, hotel, and event space that could expand entertainment options for Navarre residents — see what’s being proposed.
Pathways to future opportunities: The Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation will host its 6th annual College and Career Fair on March 3 at Beachside Community Church in Fort Walton Beach, with vendors on hand — read the full story.
Chain reshapes local footprint: Gulf Breeze’s Wendy’s is set to be replaced by Alabama-based Foosackly’s after closure was confirmed, part of Wendy’s cuts through 2026. Navarre diners could see a new chicken spot soon — read the full story.
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Unified data for cleaner bays: Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program has been awarded $750,000 to launch a regional Water Quality Monitoring Collaborative with Santa Rosa, Escambia, Okaloosa, Orange Beach, and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Monthly sampling at about 30 sites will power a public dashboard and guide improvements. See how monitoring is coordinated.
Your neighbors are Googling you: It’s uncomfortable but true — employers, new friends, even other parents at school pickup search names all the time. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up first, it can shape opinions before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so your first impression actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s someone you care about, you can help them too.
Safety overhaul targets crash-prone corridor: Santa Rosa County has unveiled a plan to widen Chumuckla Highway near Five Points to a four-lane divided road after a five-year study found over 400 crashes from 2016 to 2021. Construction could be a decade away with costs estimated at $177 to $184 million. Public feedback runs through spring. See what’s planned and when.
Gold is having a moment: Between inflation headlines, market swings, and growing global uncertainty, precious metals are (again) in the spotlight. American Hartford is currently offering up to $25,000 in free silver when you open a qualified account. They’ll also help you set up a penalty-free gold IRA with a lowest price guarantee, no buyback fees, and 7-day price protection.
Fix, learn, and play: UpBeat Music handles repairs, lessons, and a packed floor of guitars, keys, drums, and band gear, with a crew that actually knows the difference between a setup and sorcery. If your rig buzzes or a student needs a rental, they sort it fast.
A second opinion never hurts: Not every financial advisor is the right fit, and it’s okay to explore your options. Unbiased matches you with an advisor based on your personal situation, giving you a chance to ask questions in a free, no-pressure conversation to see if the fit makes sense. No obligation — just helpful advice.
Soup that hugs back: Need an easy win this week? Pho Gulf Breeze delivers fragrant bowls of phở loaded with fresh herbs, plus bánh mì, noodle bowls, and rice plates. It’s comfort that steadies your day and light enough to keep you moving, the kind of warmth you crave without slowing you down.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🌯 WNP PTO Spirit Night @ Chipotle Mexican Grill (Navarre, FL) | Tuesday (2/10) at 4:00 PM – Chipotle is fueling a WNP PTO Spirit Night, and your burrito habit suddenly counts as philanthropy. Grab dinner, skip the dishes, and send 25% back to West Navarre Primary to support our staff, students, and the saintly souls running school pickup.
📚 Perfect Blend Book Club | Wednesday (2/11) at 10:00 AM – Trade your endless TBR guilt for conversation at the Perfect Blend Book Club, where we swap hot takes, sip something caffeinated, and pick next month’s read without a cage match. It’s low-pressure, good company, and the rare meeting that ends with homework you’ll like.
🌳 Bonsai Workshop @ Props Craft Brewery | Wednesday (2/11) at 6:00 PM – Skip yardwork and grow a tiny tree instead at Props Brewery’s bonsai workshop, complete with pints and zero leaf blowers. John Hunter teaches the basics, and you leave with your own bonsai, a ceramic pot, a care kit, and rare, portable zen.
This weekend
🚮 Bob Sikes Bridge Cleanup @ Grand Marlin Restaurant | Saturday (2/14) at 8:45 AM – If you’ve been waiting to trade brunch gossip for good deeds, join the Bob Sikes Bridge south end cleanup. Meet at Grand Marlin’s fishing bridge lot, and they’ll supply buckets, gloves, grabbers, and bags. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring water, and rope in a friend.
🥞 Valentine’s Day Brunch | Saturday (2/14) at 10:30 AM – If your idea of romance is carbs with a side of bubbles, this Valentine’s Day brunch delivers. Pick quiche, waffles, or classic biscuits and gravy, plus a parfait and a mimosa, all for $12, and grab tickets at front desk or the ice cream shop.
🏪 Ye Olde Market @ Ye Olde Brothers Brewery | Sunday (2/15) at 1:00 PM – Need a gift that doesn’t scream Prime Day panic? Swing by Ye Olde Market in Navarre and check out Salty Artisan Creations, turning wood into custom engraved serving boards, keepsakes, and brag-worthy branding. Real craftsmanship, coastal vibe, and zero mall parking drama.
🎭 KOW Mardi Gras Parade @ Paradise Bar & Grill | Sunday (2/15) at 2:00 PM – Mardi Gras on the beach means beads in your flip-flops and zero regrets. When the KOW parade wraps, skip the bridge crawl and post up at the Paradise stage for John Hart, cold drinks, Gulf breezes, and the kind of afterglow locals actually brag about.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Navarre report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 69°F – Low: 56°F – Precip: 1%
Areas of fog before 10am. Partly sunny. High near 69, with temperatures falling to around 64 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 71°F – Low: 53°F – Precip: 16%
A slight chance of rain showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. West wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
This house is wild
Soundside custom with sweeping Intracoastal views and private access, 3 miles to Navarre Beach and 13 to Hurlburt Field. The 4-bedroom plan offers a Great Room, office, tile floors, crown-molded high ceilings, and gas fireplace. Granite and stainless kitchen, luxe primary suite to a covered patio, laundry/mud room, Ecobee thermostat and doorbell camera, fresh upgrades, landscaping, and a waterfront dock.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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