Santa Rosa County officials advised residents to use caution when burning yard debris following a brush fire in Avalon on Dec. 28, in which crews from the Avalon and Bagdad fire departments and the division of forestry responded. The brush fire was the result of a backyard debris burn getting out of control. The fire burned approximately eight acres of grass and trees and threatened a home, cars and a boat, but caused no damage or injuries.

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A residential fire in Navarre displaced a family of eight early on the morning of Dec. 27. According to Santa Rosa County Emergency Communications, the residents of a mobile home on Toledo Street reported a fire in their home at 2:08 a.m. Fire departments from Holley-Navarre, Navarre Beach and Florosa responded and called the fire was out at 2:43 a.m. Holley-Navarre Fire Chief Ron Norton stated the fire originated in the heater closet, on the floor under the heater.

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A Northwest Florida water utility director warned against “creeping federal imperialism” at a Navarre Patriots meeting in December.

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Santa Rosa Medical Center is the home of the first Navarre baby born in 2011. Violet Jefferson was delivered by Dr. Sue George at 1:23 p.m. on Jan. 3 Violet weighed six pounds 15 ounces, and measured 19.25 inches long. She is the daughter of Emily and Brady Jefferson of Navarre and joins three sisters, all of whom were born at Santa Rosa Medical Center.

For the second time, the Navarre Community Emergency Response Team is holding what it calls “The Amazing Chase,” this time on Jan. 22, 2011. Teams of two-to-four individuals over the age 12 — one must have a driver’s license — will compete for prizes in an event similar to television’s “Amazing Race.”

Each team will be given clues; the answer to each clue is a local business. Teams solve the clue, drive to the business and pick up a card. Once all businesses have been visited, teams head to the final destination, the Navarre Elks Lodge. The Amazing Chase begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Holley Navarre

Senior Center, 8476 Gordon Goodin Lane, Navarre.

The team with every card that finishes in the least time wins $500. The remaining team with all cards and the best mileage wins $200. A third prize of $100 will be awarded to the remaining team with the most cards and the second best mileage.

“This is our major fund raiser and we need your help to make it a huge success,” explained Ray Yantch of Navarre C.E.R.T. “Come join the fun.”

He added there will be an “Amazing” awards party following the Chase at the Elks Lodge, which will include more prizes, a 50/50 raffle, live music by Steve Hall and discount food and drinks. The Elks Lodge is located at 2002 Elks Way in Navarre.

The cost is $10 per team member if registered by Jan. 8, and $15 per person after that. Registration forms are available online at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by contacting Bill Crouch at 791-3886.

Last week, Santa Rosa County announced the locations of five recycling sites where residents can dispose of their live Christmas trees. The trees must be taken to the site by Monday, Feb. 28. Residents are asked to place trees in the designated area identified by signage and not in front of the recycling containers. The sites include:

• Tiger Point recreation area in Gulf Breeze, east of WalMart
• Quintette recycle area at the Five Points Intersection
• Gulf Power recycle area on East Spencer Field Road
• Clean Community System on Park Avenue
• Jay Transfer Station on Transfer Station Road

The trees will be chipped and offered as free mulch at Clean Community System in Milton at a later date to be announced.

In addition to announcing the sites for tree disposal, county officials urged residents to not cut up and burn their trees in a home fireplace, as burning evergreens release tar and creosol, which can ignite and cause a chimney fire.

Residents are reminded that recycle areas are not disposal areas for furniture or household garbage that is not sorted recyclable material. Santa Rosa County recycle sites accept glass, metal, plastic containers, paper and cardboard. A list of all of Santa Rosa County’s recycling points and accepted materials can be found online at www.santarosa.fl.gov/recycle.