SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced at a press conference Thursday in Santa Rosa County that he is putting $144 million in federal money toward expanding broadband access in 41 counties around Florida.

An escaped Florida inmate was arrested by Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s deputies on Wednesday.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s office is asking for the public’s help in locating an escaped inmate.

Dozens of school districts around the country have eliminated requirements for students to wear masks, and many more are likely to ditch them before the next academic year.

MIAMI – A Florida woman who traveled to Asia and was diagnosed with COVID-19 in California died, Florida Department of Health officials announced on Saturday. The woman is the third Florida resident to die after being diagnosed with the respiratory illness. Florida’s two other COVID-19 victims are also travel-related cases. A 71-year-old man, who lived in Santa Rosa County, died after a voyage in a Nile River cruise. A 77-year-old woman, who lived in Lee County, died after a trip to the Dominican Republic.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The first two Florida COVID-19 patients to die were from Santa Rosa and Lee counties, the Florida Department of Health announced on Friday night. State public health officials reported the Lee County patient who died was a presumptive positive case. Officials also announced the first two presumptive positive COVID-19 cases in South Florida are in Broward County. As of Saturday morning, there are 278 people “currently being monitored” for COVID-19 symptoms in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health. Florida public health officials are also reporting 12 positive cases: Six are Florida residents, 5 are Florida cases repatriated and one is a non-Florida resident.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health announced on Friday night there are two presumptive positive cases of the coronavirus in Broward County and two COVID-19 patients who died in Lee and Santa Rosa counties. The two Broward County patients are in isolation, authorities said. Broward County authorities ask residents not to 'overreact' to COVID-19 fearsOn Friday afternoon, Broward County authorities met at the area’s emergency center to ask the public not to panic or overreact as officials are prepared for the threat. Florida public health officials are also reporting 12 positive cases: Six are Florida residents, 5 are Florida cases repatriated and one is a non-Florida resident. For more information about the cases, the Florida Department of Health’s COVID-19 call center is available 24-hours a day at 1-866-779-6121.

This happened early Sunday, when a Santa Rosa County deputy observed a traffic violation. The driver was traveling westbound on Highway 98 in Gulf Breeze when the deputy observed the vehicle swerving, the Sheriff's Office reports. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and discovered the driver was not only unlicensed but also underage -- approximately 12 years old. The adult parent was in the passenger seat, and there were two other juveniles seated in the back of the vehicle, according to a SRCSO news release. She was arrested and charged with permitting an unauthorized minor to drive (felony), child neglect, expired registration and no proof of Insurance.