Water continues to be a big topic in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Residents have voiced concerns about potential flooding as the project at Skinner Mill Creek nears completion, and Santa Rosa watermen note that poor water quality in the area threaten their way of life.

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Not everyone happy about Skinner Mill Creek flooding solution

Full story:Escambia County spent $2M on Ferry Pass flooding. Some aren’t happy with the outcome.

Escambia County is nearing completion of a project at Skinner Mill Creek that it is hoped will prevent future flooding of homes in the Ferry Pass neighborhoods through which the waterway passes.

County Commissioner Robert Bender, who played a key role in securing more than $2 million in American Recovery Protection Act dollars to pay for the work, said he expects the project to be finished next month.

But not everyone believes that is good enough. Rick Higdon, who lives in the Cypress Point neighborhood, and his sister, Peggy Higdon, said Skinner Mill Creek is being turned into a “concrete creek” that will only serve to speed up the flow of pollutants into Escambia Bay.

Where can I play pickleball around Pensacola area and why is it so popular?

Full story:More pickleball courts coming to Santa Rosa. Why it’s so popular and where can you play.

As pickleball continues to take the nation by storm, communities in Northwest Florida have also succumbed to its charm.

“I’ve tried many sports. Volleyball, I’m OK with that. Golf, I suck. I mean, it’s embarrassing. So, I gave up golf — I don’t do that anymore. I used to run, of course, when I was active duty,” said Dawn Molinero. “… That takes a toll on your knees and stuff. Pickleball isn’t like that, but you get a good workout.”

As the sport becomes more popular in Santa Rosa County, local governments are starting to commit funds to build new pickleball courts.

Santa Rosa waterman fears poor water quality may end his way of life

Full story:Pensacola-area oyster reefs are disappearing, and a way of life could go with them

Pasco Gibson fears he’s among the last of a dying breed.

A lifelong Santa Rosa County resident, Gibson has lived and worked on the inland waters of the Blackwater, East, Escambia and Pensacola bays.

“I’m from here, a native Santa Rosa County waterman. I’ve worked on the water all my life,” Gibson said.

Now, at age 61, his way of life is being threatened by increasingly low-quality water in the bays and rivers where he grew up fishing, swimming and harvesting oysters.

‘Town center’ development planned in Navarre to provide food and fun

Full story:Navarre man dreams of town center with shopping, food and events. Now he’s making it real.

A Navarre-area entrepreneur has been dreaming of creating a true “town center” for the community for more than a decade.

Now, the first piece of the development — which is ultimately planned to include restaurants, shops, fitness centers, event spaces, offices and more — could come online late next year.

Bobby Benaquis runs the Navarre-based seafood restaurant TC’s Front Porch. In previous years, he also played a hand in developing Henderson Beach and other areas around Destin. But since 2009, he has maintained the desire to create a town center for Navarre.

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Originally Appeared Here