Top stories of the week: Santa Rosa County development, KJ's Fried Kitchen and more

This week is all about high school football and development in Santa Rosa County.

The PNJ sports crew digs into the upcoming high school football season with two 13-in-13 features on Navarre and Milton.

Santa Rosa County continues development in the Avalon area with new plans for a 190-lot subdivision south of Avalon Middle School and Bennett Russell Elementary School.

Remembering Rodney Jackson: Pensacola community leader died from Vibrio infection. What you should know about the bacteria

In Pace, residents can expect construction delays as the county works to improve traffic flow along Woodbine Road.

KJ's Fried Chicken food truck in Pensacola has expanded to a brick-and-mortar location on North Palafox.

And lastly, if you're been following the Pensacola contractor case who was accused of defrauding customers, the original story goes into greater detail on the claims.

13-in-13: Can Navarre's new young nucleus change its playoff fortunes?

Full story: Football: Navarre Raiders boast youthful core, top-tier culture ahead of the 2022 campaign

Things have been historically steady under Navarre head coach Jay Walls. After a decade at the helm, his record stands at an extremely healthy 87-27.

But the 2022 season is going to be one of immense change. The team lost its top-two tacklers and all-area linebackers Christian Caballero and Devin Wright, quarterback Kyle Chambers graduated and even longtime PA announcer Steve Alford stepped down.

The sights and sounds at Bennett C. Russell Stadium will look entirely different this fall.

13-in-13: Milton balances inexperienced defense with blue-clip offense

Full story: Football: Can Milton, its new head coach and its offensive firepower overcome a young defense?

Following a number of disappointing campaigns midway through the last decade, the Milton football program has stabilized itself over the past few years.

The Panthers have avoided losing seasons in each of the last three years with Harry Lees in charge. That stretch includes a 5-5 record in 2021.

Plans arise to build new subdivision near Avalon Middle School

Full story: New 47-acre subdivision planned off Avalon Boulevard could be one of many to come

Santa Rosa County's rapid growth is continuing, this time in the form of a planned subdivision featuring 190 lots south of Avalon Middle School and Bennett Russell Elementary School.

According to documents from the Northwest Florida Water Management District, the project, called the Camelot subdivision, will sit on 47.5 acres between Mulat Road and Avalon Boulevard and back up to the CSX railroad tracks.

Rick Cramer, who is with the development group working on the project, told the News Journal they will submit plans to the county by the end of the month. He emphasized they are not asking for any zoning changes and are working within what is already permissible through the parcel's zoning status, which allows for up to four lots per acre.

Pensacola contractor accused of ripping off customers for years

Full story: Dozens of people allege Escambia contractor took their money but never fixed their homes

A local contractor is under investigation by the Florida Department of Agriculture over allegations he defrauded more than 100 clients across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Banks Construction, owned and operated by Matt Banks, has allegedly taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from prospective clients for various home remodeling projects that were never completed.

One of the main people raising alarms about Banks is Jenny Anderson, a Gulf Breeze woman who says she paid Banks a $40,000 deposit for a kitchen remodel, and after 18 months, the construction company has yet to complete the project.

Pace residents can expect construction delays on Woodbine Road

Full story: Santa Rosa's tackling gridlock on Woodbine Road, but it'll get worse before it gets better

Santa Rosa County has several plans in the works to improve traffic flow along Woodbine Road in Pace, but long lines of gridlocked cars may become an even more common sight while these projects are underway.

Last week, construction began on a section of Woodbine Road to add a turn lane into one of the newest and largest residential projects on the roadway, the Lakes of Woodbine subdivision.

With several other road projects set to launch soon, commuters in the area can likely expect to see traffic cones, heavy machinery and traffic congestion intermittently for the next several weeks, months or even years.

KJ's Fried Kitchen food truck expands, opens brick-and-mortar spot

Full story: KJ's Fried Kitchen food truck is growing its Southern comfort food into a brick-and-mortar

Pensacola native Kristie Johnson married into the restaurant business when she wed Johnson's BBQ owner Charles Johnson.

But owning her own restaurant has turned into a passion, one that led her to open KJ's Fried Kitchen at 4801 N. Palafox St. this month.

Although her husband made sure she was set up for success — offering his secret recipes for her to use, like his handcrafted barbecue sauce — she has made the menu items her own by adding ingredients that make the flavors distinctly hers.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: SRC development, KJ's Fried Kitchen | Top Pensacola stories