What were Pensacola’s top stories this week? Take a look:

This week’s top stories are all about Santa Rosa County. Mostly.

We kick things off with booming development happening in East Milton along the Highway 87 corridor.

In Milton, the city council is taking a look a open container laws in the city. The proposed change to the ordinance would allow people to drink alcoholic beverages in designated public areas without a scheduled event taking place.

And we take a look at seven favorite Gulf Breeze restaurants to grab a bite to eat.

'East Milton is going to be your new Pace.' Development booming on Highway 87

Growth is coming − and fast − to East Milton.

Development along the State Road 87 corridor in Central Santa Rosa County is quickly changing the face and pace of a once laid back, rural area. Money is being made by landowners willing to sell their farms and landholdings and developers are testing the limits of zoning officials, roadways and area infrastructure as they rush to secure a handsome return on their investments.

"We're kind of sitting out there waiting for what's to come," said County Commissioner Kerry Smith, whose District 2 encompasses East Milton. "As a real estate guy, I tell people if you're looking to be ahead of the game get in there because it's coming. East Milton is really going to be your new Pace. You're going to have good equity in your home.”

Having relocated with his wife from South Florida to the Panhandle in hopes of obtaining "a little bit of elbow room," Smith said he's also keenly aware that the good of fast-paced development often comes with at least as much bad.

"We don't have some of the problems that Pace and Chumuckla have. Yet," he said. "That's why I ran for office. I wanted to get in and say, 'We get one chance. Let's do it right.' "

Read full story here:'East Milton is really going to be your new Pace.' Development booming along Hwy 87 corridor.

Milton Council to consider open container changes for downtown

The Milton City Council is taking another look at the city’s open container ordinance, sparking input from the city’s Community Improvement Board and Milton Police Chief Tony Tindell.

The two conflicting reports submitted to the Council were intended to be presented at this month’s Committee of the Whole meeting, but the meeting was canceled.

The ordinance amendment was initially proposed by Beardless Brewhaus owner Steve Dobbs, who solicited the City Council to rethink the ordinance earlier this fall.

A change to the ordinance would allow for drinking alcoholic beverages in a designated public area, such as Jernigan’s Landing, without a scheduled event taking place. Currently, public alcohol consumption is only allowed under certain exceptions, such as for Bands on the Blackwater concerts.

Read full story here:Beer to go? Milton City Council may revisit open container policy in some downtown areas

Preview of soccer's second season as districts begin Wednesday

Another soccer regular season is in the books.

Now, it's time to see who will punch its ticket to the state postseason.

The second season on the pitch gets underway on Wednesday with area teams competing in the district playoffs. For some local squads, districts represent just the initial step in a march to state. For others, it may be the last time they walk onto a field this season. And for the seniors playing for those programs, it may be the last time they put on a high school uniform.

Whether a favorite looks to solidify its position for a deep run into February or if it is wondering whether the glass slipper fits, we have the boys and girls districts brackets analyzed with prediction just for you.

Full story:District Soccer Preview: Breaking down each district as the postseason begins Wednesday

Unique restaurants in Gulf Breeze: Check out 7 popular favorites

Gulf Breeze is well known for being the place you drive through to get to Pensacola Beach, where there are culinary delights aplenty as soon as you get off the Bob Sikes Bridge.

But Gulf Breeze deserves to be on the map as a food destination in its own right.

While Gulf Breeze has plenty of chain restaurant options, like Whataburger, Wendy's and McDonald's, there's a lot of local charm there, too.

Keep reading for some of the locals' favorites just across the bridge.

Read full story:Unique restaurants in Gulf Breeze: Check out 7 popular restaurants across the bridge

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Top stories in Pensacola for the week of Jan. 23 to 27