Coming off a long Fourth of July holiday weekend, I was concerned about getting back into a news frame of mind. We had finished six months of some of our most intense investigative reporting in years, and faced a week that usually focuses on the Blue Angels. Would readers care about we reported?
The answer was a resounding “yes.” The District 1 issues about the public beach access on Perdido Key and a proposed expansion of the Galvez Landing boat launch attracted readers. Fortunately, Commissioner Steve Stroberger listened to the Innerarity residents, pulled the $5-million boat launch project, and restored funding for beach access.
Stroberger said he would reevaluate Galvez Landing
Daily Outtakes: Galvez Landing Boat Launch Expansion Nixed
Sorrento Road
At his town hall on June 30, public safety on Sorrento Road was the first topic discussed. Commissioner Stroberger and Sheriff Chip Simmons presented starkly different assessments of Sorrento Road’s safety crisis, revealing the complexity behind a corridor that has generated significant community concern and over 116 accidents since January 2024. Also the commissioner’s town hall style of telling personal stories didn’t play with an audience hungry for facts.
Daily Outtakes: Sheriff assesses Sorrento Road Safety differently
AI, USAF disagree with Stroberger
Palafox Street
Mayor D.C. Reeves and his staff had two meetings with downtown business owners at the end of June. The Monday meeting went well with the mayor explaining the plan. The Wednesday meeting—without Mayor Reeves—didn’t.
At his Tuesday presser, I asked him about it.
Reimagining Palafox without hurting downtown businesses
When Palafox Street Became Palafox Place
Pensacola Police Chief Resigns
The announcement of Chief Eric Randall’s resignation drew community-wide attention when the media received the press release Thursday morning. I waited a day, made a few phone calls and dug deep into the city’s data. Randall had problem with his rank and file.
The Pensacola Police Department is an insular group that wants to see promotion from within – which has happened since 1980…until Mayor Grover Robinson appointed Randall in 2021.
What caused Mayor Reeves and Chief Randall break-up?
Reset for Chappie James Memorial
City Administrator Tim Kinsell hit pause on Chappie James Memorial amid funding questions—but it’s a reset, not a rejection. What happens next for the Air Force legend’s tribute? We may find out in August.
Daily Outtakes: What’s next for Chappie James Monument?
City wants to reset the Chappie James Memorial
Right Idea, Right Time
Twenty years ago, the City of Pensacola was divided over whether to build the Community Maritime Park. The behind-the-scenes story has never been told until now.
This book answers the questions:
- Why Quint Studer was relatively unknown in Pensacola in 2005?
- Why did the Trillium site stay vacant for so long?
- How did the movement for the park survive the death of two popular spokesman—Adm. Jack Fetterman and Mayor Emeritus Vince Whibbs Sr.?
- Why did Jeff DeWeese get kicked out of a Save Our City meeting?
Read our Inweekly feature. Then buy the book.
Inweekly — July 10
Right Idea, Right Time
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan’s devastating blow to our area in 2004, Pensacola faced a crossroads. Would it remain mired in economic stagnation and population decline, or would it embrace…
Winners & Losers 7/10/25
LESLIE PERINO: EW Bullock Associates has named Perino as president and chief executive officer, succeeding founder Ellis Bullock III, who established the Gulf Coast marketing agency in 1982. Bullock will transition to chairman…
The Next Big Stories
Last week, we shared what we considered the top news stories of the first half of 2025. This week, we’ve dusted off our crystal ball and listed what we think will…
Outtakes—The Recycling Roller Coaster
This month, Pensacola residents can once again roll their recycling bins to the curb, marking the latest chapter in what has become a 16-year saga of environmental ambition colliding with economic…
The Buzz 7/10/25
JUSTICE SERVED After decades of silence and suffering, 926 survivors of Florida’s notorious reform schools are finally receiving acknowledgment and compensation from the state. Last month, men who endured horrific abuse as children at…
Surfer Girl
Emily Vogel is painter, and her canvas of choice is a board—skate or surf. Coming from an artistic family—three siblings and parents all with their own artist skillsets—she grew up drawing….
