Author: Rick Outzen
Plan B: Retire Touart, Remove Valentino
The “negotiations” over how the county resolves the findings of the U.S. Department of Justice are a microcosm of problems with the two top leaders…
Grover responds to Sheriff: no tax increase, no privatization, but willing to take over jail
Commissioner Grover Robinson, IV has responded to Sheriff David Morgan’s letter transferring control for the Escambia County Jail back to the county. He tells the…
Lincoln Park Shake-Up?
A group of Lincoln Park Elementary School teachers went to visit with Escambia County School District Superintendent Malcolm Thomas this week. According to Principal Christine…
UWF’s Confucius Institute
The University of West Florida is announcing a partnership that will provide Chinese language and cultural teaching resources. Here is the UWF press release: The…
Valentino/Touart look to hire prison contractor that has already been cited for misconduct
According to an email just received from the county, three companies were contacted by our Human Resources Department to make proposals on running the county…
Hayward withdraws right of first refusal
On Jan. 31, Mayor Ashton Hayward sent out a press release announcing his letter that asked the Emerald Coast Utility Authority for the Right of…
It’s official. Valentino got himself a jail
Read Letter 6.13.13 In his letter, Sheriff David Morgan wrote that county officials have failed to acknowledge the gravity of the current jail situation. He…
Buzz: Sheriff Morgan gives jail back to the county
We are hearing that Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan has drafted a letter returning the county jail to the Board of County Commissioners. The sentiment…
Buzz: PNJ building sold, apartments may be coming to downtown
Gannett has sold the Romana Street building that houses its Bella Magazine, GoPensacola.com and the News Journal. No word where the staff will be relocated,…
Valentino misspoke on jail
Investigation into Criminal Activity in ECSO Jail Concludes The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the conclusion of the criminal investigation against our…
350 Pensacola Talk: Evolution of Activism
Local environmental group 350 Pensacola is hosting a discussion tomorrow evening entitled The Evolution of Activism. The talk, focusing on “how to create environmental and…
McNesby era in the jail described as “one of the darkest periods the history of American prisons”
While the interim County Administrator George Touart and Commissioner Chairman Gene Valentino are doing everything they can to avoid paying to hire more staff at…
Leading chamber candidate hired Visit Pensacola ad agency
While there appears to be a rush to judgment to blame the BOHAN ad agency and its $278,000 30-second spot on Steve Hayes, the new…
Chamber video has locals in uproar
The Greater Pensacola Chamber has been charged $258,094.76 for 30-second video spot produced by its Nashville, Tenn.-based ad agency. That is $8603.00 a finished second….
Chamber seeks input on hiring new president
From Greater Pensacola Chamber Board Chairman and Vice Chairman: The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce wants to hear from key stakeholders in the community about…
Only half of Escambia public school students read on grade level, according to FCAT
The rest of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test scores have been released. The news for Escambia County isn’t good. Just as last year, only about…
School Board and ECSO battle over investigations and due process
By Sarah McCarten A modest crowd gathered at the Hall Center Wednesday afternoon June 5 just around 4:30 p.m. awaiting the start of a Special…
Gov. Scott announce GBSI will add 120 employees over next five years
Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that Global Business Solutions Inc. (GBSI), an innovator in information technology services and technical training, has announced a five-year plan…
Oliver finalist for Lee County job
Former Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver is among the five finalist for the administrator position at Lee County, Fla. He had one-on-one meetings with Lee…
Sheriff Morgan wants Valentino to recuse himself and give depostion on statements re:detention staff
Sheriff David Morgan has requested that Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino recuse himself from the Department of Justice Working Group based on the commission chairman’s…
