State lawmakers have balanced the budget by dipping into savings and cutting programs. They avoided any tax increases to cover the $2.3 billion deficit. Nursing homes, some affordable-housing programs, hospitals, prisons and…
Category: News
Barnes resigns
Century kingpin Benny Barnes has resigned as the president of the Century Chamber of Commerce – yes, there is commerce in Century. According to NorthEscambia.com, the former mayor of Century submitted his…
Stubblefield explains cancellation
Today I interviewed Al Stubblefield, president of Baptist Hospital, on the cancellation of its purchase of West Florida Hospital. I wanted to hear what caused the once-touted agreement to fall apart and…
Verizon buys Alltell for $5.9 billion
Locally Alltel will be retained and combined with Verizon Wireless’ operations, the company will continue to use the Alltel brand for the next several months, as it works to integrate networks, convert…
Call for help – Milton fire
Two of the non-profit agencies that lost everything in Milton Fire. They are critical in the infrastructure of our fragile network of organizations working with families: Tri-County and the Family Resource Center….
Oops, Ford isn’t getting any Speaker buzz
The local Republicans gave as important reason to re-elect Clay Ford was that he would be the Speaker of the Florida House by 2012 or 2014 (his last term). The St. Pete…
GB editor takes on Moby
Gulf Breeze New editor Joe Culpepper isn’t happy with PNJ columnist Mark “Moby” O’Brien’s latest comments about Gulf Breeze. Moby wrote: “Gulf Breeze Proper is an oh-so-bully way to emphasize one’s place…
No more free beer
The new owners of Budweiser have announced that they will no longer give away free beer samples at Busch Gardens. The taps will stop flowing Jan. 25. The company’s nine other theme…
State budget cuts impact hospitals
Florida hospitals now face a $137 million reduction if the state legislature passes the proposed budget cuts. Sen. Durell Peaden (R-Crestview), a doctor who heads the health budget committee, told the Miami…
No Life in PNJ
The Pensacola News Journal has no Life section today. The Thursday edition has undergone its version of “The Biggest Loser” by dropping down from five sections (News, Local, Life, Sports and Classifieds)…
Suit filed over airport hotel lease
Today, PNS Hotel Group, Ltd. filed suit against the City of Pensacola concerning the recent lease of airport property given to Sandspur Development. The partners in PNS Hotel Group, Ltd. are Darryl…
Photos of Morgan’s swearing in ceremony
The Escambia County Commission chambers were packed
Update on Milton fire
Press Release: Downtown Milton Fire Update * The fire was called under control at 11:30 p.m., currently not called contained. * U.S. Highway 90/Caroline Street between Ward Basin Road and Canal Street…
State lawmakers make cuts
The special session is out to cut $1 billion in spending to help cover the state’s $2.4 billion budget shortfall. Education is the biggest target – $365 million. Nursing homes are taking…
Evers wounds, maybe kills, consolidation
NorthEscambia.com reports that the Town of Century has withdrawn its support for a plan to consolidate Century, Pensacola and Escambia County under one unified government. Council members are claiming that Escambia All…
City Staff Politics 102
The Pensacola city staff has stopped playing politics with its council and the citizens. Last week, we pointed out on this blog that the council’s own rules and procedures prevented it from…
Buzz: Barrows gets 10pm slot
We’ve heard through the media grapevine that Mollye Barrows is the new 10pm co-anchor for WEAR TV3. She will continue with her 4pm also. Barrows had been banished from prime time after…
Morgan sworn in
David Morgan is now officially the sheriff of Escambia County. He received his commission from Gov. Charlie Crist, via Chief Deputy Clerk of Courts Lisa Bernau, and was sworn in by Chief…
Gulf Breeze Loan Pool blasted in Century
Someone is circulating flyers in Century blasting the Gulf Breeze Loan Pool. It claims the City of Gulf Breeze and its loan program are under investigation by the Department of Justice. Matt…
Boone Report: Pate is back
News: Pate Goes Back To Council On Thursday by Sean Boone Last month City Council voted down a staff recommended lease amendment for the Pate Stevedore Company on port property. But with…