Using Facebook, Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward delivered his message on the status of the airport food concessions contract. Last Thursday, the Pensacola City Council voted to extend Varona’s contract on a month-to-month…
Category: News
Former Veterinarian talks about deaths at Escambia County Animal Shelter
In an exclusive interview with the Independent News, Dr. Alphonso Steward III, the former veterinarian for the Escambia County Animal Shelter, blamed the three animal deaths in his surgical unit last month…
Decision on Hayward veto expected later today
Mayor Ashton Hayward’s Communications Director Tamara Fountain sent me this email on the possible veto of the city council’s decision to extend Varona’s contract at the airport on a month-to-month basis until…
Hayward has five days to veto Varona contract
Will Mayor Ashton Hayward veto the Pensacola City Council’s month-to-month extension Varona’s food concessions contract at the Pensacola International Airport? According to the 2010 City Charter, the mayor has five days to…
Weekend Buzz: PPD may have problem, Found Money and Smartest Answer
Courthouse rumblings Criminal defense lawyers are watching closely the case of Herchel Royals, who was arrested in July 2013 on drug charges. His case is one of those possibly impacted by the…
University of West Florida Upcoming Events, March 16-21
‘Positive Aging, Proactive Planning, Purposeful Living’ Date: Monday, March 17 Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Location: Gadsden Street United Methodist Church, 901 E. Gadsden Street, Pensacola Details: Dr. Rodney Guttmann, Director…
Running Wild offers Triathlon training
The My First Tri Training Program will remain open for registration through Monday, March 17. The program consists of 12 weeks of training in swimming, biking, and running. Participants learn everything they…
Details Announced for Tributes Honoring Former Governor Reubin Askew
Former Florida Governor Reubin O’Donovan Askew will lie in state, attended by military and state law enforcement honor guards, in Florida’s Historic Capitol throughout the day on Tuesday, March 18. He will…
County commission delays vote on county administrator another two weeks
Today’s special meeting of the Escambia County Commission was filled with shouting, accusations and finger-pointing. In the end, the only decision made was to delay the vote for the next county administrator….
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra: Russian Spectacular concert, April 5
The Pensacola Symphony Orchestra will present their popular 2nd annual concert, Russian Spectacular, in historic Downtown Pensacola Saenger Theatre on Saturday, April 5 at 8pm. The evening boasts an exhilarating Russian-inspired program,…
Free phones for those who have difficulty hearing
The State of Florida provides free phones for citizens who have hearing impairments. In 1991 the Florida legislature passed the Telecommunications Access System Act to make basic telecommunications accessible and affordable for…
UWF Trustee, English professor honored at United Negro College Fund luncheon
The Greater Pensacola Chapter of the United Negro College Fund honored Lewis Bear Jr., chair of the University of West Florida Board of Trustees and president/CEO of the Lewis Bear Company, and…
County commission delays county administrator decision until noon tomorrow
For three and a half hours, the Escamabia County Commission listened to its five finalists for the county administrator position and deliberated who should replace George Touart. A motion to simply name…
Saenger Theatre Ranks No. 2 Nationwide
The SMG-Managed Saenger Theatre was listed as a No. 2 Top Spot Nationwide by Venues Today, an international trade magazine. The ranking was based on concert and event grosses for venues with…
Lizardfest this weekend
Lizardfest Serves Up Big Economic BoomOver $1,000,000 Spiked into Pensacola Area One of the biggest sporting events in Pensacola annually takes place this weekend, March 15-16. The Pensacola Lizardfest is a two-day…
United Way of Escambia County launches second annual non-profit training series
United Way of Escambia County is launching the second annual non-profit training series with this year’s first program hosted at the Lewis Bear Company from 9am to 3pm on Wednesday, March 26….
World’s Largest Food Truck Festival Ever, Part II – Tampa March 29-30
Some cities have ways to have fun with food trucks, not bash them. Tampa’s mayor is participating. The second World’s Largest Food Truck Festival, a weekend of gourmet food, live music, petting…
Win tickets to Hangout Festival (updated link)
The Independent News is giving away two tickets to Hangout Festival, May 16-18. Each email address entered will only be counted once, and winners must provide their own hotel and travel arrangements…
Homeless expert: Ordinances should never be first step in dealing with the homeless, calls the laws ‘silly’
Mayor Ashton Hayward, Pensacola City Council and the City of Pensacola garnered international ridicule for its homeless ordinances, particularly the one that outlawed blankets. An online petition by Rev. Nathan Monk has…
House of Sticks: Resuming the Chase
My allegiance to this column is based on my ability to lead you to credible references. Giving you resources that can verify my statements in detail, and name names, from the events…