The time has come for Mayor Ashton Hayward to explain his position on the Pitt Slip leases and why he believes The Fish House and Atlas Oyster House owe the city five…
Category: News
Study says Escambia County is the 13th worse election offender
Escambia County Election Supervisor David Stafford questions validity of recent report that ranks his office as the 13th worse “election offender” in Florida. The Democrat-leaning Center for American Progress Action Fund issued…
Hayward says he has not changed his position on Pitt Slip
From Mayor Hayward: “The City’s position has not changed. The City is not backing down. I am pleased that Mr. Merrill and Mr. Russenberger have now agreed that there are legitimate issues…
And poof, Mayor Hayward rescinds his notification of default against The Fish House
Mayor Ashton Hayward has rescinded his notice that The Fish House and Atlas Oyster House owed the city five percent of their gross sales retroactively to April 2000. The mayor claimed in…
2014 Rising Star nominations open, deadline Dec. 23
Since 2006, The Independent News has honored the top under-35-year-olds in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The “stars” have come from all walks of life We are looking for Rising Stars for…
Sen. Evers announces local state-funded road projects
The Florida Legislature has recently approved the funding for many key transportation projects across Northwest Florida. “As a member of the Senate Transportation Committee, it is my great honor to have worked…
Ala. Supreme Court turns down Tyler Toyota appeal of $7.5 million slander judgment
The Alabama Supreme Court has affirmed the $7.5 million slander judgment against Bob Tyler Toyota–which is the largest slander award ever upheld by Alabama’s highest court. In November 2011, a Mobile County…
UWF establishes Early American Studies program, reflecting Pensacola’s history
The University of West Florida Department of History recently developed a graduate program offering a comprehensive look at Early American studies, with a special emphasis on the American Southeast and the Caribbean….
Buzz: Hayward pulls out of Germany trip
We received word that Mayor Hayward decided not to go to Germany with the Gulf Coast Aerospace Coalition–no word on whether Airport Director Greg Donovan and Communications Administrator Tamara Fountain went. Councilwoman…
Chief of Staff lied on his resume
One of the bigger stories around the state is the Miami Herald’s report that Gov. Rick Scott’s chief of staff, Adam Hollingsworth, lied about having a college degree from the University of…
City acknowleges public record request for partial assignment
The request is in the system. Let’s see what they find. From: City of Pensacola Public Records Office Subject: Public Records Request :: W000189-120913 Date: December 9, 2013 9:17:55 AM CST To:…
Weekend Buzz: Wilson, new TDC head, Fish House lawsuit and laughing at Hayward
Touart Decision Aftermath Commissioner Wilson Robertson wasn’t too happy about the 3-2 vote to remove George Touart from the list of candidates to be considered for the county administrator’s job. He openly…
Walton County TDC has BP gift card issue, too
One of my favorite investigative reporters, Tom McLaughlin with the Fort Walton Daily News, reports today that auditors found the Walton County TDC had “inadequate” controls that prevented completely accounting for $121,000…
Hayward vs. The Fish House: Request for partial assignment
A key part of Mayor Ashton Hayward’s claim that The Fish House owes the city five percent of its gross sales retroactively to April 2000 is that Seville Harbour (Ray Russenberger) partially…
Mayor takes communications adminstrator with him to Germany
The Northwest Florida Daily News listed yesterday some members of the 35-person delegation headed to Germany in hopes of landing companies in the supply chain for the Airbus assembly plant being built…
Top Posts for the week
The city of Pensacola remains the most popular posts on the blog. Several the posts were tied to the IN cover story “How Not To Do Business: City vs. The Fish House.”…
Hatchery one step closer to reality
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel Vinyard announced yesterday in Panama City that several Florida Panhandle counties are slated for about $90 million worth of early restoration projects to address areas…
2013 Pensacola Airport Runway 5K tomorrow afternoon
The inaugural Runway Run 5k at Pensacola International Airport is Saturday, on Dec. 7. The City promises runners and walkers will get a view of the airport they have never seen before….
Myers proposes changes in land development code to prevent another Dollar General debacle
Councilwoman Sherri Myers has proposed changes to the city’s land development code that will require more notification of rezoning changes. Recently the city of Pensacola has come under fire for how the…
Downtown Christmas parade trumps Palafox Market
There will be no Palafox Market Saturday, Dec. 14. It will be closed due to the Cox Pensacola Christmas Parade, which is set to begin 5:15 pm that day. The reason given:…