News - Rick's Blog

Buzz: Gannett buying Daily News/News Herald/Destin Log

The rumor in Fort Walton Beach and Panama City is that Gannett, owner of PNJ and Tallahassee Democrat, will buy their daily newspapers and the…

The Ed Schultz Show again

I will be on the air today with Mike Papantonio. He is hosting the The Ed Schultz Show from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. My topic will…

Stafford speaks before Congress

No one noticed around here, but our Supervisor of Elections David Stafford spoke last week before Congress on Military and Overseas Voting: Effectiveness of the…

Goodin finalist for Transportation spot

The Daily News reports that former Santa Rosa County Commissioner Gordon Goodin is one of three finalists to become head of the Florida Department of…

Valentino: Expect Cairo-like uprising against BP

Commissioner Gene Valentino is upset about how BP is dealing with clean-up of our waterways and beaches. According to the commissioner, BP/Unified Command has reduced…

Buzz: City computer mandate coming

The buzz around Pensacola City Hall is that Mayor Hayward is about to issue a mandate on computer usage by city staff. No more Spider…

Breakdown of School District costs for records

What is now called “Public Records Request #97” – documents regarding the internal investigations into Warrington Middle School- will cost the IN $374.40 because of…

Escambia Student Expulsions declining

The Escambia County Public School District has slowed down on its student expulsions. In January and February 2010, the District expelled 46 students. During the…

Mayor issues statement on union vote

Yesterday The City employees voted 102 to 47 in favor of joining the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. From Mayor Ashton Hayward:…

BP: Feinberg plan too generous

Mobile Press Register is reporting: BP complained in a letter to Ken Feinberg, head of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (which is headquartered in Dublin,…

Escambia Student Councils to be drug tested

If a middle or high school student wants to participate in extracurricular activities in Escambia County public schools, their parents must agree to let them…

Buzz: City workers vote to unionize

Just a phone call. City workers have voted to unionize. It may take a couple days for the vote to be certified. I’m hearing the…

Patrick Gonzalez sentenced to death

It took five minutes for Judge Nicholas Geeker to sentence Leonard Patrick Gonzalez, Jr. to death for the murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings and…

Toomer’s Corner tree-killer has Milton connection

Lee County, Ala. officials have arrested Harvey Updyke in connection with the Toomer’s Corner tree poisoning, WTVM-TV in Columbus, Georgia reports. According to the report,…

Small businesses are suffering, support locals

The aftermath of the BP disaster are being felt through the community. Small businesses that depend on strong tourism seasons to carry them through these…

Bama fan poisoned Auburn’s oaks at Toomer’s Corner

ALLACCESS. com reports Auburn’s beloved oak trees at Toomer’s Corner are dying, poisoned by an unknown individual who may have revealed himself on Paula Finebaum’s…

Buzz: County gets no relief from Scott pension reform

I spoke with County Commissioner Grover Robinson yesterday about the budget. He said that Gov. Rick Scott’s proposal for county employees to contribute 5 percent…