Touart spin machine kicks in

Commissioner candidate George Touart has a problem….a huge problem. He is running his campaign on a theme of being the most ethical person to ever…

Continue Reading

Dirty Tricks Ops: part of Escambia politics

“Bubba-Gate” –Mark Clabaugh’s alleged attempted burglary of Karen Sindel’s home– isn’t the first dirty tricks operation for a political campaign in Escambia County. Clabaugh is…

Continue Reading

Pending Crist decision dominating state papers

My sources in Tallahassee have gone silent on whether Gov. Charlie Crist will drop out of the Republican primary and run as an Independent. He…

Continue Reading

Buzz: Perkins may have opponent

Dale Perkins was first elected to the Emerald Coast Utility Authority in 1994. He is seeking his fifth term. When he first ran the utility…

Continue Reading

Valentino framed…or so it goes

Valentino supporters are alleging that the commissioner’s political opponent, George Touart, is behind the grand jury investigation of Gene Valentino’s campaign fundraising. They point to…

Continue Reading

No criminal charges against Consolidation Commission

The State Attorney has issued a report that his office will not pursue criminal charges against the Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission. The State Attorney’s…

Continue Reading

Buzz: Pace High will have two graduations

There is a group in Pace that is quietly organizing a separate high school graduation for the Class of 2010 from Pace High School. It…

Continue Reading

Buzz: Escambia County Safety Bureau Chief resigns

We have heard that Frank Edwards, the chief of the Public Safety Bureau, has submitted his letter of resignation. The troubles in the county’s fire…

Continue Reading

Memos on Fire Marshall resignation, transfer

We have, through our public records request, the March 29 memo from interim County Administrator Larry Newsom to Frank Edwards, public safety bureau chief. Newsom…

Continue Reading

County Fire Marshall transferred (updated)

Escambia County remains “Bubba-ville USA.” WEAR TV 3 reports that last week Interim County Administrator Larry Newsom asked for the voluntary resignation of Stephen Rinaldi,…

Continue Reading

Arts Council of Northwest Florida charged

State Attorney Bill Eddins has announced that his office has determined that criminal charges are appropriate regarding the Arts Council of Northwest Florida. The non-profit…

Continue Reading

Ibuprofen suspension rescinded

Last month we reported on Washington High School valedictorian Christa Childers being suspended for five days because Ibuprofen was found in her backpack ( No…

Continue Reading

Buzz: Early polls on county commission races

Over the weekend, I heard about two polls that have been conducted on the Escambia County Commission races. The rumor is former county administrator George…

Continue Reading

SAO reports to be issued soon

Spoke with assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille yesterday on his investigations into the Arts Council of Northwest Florida and Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino. Marcille…

Continue Reading

McNesby overcharged FEMA for Ivan (DHS letter)

While doing research on another project, I came across this April 30, 2009 letter from the regional director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency on…

Continue Reading

Lister allegedly stole over $1.43 million (updated)

Former Escambia County Sheriff’s Office employee Cathy Lister has stolen $1.43 million in her role in the ECSO finance department from the period of June…

Continue Reading

ECUA continues to attack EWG

While the community is seeking more unfiltered information on its drinking water, ECUA officials continue to attack the Environmental Working Group, which published last December…

Continue Reading

ECUA upset with IN…and me

At yesterday’s Leadership Pensacola session, ECUA officials made it clear they aren’t happy with the IN. The fact is ECUA is the least open of…

Continue Reading

Grover replies to PB master plan viewpoint

Mr. Rotenberry, Thank you for your email and concerns. Many of your points are valid but some are the same political stereotyping that gets us…

Continue Reading

Viewpoint on Pensacola Beach Master Plan

My Fellow Pensacola Citizens, As a lifelong resident of Pensacola and Pensacola Beach, I have always been a proponent of improving the quality of life…

Continue Reading