A singer who nearly lost the ability to sing, license plate cameras going dark across the county, a Commerce Secretary in line to run Pensacola State, and the festivals that kick off fall—all in the Sept. 10 issue.
Category: Escambia County
Commissioners Approve Owens’ Full $124,704 Legal Bill
Commissioners just approved Jonathan Owens’ full $124,704 legal bill, 4-1 — over the county attorney’s own objections. Here’s who fought it and why.
Lumon May Named to Jolly Leadership Team
Commissioner Lumon May just joined David Jolly’s new Black leaders coalition for governor, so if Pam Childers wants Jolly’s number, she knows who to call.
Pensacola Beach: Third Most Instagrammable Florida Beach
Florida’s most Instagrammable beach revealed — and Pensacola Beach cracks the state’s top 3! See the full rankings here.
PNJ’s Hofberger Rescue Attempt Misses, See How She Spins It
Hofberger talked tough on budget cuts to News Journal—but never made the motion. Image and political reputation in recovery mode as she faces the voters in Nov.
Escambia Commissioner Brawl Over Millage, Raises and Decorum
Accountability A million-dollar millage cut, a shouting match over “mean girl” politics, and a fight over who gets a raise—inside the first budget hearing for Fiscal Year 2026/2027. The Escambia County Commission’s…
Longest-serving ECUA Board Member Dale Perkins Passes
For 32 years, he fought for Pensacola’s water — delivering on Main Street Sewage Plant removal and recycling. Remembering ECUA’s Capt. Dale Perkins, 1994-2026.
Inweekly: Fall Arts Guide Part 1
She digs her own clay and started downtown’s newest art night. Plus Escambia schools first A, TruWorth debut, Jolly on data centers, Jelly Roll vs. Patronis.
UWF Named National Center of Excellence for Maritime Workforce Training
UWF just landed a national maritime workforce designation, one of only 16 in the U.S. Here’s how 1,085 students are building Gulf Coast ships.
District’s A Doesn’t Help Teachers
Escambia teachers got the district an A — union president Carol Cleaver says they’re still waiting on a raise, lunch breaks & bereavement leave.
Commissioner Kohler Previews the Budget Hearing
Kohler says Escambia has “not a whole lot” of fat to cut—so why does Amendment 3 have him bracing for a $43M hit? Budget breakdown inside
Pam Childers Isn’t Very Good at Budgeting
The audited financial statements give the taxpayer a limited view of the Clerk of Court’s financial operations. However, all the numbers have been audited and, thus, are indisputable. What they show is…
FloridaWest Gets $200K to Plan Rebuild of Corry Station’s Cyber Warfare Hub
A $200K state grant just moved Corry Station a step closer to a $200M+ rebuild of its cyber warfare training hub. Here’s what’s planned.
Audit Shows Clerk Expenses Up Over $2.7 million since 9/30/22
Clerk Pam Childers still won’t release detailed budgets—but audited records reveal spending up 22% while revenue grew 17%. Taxpayers now covering $3.9M.
Florida Policy Project Blames Local Zoning for Housing Affordability Crisis
Florida is short 486,000 homes — and a new report says local zoning, not land, is why working families can’t afford a starter home anymore.
Podcast: Sheriff Simmons Explains Why He Pulled Flock Cameras
Public Safety Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons is suspending the county’s license plate reader system, following Florida Governor’s order Monday directing law enforcement agencies to pull flock cameras off state highways. Simmons…
Sheriff Simmons Pulls Flock Cameras
Sheriff Chip Simmons just suspended Escambia’s license plate camera network statewide pressure mounts and privacy questions grow. Full statement on ricksblog.biz.
Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival Doubles Its Footprint
Songwriters fest just got bigger — 150+ artists, 11 days, two towns. Nashville hitmakers hit downtown Pensacola before the beach takes over.
The Hunt for $2 Million at the Clerk’s Office
Escambia Clerk Pam Childers’ budget jumped 62% in five years—$2.19M more. Her website won’t explain why, and her office hasn’t released a detailed breakdown.
Team Hofberger Continues to Target NPA Vinson
Team Hofberger’s “poll” isn’t measuring opinion—it’s manipulating it. Same playbook as the library smear. Here’s the pattern.
