Category: Politics
Defense lawyers question death penalty jury instructions
By DARA KAM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Defense lawyers are attacking a new law aimed at fixing Florida’s death penalty sentencing structure, which was…
Matt Gaetz meets petition requirement for 1st Congressional District
Matt Gaetz (R–Fort Walton Beach) announced this afternoon that he has qualified by petition in the race for Florida’s 1st Congressional District. “I want to…
Pensacola mayor defends independence of investigation of fire chiefs
Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward addressed with the News Journal concerns that the Beggs & Lane attorney Russell Van Sickle’s investigation of Fire Chief Matt Schmitt…
It is official: John Sunday demolition stayed, ARB seeks assistance from Pensacola City Attorney
Elizabeth Schrey received late yesterday a copy of the letter sent by Bill Weeks, who heads the City’s Inspection Services, to contractor Greg English. The…
Appeal filed, demolition of Sunday house stayed
Congressional candidate Elizabeth Schrey has filed an appeal of the City of Pensacola’s decision to issue a demolition permit for a house once owned by…
Sarasota launches innovative approach to mental illness and criminal justice
Last night, the Sarasota City Commission voted to help fund a pilot program, Comprehensive Treatment Court, that aims to divert low-level, non-violent offenders with mental…
Pensacola Mayor Hayward offers few explanations for firing chiefs, twice refuses Inweekly requests
Yesterday, new evidence came to light that brought into question the independence of Beggs & Lane attorney Russell Van Sickle, whose investigation of Pensacola Fire…
Buzz: City Hall reverses decision on John Sunday house, demolition imminent
On Friday, the mayor’s office reversed its decision regarding a home once owned by John Sunday. The new city attorney opinion is that the Architectural…
Independence of Pensacola fire chiefs investigation questioned
New documents published by former Pensacola Councilwoman Maren Deweese have cast doubts about the independence of Beggs & Lane attorney Russell Van Sickle’s investigation of…
Eagle Forum PAC endorses Dosev for Congress
Eagle Forum PAC, a conservative public policy organization founded by national conservative leader Phyllis Schlafly, has endorsed Pensacola businessman and first-time candidate Cris Dosev for…
North Port, Fla. also has few performance evaluations
The Sarasota Herald Tribune reports that North Port’s assistant city manager, police chief, fire chief, economic development coordinator and five of its department directors have…
Boyd Forum: Citizens admonish empty chairs of MIA Pensacola mayor and administrator
Several citizens appeared the Boyd Forum held at the beginning of the Pensacola City Council on Thursday, May 12. Many wore red bands on their…
Pensacola City Hall adds more files to ‘Transparent’ page on fire chiefs
On Tuesday, May 10, when the mayor’s office published the mayor’s decision to terminate Pensacola Fire Chief Matt Schmitt and Deputy Fire Chief Joe Glover,…
State Weekly Roundup: Waiting to inhale
By BRANDON LARRABEE THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA With all due respect to Kermit the Frog, it’s getting easier to be green in Florida. With…
Podcast: Second Annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day Festival
Robert Turbin, Escambia County Marine Resources Division Manager , discusses this weekend’s Second Annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day Festival on News Talk 1370 WCOA’s…
Olson skips public forum, defends Allen during his monthly report
City Administrator Eric Olson avoided the public by not showing up for the Pensacola City Council meeting until after the Boyd Forum. Several people in…
Pensacola Speaks: Beyond Integration, The Black Freedom Struggle in Escambia County, Florida, 1960-1980
On News Talk 1370 WCOA’s “Pensacola Speaks,” I will open the show with Dr. Michael Butler. His latest book is “Beyond Integration: The Black Freedom…
Inside Fire Chiefs Report: Deas complaint, failed to follow union grievance process
Chief Human Resources Office Ed Sisson complained, “Schmitt and Glover intentionally and deceptively severely retaliated against Edward Deas, an African-American Fire Lieutenant, merely because Deas made…
Inside Fire Chiefs Report: Drug test, questioned but taken, nothing improper found
Chief Human Resource Officer Ed Sisson also complained that “Glover improperly tried to obstruct a random drug test.” Beggs & Lane attorney Russell Van Sickle…
Inside the Fire Chiefs Report: Sisson upset about dinner remarks, really?
Chief Human Resource Officer Ed Sisson claimed that Deputy Fire Chief Joe Glover publicly demeaned him during the Firefighters Annual Awards ceremony Beggs & Lane…
