Florida Gov. Rick Scott has officially responded to President Barack Obama’s “Jobs” speech. “Speeches without specifics won’t fix our economy,” said Scott in a press release. This is from the man who…
Florida Next Foundation
Former Florida CFO Alex Sink has established a new organization focused on the future of Florida. Here is the email I received from her: Friends, I am excited today to tell you…
Obama ‘Jobs’ Speech (Transcript)
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, and fellow Americans: Tonight we meet at an urgent time for our country. We continue to face an economic crisis that has left millions…
Crime stats show improvement
The first six months of 2011 show an improvement in crime stats over the same period last year, according to a report from Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Murders, Forcible Sex Offenses, Robberies…
Buzz: TDC back story
Pensacola Councilman Larry Johnson wants a special meeting called of the Escambia County Tourism Development Commission (TDC) to discuss the private meetings the TDC chair Denis McKinnon, Ed Schroeder, Chamber VP for…
New county panhandling ordinance hurts PNJ sales
The Escambia County Commission is considering a new roadway safety ordinance that would prohibit all groups, including street side hawkers for the daily newspaper, from selling anything, collecting donations or passing our…
Facts about ESP rate increase
Mayor Ashton Hayward has proposed an overall 6.9% rate increase for Energy Services of Pensacola. The new rate is still much cheaper than Gulf Power (GP-$32.11 per mmbtu vs. ESP-$15.10 per mmbtu)….
New Issue on the stands: “We will never be the same”
Independent News September 8, 2011 COVER STORY We Will Never Be The Same Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001? I was in a sales staff meeting when our managing editor came…
Does God hate the South?
BuzzFeed thinks so. We have more natural disasters, more diabetes, more cancer…more Wal Marts. Read 15 Things That Prove That God Hates the South.
Mitchell has petition signatures to qualify
Clorissti Johnson Mitchell, who is running for Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, District 3 seat, has met the petition requirement. “I look to have my website up by the weekend.” Mitchell told the…
Coastkeeper letter to DEP
Beach Program Improvements: Florida Department of Environmental Protection— September 2011 >>The Issue: Florida public beaches are an important part of our economy in the coastal area. The Gulf Coast is especially popular…
“Watered Down Kegs of Rumâ€
No, it’s not a new Pensacola bar. It’s an art exhibit Press Release: The Art Gallery (TAG) at the University of West Florida (UWF) presents “Watered Down Kegs of Rumâ€, an exhibition…
Foreclosures are up, higher than national rate
According to newly released data from CoreLogic on foreclosures for the Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent area, the rate of foreclosures among outstanding mortgage loans is 6.23 percent for the month of June 2011, an…
Buzz: Council passed budget
The word I got late last night was the Pensacola City Council passed yesterday Mayor Ashton Hayward’s budget without amendments. There still is one more budget hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 14.
Other Panhandle TDCs have record Julys, too
Escambia County isn’t the only county having a record summer for tourism. Tourist development agencies in Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties all recorded their highest bed tax collections ever in a…
Impact 100 to announce semi-finalist on Sept 15
IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area will hold a press conference to announce the semi-finalists for their 2011 grants. Date: Thursday, September 15, 2011 Time: 9:00 AM Location: Institute for Human and Machine…
BP responds to Haliburton lawsuit
From the BP spin machine: BP is aware of the claims filed against the company on 1 September 2011 by Halliburton. The company is now reviewing the contents of the claims and…
What are your 9/11 memories?
We are approaching the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2011 terrorists attacks. Our issue tomorrow is devoted to that. On that morning, I was in a sales staff meeting when managing editor…
IP merging with Pearl River polluter
The business page of the daily newspaper has an AP article on International Paper merging with Temple Inland, No. 3 corrugated packaging maker in the world. Temple Inland is being investigated for…
ESP rate could unravel budget
The proposed rate increases for Energy Services of Pensacola appear to be the biggest trouble spot for Mayor Ashton Hayward in getting his budget passed. Yesterday, Councilmen Ronald Townsend and P.C. Wu…
