By Duwayne Escobedo INWEEKLY The Pensacola International Airport has begun preparing for increased use projected there by 2035. Among the main projects to handle a projected increase in the number of passengers…
Mayor Hayward: No More on Pitts Slip lawsuit
Here is the official statement from Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward regarding the decision handed down by the Florida Supreme Court that the justices would not hear his appeal of lower court decisions…
Don Gaetz suggests Community Code of Ethics
Former Florida Senate President Don Gaetz discussed ethics in government with community leaders today during an Advocacy Lunch & Learn sponsored by the Studer Community Institute. During his tenure, Gaetz passed 38…
Burgess Road sidewalks survive second public hearing and final budget vote
Last night, the Pensacola City Council unanimously approved a $226.6-million budget for FY 2018. The budget included $1.6 million for sidewalks and street drainage on Burgess Road. The meeting lasted one hour…
The growth of Destin-FWB airport continues to outshine Pensacola
The Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport had another phenomenal month for passenger growth. In August 2017 the airport in Okaloosa County had 41,776 more passengers than it did in August 2016 – a…
Budget and master plan for $8.2M Bayview Center released hours before final budget hearing
Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward’s office released the latest budget figures and master plan for $8.2-million Bayview Community Center. The original budget for the project that approved for the FY 2017 budget was…
Pensacola mayor runs out of options on Pitts Slip lawsuit
Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward lost again on the Pitts Slip lawsuit. The Florida Supreme Court refused to entertain his motion for the court to hear the case. See Supreme Court Order. The ruling…
Gaetz, Robinson: Fee simple is simple
The fee simple title on Pensacola Beach isn’t as diabolical and evil as some want the public and Sen. Bill Nelson to believe, according to Congressman Matt Gaetz and County Commissioner Grover…
The battle over Burgress Road heats up
On “Pensacola Speaks,†Councilwoman Sherri Myers gave more background on last week’s council budget amendment that would allocate $1.6 million for sidewalks and drainage on Burgess Road if it can survive the…
Gaetz: Speaker Ryan ‘smartest member of Congress’ [podcast]
Despite pressure from the right wing for Paul Ryan’s ouster, Congressman Matt Gaetz told Inweekly that he supports the Speaker of the House. “Paul Ryan might be the smartest member of Congress….
Next up: ECUA emergency storage tank in North Hill area
Last Thursday, the Pensacola City Council voted to hold a special meeting regarding the Emerald Coast Utility Authority’s proposed storage tanks on North Palafox Street. The five members in attendance requested that…
Civic Conversation begins Set. 26
The Studer Community Institute launches its latest initiative, CivicCon, on Sept. 26. “We asked Christian Wagley to go out and find the top eight or 10 urban planners in the United States…
The Pensacola Confederate monument two-step
The Pensacola City Council did not vote to schedule a special meeting on the possible relocation of the Confederate memorial that is on city property. Instead, they only discussed whether to hold…
Grover working on a budget plan
County Commissioner Grover Robinson last week said on “Pensacola Speaks” that he believes the county can give Sheriff David Morgan more money for raises but not all the money the sheriff has…
State’s tab for Irma already mounting
By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Florida has preliminarily outlined more than $273 million in Hurricane Irma costs for federal reimbursement, with the money primarily used for storm preparation and…
ACLU to City of Pensacola: We told you so
Last night, the Pensacola City Council  voted to repeal an ordinance–sponsored by Mayor Ashton Hayward and Council President Brian Spencer and passed in April–that prohibited individuals from asking for donations in downtown…
Podcast: IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay names finalists
Meri Asmar, president of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, discussed yesterday on “Pensacola Speaks” their 15 finalists for over a million dollars in grants. Ten of the finalists each will receive a…
Studer: How to be a mentee [podcast]
Quint Studer’s column for the News Journal is the first of two regarding mentorship. This week he talks about how to be a mentee. “The ideal mentee is a motivated individual who…
Blue Wahoos rack up Southern League awards
Pensacola nabs Woman of Excellence Award, Groundskeeper of the Year, Trainer of the Year and Sports Media Award. The Southern League of Professional Baseball Clubs has announced the Pensacola Blue Wahoos winners…
Meanwhile: Seattle officials reach agreement for $600M NBA-ready arena, Shreveport picks up pieces
While Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward tries to figure how to raise $2.5-5 million to rehab the Pensacola Bay Center and cover the half-million dollars of additional operational losses for Tom Benson’s G…