A majority of Pensacola voters favor consolidating Fire, Planning Services, and Park Services, according to a recent poll by Political Matrix. However, they don’t like the idea of consolidating  law enforcement. This…
GOP leaders go into session divided
By DARA KAM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA A philosophical schism is plaguing a fractured Republican Party leading up to what insiders characterize as potentially one of the most contentious legislative sessions…
Nominations for LeaP sought, deadline Mar. 3
The Pensacola Chamber Foundation is accepting nominations for the Leadership Pensacola (LeaP) Class of 2018 through Friday, Mar. 3. Self- nominations are accepted. LeaP, a program of the Pensacola Chamber Foundation, aims…
Beach Town Hall set for March 28
District 4 Commissioner Grover Robinson will host a Pensacola Beach town hall meeting Tuesday, March 28 from 6-8 p.m. at the Santa Rosa Island Authority Office Conference Center, located at 1 Via…
Gaetz: Protest is the sign of a healthy democracy [podcast]
On “Pensacola Speaks” yesterday, Congressman Matt Gaetz talked about the protestors who came to his town hall meetings and why didn’t cancel the events. “My motivation is to demonstrate to my colleagues…
Spears takes Montgomery position
G.W. Carver High School in Montgomery, Ala. has hired Vernon (Fla.) High football coach and athletic director, Willie Spears, to its new head coach. The Class 6A Carver Rams have complied a…
Is Trump hurting FL tourism
The travel site Kayak reports Brits are falling out of love with the USA in a major way. Searches for flights to key US destinations have fallen off a cliff when it…
UWF professor leads the fight against Alzheimer’s
Dr. Daniel Durkin, assistant professor in the University of West Florida Department of Social Work, was recently named the Alzheimer’s Association Ambassador for the Florida Panhandle and was selected to the Board…
City of Pensacola to close Housing Choice Vouchers
The City of Pensacola has a waiting list of 1,490 people seeking to assistance under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. According to Housing Administrator Marcie Whitaker, the wait to receive…
Air Quality Health Advisory rescinded
The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County has rescinded the air quality health advisory near Rolling Hills Construction and Demolition Landfill, located at 6990 Rolling Hills Road. Escambia County crews have…
Ten issues to watch during 2017 session
By JIM SAUNDERS THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Florida lawmakers are poised to return to Tallahassee for the March 7 start of the 2017 legislative session. They will grapple with hundreds of…
SkillsUSA Region 1 competition starts Tuesday
More than 300 high school and college students from Pensacola to Tallahassee are expected to compete in the SkillsUSA Region 1 Competition, hosted by Pensacola State College, Feb. 28 – March 1….
Great Northwest Florida announces strategies
Florida’s Great Northwest held its Regional Economic Transformation Implementation launch this morning and released its report on a unified vision for future economic development in the Panhandle: “Northwest Florida Forward: A Regional…
Report: 55 percent of Escambia black families working poor, but fewer than 2014
By Mona Shand Florida News Connection While some sectors of Florida’s economy are thriving, new data shows the number of people who are struggling to afford the basics of food, housing, transportation,…
Scott to head Republican Governors Association
From The News Service of Florida: Gov. Rick Scott has been elected vice chairman of the Republican Governors Association, the group announced Friday. The RGA is a national political organization focused on…
Regional group reveals ‘Northwest Florida Forward’ strategy
Florida’s Great Northwest, the region’s economic development organization, unveils its regional economic strategy during a gathering of more than 150 Panhandle leaders today at 10 a.m. on the campus of Northwest Florida…
DEP sends Rolling Hills owner violation notice and $10K fine
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has sent South Palafox Properties LLC, owner of the Rolling Hills landfill, a notice of violation. On February 13, 2017, the Department was notified by Escambia…
Deputy fire chief also sues Pensacola mayor individually
Yesterday, former Deputy Fire Chief Joe Glover’s attorney and the attorneys representing the City of Pensacola filed a joint motion to dismiss City Administrator Eric Olson, Chief Human Resources Officer Ed Sisson,…
Gaetz explains controversial stances
By Duwayne Escobedo Inweekly U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz admitted that the national media attending his inaugural “Open Gaetz Day†event at Grover T’s BBQ probably wanted to see him on the menu….
Schmitt vs. Hayward rises several questions
Now that Mayor Ashton Hayward is individually named a defendant in the lawsuit brought by former Fire Chief Matt Schmitt, the City -both Mayor and City Council- will be breaking new ground….