Yesterday, I reported on how Pensacola Fire Chief David Allen has allowed overtime in his department to far exceed the department’s original budget. A review of the unaudited monthly financial reports on the…
Spencer ‘underwhelmed’ by bridge design
Pensacola City Councilman Brian Spencer said on News Talk 1370 WCOA’s “Pensacola Speaks†that he was not impressed by the design renderings for the new Pensacola Bay Bridge that were released last…
UWF Emerge Scholars study social work in Japan
Students in the University of West Florida College of Education and Professional Studies recently spent time in Japan, studying social work practices abroad. Five students and one faculty member traveled to Tokyo,…
From the Republican National Convention, Day One
Yesterday on “Pensacola Speaks,” I had calls from two delegates from our area who are in Cleveland, Ohio. Monday, there was a brief fight on the floor of the Republican National Convention…
Escambia deputy named School Resource Officer of the Year
Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Florida Association of School Resource Officers yesterday named the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Senior Deputy Ronald Gill the 2016 School Resource Officer of the Year. Deputy…
Scarborough led the last revolt against Pensacola City Hall
In the 1990’s, the City of Pensacola wanted to increase taxes. Joe Scarborough, only three years out of law school, helped collect 3,000 signatures to protest the property tax increase. Reluctantly the…
In 2011, Pensacola mayor took a different approach to budgeting
When he took office in January 2011, Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward had a very different approach to budgeting. Of course, he had a much more experienced leadership team back then. In 2011,…
State House races have wide gaps in fundraising
State Rep. Clay Ingram, former Santa Rosa County Commissioner Jayer Williamson and businessman Frank White have huge leads in campaign fundraising over their respective opponents. Ingram (R-District 1) raised $5,500 during for…
Sheet music collection added to Jazz Room
A collection of approximately 9,000 jazz tunes has been added to the Jazz Room at the main branch of the West Florida Public Library. The Charles Anderson Fakebook series has jazz tunes,…
City Council meeting, after the chanting
Pensacola City Council selected Carol Leone of Milton as its attorney. Leone beat out by two points Mike Godwin, who retired from the City of Pensacola in 2012 after serving as the…
Pensacola Fire Chief announces promotions
Pensacola Fire Chief David Allen has promoted Greg Redding as his Assistant Fire Chief. This is a new position that appears to replace the deputy fire chief position. However, Redding will be…
GOP Pollster: Clinton would win if election held today
By BRANDON LARRABEE THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA Florida Republicans gathering in Cleveland for the national party’s convention heard a dire message to kick off the week: The presidential candidate they will…
Fire Department overtime soars past original budget
Last year, Mayor Ashton Hayward proposed, and the Pensacola City Council approved, a budget for this fiscal year that had $298,900 for overtime for the Pensacola Fire Department. According to the unaudited…
Gas prices drop for another week
Average retail gasoline prices in Pensacola have fallen 3.4 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.18/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 249 gas outlets in Pensacola. This compares…
Bydlak campaign offers analysis on spending in Congressional race
Matt Gaetz and Rebekah Bydlak are the top two candidates in terms of dollars raised and cash on hand available to be spent during the primary election, according to the campaign reports…
NAS Whiting Commissary honored
Naval Air Station Whiting Field’s Commissary recently earned recognition as the top small commissary in the United States from the Defense Commissary Agency. The Richard M. Paget Award honors the best small…
City of Tallahassee cuts property taxes, eliminates business tax
The City of Tallahassee is taking an approach to its budget that is different from Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward and his leadership team. On last Wednesday, the Tallahassee City Commission voted to…
Childers warns of jury duty scam
Escambia County Clerk of Court Pam Childers reports a scam has been occurring in Pensacola and elsewhere in Florida. A person receives a telephone call from someone claiming to be a law…
Broxson outraising Hill for State Senate seat
Rep. Doug Broxson has raised more than twice the amount of campaign contributions of his GOP opponent, Rep. Mike Hill. According to the Florida Division of Elections, Broxson’s contributions total $282,000, while…
Skate for the Animals, July 26
CARE of Santa Rosa County is hosting a “totally awesome” skate night to raise money for local animals in need on Tuesday, July 26 from 6-8 p.m. at the Dreamland Skate Center…