The Escambia Board of County Commissioners voted yesterday to give County Administrator Jack Brown a three-year contract with two one-year extensions and an annual salary of $170,000. Board chairman Steven Barry was…
Confederate flag may come up again at BCC
At the end of Committee of the Whole meeting yesterday, Commissioner Grover Robinson asked his fellow commissioners to reconsider its vote that replaced the City of Five Flags display at the Pensacola…
Studers drop out of CMPA RFP presentations
Yesterday afternoon, the Studers’ attorney, Scott Remington, sent a letter to the CMPA executive director, Ed Spears, and the board’s attorney, Lisa Minshew, withdrawing their response to the CMPA Request for Proposals…
Clay Ingram to head Greater Pensacola Chamber
Today, the Greater Pensacola Chamber Board of Directors announced that Clay Ingram has been elected to serve as the Chamber’s new president & CEO. Ingram, who was unanimously voted by the Board…
City attorney shake up: Messer out, search begun for in-house lawyer
Mayor Ashton Hayward has made the decision not to renew the Messer Law Firm as the city attorney. Jim Messer’s contract expired on Dec. 14, and he will work month-to-month until a…
CMPA rejects childcare facility at the park
The Community Maritime Park Associates Board rejected yesterday a proposal from Quint Studer for two parcels at the maritime park. Last month, Studer Community Investments responded to a Request for Proposals for…
SOGO Gingerbread House Contest Announces Winners
More than 100 gingerbread fans eagerly waited Wednesday night to learn who would be the winners of the 2014 SOGO Gingerbread House Contest. The ceremony was in downtown Pensacola capped off the…
Fifteen charged in cocaine trafficking ring stretching from Texas to Panhandle
Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced today 13 individuals from the Houston, Texas, and Pensacola areas were jointly indicted on federal drug trafficking and money…
Mayor Hayward places hold on EDATE applications
Last week, Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward withdrew the EDATE (Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemptions) application for an assisted living facility on the site of the former Pensacola Racquet Club when it…
Thornton elected president of local NAACP branch
Charles D. Thornton, Sr. was elected president of the Pensacola Branch of the NAACP on November 13, 2014. Mr. Thornton will assume office on Jan. 1, 2015 during the annual Emancipation Proclamation…
DIB offers free parking next week
The Downtown Improvement Board (DIB) is offering a gift to last minute shoppers venturing Downtown the week of Christmas: Free Parking. In effect from Dec. 22 through Dec. 26, all surface lots…
Help provide snacks for Traveling Troops
The USO Centers at the Pensacola International Airport and Northwest Florida Regional Airport will be open for the thousands of military personnel heading home for the holidays. Both of these airport centers…
Jeb to ‘actively explore’ presidential bid
By JIM SAUNDERS THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA After weeks of increasing speculation about his plans, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday he will “actively explore” a possible bid for president…
Florida Panhandle makes Fodor Go List 2015
Fodor’s Travel has just finalized its 2015 Go List of the top 25 places to visit next year, from Cleveland to Chile. The Florida Panhandle was chosen as a 2015 must-see destination….
Florida leads nation in mortgage fraud
Florida leads the nation in mortgage application fraud, according the Annual Mortgage Fraud Report released Monday by LexisNexis. This the fifth consecutive year that Florida has led in loans investigated for fraud….
Panhandle counties lose as average wages either flatline or slip
Escambia County averages wages have been flat over the past 10 years. Don’t feel bad-Santa Rosa County is down 3.3 percent for the period from 2004 through 2013. The Wall Street Journal…
AP: County jails have little oversight
Did the lack of oversight set up the situation where the Escambia Central Booking and Detention Center exploded? An AP article published yesterday by the Bradenton Herald raised that question. County jail…
Voting on SoGo Gingerbread houses ends tomorrow
After almost a month of a beautiful gingerbread display in downtown Pensacola, the first SOGO Gingerbread House Contest is coming to an end, but not before you have the chance to vote…
State Democratic Women’s Club president supports removal of Confederate flag
The Democratic Women’s Club of Florida, Inc.’s President, Dr. Maureen McKenna, announced today that the Democratic Women’s Club of Florida supports the Escambia County Commission’s removal of the Confederate battle flag at…
Commissioner Robertson viewpoint: Why Fly Five Flags Over Pensacola?
By Commissioner Wilson Robertson Since American Independence some 250 years ago, we have been blessed to have only one flag flown over this great nation. For that, I am thankful. That is…