By Sarah McCartan Today’s Escambia County School Board Regular Workshop began with the recently added agenda item—the fate of Lincoln Park Elementary School. Superintendent Malcolm Thomas began the meeting by recapping the…
City missed deadline to apply for tax exemption for maritime park
The string of missteps continues for the Hayward administration. Thanks to records received from the Escambia County Property Appraiser Chris Jones, via a public record request, the Independent News has discovered that…
Touart’s On the List
There are a number of last-minute applicants looking to land the county administrator position with Escambia County. Among them, is the man currently serving on an interim basis. Last week, Human Resources…
Order Save Escambia County T-shirt
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Sustainable Development, Leveraging RESTORE
A presentation tomorrow evening will focus on sustainable development, and how such an approach can benefit local communities. The presentation— entitled Sensible Sustainable Development: Leveraging RESTORE Act Funding to Create Lasting Value…
Plan B: Retire Touart, Remove Valentino
The “negotiations” over how the county resolves the findings of the U.S. Department of Justice are a microcosm of problems with the two top leaders of Escambia County government–Interim County Administrator George…
Grover responds to Sheriff: no tax increase, no privatization, but willing to take over jail
Commissioner Grover Robinson, IV has responded to Sheriff David Morgan’s letter transferring control for the Escambia County Jail back to the county. He tells the sheriff that he is willing to look…
Lincoln Park Shake-Up?
A group of Lincoln Park Elementary School teachers went to visit with Escambia County School District Superintendent Malcolm Thomas this week. According to Principal Christine Nixon, the teachers wanted to discuss the…
No Panhandling in the Upside
The final installment of the so-called ‘homeless’ ordinances was approved by the Pensacola City Council last night. The new ordinance targets panhandling. “I know it’s going to be challenged in court, and…
UWF’s Confucius Institute
The University of West Florida is announcing a partnership that will provide Chinese language and cultural teaching resources. Here is the UWF press release: The University of West Florida will be the…
Valentino/Touart look to hire prison contractor that has already been cited for misconduct
According to an email just received from the county, three companies were contacted by our Human Resources Department to make proposals on running the county jail: – Corrections Corporation of America –…
Hayward withdraws right of first refusal
On Jan. 31, Mayor Ashton Hayward sent out a press release announcing his letter that asked the Emerald Coast Utility Authority for the Right of First Refusal on the utility’s property that…
It’s official. Valentino got himself a jail
Read Letter 6.13.13 In his letter, Sheriff David Morgan wrote that county officials have failed to acknowledge the gravity of the current jail situation. He has learned that Touart has been pursuing…
Buzz: Sheriff Morgan gives jail back to the county
We are hearing that Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan has drafted a letter returning the county jail to the Board of County Commissioners. The sentiment at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is…
Brush Strokes and Non-Starters
It’s unclear what course of action the Escambia County Commission will take in response to the recent U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the operations of the Escambia County Jail. The board…
Escambia Eyes ECAT
Since March, Escambia County Director of Human Relations Tom Turner has been interviewing mass transit employees following complaints about the system’s management company. “Right or wrong,†he concluded in a report to…
McKenzie Appointed as NLG VP
Local attorney Alistair McKenzie was recently appointed Regional Vice President for the National Lawyers Guild. He will be working with Guild chapters across the South. McKenzie has gained a reputation locally as…
Buzz: PNJ building sold, apartments may be coming to downtown
Gannett has sold the Romana Street building that houses its Bella Magazine, GoPensacola.com and the News Journal. No word where the staff will be relocated, but we’ve heard the buyer is interested…
Valentino misspoke on jail
Investigation into Criminal Activity in ECSO Jail Concludes The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the conclusion of the criminal investigation against our officers based upon allegations raised by Escambia…
Looking for Lockup Money
Later this week, the Escambia County Commission will be looking at three proposals from staff concerning the Escambia County Jail and the sheriff’s budget. County officials are working to address findings from…