County Jail cited by DOJ as unsafe, needs more staff and better mental health program

The Civil Right Division of the U.S. Department of Justice has concluded its five-year investigation of the Escambia County Jail and its findings are as…

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County tries to block Jail Study from being released

There is a budget battle about to break out between interim County Administrator George Touart and Sheriff David Morgan. The fight is inevitable. This first…

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Search Extended, Raise Declined

The Escambia County Commission extended its search for a county administrator today, as Interim Country Administrator George Touart declined a proposed raise. Commissioners decided to…

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Touart to Stay?

The Escambia County Commission is split on how best to proceed with efforts to fill the county administrator position. The Human Resources director described this…

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Touart predecessor in running for Walton County job

Robert T. Halfhill served as interim Escambia County Administrator for sixteen months, from December 4, 2001 until April 21, 2002. One April 22, Touart took…

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New Kids on the Block

Escambia County’s two new commissioners are forgoing any honeymoon. From the get-go, their voices have become pivotal in weighty conversations. During their initial meeting last…

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Touart protest is not going away

Some citizens still aren’t happy about the lame duck Escambia County Commission hiring George Touart as the interim county administrator. They plan further protests. I…

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Touart’s Return

George Touart is returning to county government. In a move Escambia County Vice Chairman Gene Valentino described as a way to keep the county “moving…

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Life After Randy

With Randy Oliver gone, the Escambia County Commission must now decide who will take the reins as County Administrator. “I really can’t tell you for…

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Unofficial transcript of Touart-Valentino phone call

On Sunday, the Pensacola News Journal published an article on a taped conversation between former County Administrator George Touart and County Commissioner Gene Valentino. Valentino…

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Oops, Touart forgets three-letter word

The same campaign brain trust that introduced home invasion as a campaign strategy forgot to put the word “for” on the campaign signs for former…

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Transparency Challenge for District 2

The race in the Republican primary for Escambia County District 2 is a dogfight. The top candidates – incumbent Gene Valentino, former County Administrator George…

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