This past week, we had 24 guests on WCOA’s “Real News with Rick Outzen. The most played podcasts concerned County Clerk Pam Childers, the proposed indoor sports facility, Mayor Reeves’ showdown with ST Engineering, and adding more cameras in neighborhoods dealing with a rise in crime.
As of Wednesday morning, County Clerk Pam Childers had refused to cut checks to the nonprofits and cultural organizations trying to book performers and other events for Foo Foo Fest. Founder David Bear said several events may have to be canceled if Childers doesn’t relent.
After this interview, the clerk’s office cut a check.
Earlier in the week, County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said he wanted to talk to State Attorney Ginger Madden about her decision not to charge Jonathan Owens. He alleged that Madden wouldn’t because Childers has the records, too.
Before the Escambia County Tourist Development Council met on Monday to discuss the proposal to bond bed tax revenue (the fifth cent) to build an indoor sports facility at Ashton Brosnaham Park, TDC board member Ronnie Rivera discussed the proposal on “Real News with Rick Outzen.”
The TDC approved the plan at the meeting.
Before his weekly press conference, Mayor D.C. Reeves shared the details of his meeting with ST Engineering.
Last Thursday, the Escambia Board of County Commissioners voted to have the Trust refund the CRA dollars it has received—$1,134,025. The commissioners plan to spend the funds on infrastructure needs and public safety in the CRA neighborhoods.
On “Real News” Wednesday morning, Sheriff Chip Simmons said the commissioners will spend some of the money on more cameras connected to his Real-time Crime Center.
The Sept. 12 show was the one full show that listeners played. I spoke with Sena Maddison, Jim Ryan, Leslie Perrino, Allison Hill, and Brad Garrett.
In 2022, one of the most played podcasts was with attorney Eric Stevenson on the fight at a PHS vs. Washington football game.
Stevenson attended the PHS vs. Washington football game and shared what he saw and heard. He also talked about parents being left in the dark about school safety issues.
