A bill approved by a Senate committee yesterday in the Florida Legislature would allow local governments to ban tobacco smoking at beaches and parks. Florida already bans smoking at indoor workplaces and restaurants other than bars that sell a minimal amount of food, but cities and counties can’t enact local ordinances to further restrict smoking.…… MORE
Category Archives: Uncategorized
COVID-19 UPDATE
Florida added 9,594 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, bringing the state’s total to 1,667,763. The state also added 231 new COVID-19 deaths. Florida’s death toll is now up to 26,080. Escambia County added 234 new cases and had 13 new deaths Santa Rosa County had 97 new cases and 11 new deaths Okaloosa County had 147…… MORE
SHOOTING INVESTIGATION
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says four teenagers have been arrested for a deadly shooting last week that was said to be a drug rip off that ended in murder. Deputies responding to the 900 block of Massachusetts Avenue found a truck that had crashed into a power pole. The body of 61-year-old Samuel Thomley…… MORE
NINE MILE ROAD WIDENING PROJECT
The Florida Department of Transportation says the long-delayed Nine Mile Road widening project is scheduled for completion this summer. FDOT spokesman Ian Satter said that Hurricanes Michael and Sally caused delays, as well as other tropical storms and hurricanes. The 46- million-dollar project began in 2016 and was projected for completion in early 2019.… MORE
COMMISSIONER SUES COUNTY
Escambia County Commissioner Doug Underhill is suing Escambia County for more than $23,000 in legal fees he incurred in successfully defending a defamation lawsuit. An Escambia Circuit Court Judge ruled that Commissioner Underhill had immunity from a lawsuit filed by Scott Miller over Underhill’s comments on Facebook about Miller’s involvement with the Rolling Hills landfill…… MORE
INDECENT EXPOSURE ARREST
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man for exposing himself to a female taxi cab driver in December. The driver for the American Cab Company driver says 61-year-old Joseph Chambers, called for a ride, then became aggressive, began cursing, then dropped his pants and exposed his buttocks and genitals. The incident happened on…… MORE
U.S. ARMY APPROVES NEW DRESS CODE
The Army says they are loosening restrictions on various grooming and hairstyle rules for soldiers. The changes will broaden the rules for earrings and hair highlights and dyes for women of various ethnicities and will allow greater flexibility for braids, twists, cornrows and other styles more natural for their hair. Women will now be able…… MORE
COVID-19 UPDATE
The Florida Department of Health says Florida added 8,720 new COVID-19 cases yesterday bringing the state’s total to 1,658,169 cases. The state also added 156 new deaths bringing the death toll in Florida to 25,849. Escambia County had 135 new cases Santa Rosa County had 85 new cases Okaloosa County had 56 new cases and…… MORE
PENSACOLA POLICE CHIEF SELECTION
Despite the low turnout at two virtual public forums last week Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson still wants the public to provide input on selecting the next Pensacola police chief at two town halls hosted by the city’s Citizens Police Advisory Committee. Tommi Lyter, the previous chief, retired last month to work for the Escambia County…… MORE
PENSACON RESCHEDULED
Pensacon is being rescheduled. Pensacon CEO and founder Mike Ensley says the annual pop culture convention will be held from May 21st to the 23d. Pensacon was postponed in early January because of the nationwide spike in COVID-19 cases. This year’s event was originally scheduled for February 26th to the 28th. Ticket refunds are not…… MORE
