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Pensacola News Journal

partner publisher · 36.4K followers
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Santa Rosa tacks another month onto timeline for Isaias debris cleanup

A big bump in the estimated amount of debris created by Hurricane Isaias' rampage through Santa Rosa County has driven up the cost of clean up and pushed back the time frame for having it completed. Deputy County Administrator Jared Lowe reported to the Santa Rosa County Commission Nov. 10 that an original estimate of the amount of debris of 1.8 million cubic yards had been increased to somewhere in the vicinity of 4 million cubic yards. "The first best guess was made by an assessment team driving around and looking at what they saw," Lowe said. "The second estimate comes as people are pulling debris that wouldn't have been visible from the road in those first days." With a first pass of debris clean up nearing completion and a second due to get underway, county residents are replacing what had been removed from the roadway with debris from the backs of their properties, Lowe told commissioners. The amount already collected has exceeded 2 million cubic yards. "We're looking at considerable cleanup for the next month or two," Commission Chairman Colten Wright concluded after hearing Lowe's report. That timeline would extend by about a month what had originally been estimated.

Santa Rosa County, FL · 1d

Pensacola News Journal

partner publisher · 36.4K followers
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'Project Clerks' poised to bring 3.7 acres of retail, restaurants to Pea Ridge

"Project Clerks" is the pseudonym Santa Rosa County Economic Development Director Shannon Ogletree has given to a proposed development that promises to bring "multiple nationally known retailers and restaurants to the Highway 90 Corridor." A group based in Franklin, Tennessee, calling itself Highway 90 Development LLC is listed as the owner of the 22-acre parcel at the intersection of U.S. 90 and the Pea Ridge Connector Road across from West Florida Regional Medical Center in Pace. The group wants to add 160,000 square feet, or almost 3.7 acres, of retail, service and restaurant space. The specific businesses the group plans to recruit have not been publicly announced, but county officials have expressed enthusiasm for the project. "Residents won't have to drive over to Escambia County any more for shopping or to eat out," Ogletree said. The project was brought to the County Commission Nov. 10 at its Committee of the Whole meeting. Commissioners were being asked to approve an incentive arrangement of approximately $1.12 million and a tree mitigation plan to open the door to development of the presently vacant, commercially zoned property. Under the incentive agreement, the ad valorem taxes paid on the retail development property would be reduced

Santa Rosa County, FL · 2d

Pensacola News Journal

partner publisher · 36.4K followers
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Cold front will drop Pensacola temps 11 degrees below normal

A blast of cold air could bring the first snowflakes of the season to the United States, and a light freeze to northern parts of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties later this week. A milder cold front swept across the Pensacola area over the weekend, bringing temperatures closer to normal than they have been. So far, November temperatures have been 5.4 degrees above average, according to data from the National Weather Service office in Mobile, Alabama . Starting on Friday, the stronger cold front will bring high temperatures well below 70 degrees for the first time this year. The coldest temperatures will hit around Saturday, which is forecast to have a high around 61 degrees and a low around 41 degrees throughout most of the Pensacola area. More inland areas are expected to see similar highs, but low temperatures will dip into the mid-30s, according to The Weather Channel . How cold will it get in Pensacola? Temperatures across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will feel very similar. Expect highs in the mid-60s and upper 50s with lows in the 30s and 40s from Friday through Sunday. Residents can expect to see average temperatures run about 11 degrees below the

Pensacola, FL · 3d

ssrnews.com

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A Thank You to Santa Rosa County: Together, We Chose to Invest in Our Future

On behalf of the Funding Santa Rosa’s Future committee, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the residents who took the time to learn about the half-cent Local Option Sales Tax renewal and ultimately voted FOR continuing this important investment in our community. Your support sends a clear...

Santa Rosa County, FL · 2d
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Pensacola News Journal

partner publisher · 36.4K followers

Republicans inside Pensacola city limits abandoned Hofberger for Vinson

The Escambia County Commission District 4 race is the perfect example of every vote making a difference , as the race may come down to the very last vote when overseas ballots are counted on Nov. 13. The results show that Republican incumbent Ashlee Hofberger lost a key section of support among Republicans, which — if the current count holds — would lead to the first non-party-affiliated Escambia County commissioner. A closer look at the results as they stood after the final recount on Nov. 7 when non-party affiliated candidate Joe Vinson pulled ahead by 14 votes, show that many voters in the city of Pensacola who otherwise voted Republican opted for Vinson over Hofberger. A precinct-level analysis also shows Vinson could’ve secured a stronger lead, but many voters who otherwise supported Democrats skipped voting in the race, especially those in the more racially diverse precincts of District 4. Hofberger loses Pensacola Republicans in the city In the last decade of elections, the city of Pensacola has shown it’s a purple city, swinging between Republicans and Democrats , depending on the year. This year, like many purple states, Pensacola went solidly blue, with State Rep. Angie Nixon winning 53.5% in

Pensacola, FL · 3d

Pensacola News Journal

partner publisher · 36.4K followers

3 Pensacola area restaurants receive major violations in inspections

Here's the breakdown of restaurant inspections in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties for the week of Nov. 2-8. Florida's restaurant owners are not required to post restaurant inspection results where guests can see them. So, every week, we provide that information for you. During the latest round of inspections by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, one restaurant received an administrative complaint, two restaurants received a high-priority violation and 16 restaurants received a perfect score. One restaurant receives an administrative complaint Wah Gwaan Jerk Mobile food dispensing vehicle Inspection details: Routine Inspection on Nov. 3 Follow-up inspections: Violations required further review, but were not an immediate threat to the public. The restaurant complied with a follow-up inspection on Nov. 5 and met inspection standards. Total violations: Four total violations, with three high-priority violations High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint** High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Upon inspection, observed raw sausage patties stored over lettuce in upright reach-in cooler. High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Upon inspection, observed raw ground beef 49 degrees Fahrenheit,

Pensacola, FL · 2d

WEAR

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Santa Rosa County readies FEMA, state reimbursements as Isaias cleanup tops $80M

SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. -- It's now been one month since Hurricane Isaias made landfall, and Santa Rosa County is still assessing the damages. Right now, they're estimating about $80 million in cleanup and repairs to county facilities. Officials say they've made significant progress, but the storm will cost them...

Santa Rosa County, FL · 17h

Brewton Standard

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County residents may receive storm assistance

Escambia County residents, homeowners, renters, and business owners may be eligible for assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program, according to information released by Justin Jordan, Escambia County Emergency Management Director. This assistance is available through Florida’s SBA disaster declaration and includes the following contiguous Alabama...

Escambia County, AL · 2d

WEAR

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Panhandle Ice Pier taking shape in Pace with year-round hockey rink, skating and rentals

PACE, Fla. -- A new ice rink is now taking shape in Pace. The 'Panhandle Ice Pier' will be the name of the new facility. It will include a full-size hockey rink, locker rooms, training areas, concessions, and skate rentals. Co-owner Jennifer Burkhardt says she and her husband were inspired...

Pace, FL · 2d

ricksblog.biz

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Amendment 3 Hands Escambia a $38 Million Hole, Cuts Will Be Painful

The Commission Couldn’t Agree on $1 Million for FY 2026-27. Voters approved the property tax cut. Now five commissioners—who spent the summer fighting over interns, office furniture and a $5,000 veterans grant—have to find cuts nearly 40 times larger than anything they could agree on in September.

Escambia County, FL · 3d

wuwf.org

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Local nonprofits are helping to restore tree canopy after Hurricane Isaias

After Hurricane Isaias slammed the Panhandle last month, it took countless trees in the area. Two local nonprofits are working to assess and help restore the tree canopy. Mary Gutierrez, executive director of Earth Ethics, launched the Panhandle Tree Replacement Project shortly after Isaias. “A lot of friends were talking...

Okaloosa County, FL · 2d

Main Street Dollars

partner publisher · 39.2K followers

Self-employed workers in eight Florida Panhandle counties who lost income to Hurricane Isaias must apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance by Dec. 28

Self-employed workers in eight Florida Panhandle counties who lost income to Hurricane Isaias have until Dec. 28, 2026 to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. FloridaCommerce announced the federal-state program for the counties of Bay, Escambia, Gulf, Holmes, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington. The aid covers weeks of lost work beginning Oct. 11, 2026. Disaster […]

Northwest Florida, FL · 6d

Niceville.com

partner publisher · 436 followers

Eglin FCU donates $50,000 for Hurricane Isaias recovery

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. — Eglin Federal Credit Union has donated $50,000 to two United Way organizations to help families and communities across Northwest Florida recover from Hurricane Isaias. The credit union announced donations of $25,000 each to United Way Emerald Coast and United Way of West Florida. United Way Emerald Coast will direct its funding toward recovery efforts in Okaloosa and Walton counties, while United Way of West Florida will use its donation specifically to assist residents of Santa Rosa County, which experienced some of the region’s most extensive storm damage. “We are so grateful that Eglin Federal Credit Union, a long-time partner of local United Ways, is providing this assistance during this difficult time for our community members,” said United Way Emerald Coast President and CEO Kelly Jasen. “Hardworking families can struggle to make ends meet even during the best of times, and this disaster has only increased the challenges many are facing. As our neighbors begin the road to recovery, this donation will help provide critical support where it is needed most.” The donations will help address immediate and long-term needs resulting from Hurricane Isaias, including housing assistance, essential household expenses, and other recovery-related services. United Way

Okaloosa County, FL · 2d

ricksblog.biz

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Childers Must Hand Over Hofberger, PNJ Texts

Escambia County Clerk Pam Childers must produce her text messages with County Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger and the Pensacola News Journal to the attorney for the nonprofits suing her for payment on community grants awarded by the Board of County Commissioners. At Tuesday’s hearing, Judge William Stone issued an oral ruling...

Escambia County, FL · 1d

ABC 33/40 News

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Alabama lawmakers demand answers on prison projects ahead of Tuberville administration

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WBMA) — Alabama lawmakers are demanding answers about the state's ongoing prison construction projects, raising concerns about costs, delays and plans to transition the projects to Governor-elect Tommy Tuberville's administration. During Thursday's meeting of the Legislature's Joint Contract Review Committee, lawmakers questioned representatives from the Alabama Department...

Alabama · 20h

localpulse.com

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First 200 Customers at ALDI Cantonment Grand Opening to Receive Gift Cards

Cantonment residents will soon have another option for saving on their weekly grocery bill. ALDI is opening its newly converted store at 1550 S. Highway 29, bringing its value-focused shopping experience, exclusive products, and streamlined store format to the community. The community is invited to celebrate the opening during a...

Cantonment, FL · 3d