FEMA forks over $3 million



Nearly two years after Hurricane Ivan swept through the Gulf Coast, Santa Rosa County government officials are still working to repair the county’s infrastructure and were relieved to learn they will receive over $3 million unexpectedly from the federal government. Details are limited at this point and county officials are unsure of how much of that funding would trickle down […]

City tackles mock-hurricane drill



While most residents experienced a partially cloudy, warm spring afternoon June 5, much darker clouds were brewing over Gulf Breeze City Hall. City officials completed a successful hurricane drill that day to test the city’s infrastructure as residents plodded away unaware of the virtual category three storm being simulated around them. “There’s no system that’s 100 percent prepared but we […]

GBPD assists in landmark panhandle taskforce meeting



Officials from the Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA) are organizing the first assembly of a panhandle disaster response task force. Police personnel from all across the panhandle will assemble at the rest area off of Exit 96 in I-10 at 9:00am on June 14. It will be the largest gathering of a disaster task force in the panhandle and the […]

Fine doubles for mystery meat at Florida’s restaurants



The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) has increased the fine for any proven offense of food misrepresentation at a food service establishment. The fine increase, which raises the minimum fine from $250 to $500, is in response to findings of restaurants selling mislabeled fish products to consumers. It also brings DBPR’s enforcement in line with those of the […]

Feral cat debate continues



At the Gulf Breeze City Council meeting last Monday, several citizens presented concerns about the city’s feral cat colony during the Open Forum. “We have 18 inoculated, spayed and neutered cats in a colony in Pensacola,” said Elizabeth Irby, Pensacola resident and animal protection proponent. “We started with 50 cats and as they have aged and died naturally, the colony […]

Alt named OBE principal



Oriole Beach Elementary School has a new principal. As of June 1, Dawn Alt is officially the Oriole Beach school’s new principal. But she is not new to the county school district — since she has been serving as West Navarre Intermediate School’s assistant principal last year. “I am thrilled to have been selected by the school board as the […]

Teens clock in for summer



Summer is here, and a tan is not the only thing students are working on. For many young adults, summertime means not only relaxation and spending time with friends and family, but also earning money for the upcoming school year. Driving around Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach, you may notice many students working at any and all types of businesses. […]

COMMUNITY BRIEFS



BBB issues warning for phishing attack The Better Business Bureau of Northwest Florida (BBB) is warning businesses and consumers in Northwest Florida of a spoofing scam using the BBB name and a false BBB e-mail address to entice recipients to access potentially damaging hyperlinks and attachments. BBB staff said none of the BBB’s computers or e-mail systems are involved in […]

Thanks, but don’t come back soon…



Weather Channel Meteorologist Stephanie Abrams recently visited Portofino on Pensacola Beach. While visiting the Gulf Coast, Abrams filmed several Hurricane Preparedness Public Service Announcements (PSA) and an exclusive interview that will air on local cable provider Mediacom June 12, 7 p.m. on channel 27 or channel 1 with On Demand. Abrams joined The Weather Channel in 2003 as an on-camera […]

Event to help wounded vets reclaim independence



The Independence Fund/Aleethia Foundation, in collaboration with the Americas Huey 091 Fund, welcomes the public to join them for “Heroes Night,” a fundraising event at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 18 at Seville Quarter’s Rosie O’Grady’s. The evening’s entertainment will be provided by Nashville recording artist Stephen Cochran. Qualifying tax-deductible check donations will be accepted along with tip donations, contributed […]