Board approves conditional use for 150‑foot telecommunications tower on Nell Avenue After staff testimony and extended public comment citing property‑value, safety and health concerns, the Board of Adjustment approved a conditional use for a 150‑foot telecommunications tower on Nell Avenue, subject to development‑review conditions and required agency clearances.

The Escambia County Board has greenlit a controversial 150-foot cell tower, sparking heated debates over property values and safety concerns among local residents.

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #TelecommunicationsDevelopment #CommunityInput

Local Pastor Arrested in Escambia County: Shocking Charges Include Drug Trafficking!

🚨 Breaking News: A local pastor has been arrested in Escambia County on multiple charges, including drug trafficking. The community is in shock as details emerge. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story. #EscambiaCounty #BreakingNews #CommunityImpact

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Fortunately, no one was injured in this incident.
www.wkrg.com/northwest-florida/escamb...

#EscambiaCounty #I10 #Traffic

Escambia County staff warns House bill could cut $79 million from general fund; board leaves 2% pay increase in proposed budget County staff told commissioners House Bill 203 could reduce the county general fund by about $79 million and urged the board to delay final property‑tax decisions until after the state special session; the board tentatively kept a 2% across‑the‑board pay adjustment in the draft FY2026–27 budget.

Escambia County faces a potential $79 million cut to its general fund due to House Bill 203, prompting urgent calls for careful budget planning.

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #BudgetPlanning #CitizenPortal #PropertyTaxReform #FiscalResponsibility

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A crash investigation took an unexpected turn when Florida Highway Patrol troopers allegedly uncovered a man’s decades‑old fake identity. www.wkrg.com/northwest-florida/escamb...

#Pensacola #EscambiaCounty #FloridaNews

New World Believers says it is owed reimbursements; board authorizes legal steps to seek return of vehicles Latasha Jones of New World Believers told the board the group has unpaid November/December reimbursements and disputes an ECT termination; legal counsel reported contract termination on Jan. 8, said vehicles purchased with grant funds must be returned, and the board authorized counsel to pursue repossession if the vehicles are not returned while staff reviews possible duplicative billing with the Department of Juvenile Justice.

New World Believers claims it’s owed reimbursements while facing legal threats over vehicles purchased for its programs—what’s the board’s next move?

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #PublicFunding #YouthServices

Commissioners approve consent agenda and county administration items including stormwater and dredging work The board approved the consent agenda, a memorandum of understanding for on-site fire-training with Ascend Performance Materials, stormwater and stormwater-pond items, and construction/dredging change orders including White Island modifications after public input and staff briefings.

Escambia County Commissioners have taken significant steps to enhance public safety and environmental standards, including fire-training agreements and improved stormwater designs based on community feedback.

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #PublicEngagement

Escambia County commissioners approve administrator's pick for library director despite board objections After more than two hours of public comment and questions about state grant eligibility, the Escambia County Commission voted 4-1 on March 7 to confirm the county administrator's recommendation to appoint Crystal Bell Rivera as library services director over the library board's unanimous choice, Bradley Vincent.

In a controversial decision, Escambia County commissioners have appointed Crystal Bell Rivera as library director, defying public outcry and the library board's unanimous recommendation for a more qualified candidate.

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal

Residents clash over ‘customary use’ proposal for Perdido Key beaches during Escambia County public forum At a March 5 public forum, residents and property owners delivered sharply divided testimony on a proposed ‘customary use’ approach to Perdido Key shoreline access; supporters urged broader public access and collection of sworn historical testimony, while condo representatives warned of property-rights losses and likely litigation.

Residents of Escambia County are divided over a controversial proposal that could reshape access to the beloved Perdido Key beaches, as passionate voices clash over public rights versus private property.

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #CommunityDialogue #PublicAccess

Survivors and supporters both speak at Escambia County public forum after disputed commissioner remarks At the same public forum, many speakers criticized Commissioner Mike Kohler’s online comments referencing a survivor’s trauma and called for accountability and clearer decorum standards while others offered character testimony and urged due process.

Survivors and advocates clash with supporters of Commissioner Mike Kohler at a heated public forum, demanding accountability and stronger conduct rules in the wake of controversial comments.

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #SurvivorAccountability #CitizenPortal #PublicDecorum

Local activists warn of civil-rights rollbacks, urge vigilance on DEI and voting protections Leaders on Commissioner Mays program expressed concern that state and federal rollbacks are reversing DEI gains and weakening voting-rights protections; speakers urged continued advocacy and noted possible economic consequences for Black women and minority contractors.

Activists are sounding the alarm over recent state actions that threaten hard-won civil rights and economic opportunities for historically marginalized communities.

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #EscambiaCountyCivilRights #DiversityEquityInclusion #EconomicOpportunity

TDC members press clerk over delayed reimbursements that strain Visit Pensacola cash flow Council members pressed for clearer, faster reimbursement procedures after Visit Pensacola said delayed payments force it to use lines of credit for county-funded marketing — incurring interest and complicating buys that depend on advance payment.

Escambia County's Tourist Development Council is demanding urgent action to resolve reimbursement delays that are financially straining Visit Pensacola and jeopardizing vital marketing efforts.

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #FinancialTransparency

Visit Pensacola to run $250,000 campaign after Conde Nast beach ranking; ADR and room demand roughly steady Visit Pensacola announced a $250,000 marketing push to leverage a Conde Nast No. 1 U.S. beach ranking, detailed digital/print placement and audience targeting, and presented FY25 hotel performance showing modest increases in supply and demand and largely stable ADR.

Pensacola is gearing up to launch a $250,000 marketing campaign to capitalize on being ranked the No. 1 beach in the U.S. by Conde Nast—what exciting strategies are in store?

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #EconomicGrowth #DigitalMarketing #TourismDevelopment

Grantees report outreach, mapping and permitting progress; OPUS distributed naloxone and test strips Community Health shared a ZIP-code heat map of clients across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties; Ministry Village said site corrections are nearly complete and will seek permits; OPUS reported January distributions including 67 naloxone boxes and 53 packs of fentanyl test strips.

Community partners are making strides in the fight against opioid addiction with new heat maps, outreach efforts, and site improvements in Escambia County.

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #PublicHealth #SubstanceUse #CommunityOutreach

EMS Core reports 88% success rate and a 44% year-over-year service increase EMS Core told the advisory board it transitioned 585 of 668 encountered patients (88% success rate), recorded 46 relapses, and saw appointments rise from 1,249 in 2024 to 2,860 in 2025. Staff said overdoses taken to EMS have declined overall, but meth-related incidents and contaminated supplies are an ongoing concern.

EMS Core boasts an impressive 88% success rate in transitioning patients, all while seeing a significant increase in appointments—what does this mean for the future of treatment in Escambia County?

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #PublicHealth #SubstanceAbuse #MentalHealth

Escambia commissioners weigh ‘customary use’ for Perdido Key beaches, direct staff to expand access After hours of public comment both for and against a proposed customary‑use approach on Perdido Key, the board directed staff to pursue expanded public access and parking options and discussed lowering Johnson Beach fees while counsel warned that no ordinance was before the board today.

Escambia County officials are divided over beach access as they hear passionate public testimony, ultimately deciding to seek alternative ways to enhance access without voting on a controversial "customary use" ordinance.

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #LegalDefense

Escambia County advisory board reports $7.15 million in opioid-abatement receipts; $5.42 million awarded The Escambia County Opioid Abatement Advisory Board reported $7,146,139.55 in receipts for opioid-abatement efforts and said $5,422,221.29 has been obligated or awarded to local programs; nine FY25–26 contracts were drafted and will go before the Board of County Commissioners for final execution.

Escambia County is making significant strides in the fight against opioid addiction, with over $5.4 million awarded to local programs aimed at treatment and outreach.

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #PublicHealth #CommunitySupport #SubstanceAbuse

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Crews contained a house fire that left one pet dead and heavily damaged a single‑story home, according to Escambia County Fire-Rescue. www.wkrg.com/northwest-florida/escamb...

#RIP #EscambiaCounty #Florida #HouseFire

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Mark your calendars if you want a rare look inside Escambia County’s emergency response operations! www.wkrg.com/northwest-florida/escamb...

#EscambiaCounty #EMS #CommunityEvents #WKRG

Children’s Trust board accepts interlocal agreement with Pensacola resolving TIF demand, with one dissent After extended debate the board voted to accept a negotiated interlocal agreement with the City of Pensacola to resolve tax‑increment funding claims for 2021–2025, directing the city to spend the agreed sum on child services; one board member opposed the agreement citing concerns about reporting specificity.

The Escambia County Children’s Trust has reached a crucial agreement with Pensacola to allocate over $1.8 million for child services, but concerns about accountability and measurable outcomes still linger.

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #CommunityFunding

Children’s Trust board approves release of $3.5 million out‑of‑school‑time RFP The Escambia County Children’s Trust voted to release a $3.5 million out‑of‑school‑time Request for Proposals (RFP) with a Feb. 12 release date, setting program expectations, reimbursement caps and a timeline for awards and contract starts.

The Escambia County Children’s Trust is unleashing a game-changing $3.5 million opportunity to transform out-of-school programs with a focus on measurable success!

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #YouthDevelopment #CommunitySupport

Board finds probable cause in $2 million church construction complaint against Parr Church Builders Escambia County staff and a church representative told the Contractor Licensing Board that Parr Church Builders Inc. left a $2,048,000 church project incomplete and failed to pay subcontractors; the board voted to move the case to disciplinary proceedings under county code sections 18-37(c)(6) and 18-37(c)(11).

Escambia County's Contractor Licensing Board has found probable cause to investigate Parr Church Builders for alleged fraud and financial mismanagement in a $2 million church construction project that remains unfinished.

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #CitizenPortal

Escambia County staff brief commissioners on "customary use" legal path for Perdido Key beaches County Attorney Christy Hankins and Natural Resources Deputy Director Tim Day told commissioners that after a 2025 repeal the county returns to common-law customary-use procedures, outlined evidentiary requirements, flagged lawsuit risk and recommended public comment and targeted record-building before any ordinance.

Escambia County is taking crucial steps to establish beachfront access rights on Perdido Key, but public input is key to navigating potential legal challenges ahead.

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #CoastalManagement #CitizenPortal #PublicAccess #CommunityInput

Escambia commissioners approve half of $500,000 marketing request to leverage Condé Nast honor The Escambia County Commission approved releasing $250,000 now from its marketing reserve to help Visit Pensacola promote Pensacola Beach’s Condé Nast Traveler recognition, with the remaining $250,000 contingent on a performance report due in May. The vote passed 5–1.

Escambia County is investing $250,000 in a marketing campaign to promote Pensacola Beach after it was named the top beach by Condé Nast Traveler, but there's a catch—results must be reported in May!

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #MarketingStrategy #CitizenPortal #EconomicGrowth

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Look closely at this photo, Northwest Florida — have you seen this woman? www.wkrg.com/northwest-florida/escamb...

#EscambiaCounty #Florida #Missing

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A torpedo has been safely removed from the water near a pier in Escambia County, News 5 has learned. www.wkrg.com/northwest-florida/escamb...

#BreakingNews #EscambiaCounty #NorthwestFlorida

ECUA details water projects for Beulah, announces myECUA app and $3 million backbone upgrade ECUA representatives outlined a phased water transmission main, a planned 6‑inch to 10‑inch backbone upgrade budgeted at roughly $3,000,000, a transfer‑station permit milestone and a new myECUA mobile app launching Feb. 16 for service requests and advisories.

ECUA is investing $3 million in vital water upgrades and launching a user-friendly app to enhance service for Beulah residents—big changes are coming!

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #WasteManagement #WaterInfrastructure #CitizenPortal #CommunityServices

Commissioner pushes to convert vision into legal Beulah master plan, addresses roads, beach access and sunshine law reform The commissioner said the current Beulah document is an advisory vision and outlined steps to create a codified master (sector) plan that could guide rezoning and infrastructure decisions. He also discussed road priorities, potential state partnerships for beach access and proposed changes to sunshine law procedures to allow more pre‑decision discussion.

The commissioner is transforming Beulah's vision plan into a legally binding master plan, while tackling urgent road upgrades and expanding beach access for residents.

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#EscambiaCounty #FL #PublicAccess #UrbanPlanning #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureDevelopment

Developer outlines five-district plan for OLF 8, says $150,000 now nonrefundable; timeline hinges on entitlements Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate presented a retooled master plan for Outlying Fields (OLF 8) that divides the site into five districts and emphasizes walkable main-street retail, community amenities and an ETI (Employment, Technology and Innovation) district. The developer said it has $150,000 in nonrefundable earnest money and outlined rezoning and closing milestones that could delay breaking ground.

Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate's ambitious plan for the Outlying Fields site aims to transform it into a vibrant, walkable community with five distinct districts, but with $150,000 already on the line, the clock is ticking for approval!

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#EscambiaCounty #FL

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BREAKING: News 5's Hannah O'Gara is at Pensacola High School, where students have walked out of classes. www.wkrg.com/northwest-florida/escamb...

#Pensacola #LocalNews #ICE #EscambiaCounty #WKRG