This week’s top news stories included the grand opening of Pensacola’s first Costco, the shocking resignation of an ECSO colonel and more.
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Bayou Chico boat dumping leads to state law giving counties more teeth
Escambia County is celebrating a legislative win with the signing of a new state law that will help authorities clean up abandoned boats from local waterways.
Escambia led the effort to reform laws that deal with derelict vessels. The effort stems from ongoing issues with boat dumping at Bayou Chico.
DeSantis has signed the Derelict Vessel Bill into law. It takes effect on July 1, 2026.
Pensacola set to win $76 million grant for shipyard, bring 2,000 jobs
Pensacola cleared a major hurdle in winning a $76 million grant to bring 2,000 shipbuilding jobs to the Port of Pensacola.
Triumph Gulf Coast approved the term sheet for a $76 million grant to bolster the city’s efforts to bring an Australian shipbuilding company called Birdon to the port as part of a $200 million effort that would include construction of a massive 400,000-square-foot facility on the city’s waterfront.
The term sheet and performance agreement approved on June 22 by the Triumph board means the major sticking points of the $76 million grant have been worked out. The next step to secure the funds is for the city of Pensacola and Birdon to come to final terms on a lease for a new facility. Those terms will have to be approved by the City Council as well as the Triumph Gulf Coast Board.
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said a final agreement with Birdon to commit to 2,000 new jobs and a 400,000-square-foot shipbuilding facility could be finalized as soon as August.
The $275 million project would transform the Port of Pensacola and make Birdon the third-largest employer in the city limits.
Pensacola’s first Costco opens with membership deals, samples and big crowd
At long last, Costco has arrived in Pensacola.
The beloved warehouse retailer opened the doors of its newest location at 225 E. Nine Mile Road at 8 a.m. June 25.
The new store includes a deli, a bakery, an optometrist, a gas station, a pharmacy, groceries, home goods and a wide array of other products and services.
Here’s everything that happened on opening day, including deals for new members and a “secret code” to help you save.
Allegiant adjusting dozens of summer routes. What it means for Florida Panhandle
There has been a dramatic shift at Allegiant Air over the past year, with the ultra-low-cost carrier adjusting dozens of routes for the summer, according to Simple Flying.
That changes include eight new nonstop Florida routes.
So, how do all the shakeups impact the Florida Panhandle?
ECSO colonel resigns amid charges of harassing witness, aggravated stalking
A now-former colonel for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was arrested on multiple felonies by deputies with her own agency late June 18.
According to the Office of the State Attorney, Mindy Von Ansbach Young was arrested on charges of felony criminal mischief, two counts of aggravated stalking, harassing a witness and breach of the peace.
Von Ansbach Young, who until recently was the colonel for the ECSO’s mental health division and was the officer in charge of court security, fleet maintenance, extra duty and civil, was arrested by ECSO deputies after the Milton Police Department issued a warrant for her arrest.
Von Ansbach Young allegedly threatened to kill her husband and the woman he was staying with if he went through with a planned divorce.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Costco grand opening, ECSO colonel resignation in Pensacola’s top news
Reporting by Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal | USA TODAY Network
