Here’s a roundup of our top stories from the past week.
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Escambia County nearly doubles fire service fee despite community pushback
Over the protests of more than two dozen people who spoke to the board for nearly two hours at the county’s first public hearing on Escambia County’s proposed $824,440,150 budget for 2025/2026, commissioners voted unanimously to approve a new fire service fee that is almost double what people currently pay.
“We support the fire department, but don’t wring it out of us like we have money or something,” said Mary Konopka of Bellview. “You need to understand that there’s people out here and (the cost) of everything’s going up, groceries are going up, insurance is going up, and then you want to tax us more.”
During the meeting on Sept. 9, the board adopted the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Roll for the county’s Mainland Fire Protection Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU). Here’s where that money will go.
Santa Rosa school IT employee suspended without pay, granted hearing over termination
A Santa Rosa Schools IT specialist accused of inappropriate contact with Central School students will no longer be paid by the school district.
Keith Elliott was not terminated but will remain on administrative leave as he has been since June 27. After receiving notice of Supt. Karen Barber’s recommendations this his suspension be unpaid and that he be terminated, Elliott requested a “hearing on the merits” of the matter.
The district’s school board policy allowed Elliott 15 days to request a hearing.
Did you see the massive yellow vessel docked at Port of Pensacola? Here’s what it is
If you walked past the Palafox Pier, drove across the Pensacola Bay Bridge or through downtown last week, you couldn’t have helped but notice a massive yellow vessel docked at the port. And if you were wondering what it was, you’re aren’t alone.
Social media blew up as residents took turns sharing their thoughts on what it could be. Turns out it wasn’t the first time the strange looking structure spent time at the port.
Downtown Pensacola brewery to permanently close at month’s end
It’s the end of an era for Doc’s Hop Shop, a downtown Pensacola brewery that will be permanently closing its doors at the month’s end at 500 E. Heinberg St.
“After years of pouring pints, sharing laughs, and building a community around great beer, our very own Doc is officially retiring. Doc’s Hop Shop will be closing its doors on September 30th,” Doc’s Hop Shop shared in a social media statement. “We can’t thank Pensacola enough for all the love and support you’ve shown. Come raise a glass with us before then and help celebrate Doc’s retirement! Doctor’s orders.”
Ard’s Cricket Ranch still has locals chirping about bait shop/bar | Uniquely Pensacola
If you weren’t here then, you might not understand. But for a few decades, a lot of Pensacola folks used to hang out at a cricket ranch off Cervantes Street.
Yes, there was a ranch for crickets and people liked to drink and play pool there amid the chirping.
It was Ard’s Cricket Ranch on Lynch Street, a bait shop and bar where the sweet small woman with the big beehive bouffant served up cold brews and raised crickets to sell wholesale and to individual fisherfolks who needed a little lively bait. Or they sold crickets to folks just, you know, for fun.
Check out the latest stories in Troy Moon’s series on “Uniquely Pensacola” memories.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola news you missed: What’s at the port, Escambia nearly doubles fire fees
Reporting by Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
