Pensacola Beach

Great weather expected for Gallery Night
Published May 18, 2012
Clear skies with a low temperature around 67 degrees will keep things pleasant for tonight, said John Purdy, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Santa Rosa 10th graders best on writing portion of FCAT
Published May 18, 2012
Santa Rosa's eighth and fourth graders each came in third place in the state, according to the scores.

Half of Florida high school students fail reading portion of FCAT
Published May 18, 2012
FCAT reading results released by state education officials show that 52 percent of ninth graders and 50 percent of 10th graders were reading at or above grade level.

Pensacola Bay area jobless numbers improve
Published May 18, 2012
For the fourth straight month the number of persons out of work has declined.

Escambia library director will retire next month
Published May 18, 2012
Gene Fischer leaving after nearly 25 years.

Follow Pace's run to the state title
Published May 18, 2012
News Journal's Jason Blakeney is in Port St. Lucie to cover Pace High's run to the Class 6A state championship. Follow every pitch from today's final game against Archbishop McCarthy. .

Florida's April jobless rate drops to 8.7 percent
Published May 18, 2012
Jobless rate is lowest it has been since January 2009, but is still higher than the national jobless figure.

Driver hits pole, flees the scene
Published May 18, 2012
Police are looking for the driver of a Chevrolet van who hit a utility pole and left the scene before emergency officials arrived.

Arc seeks Special Olympics for Santa Rosa County
Published May 18, 2012
Organization will discuss plans to bring the event to Santa Rosa County during a meeting next week.

Taxpayers will front commissioners' legal fees in Equestrian lawsuit
Published May 18, 2012
Taxpayers will front the legal defense money for the three commissioners who are being sued by Forrest Gibbs, the Equestrian Center's former marketing director.

Mom, daughter spend year, $30,000 in search for lost dog
Published May 18, 2012
Spending nearly $30,000, Pensacola mother and daughter search tirelessly for dog, George, even a year after she has been missing

Citizens Insurance hike would cripple area housing market
Published May 18, 2012
For a coastal housing market struggling to overcome hurricanes, a recession and an oil spill, news that Citizens Property Insurance is considering massive rate increases could be yet another major setback.

Pensacola soldier dies in Arizona motorcycle crash
Published May 18, 2012
Soldier from Pensacola dies in Sierra Vista, Ariz., motorcycle accident

Escambia County hosts seafood safety symposium Saturday
Published May 18, 2012
Escambia County's Community & Environment Department is hosting a seafood safety symposium from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday to promote healthy choices. The symposium is at the Central Office Complex, 3363 W. Park Place, Room 104, Pensacola.

Pensacola woman claims $250,000 top Fantasy 5 prize
Published May 18, 2012
Pensacola woman claims top Fantasy 5 prize from ticket she got at Mom & Pop Convenience Store

Travelers salute new Pensacola airport USO lounge
Published May 18, 2012
The new airport USO drew rave reviews from military travelers on Thursday

Opal Beach cleanup volunteers needed
Published May 18, 2012
Volunteers are needed to clean up scattered asphalt and debris along Opal Beach from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Opal Beach is in the Santa Rosa Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore, about halfway between Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach on J.

Arrest logs: Saturday, May 18, 2012
Published May 18, 2012
The following suspects were charged with felonies Wednesday at Escambia County Jail. Names, ages and addresses were provided by the individuals. Cubie Rae Ball, 22, 1100 block of Capitol Boulevard, battery, burglary.

FavorHouse honors women who triumph over spousal abuse
Published May 18, 2012
About 350 people attended a fundraising luncheon for the Favor House Outreach Center For Abused Spouses.

Driver sought after fiery crash that injured 1
Published May 18, 2012
A man fled after crashing his SUV into a car and slamming into a telephone pole Thursday night.

Taxpayers will front commissioners' legal fees
Published May 18, 2012
Upgraded airport USO lounge gets rave reviews
Published May 18, 2012
The lounge, called The Flight Deck, is part of an eight-month, $200,000 project spearheaded by the Greater Pensacola Chamber.

Documents shed new light on Trayvon Martin killing
Published May 18, 2012
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Trayvon Martin had marijuana in his system. He was shot through the heart at close range. George Zimmerman had a broken nose, bruises and bloody cuts on the back of his head.

Soldier from Pensacola dies in Arizona motorcycle accident
Published May 18, 2012
A soldier from Pensacola has died in a motorcycle accident in Sierra Vista, Ariz.

FavorHouse fundraiser draws 350 in Pensacola
Published May 18, 2012
Stephanie Porter fought off tears when she described her battle to overcome spousal abuse and accept an award from the FavorHouse shelter on Thursday.

Citizens' premium hike would hit Escambia, Santa Rosa hard
Published May 18, 2012
For a coastal housing market struggling to overcome hurricanes, a recession and an oil spill, news that Citizens Property Insurance is considering massive rate increases could be yet another major setback.

Citizens rate increase would cripple struggling coastal housing market
Published May 18, 2012
For a coastal housing market struggling to overcome hurricanes, a recession and an oil spill, news that Citizens Property Insurance is considering massive rate increases could be yet another major setback.

Hangout Music Fest gets ready to rock
Published May 18, 2012
Ten bands are set to perform this evening as part of the preview festivities for the 2012 Hangout Music Fest, which kicks off tomorrow.

Donna Summer, Queen of Disco, dies at 63
Published May 18, 2012
Summer gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s, and released a number of albums that have reach gold or platinum status.

Taxpayers may front commissioners' legal fees
Published May 18, 2012
Commissioners set to vote on paying fees for Grover Robinson IV, Marie Young and Kevin White, who are being sued by Forrest Gibbs, the fired Equestrian Center marketing director.

Show off your ride!
Published May 18, 2012
Do you have a unique ride or a vintage car? Then we want to see it!

Volunteers needed to clean up Opal Beach
Published May 18, 2012
Gulf Islands National Seashore is looking for individuals to help clean up hurricane debris from the 2004-2005 storms Saturday on Opal Beach.

Lofty, Hill receive Shining Light Award
Published May 18, 2012
Robbie Lofty, SRIA executive assistant and events coordinator, and Jon Hill, executive director at the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum, were selected for the 2012 "Emerging Leader" Shining Light Award.

Felony arrests, May 17, 2012
Published May 18, 2012
Felony arrests, May 17, 2012

Death notices, May 17, 2012
Published May 18, 2012
Death notices, May 17, 2012

Pensacola Police crack down on sales of 'Spice'
Published May 18, 2012
The Pensacola Police Department has warned two businesses about selling packets of synthetic marijuana, or "Spice."

Santa Rosa County: A greener Clerk of Courts
Published May 18, 2012
Santa Rosa County Clerk of Courts Mary Johnson is the first in the state to use e-filing for criminal procedures from the beginning of a case through its final disposition.

Florida briefs: Seat open on Public Service Commission
Published May 18, 2012
Applications are being accepted for the Public Service Commission; Gov. Scott has a new top aide; and U.S. Senate candidates could face new campaign rules.

Panhandle Butterfly House to reopen in Navarre on May 24
Published May 18, 2012
The butterflies are plentiful, but volunteers are not. The Panhandle Butterfly House at Navarre Park needs docents to lead guided tours through the house and butterfly garden. "Right now, we have about half the docents we need to open up the house," said

Meetings today: Thursday, May 17, 2012
Published May 18, 2012
Escambia County City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation board: 8 a.m. Pensacola City Hall, 222 W. Main St. 436-5670. Escambia County Tourism Administration RFQ presentations: 8 a.m. City of Pensacola, 180 Governmental Center. 595-4933.

Ceremony honors slain deputies today
Published May 18, 2012
The Escambia County Sheriff's Office and the Fraternal Order of Police will have a memorial service at 9 a.m. today to honor deputies killed in the line of duty.

Hurricane insurance rate hikes may target Escambia, Santa Rosa
Published May 18, 2012
New coastal homeowners seeking coverage from the state-backed insurance pool could see a big jump in premiums, but Escambia and Santa Rosa county homeowners could see their rates nearly double.

New Pensacola Christian College President Shoemaker is 'Keeper of the vision'
Published May 18, 2012
Dr. Troy Shoemaker, the new president of Pensacola Christian College, foresees many more students but no compromise with the secular world's standards

Appetite 4 Life expands to accept food stamps
Published May 18, 2012
Appetite 4 Life, formed in 1997 to serve people in the late stages of HIV/AIDS, now cooks and delivers meals to people suffering from terminal illnesses, the elderly and the disabled who receive food stamps.

Calendar: Thursday, May 17, 2012
Published May 18, 2012
Today Book & Gift Sale: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday. The Gulf Breeze Hospital Auxiliary is sponsoring a book and gift sale featuring handbags and jewelry. Gulf Breeze Hospital, 1110 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze; 934-2106.

Driver flees overturned vehicle
Published May 18, 2012
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a car accident that happened about 8 p.m. on U.S. 90 at Woodbine Road.

Two school buses involved in separate accidents Wednesday
Published May 18, 2012
Two school buses were involved in separate accidents Wednesday, but no one was seriously injured.

Weather Service issues special weather alert
Published May 18, 2012
The National Weather Service is reporting that there is a broken chain of thunderstorms that are bringing strong gusty winds and small hail to the area.

Storm conference views Hurricane Andrew's legacy
Published May 18, 2012
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - The ability to predict how bad a storm will be has eluded forecasters since Hurricane Andrew made a catastrophic landfall in South Florida two decades ago and it will remain a challenge for the next chief at the National Hurricane Center, the center's outgoing director said Wednesday.

Coffee buzz: Study finds java drinkers live longer
Published May 18, 2012
MILWAUKEE (AP) - One of life's simple pleasures just got a little sweeter. After years of waffling research on coffee and health, even some fear that java might raise the risk of heart disease, a big study finds the opposite: Coffee drinkers are a little more likely to live longer. Regular or decaf doesn't matter.

Robotics conference set for Pensacola Beach
Published May 18, 2012
More than 150 scientists, professors and students from the United States and 15 other countries will convene on Pensacola Beach next week for an international conference on robotics.

Volunteers needed for Seashore asphalt cleanup
Published May 18, 2012
Volunteers are needed to clean up scattered asphalt and debris on Opal Beach 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 19.

Military spouse job push picks up in Pensacola
Published May 18, 2012
H2 Performance Consulting of Pensacola agrees to volunteer in a Department of Defense-led program to help military spouses find jobs.

Military Appreciation Blood Drives set for Friday
Published May 18, 2012
Blood collected will go to help patients, friends and families of military personnel and retirees.

The Club could get promotional support from city
Published May 18, 2012
Gulf Breeze City Council will consider including a promotional flier about newly reopened facility in the utility bills that are mailed to 12,000 water, sewer and natural gas customers in the city limits and in South Santa Rosa County.

Driver ticketed after rear ending school bus
Published May 18, 2012
Twenty-seven students from Pine Forest and West Florida high schools were aboard the bus hit by a Pensacola man.

Man charged with animal cruelty in shooting of his 2 horses
Published May 18, 2012
Deputies went to the address of Richard Wayne Owen in the 2800 block of Baronne Street after Animal Control notified them that two horses were found fatally shot, according to a release from the Sheriff's Office.

Stores warned for selling synthetic marijuana
Published May 18, 2012
Search warrants for the stores were issued after undercover officers purchased packets of various brands of incense from several local businesses.

Pentagon restricts F-22 flights, safety a concern
Published May 18, 2012
Secretary of Defense orders restrictions after F-22 pilots reported experiencing dizziness, other symptoms of an oxygen shortage while flying.

Survey shows Florida real estate outlook improving
Published May 18, 2012
New poll shows respondents feel more optimistic because of the falling unemployment rate and increased activity in rental housing.