Local News Updates

Santa Rosa County, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- Senator Don Gaetz says the state's investigation into a harmful herbicide spraying operation in East Milton is just the beginning. After requesting the investigation in May following complaints from East Milton farmers about dead chickens and other animals, Gaetz says the Florida Department of Agriculture's findings — and the maximum twenty-thousand dollar fine against FPL contractor Industrial Helicopters — are a start, but he's not

Pensacola, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- The Pensacola Police Department is putting more than fifty additional officers on the streets for Fourth of July celebrations. Both uniformed and plain clothes officers will patrol downtown and surrounding areas during and after Saturday's festivities, remaining on duty into the early morning hours of July fifth. Police say there will be zero tolerance for violent, reckless, or disruptive behavior. Anyone threatening the safety of community m

Escambia County, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- An Escambia County man says he and his nephew had a tense encounter with what they believe was a Florida panther on the Blackwater Heritage State Trail near Milton last month. Tim Mayhair says the large brown cat — about two-and-a-half feet tall and five feet long — walked toward them and followed them for roughly twenty minutes along the trail before they made it to safety. Mayhair called nine-one-one and was connected with Florida Fis

Tallahassee, FL -- Governor DeSantis has designated more than ninety organizations as terrorist groups under Florida law — including CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Antifa. The designations would prohibit state and local governments from providing taxpayer funding or contracts to the listed organizations. DeSantis says the move will help combat terrorism while protecting constitutional rights. The Florida Cabinet still needs to approve the designations before they take effe

Pensacola, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- July is Parks and Recreation Month — and the City of Pensacola is marking the occasion with a month-long series of pop-up parties at parks across the city. Parks and Recreation Director Tonya Byrd says residents should watch for activities popping up in their neighborhood parks throughout the month. Full schedules and updates are available at cityofpensacola.com or by following the department on Facebook and Instagram.

Santa Rosa County, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- A 77-year-old Milton woman was seriously injured Wednesday afternoon after rear-ending a stopped tractor-trailer on Morristown Road in Santa Rosa County. Florida Highway Patrol says the semi had stopped to back into a construction site when the woman's S-U-V failed to stop in time and struck it from behind. The truck driver was not injured. The investigation is ongoing.

ECUA crews are on site working to repair a 12-inch cast iron water main in the area of 200 South Palafox Place that was struck by a contractor working in that area. ECUA customers there may experience low water pressure or temporary loss of water service as crews work on the repairs. NewsRadio will provide updates as work progresses and information becomes available.

Pensacola, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- Roger Scott Pool is back for the summer — opening this Saturday despite a delay that briefly threatened to keep it closed for the season. The holdup came when the contractor hired to install the foundation for the pool's new permanent restroom building suffered a medical emergency and was unable to complete the work. That left the city scrambling for a solution. Parks and Recreation Director Tonya Byrd says the city went back to the Florida D

Pensacola, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- Dunwoody Park — known around town as Cowboy Park — is getting new western-themed playground equipment, and the city wants to know what kids think. A community input session is tonight at 5:30 at the park, where residents can review two design options. The session is tied to the annual Fourth of July bike parade neighborhood celebration starting at 6. The project is a $200,000 investment funded through local option sales tax as part of the cit

Pensacola, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- The city of Pensacola has been awarded a $1 million Brownfields multipurpose grant from the Environmental Protection Agency — the city's first of its kind — with two west side properties identified as priority sites for environmental assessment and cleanup. City Administrator David Stafford announced the award Tuesday at the city's weekly press conference, saying the city applied for the maximum grant amount in January and received the full a

Santa Rosa County, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- Santa Rosa County is launching a new program to permanently protect farmland from development. The Agricultural Legacy Lands Protection Program opens for applications today through July thirty-first, offering voluntary conservation easements that limit future development while keeping land in private hands. Eligible properties include farmland, timberland, ranch land, and open space. Commissioner Rhett Rowell says preserving agricultu

Escambia County, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- Ferry Pass residents have a free bulk pickup opportunity this Wednesday. The Escambia County neighborhood cleanup runs July eighth — eligible items must be at the curb by seven a-m. Accepted items include furniture, appliances, electronics, tires, yard debris, and household hazardous waste like old paint and motor oil. Building materials, auto parts, and vehicles will not be collected. Only residents in the designated cleanup area are e