Tuesday, March 17th, 2026
Good morning, Pensacola. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 17th of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Carpenter Creek Headwaters Park — a 2.6-acre restored wetland with walking paths, boardwalks and a pollinator garden — opens for public use this week, and a ribbon cutting will be held Thursday, March 19 at 1 p.m. at 725 East Olive Road. WUWF
- ➤ Pensacola area U-Pick farms are open today as they start a busy berry season – inviting locals to enjoy fresh picks and family fun at nearby fields. Pensacola News Journal
- ➤ Hunter Girdner (27-year-old), a Cantonment veteran wounded in Iran during Operation Epic Fury, received a hero’s welcome this past weekend as community members lined the road with flags to honor his brave effort to save a teammate; he is leaving ICU at Walter Reed and will soon return home. Rick's Blog
- ➤ Waterfront Rescue Mission opened Monday at 3:30 p.m. at 348 West Herman Ave to offer shelter from cold. It served men and women and coordinated with community partners to shelter women with children when temperatures dropped below 40°. WEAR-TV
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Coldwater Gardens in Milton canceled dozens of weddings scheduled after April 1 after accepting an offer to sell the property + refunds are expected by mid-April. Affected couples with bookings from 18 days away to 2028 said they received no notice until they contacted the venue directly. WEAR-TV
- ➤ J.W. Renfroe Pecan Company continues its century-long legacy by crafting traditional pecan treats and new snack mixes set to debut at Blue Wahoos games. The family business operates at its Fairfield Drive location, keeping Pensacola connected to its Southern heritage. Local Pulse
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Pensacola native Keyla Richardson returns for a week after competing in Hawaii as she advances to American Idol’s top 20 and attended Monday night’s show at Andy D's on Pensacola Bay. Fans can watch the next episode on March 23 at 7 p.m. WEAR-TV
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Pensacola gas stations reported regular fuel at an average price of $3.49 on Monday, and experts warn that global supply issues + a switch to summer blends may push prices higher in the coming days. Pensacola News Journal
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Florida does not set a legal minimum age for kids to stay home alone, but state agencies recommend waiting until age 12 (with older siblings only supervising at 15) as many students enjoy spring break this week in various counties. Pensacola News Journal
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Severe storms passed through the Panhandle on Monday, bringing strong winds+hail and a chance for isolated tornadoes, while a freeze warning affected Pensacola overnight. Meteorologists reported that additional rain and a sharp temperature drop were expected statewide as cold air moved in. Pensacola News Journal
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Despite a partial government shutdown triggering 300 TSA resignations nationwide, Pensacola International remains fully staffed with wait times under 30 minutes. Airport Director Matt Coughlin said local leadership stays in regular contact to address any potential staffing issues. WEAR-TV
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Pensacola spring break staycation offers locals creative ways to relax without traveling. It features historic tours, harbor visits, zoo adventures, a today St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl, and Gallery Night (March 20) along with ferry rides, farm trips, and art walks to give a taste of local fun. Local Pulse
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Eli Rushing became the first buyer to get a new affordable home downtown through the Blueprint to Homeownership program, a partnership among the city, Northwest Florida Community Land Trust, Habitat for Humanity and the Home Builders Association. The initiative will offer two more housing opportunities soon (2300 W. Jackson St.). Local Pulse
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Pensacola Bay and Pensacola Yacht Club will host the 2026 International WASZP Games from March 24–28, where elite foiling sailors from around the world will race in the biggest fleet assembled in the Americas (designer Andrew McDougall may also compete). Rick's Blog
-
Yk Niece Concert
9 PM - 3 AM — 8Fifty Event Center — In-person event for ages 18+ — Experience the hit-filled performance of Yk Niece in Pensacola's premier venue.
-
High School Baseball Match: Freeport vs. Choctaw
5-9 p.m. — Blue Wahoos Stadium — Free entry — Catch thrilling high school baseball action as Freeport takes on Choctaw.
-
Bayou Hills Run: City of Pensacola 5K / 10K Championships
7 AM – 12 PM — Bayview Park — Entry fees apply — Pensacola’s historic running event serves up competitive racing and community spirit.
-
Zarzaur Law Maritime DeLuna Duathlon
8-11 a.m. — Vince J. Whibbs Sr. Community Maritime Park — Entry Fee Required — Watch young athletes race in youth duathlon while promoting fitness and fun.
-
ServSafe Certification Live Class in Spanish
4-hour class — Hampton Inn Pensacola-Airport — From $159 — Fast-track your ServSafe certification with expert instruction and same-day exam results.
-
Cliff Cash - Comedy + Punk Night
6-8:30 p.m. — Perfect Plain Brewing Co. — Tickets available — Enjoy a unique blend of comedy and local punk music in an intimate setting.
-
Transformation Church's Easter Egg Hunt
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Pensacola Interstate Fair — Free entry — Enjoy family-friendly carnival games and age-specific egg hunting zones for children nursery aged to 5th grade.
-
Free Yoga at Bayview Park
9:30-10:30 a.m. — Bayview Park — Free entry — Enjoy a rejuvenating outdoor yoga session suitable for all levels amidst nature.
-
14th Annual Gala of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
5:30-9:30 p.m. — Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center — Tickets available — Celebrate community support while benefiting the Alfred Washburn Center & Outreach Ministries.
-
Hail The Sun Concert
6-9 p.m. — Vinyl Music Hall — $76 each — Catch Hail the Sun live with great energy at this popular local venue.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Pensacola
Welcome to the Daily Pensacola, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Pensacola, Florida community. If you like the Daily Pensacola, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Pensacola.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Pensacola and across Florida. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Pensacola
A free Pensacola community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailypensacola.com/sitemap