Good morning, Pensacola.

On Thursday, the City and Re-Entry Alliance opened New Horizons Village, a transitional housing project in Pensacola featuring 14 climate-controlled pallet shelter units with restroom and shower access, and residents will begin moving in the week of Aug.

17 as case managers assist with jobs, health, and permanent housing.

Escambia County approved a $62,500 grant to fund free meals and support services for low-income seniors in Century, as the Council on Aging plans to serve meals Monday through Thursday at the local senior center (and host a free resource fair on Friday, Sept.

18).

Perdido Key residents and visitors met Friday night to compile notarized statements that support public access to dry sand areas as commissioners review customary use, with submissions due Aug.

28. Supporters shared decades-long memories of fishing, swimming, and sunbathing to underscore a cherished local tradition.

Pensacola attorney Joe Zarzaur (advising Sewing Box owner Jellie Whitehurst) says a supply dispute cost her 43-year run after a Virginia firm won a $1.69 million Navy contract for Blue Angels flight suits; Congressman Jimmy Patronis has urged a review of the bidding process.

Sandy Cox is the new executive director of Pensacola Little Theater – she left a tech career and a mayoral role in Texas to bring fresh leadership and passion for local arts to the historic theater.

Mathaya Hills, a Pensacola artist who launched the new Paintsacola brand, painted 14 parking space murals at Gulf Breeze High School and is creating a mural for Build a Dream Foundation while dreaming of refreshing the Beach Ball water tower and capturing downtown East Hill scenes and our lively nightlife.

The University of West Florida starts its fall semester Monday with 15,675 students and a 1% enrollment bump adding about 200 new students, including a freshman class with a record 3.9 GPA — President Manny Diaz Jr. highlighted the growth as UWF also gears up for Division I sports.

UWF welcomed new and returning students on Aug.

14 as they moved into dorms for the 2026-27 school year; university staff directed parents and students to their assigned rooms.

Pensacola’s new program trains psychiatric residents through a partnership between Lakeview Center + HCA Florida West to address the local mental health shortage.

Sixteen residents are in the pipeline with the first group set to complete training in two years.

Florida continues to face dangerous heat with temperatures in the mid to high 90s and heat indices up to 114, according to the National Weather Service.

Afternoon thunderstorms may bring brief relief, so residents should take precautions (drink plenty of fluids and stay in air-conditioned spaces).

A recent Florida article spotlights top pizza joints, with Pensacola’s Papa's Pizza recognized for its long standing boardwalk and downtown locations offering customizable slices at affordable prices.

Papa's continues to draw locals for the best pie in the Panhandle.

Jason Libbert will become the new CEO of Pensacola Sports on Oct.

1. The former executive, who spent 12 years with the organization, will continue to support events like the sold-out Double Bridge Run and work toward a new turf complex on Nine Mile Rd.